Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming and uncertain time. Alongside questions about your health and treatment, you may also find yourself thinking about plans you have already made, including an upcoming holiday.
You may have a trip booked and be unsure whether you can still go. You might be waiting to find out what your treatment will involve, or wondering whether planning some time away could give you and the people close to you something positive to look forward to.
A new cancer diagnosis does not necessarily mean that travel is no longer possible. However, it may involve some additional planning, including speaking to your healthcare team, considering any upcoming treatment and finding travel insurance that takes your diagnosis into account.
At Lighthouse Travel Insurance, we help people affected by cancer find cover based on their individual medical circumstances.
This guide explains what to consider after a new diagnosis, whether you already have a holiday booked or are beginning to think about planning one.
Can I get travel insurance after a cancer diagnosis?
Yes, it is certainly possible to get travel insurance after being diagnosed with cancer, but this will depend on your individual circumstances and subject to you completing a medical screening, and being accepted.
During the medical screening, you may be asked about:
- The type of cancer you have been diagnosed with
- When you received your diagnosis
- Whether the cancer has spread
- Any symptoms you are experiencing
- Whether treatment has started or been planned
- The treatment you are receiving or expecting to receive
- Any surgery you have had or are due to have
- Your medication
- Any hospital admissions
- Any future appointments, tests or investigations
- Any other medical conditions you have
Your answers help the insurer understand your health and assess whether they can offer cover.
Being newly diagnosed does not automatically mean that you will be unable to get travel insurance. However, if your treatment plan is still being decided or you are waiting for further test results, the insurer may need additional information before confirming whether cover is available.
What should I do if I already have a holiday booked?
If you booked your holiday or bought travel insurance before receiving your diagnosis, contact your existing travel insurance provider as soon as you reasonably can.
Explain that you have recently been diagnosed with cancer and ask how this affects your policy. They may need to ask further medical questions before confirming whether your existing cover can continue.
Do not assume that your policy is unchanged after your diagnosis. Equally, do not cancel your holiday without first speaking to your insurer and the healthcare professional responsible for your care.
Whether you can make a cancellation claim will depend on the circumstances, the date you bought your insurance and the terms, conditions and exclusions of your policy.
Before changing or cancelling your trip
- Speak to your healthcare team about whether travel remains appropriate
- Tell your travel insurer about your diagnosis
- Check whether your treatment dates affect the trip
- Ask your travel provider whether your booking can be changed
- Keep appointment letters and other relevant medical documents
- Contact your insurer before making non-refundable changes where possible
Your insurer can explain what evidence may be required if you need to make a claim.
What if I have not booked my holiday yet?
If you are considering booking a holiday after your diagnosis, it can help to speak to your healthcare team and check whether suitable travel insurance is available before paying for the trip.
At this stage, you may not yet know exactly what your treatment will involve or how it will affect you. Waiting until you have more information can make it easier to choose suitable dates and answer medical screening questions accurately.
Before booking, think about:
- Whether your treatment plan has been confirmed
- When treatment is expected to begin
- Whether appointments or tests could fall during the trip
- How you are feeling physically and emotionally
- How far you want to travel
- The healthcare available at your destination
- Whether your booking can be changed or cancelled
- Whether you can obtain appropriate travel insurance
Flexible flights and accommodation may be useful while your treatment plans are developing.
When should I buy travel insurance after a diagnosis?
Travel insurance should usually be considered when you book your holiday, rather than shortly before departure.
Cancellation cover generally begins from the start date shown in the policy. However, what you can claim for will depend on the circumstances and the policy’s terms, conditions and exclusions.
A policy bought after your diagnosis will not automatically cover every situation connected with your cancer. You will need to complete the medical screening process, and the insurer will confirm whether your condition can be covered.
If you are waiting for test results, further investigations or a treatment decision, make this clear during the quote process. Do not leave out information because it has not yet been fully confirmed.
How does medical screening work after a new cancer diagnosis?
Medical screening allows a travel insurance provider to understand your diagnosis and individual health circumstances.
Lighthouse uses Protectif, our in-house medical screening system. It asks questions based on the medical conditions you declare, rather than using the same questions for everybody.
The questions you are asked will depend on the information you provide. After a recent cancer diagnosis, this may include questions about your diagnosis, investigations, treatment plans, symptoms and general health.
Answer each question as accurately as you can based on what you currently know. If you are unsure how to answer, contact us rather than guessing.
Protectif contains information on more than 11,000 medical conditions, including over 200 cancers.
Do I need to declare cancer if treatment has not started?
Yes. You should declare your cancer diagnosis even if you have not started treatment.
You may also need to tell the insurer if you are:
- Waiting for a treatment plan
- Waiting for surgery
- Waiting for test or scan results
- Having further investigations
- Waiting to see a specialist
- Deciding between different treatment options
Medical screening is not limited to conditions for which you are currently receiving treatment. The insurer needs an accurate picture of your health when assessing your application. So, you would need to advise of any other medical conditions you have, or are having treatment for, along with any side affects you may experience from any diagnosis or treatment.
What happens if my treatment plan has not been confirmed?
It is common to have a period between diagnosis and receiving a complete treatment plan.
You may be waiting for scan results, pathology results, a multidisciplinary team meeting or a discussion with your consultant.
This uncertainty can make it harder to plan a holiday because you may not yet know:
- When treatment will start
- How frequently you will need treatment
- Whether you will need surgery
- How treatment could affect you
- Whether appointments could change
- When your healthcare team may advise that travel is appropriate
Tell the travel insurance provider what you currently know and explain what is still being investigated or decided. Whether cover can be offered at this stage will depend on the insurer’s underwriting criteria.
If your circumstances change after you buy a policy, contact your insurer to check whether they need any further information.
Can I travel during cancer treatment?
Many people travel while receiving cancer treatment, but it will not be appropriate for everyone.
The answer will depend on the treatment you are receiving, how it affects you, the timing of your appointments and the advice of your cancer team.
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and surgery can affect people differently. Possible considerations may include fatigue, infection risk, side effects, wound healing, medication and the need for monitoring.
Your healthcare team can advise whether travel is appropriate for you and whether your proposed dates fit safely around your treatment plans.
For more detailed guidance, visit the relevant treatment pages:
- Travelling During and After Chemotherapy
- Travelling During and After Radiotherapy
- Travelling During and After Immunotherapy
- Travelling During and After Hormone Therapy
- Travelling After Cancer Surgery
Choosing when to travel after a new diagnosis
There is no single best time to travel after being diagnosed with cancer.
Some people may feel well enough to travel before treatment starts. Others may prefer to wait until treatment is underway, has finished or they have a clearer idea of how it affects them.
When considering possible dates, think about:
- Upcoming tests, scans and appointments
- The proposed start and end dates of treatment
- How much flexibility you have
- Whether you need time to recover after treatment or surgery
- When you will next need medication
- Whether follow-up appointments are required
- Your healthcare team’s advice
Avoid relying on a general recovery timeframe. Your cancer team understands your circumstances and can give you more individual guidance.
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
