Breast cancer travel insurance

We know how important it is to be able follow your management plan for breast cancer, which can be a worry when travelling with medicines. But if anything is lost, stolen or damaged, it can be tricky to track down replacements abroad. With our Comprehensive and Signature policies, we offer Personal Assistance Services for situations just like this. 

 
That support includes: 
 

• Helping you locate local pharmacies. 

• Connecting you with English speaking healthcare experts.  

• Understanding local healthcare systems to help find the equivalent medications available at your destination.

Please note that replacement medicines are not a covered expense.  

If your health means you need to unexpectedly cancel your trip or cut it short, your safety is our priority.  

• 24-hour medical emergency helpline with English-speaking support team.

• Support coordinating care with your medical team back home.

• If you need to come home, we’ll coordinate with overseas and UK medical teams, and take care of your transport arrangements.

• Help with accommodation if you need to extend your stay. 

• Assistance rebooking flights and transfers. 

Lymphoedema, which is swollen limbs, is a common side effect of some breast cancer treatments. It shouldn’t stop you from going on your trip, but you may wish to take extra steps to be comfortable when flying. 

• If you have a fitted compression garment, wear it during your journey, especially when flying.

• Wear loose clothes with natural fibres to keep cool and comfortable.

• Keep your luggage light or on wheels, and use a rucksack rather than a handbag as they’re easier to carry.

• If you can, book an aisle seat so that you can move easily around to reduce swelling and the chance of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Other things that can help you stay comfortable while travelling include: 

• Use a high SPF sunscreen (at least 30) with UVA protection, and wear a hat and sunglasses for sun protection.

• Wear insect repellent and long sleeves to prevent insect bites.

• Pack medicines for nausea and diarrhoea.

• A good pair of walking shoes can ease strain on your hips and joints.

Learn more tips for travelling with breast cancer. 

Pacing yourself is important. You may want to consider how much activity you can manage and schedule rest between activities. 

• Look for accommodation that is accessible for your needs.

• If you need mobility support, arrange with your travel providers ahead of your trip for a wheelchair or assistance at airports, train stations, and on ships.

• Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to keep hydrated and eat regularly to keep your energy levels up. 

• If you’re flying long-haul, give yourself time to rest before and after your travels to reduce jet lag.

You’ll want to feel secure on your trip so it’s worth having these travel documents and medical records with you. 

• Check with the embassy if you need a signed doctor’s letter summarising your medical history, including recent treatments and current medications.

• Copies of your prescriptions. 

• A printout of any agreed special travel arrangements. 

• Proof of health and travel insurances with contact numbers.

• Lists of healthcare providers in the area you’re travelling to.

• Your GHIC card.

Many people travel again at some point after breast cancer treatment. How quickly you can get back to travelling usually depends on your overall health and the treatments you’ve had.  

Speak to your doctor or care team about when you can get back to travelling after breast cancer treatment and trips that may be suitable for your needs. 

If you’re having active treatment for breast cancer, we may still be able to cover you for travel insurance. 
 

For the best service and support, call one of our specialists. They’ll guide you with care through the next steps of your quote.

If you have a prosthetic breast implant, you may be worried about going through the airport scanners. Don’t worry, they will not trigger the alarms.  

Sometimes, people are randomly picked for body scans. You might want to carry a letter from your treatment team confirming your situation and show it to staff if this happens. 

If you use a temporary prosthesis, you may prefer to keep it in your hand luggage. It should go through security just fine as it’s classified as medical equipment.  

Some people like to pack their prosthesis in their check-in. If you do, small bubbles can appear in your prosthesis, as the luggage hold is not pressurised. Your prosthesis will not be damaged, and the bubbles disappear after landing. 

You can take a flight with both a temporary prosthesis and a permanent implant as the air cabin where you sit is pressurised. Your implant will not be damaged when you fly. 

If you’ve recently had surgery to receive a permanent breast implant, check with your doctor or care team about how soon you can travel after surgery. 

Before you book your trip, check which vaccines you may need for your destination.  

Speak to your GP or pharmacist about vaccines if you’ve had chemotherapy within the last six months. Live vaccines might not be suitable, but you may be able to have inactive vaccinations.  

Some important things to consider packing for your trip: 

• Enough medication for your whole trip and a few days extra, including other medication for things like nausea and headaches.

• Check with the embassy of your destination country whether you need a signed doctor’s letter to travel with certain medicines – some doctors may charge for this service, which is not a covered expense.

• Evidence that you are fit to fly or travel, such as your medical notes. 

• Proof of health and travel insurance with contact numbers.

• A list of healthcare providers in the area you’re visiting. 

• Compression socks for flying.

• Insect repellent and antiseptic cream.

• Clothes you feel comfortable and confident in.

Some people are at increased risk of infections after breast cancer treatment. Always make sure to talk to your nurse for advice so that you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.  

Here are some things you may want to keep in mind:  

• Avoid raw or undercooked food, including raw fruit and vegetables. 

• Depending on your destination, it may be safer to drink bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. 

• Avoid swimming in pools, rivers, lakes, and the sea. 

• Try to stay covered up and wear insect repellent to protect your skin against insect bites.  

• Use antiseptic cream on any insect bites or scrapes to your skin.  

In an emergency, contact the local emergency services first, and then call our 24-hour emergency helpline. Our team will help arrange your care, find the most appropriate place for treatment and follow up care. 
  

Our helpline is open 24/7, 365 days a year:  
 

• Calling from outside the UK: +44 1403 288 414 

• Calling from USA or Canada: +1 844 780 0639 

• Calling from Mexico: +1 819 780 0639 

• Calling from the UK: 01403 288 414 

If you or someone on your policy is admitted to hospital or your outpatient treatment is likely to cost more than £350, contact us as soon as possible. Where you have a valid claim, and your medical expenses exceed £350 we will look to settle the bill directly with the medical provider where possible. 

If you have a non-urgent medical concern, such as sickness, headaches, or mild pain, contact our helpline first for advice on where to go for assistance. 

As good as travel insurance is, some things can’t be covered.  

You’re not covered for: 

• Travelling against your doctor’s advice.

• Claims for pre-existing medical conditions you haven’t told us about.  

• Routine check-ups, planned treatment or non-emergency care. 

• Travel for medical procedures abroad. 

• Reimbursement for lost, damaged or stolen medicines or equipment.

• Incidents related to alcohol or controlled substances.

• Strike action that was common knowledge at the time of booking. 

• Choosing private treatment when suitable public facilities are available. 

• Choosing not to travel.
   

Discover more about what travel insurance covers. There will also be policy limits and exclusions depending on the level of cover you choose. Always check your policy documents carefully to understand exactly what you’re covered for.  

When comparing travel insurance policies for breast cancer, you’ll want to look out for what’s covered and what’s not.  

The right travel insurance for breast cancer should: 
 

• Agree to cover your breast cancer and any other pre-existing conditions you have.  

• Cover medical expenses, including necessary emergency travel home.

• Have a high medical cover limit.

• Help you replace lost, stolen or damaged medication.

• Cover you for cancellations or interruptions during your trip.

• Include 24/7 emergency assistance services while abroad.

Learn more about what’s covered under our medical insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, or get a quote.