Most travel companies (including airlines, ferry companies and coach tour operators) have a medical officer, who can help you decide whether it’s safe and practical for you to travel. They can be contacted before your journey and can help you at all stages of planning and during your actual journey.
You can get information from your travel company on how to arrange:
- early boarding
- special diets
- booking a wheelchair.
Extra services
If oxygen may be needed by passengers during a flight, it has to be provided by the airline and a charge may be made.
The British Red Cross can provide an escort/transport service. Costs for disability, escort, special diet or healthcare services may vary from one travel company to another, and it’s useful to get several quotations.
When you book your holiday and travel, it’s important to give clear and detailed information about any disability to the travel agency, so that this can be taken into account. If possible, it is helpful to carry a full summary of your medical condition, preferably translated into the language of the country to which you are travelling.
If you have any kind of disability due to your cancer or its treatment, there are many services available to help you. The Disabled Living Foundation can give you practical advice about equipment for independent living.
Travel can be very expensive to arrange for someone who is ill or disabled. Potential costs can include:
- transport to and from the airport or other travel provider
- the ticket
- expenses for an escort
- payment for the number of seats needed to give room for a stretcher (or a reclining first-class seat if this is cheaper or recommended)
- the costs of transporting any equipment that may need to be taken with the person.
Holidays in the UK
Many organisations provide holiday accommodation for adults and children with cancer in the UK. Some organisations also provide financial help to enable people with cancer to have a break with their families. Our specialist cancer nurses can give you more details.