Travel insurance after skin cancer

Having skin cancer can affect your policy, but it doesn’t generally prevent you from getting the cover you need. For many insurers the most important thing is the ‘Stability Factor’ which means how stable your condition is when you’re buying your policy. The more stable you are, the less it can generally affect your policy.

 

If after two years you can say:

 

• You haven’t received a new diagnosis or had a follow-up consultation

 

• You haven’t had any treatment (e.g. surgery or cryotherapy) 

 

• You haven’t taken any prescribed medication or attended a GP/clinic appointment for it. 

 

Then you likely won’t have to declare it, as most insurers have a 2 year rule.

 

It’s important to know that even if your doctor has given you the "all-clear" and you are in remission, you must still declare your condition if it falls within the insurer’s specified timeframe. Failing to declare a previous diagnosis because you feel healthy can void your entire policy. Once declared, insurers usually provide full cover, though they may ask specific questions about the type of skin cancer (e.g., Basal Cell vs. Melanoma) to assess the risk accurately.

The medical screening process for travel insurance is designed to be thorough but fair. This helps to make sure that the cost of your premium reflects your current health status rather than just your diagnosis. You will typically be asked a series of specific, multiple-choice questions to determine the level of risk, such as:

 

• Has the cancer spread (metastatic)? You will be asked if the cancer was initially diagnosed as a melanoma or non-melanoma and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or other organs.

 

• Have all lesions been removed? The insurer will need to know if the primary skin cancer has been completely surgically removed or destroyed (e.g., through cryotherapy or cream). 

 

• Are you awaiting any tests or surgery? You must declare if you are currently on a waiting list for a procedure or results. It is important to note that standard cover is generally unavailable while you are on a waiting list for a diagnosed condition, as the risk of cancellation or complication is considered "active".  

Protecting yourself from the sun

 

Travelling after a skin cancer diagnosis can mean that there is more to think about when planning your trip.  

 

Here are some helpful tips:

 

• Use SPF 50+ sun screen – You can use sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply it 20 minutes before heading out and reapply every two hours—more often if you’re swimming or sweating.
• UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) - Rated Clothing – You can better protect your skin by wearing UPF 50+ clothing that is chemically treated or woven to block out more than 90% of UV rays, providing a consistent physical barrier.
• Avoid ‘peak’ times – Avoiding direct exposure to the sun between 11 am and 3 pm, when the sun is at its highest point, helps you not expose your skin to the most intense UV radiation. 

 

Flying sfter surgery 

 

Flying can also be more complicated after a diagnosis.

 

• "Fit to Fly" Letters – Most airlines require a medical clearance letter if you’ve had surgery within the last 10–14 days. Even for minor procedures, having a GP-signed "Fit to Fly" certificate prevents being denied boarding at the gate.
• Air Pressure & Healing – The cabin pressure changes in planes during take-off and landing can cause gas trapped in your healing wounds to expand, potentially causing you pain and/or internal pulling on stitches. 
• Post-operation swelling – The dry, pressurised air of a long-haul flight can increase localised swelling (oedema) around the area where you had surgery. This is why it’s important to keep the area elevated during your flight.  

 

Managing your medication 

 

The following tips can help you give you peace of mind when taking your medication abroad. 

 

• Carry-on Storage – It can be handy to keep all your essential medications in your hand luggage for easy access. It also avoids the extreme temperature changes in the cargo hold, which can degrade your medications.  
• Original labels and packaging – Keep all medicine in its original packaging with your name and dosage clearly visible. This is a legal requirement in many countries and prevents delays at customs.
• Temperature control – If your medication requires refrigeration, you can use a medical-grade cool bag with gel packs. Note that you may need to declare these gel packs at security. 

 

It’s also important to note that you can take liquid containers up to 2 litres through security at all UK airports if the liquid is medically necessary¹.

^{1https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/liquids}