People who are actively undergoing cancer therapies or whose immune systems or overall health has been compromised by cancer treatments may choose to travel for a variety of reasons: business, vacation, even treatment. The key to traveling with cancer is to make travel preparations that will promote comfort, safeguard your health, and maintain your treatment goals as much as possible. Here are some tips to help make your trip smoother.
Before you travel, be sure to discuss your plans with your doctor. This is especially important if you have recently been diagnosed with cancer or are still suffering side effects of treatment or chemotherapy . Your doctor’s opinion on when and whether you should travel is very important. If your doctor recommends against travel be sure you understand the reasons for that recommendation.
Vacationers should carefully consider potential health hazards when choosing a destination.
If you are traveling abroad, bring the emergency numbers for each city you will be visiting, as well as the number for the American consulate and embassy.
Check vaccination requirements. Some vaccines needed for entry into certain countries may be contraindicated for cancer patients. People with cancer who are receiving immunosuppressive therapies (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or large volume radiotherapy) should not receive live vaccines, and inactivated vaccines may produce a weaker response, thus diminishing effectiveness.
“The effectiveness of a vaccine is determined by the stage and type of cancer,” says Gianna Zuccotti, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the Travel and Infectious Disease Clinic at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. “Patients who are in the early stages of cancer, with solid tumors, (such as breast and colon cancers ) will have a better response to immunizations.”
Before your trip, contact your oncologist to obtain the following:
The following preparations will help you, as well as medical and airline personnel:
A risk for all airline travelers on long flights is developing deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the lower body, primarily the legs. The clot can migrate to the heart, lungs, and brain causing potential catastrophic complications, including death or stroke.
Cancer patients are susceptible to blood clots, so walking around once every hour to increase circulation is encouraged. Some doctors may recommend taking aspirin to thin the blood, or even a prophylactic dose of heparin in certain cases. Ask your doctor whether these options are right for you.
When you arrive at your destination, take these precautions to optimize your stay:
Sometimes travel is not due to vacation or business—it’s simply a necessity to obtain treatment. If treatment is distant and costly for you, there are organizations that provide help when traveling for appointments, often for free. Some examples include:
RESOURCES:
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers
http://www.iamat.org
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
http://www.mskcc.org
Traveler’s Health, National Center for Infectious Disease
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
WorldClinic at Lahey Clinic
http://www.worldclinic.com
References:
Avery RK. Immunization in adult immunocompromised patients: which to use, and which to avoid. Cleve Clin J Med . 2001;68:337-348.
Hunter-Jones P. Managing cancer: the role of holiday taking. J Travel Med. 2003;10:170.
Traveling with cancer. MD Anderson Cancer Center website. Available at: http://www.mdandersonorlando.org/about/news . Accessed October 13, 2003.
Wilensky A. Traveling with cancer. Cancer and Careers.org website. Available at: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/working/item?item_id=5047 . Accessed October 13, 2003
Last reviewed December 2008 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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