I had the upper left lobe of my lung (that's a mouthful) removed in February. The tumour was crimping a pulmonary artery and when examining the removed bit it was shown to have active cancer cells - they couldn't remove the lobe cleanly enough without nicking the artery so I was told.
Consequently I have had Chemo and Radio therapies which finished about a month ago.
My question is do I define myself as 'I've got cancer', 'I don't have cancer', 'being treated for cancer' or what. I'm trying to get travel insurance and would like to be able to say, truthfully, "I don't have cancer"
Sorry to be a bit long winded (long winded after lobectomy???) haha
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olwman
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Hi its a minefield isn't it where travel insurance is concerned. The forum I'm on, on fb recommend insure with..... for the best quote. I'm presuming once you've had your first scan after all your treatment will give you a better indication of your position . I'm starting my chemo tomorrow I had my lobectomy in August and still feeling the effects. Good luck I hope you get some answers.
I’m an insurance broker battling lung cancer. In short the answer is yes you must disclose the cancer. Insurers consider it a material fact, most will have a question along the lines of “have you ever been diagnosed with cancer, even if you are now in remission”. This will automatically then take you through a series of questions to assess your risk. I have used insurancewithcom on a number of occasions both whilst undergoing treatment and since I finished 2 years ago. The Roy Castle Foundation also provides information of other providers on their website. Good luck.
Hi Owlman. I can’t tell you much about current treatment, but I can give you some encouragement. In spring 2000, I was diagnose as having inoperable non small cell lung cancer. I was 57 then. so I’m pretty old now! I was treated then with chemo and radiotherapy. The outlook wasn’t too good, but everyone including me, were surprised when I returned to work in December that year. Since then, I have been cancer free. Best wishes, Bill Culbard
well done on your treatment. I had upper left lobectomy in Dec 2010 and diagnosed January 2011. You're still in a cancer pathway, and will be followed up for 5 years so still considered a cancer patient as far as the system is concerned. You wlll come to value that follow up as time goes on even if we are often keen to get out of the health appointments as quickly as we can.
Yes, it's great to have finished your treatment but you will have 'active surveillance' as follow up for some years yet. Technically whether you describe yourself as a cancer patient or a survivor is up to you but you remain a patient in the healthcare system.
However as far as insurance and especially travel insurance is concerned, you must declare it - as you are at risk from contracting other conditions/developing reactions to changes in atmosphere, humidity, temperatures, recycled air and other aspects as my respiratory physician told me.
I didn't travel overseas for 5 years as insurance premiums were so high but now the majority having keyhole surgery who are eligible for surgery, and new treatments that have changed outcomes and pandemic related issues, it's really important to be accurate with your answers and insure pre-existing conditions as the pandemic travel fallout made insurers relook at respiratory conditions and their longer term impact.
I started travelling again in 2016 and have travelled extensively since for work and leisure and had to take out individual policies every time. I found different companies were better for different countries and no guarantees that just because one had been better for one country (say Greece) that it would be for Spain as an example as the latter sends tourists to private hospitals so cover tends to be higher. I don't always look at price for the cover but what the cover actually involves which can be variable from country to country. Many policies can be taken out for Europe only, or Europe and rest of world excluding some countries like USA, Canada and Caribbean and others cover all countries.
Some destinations and types of holidays are more expensive e.g. USA, Canada, Caribbean, cruises etc.
I've travelled extensively to Europe and SE Asia and obtained travel insurance at a reasonable premium. For me, it's about the peace of mind and having chatted with the founder of insurecancer.com he explained the risk is not so much from the cancer itself with lung cancer but as much related to upper or lower respiratory issues that can develop and require hospitalisation. Having been hospitalised every year between 2015 and 2019 in England for different chest infections (pneumonia, RSV and pseudomonas) many of which had far worse symptoms and recovery times than the lung surgery or tumour removal, I can appreciate this. I'm currently unable to get travel insurance as 'under investigation' and no insurer will cover if awaiting results or tests as they don't know what they're covering even if unrelated to the cancer.
If you fail to declare medical history completely, it nullifies any cover so not worth doing. After a few years, Saga changed their policy wording from 'have you ever had a cancer diagnosis?' to 'in the last 5 years have you had a cancer diagnosis?' I phoned them and they said for their age group (50+) once somebody is beyond the 5 years, they've been advised the cancer is no more a risk than many other conditions as people age - also important to list any others you have e.g. COPD, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or similar. I was 52 when diagnosed.
Many in online groups have found insurance with, who broker insurance over the phone on individual cases really helpful and reasonable. I've used price comparison sites like payingtoomuch.com and medicaltravelcompared.com and used Saga, Cover Cloud , Get Going, AXA, Allianz, Allclear and regularly receive information from Staysure and others. Shop around as with anything and enjoy your travel wherever you manage to get to - worth checking the premium before booking the trip. good luck with your continued recovery and travels wherever you end up.
Many thanks for your clear and comprehensive reply. I am sorry to here that your have suffered various respiratory infections and it has made me aware. Thanks Owen
Thanks - just bad luck I think.... and having lost 2 sisters and a niece suddenly and prematurely (not from cancer), am grateful to have had surgery and for every day.
Welcome to the forum, where as you can see, there is support and encouragement from those who have experienced and living with lung cancer.
There have been excellent replies to your query and there is not much to add, however, this is the link to our travel booklet which you may find of use: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...
On page 32 of the booklet you will find a list of insurance providers.
If there is anything else you would like to discuss you can email ask the nurse at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Biopsy Results 
Large right lobe upper lobe mass
Adenocarcinoma Left lung
Surgery next week 
Lobectomy in3 days
