Flying

[Liessie2014]

hello everyone, I have been asked to go to France for the New Year, I live in the UK, I have metastic breast cancer in both lungs , I was wondering if anybody has been on a flight with the same condition

[Eliactida1955]

well I don’t have it spread to my lungs but I have it in my bones.i go on cruises and trips all the time and flights. I guess I’m not sure what you are asking or want to know.

[Liessie2014 in reply to Eliactida1955]

I was concerned about my breathing , I am ok normally , I just wondered if anybody else had flown with lung problems

[Eliactida1955 in reply to Liessie2014]

I think you should be ok but ask the onc to see what he says. I wish you well🌹

[Pbsoup]

I fly all over the world--although it's not in my lungs either. UK to France is quite a short flight... I would ask your doctor but imagine it's fine? Could you take the Chunnel if not?

[Liessie2014 in reply to Pbsoup]

hi , it is just a short flight , about 2 hours , I was concerned about my breathing , I didn’t think of the Tunnel, Thankyou for your reply xx

[Best521]

Flew to the Middle East from the USA this past March and flew within the USA over the Thanksgiving Holiday. The only request from my care team was that I wear a mask on the flight and in crowded areas. I took the additional step of ordering wheel chair assistance which was extremely helpful in limiting exposure and stress. Wheelchair assistance allows you to skip ahead limiting the time spent in crowded jammed security lines and allowed for airplane pre-boarding so that I could get my bag and go when landing. Wheelchair assistance was extremely helpful in making my connections. The monorail was out of service at the airport and I would never have made it. My care team highly praised the use of of wheelchair assistance. Also less spent time in the crowded airports. Lastly I flew Business Class so I wasn’t jammed sandwiched in economy.

[Liessie2014]

thankyou for your reply , I agree with you , wearing a mask on the flight and the wheelchair is a great help

[Red1246]

Hi Liesdie!

My mbc is in spine but I do have lung issues as a result of breast cancer tumor being radiated in 2010.

In May 2023 I flew from US to Europe as well as on internal flights once there. I was asked by my onc to fly business or first and to wear a mask on plane and in airport, which I did.

I also asked for wheelchair service which was terrific. Happy to say I survived the entire trip. Breathing with mask on for so long was tiresome but better than getting Covid. I agree you should ask your doctor who will probably say it’s ok. Have the best time! 🥰Kathleen

[Chamisa]

I have MBC in my bones, lungs and liver. I was diagnosed Aug 2022, seven years after my original stage 3 diagnosis.

This past summer (2023) I flew from Texas to Washington state twice (in June for a river cruise and August for an Alaska cruise). That’s about a 3.5 hr flight one way. No problems.

I’m going in January to Spain to meet up with a Spanish friend who lives in the Canary Islands. The times I flew to Washington was first with my husband and then next with my husband, son, and daughter-in-law. This time I’ll be flying by myself, but in business class because it’s a much longer trip. Also, I won’t be “alone” when I’m in Spain; my friend can help me navigate and access medical help should I need it. I did buy travel insurance early enough to get pre-existing medical conditions covered.

My local oncologist and also my MDAnderson oncologist both support my travels. They say enjoy life while I’m able— after all, living life is why we’re going through all these treatments. I want to travel now because in three months or three years I might be too sick to do so. If I’m still here and able in three years, then I can go again!

One last thing… I am completely vaccinated for the flu and for Covid and its variants—I’ll still be within three months of that shot when I go so my antibody levels should still be high. And I wear Aura N95 masks diligently when traveling and at least KN95 masks all other times in crowded areas. I do that routinely even at home.

[Bettybuckets in reply to Chamisa]

“I did buy travel insurance early enough to get pre-existing medical conditions covered.” Csn you tell us about this? I didn’t know pre existing conditions could be covered? How early and from where did you buy it? Thanks for any info.

[Chamisa in reply to Bettybuckets]

In the past I have used Travel Guard insurance from AIG. You can get either or both “cancel for any reason” and “pre-existing medical conditions” covered if you buy the insurance within two weeks of your trip deposit.

I wanted to change and did research and Arch RoamRight came up as a good and dependable company. That’s who I went with this time. They give you three weeks after your trip deposit to buy the insurance. You do have to pay the entire insurance, but that was the case with AIG also. I’ve posted a screenshot of the RoamRight criteria for pre-existing medical conditions coverage.

They have several plans— senior coverage, multi-trip, annual, etc.— to choose from.

A list of the criteria for pre-existing medical condition travel insurance coverage.

[Kahe]

Hi Liessie, I live in Ireland and have numerous tumours in my one lung. (Otherwise I am fit and well ). I take full dose palbo, letrozole and faslo. This year I have taken numerous flights in Europe, with zero negative effects. I always wear a mask . Best of luck , hope you can make your trip. K

[bikebabe]

I went to Greece in april 2022 with mbc and Spain in oct 2022. I have a shed load of other comorbidities as well but had a great time. I did get covid on way back thanks to the selfishness of fellow Brits on plane and buses who refused to wear masks but emerged from that fairly unscathed and was out hill walking 2 weeks later. Life is one big risk.

[1stgradeteach1]

I have MBC in bones, lymph nodes, and lungs since 2020. I was also worried about air travel after progression this past April and switching to Talzenna. My oncologist told me it was no problem to fly just to make sure I knew where closest medical facility was in case of any problems while there.

[Bettybuckets in reply to 1stgradeteach1]

I will look up Telzenna- thanks for mentioning

[Sharon0122]

I just flew to Atlanta. I don’t have it in my lungs and my cancer is pretty stable. Why don’t you go on the Eurostar? Much better than flying and a lt easier. I took it when we lived there when it first opened. We live in Oklahoma. Have fun , Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hugs!

[penpen18]

I have stage 4 mbc but I don’t have it in my lungs, just in my bones.

I’ve flown several times this year, Boston to Los Angeles and Boston to the UK.

I agree, with the advice others have given you and would just add wear compression socks, a mask and get vaccinated. Check with your doctor, but you should be fine.

[FloridaNYgirl]

Hi, I have mbc in my lungs as well. I fly all the time with no issue. Enjoy your trip!

[Andersl]

I think your question is one for your oncologist/gp. However, my thoughts are: if you're not short of breath or have any other symptoms you should be fine. Travel Insurance would give you peace of mind but at a hefty price.

I travelled to the US last year. My scans were clear at the time and I got annual Travel insurance (£1500 + ). At the time I thought I might go again within 12 months. Due to progression (now being successfully treated), another serious condition and additional cost £500, I decided not to go.

If you're well take opportunities when they come but don't ignore the risks, manage them.

Hope that helps

Xx

[Widdershins3]

I have cancer in both lungs for several years now, plus ground-glass-opacities from Enhertu and long-term asthma. But for 2 years in a row, I've made the decision to fly cross-country (US) from the coast of the Pacific to the FL Keys and the Atlantic to visit my in-laws. And I've done fine both times.

My recommendation is to ask your oncologist about any tests that they think should precede a decision to travel. My own oncologist was negative about any travel at all, but my palliative care doctor was in favor of it, given my current health.

So I got what tests I could schedule, looked at the results along with my team and made the decision to go ahead with the trip. The answer may be different in each case, since our level of illness differs, as do other factors. I encourage you to look into it and to be persistent about getting accurate answers before you make the final decision. I wish you Bon Voyage!

[cancersucks2]

Hi Liessie2014. You can’t afford not to go. Enjoy your life. Just to be safe ask your Oncologist for any advice. It’s in my bones and I don’t miss a chance to adventure life!! 👍😘

[Pastapower]

Everyone is different. I think it will depend on how much trouble you have breathing normally everyday on the ground. Before cancer I use to fly all the time. I do have MBC in my lungs and I only have 50% lung capacity now so I really feel it just walking. I took a long flight and made it okay, but it was challenging and I definitely felt it. Very different from when I use to fly. I also took portable oxygen with me on the flight. I didn’t use it the whole time, but used it when I felt I needed it. As someone else suggested, you should talk to your doctor. Hopefully it’s a short flight. If you are walking ok without struggling you will probably be ok. I feel it when walking and I was able to fly, but after that flight, I don’t fly anymore if I don’t have to. It is doable, even with 50% lung capacity. But I did feel it. It depends on your current condition. Hopefully you will do well. Good luck to you.

[Ppppopp]

hi Leslie, I have a small amount in one lung and I’m flying to Vancouver from London.

My oncologist knows I’m going and didn’t bat an eyelid.

Honestly I wouldn’t worry about Paris, it’s so close.

Have a wonderful time!

[Liessie2014]

aww thankyou so much , you have a wonderful time too ❤️