What To Know About Traveling With Breast Cancer
In many cases, traveling while you’re receiving breast cancer treatment is safe and gives you physical and emotional benefits.
“Getting away for a while can be a wonderful reset,” says Guy H. Montgomery, PhD, director of the Dubin Breast Cancer Psychology Program at Mount Sinai. “It’s a bit of an escape from everything that’s been put on your shoulders.”
But the way you travel during breast cancer treatment is probably going to be different than the way you travelled before you were diagnosed.
First stop: Your medical team
Planning travel during breast cancer treatment needs to take into account your treatments and how your body is responding. So the first travel planning step is to talk to your care team.
“Is it safe for me to travel?” is the most important question to ask. Once you get the go ahead from your health care team, they can tell you the best times to travel, as well as if you should avoid certain types of travel or locations. For example, if you’re having trouble breathing or have low blood counts, your doctor may tell you to skip flying and travel by car instead. If your immune system is weakened, your doctor may tell you to avoid certain destinations.
If you’ve been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, you may not have an obvious break in treatment. But that doesn’t mean you can’t travel. It just makes it more important that you talk to your doctors about how to fit a vacation into your treatment schedule.
Together, you and your team can review your scheduled treatments, scans, and other tests to figure out the best time for you to travel.
Traveling after breast cancer surgery
How soon you can travel after surgery depends on the type of surgery you had. After any type of surgery, you have a higher risk of developing a blood clot, so you may want to ask your doctor if wearing compression socks makes sense for your situation. Many surgeons also recommend avoiding hot tubs and pools for six to eight weeks after any type of surgery.
No matter which type of breast cancer surgery you have, you’re likely to have one or more lymph nodes removed. The more lymph nodes you have removed, the higher your risk of lymphedema. After you’ve healed from surgery and are cleared to travel, if you have lymphedema or are at high risk for the condition and plan to travel by plane, ask your doctor or lymphedema specialist if compression garments make sense for you.
Many people who have lumpectomy then have radiation, usually about four weeks after surgery.
If your doctor says it’s OK for you to travel, the time after you’ve healed from lumpectomy and before you start radiation can be a good window for a vacation.
“Travel always needs to be cleared by your surgeon,” says Sarah P. Cate, MD, chief of the division of breast surgery at Stamford Health and former director of Mount Sinai’s Special Surveillance and Breast Program. In her practice, Cate typically clears people for travel one to two weeks after lumpectomy, with a radiation plan in place.
A mastectomy is a more complex surgery than a lumpectomy, and a double mastectomy is even more complex. If you have breast reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy, it adds even more complexity. Cate recommends getting cleared by both your breast surgeon and your plastic surgeon before planning any travel. If you’re having radiation after mastectomy, then it’s a good idea to get your radiation oncologist’s OK before traveling. Most doctors tell people to wait six to eight weeks after any type of mastectomy and reconstruction before traveling.
If you have drains or develop lymphedema after your surgery, your doctor may recommend against air travel. This is because cabin pressure changes can make lymphedema worse. If you have surgical drains in place, it can be difficult to get through airport security. It’s also hard to wear a seatbelt properly and empty the drains during a flight.
If you’re traveling by car, you may want to use a seat-belt pillow to protect your chest. It’s also a good idea to stop every few hours to walk around for five or 10 minutes.
Traveling during radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is given once or twice a day, five days a week, for one to five weeks. Because of this schedule, you may want to wait until you’ve finished radiation to travel for more than a long weekend.
If there’s a special occasion you want to attend, like a wedding or graduation, ask your radiation oncologist about how to schedule your treatment around the event.
Skin reactions are the most common radiation therapy side effects. If you do travel during or soon after radiation, make sure to pack moisturizers, loose-fitting clothes, and any other supplies you need to manage any irritation.
Traveling during chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy
Many chemotherapy and targeted therapy medicines, as well as both of the immunotherapy medicines used to treat breast cancer, are given intravenously. This means they’re delivered directly into your bloodstream through an IV or a port.
All these medicines are given in cycles. Depending on the regimen you’re receiving, each cycle can be 14 to 28 days long. In many cases, you receive the medicine(s) on the first day of the cycle. Then your body rests and recovers for the remainder of the cycle.
If you’d like to travel on your rest days in between infusions, talk to your health care team. Together, you can discuss any side effects you may have when traveling and how to manage them, as well as how to protect yourself from infection.
In general, the day after you receive an infusion is the day side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the worst. Many people feel better by the third or fourth day after an infusion, so you may want to go through one cycle to figure out when you start to feel well enough to travel.
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy affect your immune system, so you may be at higher risk of developing an infection. Your doctor may recommend you avoid certain destinations with outbreaks of contagious diseases, like COVID or measles. To stay safe, you’ll need to be careful about the water you drink and the food you eat. Make sure food is well-cooked and water is purified. It’s best to avoid hot tubs, pools, and swimming in any open body of water due to the risk of infection.
Bug bites can become infected and chemotherapy can make you much more sensitive to the sun. Before going outside, be sure to apply insect repellent and sunscreen and have a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes and face.
You also may have a higher risk of developing blood clots, so your doctor may recommend you wear compression socks or other garments.
Some targeted therapy medicines can cause lung and heart problems, so your doctor may recommend you avoid air travel because the pressure changes in an airplane can make these conditions worse. Other targeted therapy medicines may cause diarrhea for several days, sometimes severe, so it’s best to travel with anti-diarrhea medicines, just in case.
If you have a port, it’s a good idea to carry the ID card for the device. If you don’t have the ID card, ask your doctor for a note that names the port and gives its location and purpose. This can help you avoid problems clearing security at airports and other places.
Traveling while on hormonal therapy
All the hormonal therapy medicines for breast cancer — except Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant) — are pills. So traveling while taking hormonal therapy pills is relatively easy compared to other breast cancer treatments.
During the first month of Faslodex treatment, you receive injections on days one, 15, and 29. After that, you get one injection a month, so you may want to wait until after that first month to travel if you’re receiving Faslodex.
Hormonal therapy side effects may be the biggest factor affecting your travel. Depending on which medicine you’re on, you may have hot flashes, joint and bone pain, fatigue, or nausea. Talk to your doctor about how you can manage these side effects while traveling and if specific ways of traveling are best for your situation.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you from losing money if something unexpected happens during your trip. It can be a good idea, but you’ll have to do some research to find plans that offer protection for people with pre-existing medical conditions, like breast cancer. If you don’t have coverage for pre-existing conditions, you probably won’t be reimbursed for emergency expenses, medical care, last-minute flights home, or any other trip interruptions or cancellations that happen because of the cancer.
There are companies that specialize in travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions, including cancer. They may offer you a policy, provided you tell the company about all pre-existing medical conditions and the insurer gives you a written statement saying it’s accepted your medical conditions.
Travel insurance that covers pre-existing medical conditions is usually more expensive than standard travel insurance.
Some companies require a note from your doctor clearing you for travel. You also may have to buy the policy within a certain number of days — usually 14 to 20 days — after making your reservation.
When you’re comparing policies and quotes, make sure to look at the coverage amounts to make sure what’s offered is enough to cover all the costs of your trip, including emergency flights home.
Preparing for travel during breast cancer treatment
Your medical team can tell you if there are any specific items you should bring with you on your trip.
Besides the usual advice to bring comfy shoes and clothing, a rain coat, and a small extra bag for souvenirs, doctors and members of the Breastcancer.org Community recommend that people with breast cancer also pack:
Enough of any medicines you’re taking to last for the whole trip, along with extras in case you’re delayed or drop some pills on the floor. The medicines should be in their original containers. Pack these in your carry-on in case your luggage is lost or delayed. Your doctor or insurance company can help you get a vacation override or early refill if you need it. See the TSA website for restrictions and what can go through scanners
Other medicines for pain, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, hot flashes, mouth sores, and any other side effects you might be having. Your doctor may recommend you also take some antibiotics, in case you get sick while traveling.
A doctor’s note summarizing your medical history, including your recent treatments and any allergies, and confirming that it’s OK for you to travel.
Copies of all your prescriptions.
Insect repellant, sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and compression socks.
Your health insurance and prescription cards.
Travel insurance details and contact information.
A list of health providers and medical centers in the area you’re visiting.
Disposable face masks if you’re at risk of infection.
Your medical team can help you create an instruction sheet that outlines your condition and what to do in an emergency if you can’t communicate. This can be a document or note on your phone or a printed sheet that you have in your wallet or with your other travel documents.
The instructions should be clear and concise. For example:
Give me this amount of this medicine if X happens.
Call my emergency contact immediately if X happens.
If X happens, take me to the nearest emergency room and show them this sheet.
If you’re traveling to a place where the language spoken is different from yours, it can help to have the sheet translated into the main language spoken at your destination.
Some doctors recommend bringing digital versions of your most recent scans on a flash drive that’s attached to your keychain or clipped to a loop inside a backpack or purse. If something happens, doctors at your destination can compare your most recent scan with what they’re seeing.
There are also medical alert wristbands and necklaces that allow you to put your condition and emergency contact information on them, so people can call your contact person and ask what to do.
It’s important to ask your doctor about any vaccines you should have before you travel. People receiving breast cancer treatment shouldn’t receive live vaccines, like those for measles and chickenpox, but other vaccines have been shown to be safe for most people with cancer, including the COVID vaccine and the flu vaccine.
If you’re traveling outside the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Traveler’s Health page allows you to enter your destination and see any health notices and recommended vaccines for that location. Again, it’s important to go over these recommendations with your care team because you may not be eligible to receive recommended live vaccines.
What kind of trip is right for you?
It’s important to ask your medical team for the green light — but it’s just as important to ask yourself what kind of trip you want and what you’re comfortable with.
“Ultimately, you are the expert in you,” says Montgomery. “Are you ready for it? Will it be fun? Trust yourself. Some people may not want to leave a three-mile radius of their cancer center. Other people may feel that closing-in feeling and want to escape.”
Think about your energy levels, Montgomery says, which may be lower, and consider who would be a good partner for the trip. “Ask yourself, Who is going to make me laugh? Who is my rock?” These are great candidates for co-travelers, he says. But sometimes a fun, relaxing time can be had all alone, as well.
Then consider any restrictions your medical team has talked to you about. These may be fairly basic and can help guide your planning. Avoid drinking lots of alcohol and stay hydrated are two frequent recommendations for traveling during treatment. So going to a big party, like Mardi Gras or the Rio Carnival, may only remind you of what you can’t do.
Other common issues include sun sensitivity due to chemo and other medicines. Cloudy locations are your friend — watch out for high altitudes, where the sun is stronger. If chemo is giving you hand-foot syndrome, choose a place that requires less walking. If you’re dealing with peripheral neuropathy, schedule plenty of breaks to stretch and get your blood flowing.
All these rules (Nausea? No cruise ships! Mouth sores? No pizza crawls!) might feel limiting, but don’t give up. These boundaries might steer you to an exciting new-for-you destination or activity.
If cost is a factor, there are organizations that offer free and discounted vacations and retreats for people with cancer.
What if you have regrets about getting away?
Mid-trip, you might be overwhelmed and feel like you shouldn’t have gone, says Montgomery, especially if you attempt something too taxing. But this is normal, and if it does happen, think about the things that make you feel happier and more in control, and do things that give you comfort. “Get out of your hotel room and have a cool iced tea, for a start,” he suggests.
Another strategy is to lean in to the destination and all that’s new. Visit a local museum, try an activity you’ve never done before (pasta making? watercolor painting?), or check out some local music.
As chef and author Anthony Bourdain wrote, "Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind."
— Last updated on August 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM