Flying

[Cosmic54]

Hi I was diagnosed with stage 4 nsclc 2 years ago now just had my 23rd round of immunotherapy treatment which is keeping Beryl the lung lodger stable…Has anybody found that they have problems flying, last time I flew to Malaga a short time after I got home I landed up with a chest infection which made me think it’s the airplane and now I’m worried that it’ll happen again or was it just a fluke ? My sister lives out there and would love to go and see her again but I’m concerned that it’ll happen again…am I overthinking this or has anybody else has this?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Cosmic54

It is quite common for most people (lung cancer or not) to return from a flight with a cold and sometimes chest infection. Although the air is circulated, you are breathing low humidity air which can cause these infections.

You may wish to consider wearing a mask to reduce your risk, but understandably can be difficult if the air is already dry, continue with good hand hygiene after touching anything, especially the toilet door handle and flush system.

You may wish to discuss with either your GP or oncologist if you require a stand by course of antibiotics, but this is not always guaranteed or recommended.

You may also be absolutely fine, go and enjoy your holiday and I have supplied a link to our travel booklet which you may find useful: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

If you would like to discuss anything you can call ask the nurse on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email us at [e-mail]

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Cosmic54 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

thanks guys 👍

[Cats36]

We r taking our first flight Tuesday so will let you know if we have any issues we always use First defence spray when we fly and will likely get hubby to wear a mask 😷

[Cosmic54 in reply to Cats36]

thanks pet have a fab time and enjoy 👍

[Cockailschemocancer]

I think you might have been unlucky - I’ve never had any problems when I was on treatment but i did wear a mask! If you go have a wonderful time xx

[Cosmic54 in reply to Cockailschemocancer]

thanks pet I’ll get a good mask n hope 👍

[JanetteR57]

I flew just a couple of months after my open lobectomy in Dec 2010 - admittedly only to Scotland - but I had no issues. I didn't travel overseas until 2015 (for work) then 2016 for leisure due to travel insurance costs but have travelled extensively since. Before the pandemic I flew many times to Europe, on holiday to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali and sometimes picked up something or had a reaction and other times not.

Did you have any issues with sensitive airways/allergies before your surgery? I'd had hay fever and childhood/early adult asthma but not had either in many years but somebody's heavy perfume set me off in the airport queue, then the airplane and its recirculated air so by the time I got home I felt 'off'.

I flew to Jersey during the pandemic wearing a mask and had no issues.

I really started mixing with people again last autumn - in the UK (and just been to Ireland) with many people on public transport and had more chest infections since December than in the last 3 years.

Sometimes it's easy to think everything is related but I'd err on the cautious side - wear a mask, keep well hydrated, take covid tests with you just in case and any meds you need and enjoy yourselves.

I found the book 'cancer is a word not a sentence' by Dr Rob Buckman helped me reframe things and stop thinking every symptom after my diagnosis might be related and put life into a much less anxious state and move on - life is short, we've all had a mighty wake up call so make the most of every day and deal with what life has to throw at us. good luck.