A pancreatic cancer diagnosis can change the way you think about travelling. Alongside deciding where you would like to go, you may now be thinking about treatment dates, medication, how you will feel while you are away and whether you can get travel insurance that takes your diagnosis into account.
But having pancreatic cancer does not necessarily mean putting your travel plans aside.
You may be hoping for some time away during treatment, looking forward to your first holiday once treatment has finished, or planning a trip as you recover or move forward after cancer.
Whatever your circumstances, travel can still mean time with family, a change of scene, returning somewhere you love or simply having something positive to look forward to.
At Lighthouse Travel Insurance, we help people living with and recovering from cancer find cover that takes their individual medical circumstances into account.
We know that travelling after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can bring up questions that were never part of planning a holiday before your diagnosis. Can you travel during treatment? When can you fly after surgery? What happens if you take medication regularly? Do you still need to declare pancreatic cancer after treatment has finished?
There is not one answer that applies to everybody. Your diagnosis, treatment, recovery and current health all matter.
That is why we have brought together some of the practical things to consider when planning your trip
Can you get travel insurance with pancreatic cancer?
Travel insurance may be available if you have pancreatic cancer, including if you are receiving treatment, have finished treatment or are in remission.
When you get a quote, you will complete a travel insurance medical screening. We may ask questions about your diagnosis, treatment, medication and current health.
This helps us understand your individual circumstances and assess the cover available to you.
You do not need to decide which parts of your medical history are relevant before you begin. Our medical screening process will guide you through the questions we need to ask.
It is important to answer those questions accurately so you can be confident you have declared the medical information we need.
Understanding pancreatic cancer and your travel insurance
People can have very different experiences of pancreatic cancer, its treatment and recovery.
You may be currently receiving treatment, recovering after surgery, taking medication, attending regular hospital appointments or have finished treatment and be having follow-up care.
For travel insurance, it is your individual circumstances that matter.
When you get a quote, we may ask about your diagnosis, treatment you have received or are currently having, medication you take and your ongoing care.
This helps us understand your health as it is today and assess the cover available to you.
If your health or treatment changes after you have bought your policy, contact Lighthouse before you travel. This could include starting a new treatment, being prescribed new medication, receiving another diagnosis or experiencing a change in an existing medical condition.
Do not assume that your existing policy will automatically cover a change in your health. Contacting us means we can explain whether your policy needs to be reviewed.
Travelling with pancreatic cancer
Before you travel
A little preparation can make travelling feel more manageable. Before you book, speak to your healthcare team about your plans, particularly if you are having treatment or have recently finished.
It is also worth thinking about:
- Your treatment and appointments: Plan your trip around any treatment, tests or follow-up appointments.
- Whether you are fit to fly: If you are unsure, speak to your healthcare team before travelling.
- Your medication: Make sure you have enough for your whole trip, with some extra in case of delays.
- Your journey: Consider flight times, transfers and how much rest you may need.
- Vaccinations: Check whether any are recommended for your destination and whether they are suitable for you.
- Medical care abroad: Know where you could get medical help at your destination if you need it.
During your holiday
Once you are away, try to give yourself some flexibility and plan around how you are feeling.
A few practical steps can help:
- Keep medication with you: Carry essential medication in your hand luggage where possible.
- Store medication correctly: Follow any storage instructions you have been given.
- Follow medical advice: Continue any precautions recommended by your healthcare team.
- Know where to get help: Familiarise yourself with local medical services at your destination.
- Keep insurance details handy: Have your policy and Emergency Medical Assistance details somewhere easy to access.
- Allow time to rest: A flexible itinerary can make it easier to adjust your plans if you need to.
Travelling during pancreatic cancer treatment
Whether you can travel during treatment will depend on the treatment you are having, how you are responding to it and the advice of your healthcare team.
Treatment can affect people differently, so there is no single rule about when somebody with pancreatic cancer can or cannot travel.
Before making plans, speak to your healthcare team about your destination, journey and travel dates. They can advise you based on your individual circumstances.
You can find more information in our guides to travel insurance during active cancer treatment and travelling during and after chemotherapy.
Travelling after pancreatic cancer treatment
Finishing treatment can be an important milestone, and for some people, planning a holiday is part of looking forward to what comes next.
There is no single waiting period that applies to everybody after cancer treatment. When you can travel will depend on the treatment you have had, your recovery, your current health and the advice of your healthcare team.
You may also still need to declare your pancreatic cancer when arranging travel insurance, even if your treatment has finished.
Our guide to travel insurance after cancer treatment explains more about planning a trip once treatment has ended.
Travelling when pancreatic cancer is in remission
Being in remission does not automatically mean that your previous pancreatic cancer diagnosis no longer needs to be declared when arranging travel insurance.
The questions you are asked will depend on your individual medical circumstances, including your diagnosis, previous treatment and current health.
It is important to answer the medical screening questions accurately, even if your treatment was some time ago.
Read our guide to travel insurance in remission from cancer for more information.
The importance of declaring your medical conditions
When you arrange travel insurance with Lighthouse, you will be guided through our medical screening process.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked about:
- Your pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
- Treatment you are having or have previously received.
- Medication you currently take.
- Surgery you have had.
- Ongoing appointments, tests or investigations.
- Any conditions connected with your diagnosis or treatment.
- Other medical conditions you have.
It is important to answer the questions accurately so you can be confident you have declared the medical information we need.
If relevant medical information is not declared, it could affect your cover and may mean that a related claim cannot be paid.
Why choose Lighthouse Travel Insurance?
Our policies can offer:
- Up to £10 million emergency medical expenses.
- Up to £10,000 cancellation cover, based on the trip cost per person declared.
- Up to £5,000 cover for your personal belongings, depending on the policy selected.
- 24/7 access to an Emergency Medical Assistance team.
- Cover for UK, European and Worldwide trips, provided you are not travelling against the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) travel advice.
- Access to Air Doctor Connect is available on numerous policies, allowing you to connect with over 20,000 doctors in 78 countries. Where non-urgent outpatient treatment is provided through Air Doctor Connect, your policy excess is waived, and you may claim back the cost of prescribed medication when you return home.
Please Note: Any amounts listed above are per insured person on the policy. Cover limits, benefits and exclusions vary between policies. Full details can be found in your policy wording, available in your Customer Area
