Travelling with Prostate Cancer

Can I get travel insurance if I have or have had prostate cancer?

Yes, MIA can usually offer insurance for people travelling with prostate cancer, but it’s not guaranteed.

Our ability to offer travel insurance cover will depend on your individual circumstances, such as what stage you’re at in your treatment. However, rest assured, MIA specialises in offering cover for those people who have found it difficult getting travel insurance previously.

What's covered?

MIA is made up of two specialist medical travel insurance products, Clear2Go and Clear4Travel. Each product has its own levels of cover:

• Medical cover up to £5,000,000 per person
• Baggage Cover of up to £1,500 per person
• Cancellation cover of between £1,000 and £2,000

• Medical cover up to £5,000,000 per person
• Baggage Cover of up to £1,500 per person
• Cancellation cover of between £2,000 and £5,000
• Hospitalisation cover and personal accident cover - inclusive of death benefit of up to £30,000

Please see our policy wording for a full list of benefits and exclusions.

Here at MIA, we won’t define you by your prostate cancer or a set of medical questions, so we don’t only use standard online questionnaires to get you covered.

We have an experienced and friendly team to talk you through the process and explain any difficult insurance or medical jargon, so we can tailor-make a policy that’s right for you.

We can offer cover for an array of cancerous conditions, including those under chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment, those in remission and those given a terminal prognosis.

All policies and prices vary according to individual circumstances, such as the destination you have chosen and the medical facilities that are there, as well as your health at the time of travel. There may be times where we can’t offer you cover, but our team will be able to talk you through any options available to you.

Travelling with Prostate Cancer – Tips

An obvious one, but an important one. Speak to your oncologist or medical team before booking your trip, they may be able to advise you on the best time in your treatment to travel and give you the support you need to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.

You’ll need enough medication to last for the duration of your trip, as well as a bit extra just in case of delays. Carrying your medication in your hand luggage, will lower the chances of it going missing during your journey, but if you’re taking it through security it should be in the original packaging rather than pill boxes if it can be avoided. Some treatments for prostate cancer can increase your risk of travel related deep vein thrombosis - the NHS website has guidance on how to reduce the risks.

If you are experiencing urinary or bowel issues, try to book seats that allow you to access the facilities easily on the plane or train you’re travelling on. If you’re using pads or catheters, it’s worth packing a few more than you need and having some spares in your hand luggage, just in case your case is lost or delayed.

If you’ve had permanent seed brachytherapy, a procedure where tiny radioactive seeds are put into your prostate, you should contact your doctor about an advice card to take with you, as you may set off metal or radioactive detectors while passing through security.

Some prostate cancer treatments and medications can make your skin sensitive and more likely to burn in the sun. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself in hot climates, just take sensible precautions and apply a high factor sunscreen frequently. You can still get sun burn through clothes and hats, unless they contain an in-built protection factor, so apply the cream everywhere if you can.

If you’ve recently had radiotherapy, speak to your doctor about swimming, as chlorine and chemicals can irritate the skin and cause dryness. If you’re undergoing Chemotherapy, you may also be advised to steer clear of swimming by your medical team due to suppressed immunity and the chance of contracting infections.

Prostate Cancer UK have published a fact sheet for men who are thinking of travelling with prostate cancer. It gives you further advice on how to plan your trip, arrange insurance and how to look after yourself while you’re away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it’s best to be upfront and let us know your full medical history, if you don’t declare all details, it could make it difficult to make a successful claim.

If your prostate cancer is in remission you might find that you no longer need specialist insurance, and it may not affect the price you pay, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

As long as you declare your full medical history, all conditions will be included in your travel insurance policy should you be offered a quote.

MIA specialise in offering travel insurance to people that may have been declined elsewhere, so whatever your history, we’ll work hard to try to get you insured.

If you become unwell, and your doctor deems you unfit to travel we’ve got you covered.

If you become seriously ill while you’re away or your condition worsens, we will arrange for you and a companion, as long as they’re on the policy, to be brought home and cover any reasonable costs that you can’t be refunded for.

MIA may decline to offer you insurance for some destinations, for example if your resort does not have facilities to deal with your illnesses or the local standard of hygiene is very poor. If you have recently undergone surgery, you may be advised not to travel long haul, because of the risk of complications caused by long flights.

If you are undergoing Chemotherapy treatment or have done so within the last 6 months, you may not be able to have the vaccinations necessary to travel to your chosen destination.

No, but we do ask that you discuss your travel arrangements with your GP or Oncologist and that they make a note on your records that they’re happy for you to travel. If your doctor offers any restrictions to your travel, please let us know.