Lifestyle - How to keep healthy
Can I travel abroad?
Yes. If you have had a bone marrow transplant you may need to be selective as to where you visit. North Western Europe, the northern Mediterranean, North America or Australasia are all acceptable places, after a transplant. If you want to visit other countries you should seek advice as to which vaccinations are required as there are some live vaccines that you shouldn’t have.
If you are taking medicines abroad, especially if you are taking needles and syringes, a letter from your doctor may be required explaining what they are for. This can reduce the problems at customs and airports.
Will I be able to get travel insurance?
You will be able to get insurance but the premium may be higher. There are some companies that specialise in offering insurance to people who have a medical condition. It is worth shopping around for the best policy. CancerBACUP, the cancer information charity, has a fact sheet about travel insurance and list of companies that may be helpful. You can call for a free copy (see number below). It is important to be honest even though your treatment may have been years ago. If you did become unwell and you had not declared your past illness you may find your insurance will not cover you.
Can I have travel vaccinations?
This depends on the treatment you had. If you had a bone marrow transplant you will need to be more cautious, discuss this with your doctor.
Non live vaccines, like hepatitis A, cholera, rabies and typhoid are safe and should be used as indicated. There are some vaccines that you can’t have after a transplant. These tend to be live vaccines such as yellow fever, typhoid and live oral polio.
If you visit an area where malaria is endemic then you are advised to take full anti-malarial precautions. For those who have had their spleen removed or had a transplant and total body irradiation, malaria is particularly dangerous. Careful thought should be given before travelling to an area where there is malaria.
Useful websites are:
CancerBACUP is a useful source of information on travel related queries though it does deal more with people still having treatment rather than those off treatment for some time. You can telephone on 0808 800 1234 or visit www.cancerbacup.org.uk.
Sarah Gilmour, Essex
This website is produced on behalf of the CCLG Late Effects Group.
Edited by Dr Annie Griffiths | Contributors
Designed by the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG)
© CCLG 2007