Lighthouse Cancer Hub | Bowel Cancer Travel Insurance

A bowel cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of uncertainty, but it does not necessarily mean putting your travel plans aside.

Whether you are thinking about a holiday during treatment, looking forward to your first trip after treatment has finished, or have been living beyond bowel cancer for some time, travelling can be an important part of getting back to the things you enjoy.

You may have questions that you never needed to think about before your diagnosis. Can you get travel insurance with bowel cancer? Is it safe to fly after surgery? What if you have a stoma? Do you still need to declare your cancer if you are in remission?

At Lighthouse Travel Insurance, we help people living with and recovering from cancer find cover that takes their medical circumstances into account.

Bowel cancer includes cancer that begins in the colon or rectum, so the information on this page may also be useful if you have been diagnosed with colon cancer or rectal cancer.

We know that travelling with or after cancer can involve more planning than it once did. That is why we have brought together some of the questions and practical considerations that may help you prepare for your trip with greater confidence.

Can you get travel insurance with Bowel Cancer?

In many cases, you should be able to get travel insurance if you are living with bowel cancer, receiving treatment, have finished treatment or are in remission.

When you get a quote, you will go through a medical screening where we will ask questions about your diagnosis, treatment, medication and current health. This helps us understand your individual circumstances and the cover available to you.

Depending on your circumstances, this may include questions about surgery you have had, treatment you are currently receiving and whether your cancer has spread to other parts of your body.

It is important to answer the questions accurately so you can be confident you have declared the medical information we need.

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Understanding Bowel Cancer and Your Travel Insurance

Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that begins in the large bowel. However, depending on where the cancer is first detected, you may also hear it described as colon cancer or rectal cancer.

People can have very different experiences of bowel cancer and its treatment. You may have had surgery and require no further treatment, be receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, be living with a stoma, or be having ongoing treatment for advanced bowel cancer.

For travel insurance, it is your individual circumstances that matter.

When you get a quote, we may ask about your diagnosis, the treatment you have received or are currently having, any medication you take and your ongoing care.

This helps us understand your health as it is today and assess the cover available to you. You do not need to work out what information is relevant before you start. Our medical screening process will guide you through the questions we need to ask.

Find out more about how medical screening works

Travelling with bowel cancer

Having bowel cancer does not necessarily mean that you cannot travel. Depending on your health, treatment and advice from your medical team, you should still be able to enjoy holidays in the UK or abroad.

You may, however, need to think about some things that were not part of your holiday planning before your diagnosis.

Before you travel

Speak to your healthcare team: If you are receiving treatment, have recently had surgery or have concerns about travelling, ask your consultant, cancer nurse or another member of your healthcare team whether you are fit to travel.
Plan around your treatment: If you are having chemotherapy, radiotherapy or another treatment, talk to your healthcare team about your travel dates. They may be able to help you understand when side effects are most likely to affect you and when you may feel better able to travel.
Check you are fit to fly: This can be particularly important following bowel surgery. Ask your healthcare team when it is appropriate for you to fly and whether there are any additional precautions you should take. Your airline may also have its own requirements.
Bring enough medication: Take enough medication for your trip, plus extra where appropriate in case you are delayed. Keep essential medication in your hand luggage and check the rules for taking medicines into your destination. Click here, to read our blog ‘Travelling abroad with prescribed medication: What you need to know’
Think about your journey: Fatigue, changes in bowel habits or needing more frequent access to a toilet can make long journeys more difficult. Planning stops, airport assistance or seating arrangements in advance may make travelling more comfortable.
Check vaccinations: Some cancer treatments can affect which travel vaccinations are suitable for you. Speak to your healthcare team or a travel health professional before having vaccinations for your trip.

During your holiday

There is no need for every holiday to be packed with activities. How much you want to do may depend on where you are in your treatment or recovery and how you are feeling.

You may find it helpful to:

Build rest into your itinerary if you experience fatigue
Keep well hydrated, particularly in hot climates
Know where toilets are likely to be when planning longer journeys or days out
Carry medication and essential medical supplies with you
Store medication according to its instructions
Know where you could obtain medical assistance locally
Keep your insurer’s emergency assistance details somewhere easily accessible
Leave some flexibility in your plans in case you have days when your energy levels are lower

The aim is not to let your diagnosis dictate your holiday. A little extra preparation can simply make it easier to enjoy your time away.

Flying after bowel cancer surgery

If you have recently had bowel cancer surgery, speak to your healthcare team before booking a flight.

There is not one waiting period that will be appropriate for everyone. The type of surgery you have had, your recovery and whether you have experienced any complications can all affect when it is appropriate to travel.

Your medical team can advise you based on your circumstances.

You should also check your airline’s requirements. An airline may ask for medical information or confirmation that you are fit to fly in some circumstances.

If you are concerned about blood clots, pain, wound healing or any other complication following surgery, discuss these concerns with your healthcare team before travelling.

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Travelling with a stoma

If you have a colostomy or ileostomy following bowel cancer treatment, having a stoma does not necessarily prevent you from travelling.

It can, however, make a little extra preparation worthwhile.

Before you leave, think about how many stoma supplies you would normally use during the time you are away and take additional supplies where possible in case your return journey is delayed or you need to change your bag more frequently.

It can be useful to divide supplies between your hand luggage and hold luggage, rather than keeping everything in one bag. Keep enough essential supplies with you to manage your stoma during your journey and for a period after you arrive.

You may also want to think about:

Keeping spare stoma bags and essential supplies somewhere easy to reach
Checking airline rules for any liquids, sprays or accessories you need to carry
Cutting appliances to size before travelling if you normally use scissors
How changes in food, routine or climate might affect you
Drinking enough fluids, particularly in warmer destinations
Planning ahead for access to toilets during long journeys and days out
Speaking to your stoma nurse if this is your first trip since surgery or you have concerns about managing your stoma while away

If you are flying, airport security staff may need to carry out additional screening. If you are worried about this, contact the airport before travelling to find out what assistance or arrangements are available.

Having a stoma can take some getting used to, particularly if it is new. But it does not have to mean giving up the places you want to see or the holidays you have been looking forward to.

The Importance of Declaring Your Medical Conditions

Whether it is unexpected medical treatment abroad or returning home early because of a medical emergency, healthcare costs while travelling can quickly become expensive. Having travel insurance that reflects your individual health is therefore an important part of travelling with confidence.

When arranging your travel insurance, it is important to tell us about:

Your bowel cancer diagnosis
Any medication you are taking
Any treatment you are currently receiving or have recently completed
Surgery you have had
Any ongoing hospital appointments or follow-up care
Any medical conditions that have developed as a result of your cancer or its treatment
Any other medical conditions you have

Providing accurate information allows us to assess your circumstances and explain the cover available to you.

If medical conditions or treatments are not declared when required, it could affect your cover and may mean claims relating to those conditions cannot be paid.

At Lighthouse, we aim to make medical screening straightforward, helping you understand what information we need so you can travel with greater peace of mind.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Travel insurance may be available if you have bowel cancer. This can include people currently receiving treatment, those who have completed treatment and people who are in remission.

You will need to complete a travel insurance medical screening and provide information about your diagnosis, treatment, medication and current health. Your circumstances can then be assessed individually.

Having bowel cancer does not automatically mean that you cannot travel or obtain insurance. However, the cover available and the price you pay will depend on your individual circumstances, destination, trip and policy selected.

Travel insurance may be available if you have colon cancer, including if you are receiving treatment, have completed treatment or are in remission.

Colon cancer is a type of bowel cancer, and you will need to declare your diagnosis when required during medical screening. You may be asked about your treatment, surgery, medication, ongoing care and current health.

Answer the medical screening questions accurately so your individual circumstances can be assessed and the available cover explained to you.

Travel insurance may be available for people living with or recovering from rectal cancer.

When getting a quote, you will go through medical screening and may be asked about your diagnosis, treatment, surgery, medication and current health.

Everyone’s experience of rectal cancer is different, so your circumstances will be assessed individually rather than assuming that one person’s experience will be the same as another’s.

When asked about your medical history, it is important to declare your bowel cancer and answer all medical screening questions accurately.

You may also need to provide information about treatment, surgery, medication, follow-up appointments and other medical conditions.

Do not assume that your cancer no longer needs to be mentioned simply because treatment has finished or some time has passed since your diagnosis. Answer the questions you are asked based on your circumstances.

If you are unsure whether something needs to be declared, contact Lighthouse rather than leaving it out.

Many people are able to travel while receiving treatment for bowel cancer, but whether it is appropriate for you will depend on your individual health, the treatment you are having and advice from your medical team.

Cancer treatments can have side effects that affect travel, including fatigue, sickness and an increased risk of infection. Treatment schedules can also influence when you are able to get away.

Speak to your healthcare team before booking your trip. They can advise whether travelling is appropriate and help you understand how your treatment schedule and possible side effects could affect your plans.

You may be able to travel after bowel cancer surgery, but when you are ready will depend on the type of surgery you have had, how well you are recovering and the advice of your healthcare team.

Do not rush your recovery to fit around a holiday. Speak to your healthcare team about your plans, particularly if you intend to fly or take a long journey.

If you have a new stoma following surgery, you may also want to speak to your stoma nurse about managing it while travelling and what supplies you should take.

You may be able to fly following bowel cancer surgery, but you should ask your healthcare team when it is safe for you to do so.

There is no single timeframe that will be appropriate for everyone. Your recovery, the type of surgery you have had and whether you have experienced complications all need to be considered.

Your airline may also have requirements for passengers travelling following surgery, so check these before you fly.

Yes, having a stoma does not necessarily prevent you from travelling.

Good preparation can make travelling with a colostomy or ileostomy easier. Take enough stoma supplies for your holiday and additional supplies where possible in case of delays or unexpected changes.

Keep essential supplies in your hand luggage and consider splitting the remainder between bags if you are travelling with someone else.

If this is your first holiday with a stoma, your stoma nurse can be a useful source of advice before you travel.

You can travel with stoma supplies, but it is sensible to check the current security and baggage requirements for your airline and departure airport before travelling.

Keep the supplies you will need during your journey in your hand luggage, along with additional essentials in case your checked baggage is delayed.

Some stoma equipment may need a little extra planning when passing through airport security. For example, if you normally use scissors to cut your appliances, check the current hand luggage rules or consider preparing your bags before you leave home.

If you have concerns about security screening with a stoma, contact your airport before travelling.

Travel insurance may be available after your bowel cancer treatment has finished.

When arranging insurance, you may still need to declare your bowel cancer and provide information about previous treatment, surgery, medication, follow-up appointments and your current health.

Finishing treatment can be an important milestone. For some people, finally taking the holiday, they had been thinking about during treatment can be part of looking forward again.

Having suitable travel insurance means your medical circumstances can be taken into account as part of those plans.

Yes, people continue to travel after their bowel cancer has gone into remission, in fact many plan holidays as a way to celebrate being in remission

However, when arranging travel insurance, you may still need to declare your bowel cancer during medical screening, even if treatment has finished and you are feeling well. What you need to tell us will depend on the questions you are asked.

You should also consider any ongoing medication, follow-up appointments or advice from your medical team when planning your trip.

If it is your first holiday since treatment, you may prefer to give yourself a little more flexibility than you normally would while you find out how travelling feels again.

It may. Travel insurance premiums are calculated using a range of factors, which can include your medical circumstances as well as your age, destination, trip duration and the cover you select.

Your bowel cancer diagnosis and treatment history will therefore form part of the medical screening process.

Every person’s circumstances are different. Someone who has recently had surgery or is currently receiving treatment may have very different circumstances from someone whose treatment finished several years ago.

Providing accurate information during medical screening is the best way to receive a quote based on your individual circumstances.

If your health changes after purchasing your travel insurance, contact Lighthouse as soon as possible.

For example, you may receive a new diagnosis, start a different treatment, have surgery, be prescribed new medication or experience a change in an existing medical condition.

Do not assume that an existing policy will automatically cover a change in your health. Your Lighthouse can explain whether the change needs to be assessed and whether it affects your cover.

It is particularly important to do this before travelling rather than waiting until you need medical assistance abroad.

Yes, annual travel insurance may be available, depending on your individual circumstances and the policy offered.

You will still need to complete the required medical screening and declare your bowel cancer and other relevant medical conditions.

Check the policy’s destination, trip-duration and age limits carefully, along with the medical cover provided. The right option will depend on how often you travel, where you are travelling and your individual circumstances.

Many people living with or recovering from bowel cancer travel to European destinations.

Before travelling, speak to your healthcare team if you have concerns about whether you are medically fit to travel. Consider your treatment schedule, medication and medical supplies, access to healthcare at your destination and appropriate travel insurance.

A GHIC or valid EHIC can provide access to some state healthcare in participating countries, but it is not a replacement for travel insurance.

Always check current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice for your destination before travelling.

Travelling to the USA may be possible depending on your health and medical advice.

Travel insurance is particularly important to consider because medical treatment in the United States can be expensive.

When obtaining a quote, declare your bowel cancer and any other medical conditions accurately and check the medical expenses limit and other relevant terms of the policy.

If you are receiving treatment or have recently had surgery, speak to your healthcare team before booking your trip. It can also be useful to research where you could access appropriate medical care at your destination if you needed it.

A cruise may be an option if you are living with or recovering from bowel cancer, depending on your individual health and medical advice.

Before booking, think about the length and route of the cruise, access to medical care, your medication and any supplies you will need. This can be particularly important if you have a stoma or are receiving ongoing treatment.

Speak to your healthcare team if you have concerns about whether a cruise is suitable for you.

You should also check that your travel insurance provides the cover you need for your cruise and medical circumstances.