Hi wise BCN forum folk. I’ve searched the posts far & wide & not come up with much so wondering if I can have some real world insights. Nearing the end of my chemo, will be having rads in February & need to consider a RTW date soon as been off since September! I had 2 x amazing holidays booked for my 40th - not far after my diagnosis when I had surgery so both had to be cancelled - insurance company refused payouts for various reasons but we ended up getting the money back in full from both the wonderful companies we booked with in voucher format, both of which need using by July. So - in order to not lose out im eager to get one of these holidays in in March & wondering how quickly after radiotherapy people have gone on holiday to a hot country? I’m getting mixed messages from my team who, nice as they are, are unwilling to commit and give me a “when”. Just wondering what other people have done.
We are looking at potentially going 2 x weeks after my radiotherapy. I will be having 15 x sessions for reference. I’m very aware I likely won’t be able to be in the sun, but at this point I think we just all need a break
I don’t know about holidays after radiotherapy as not started mine yet. Wondering what the insurance will cost if you’ve only recently finished the therapy. Have you asked your team about swimming? I asked mine and they wouldn’t give me an answer! Very frustrating isn’t it.
I hope you manage to get the break you need. X
I’m guessing everyone’s experiences will be unique. I’m 3wks post radiotherapy, and I only had 5 days of RT. I was warned that the worst of the side-effects would peak at 2wks afterwards, but have found that I still experience burning sensations in my radiated breast every day at the moment, which is quite uncomfortable. Personally I wouldn’t want to be somewhere too hot as I can’t even manage a bath or hot shower yet. I was told to avoid sun exposure for at least 12mths, and always to use sunscreen beyond that.
I do hope you can get away for a break - so rubbish that you had to cancel your planned holidays. Try to go easy on yourself and hopefully get some time to relax.
Sending you my best wishes for 2025.
I went skiing 3 weeks after radiotherapy. I had had 6 months of chemo, 20 doses of radiotherapy and was on 3 weekly IV herceptin. My treatment was a long time ago. I went and had a fabulous time. I would say go, be sun safe and enjoy your break…
Hello
I saw my radiotherapy consultant today and with you in mind asked about foreign holidays. He said he would want a patient to wait at least a month. He said you need to cover up right up to neck and wear factor 50 sun cream if going somewhere hot. Also need to always wear hat. Swimming ok as long as you have no broken skin anywhere. Also said be mindful of remoteness of destination in case you need a hospital.
He told me I can swim during radiotherapy as long as no broken skin and I wash off chlorine as soon as get out pool as skin during and after radiotherapy is very sensitive to chemicals.
Happy belated 40th! Xx
Hi I went to the canaries 3 weeks after radiotherapy. I kept the area covered and used factor 50 in that area. I covered up during the heat of the day and had no problems at all. I was just advised not to travel too far due to the risk of blood clots from anti hormone treatment. I had a wonderful, much needed holiday. Enjoy xx
We went to Majorca for a month about a month after the radiotherapy finished, my scaly skin arrived while I was there but I had Aloe Vera and moisturised multiple times a day. I bought a swimsuit that had a higher front and a frill to protect my front and my armpit area where my scar from the node removal is. I also wore factor 50 and only had direct sun for 30mins a day, covered up and had a shady area to relax in, it was just so absolutely the right thing for me as being away, no stress, fresh air and gentle exercise in the pool (make sure you shower off immediately you get out of a pool) and go the glamorous big floppy hat and sunnies route if possible.
The “rash” will appear when it wants, everyone’s different but I still 2 years later have 1 hotter boob. Take a fan coz the heat isn’t fun when your personal internal oven fires up and you’re somewhere warm, there’s just no way round it. Also if you can get a small cool gel pillow insert for inside your pillowcase and take it with you, it helped me.
Enjoy and have a great time, celebrate, you’re on the road out the other side of this.
Big hugs
Alison xx
I went on a cycling holiday abroad 10 days after my radiotherapy . I was careful to protect the area from sun and washed the area after swimming . It was a great boost to me and brought back some normality into my life.
I went to France in August a fortnight after I finished radiotherapy. It wasn’t planned but a friend was going with her parents, but then they pulled out. I had 5 radiotherapy sessions andI found that the tiredness kicked in about 2 months after finishing radiotherapy. I used factor 50, tops that covered my chest etc and was moisturising after the radiotherapy anyway.
Hi I completed my radiotherapy 10th June 2022 and had our holiday in the sun in August 2022. The most important thing is to wear no less than factor 50 or above applying it before going out even just for a walk, the rays can go through yr clothes.
I still sit in the sun in an outside cafe obviously not for hours on end but apply the sun cream every couple of hours while I’m out walking around. I do t really sunbathe anyway.
It’s just about being sensible I think. Always apply to the full radiated area not just the breast.
Maybe try to get some consistent advice from your breast care nurse or ask her to find out for you xx
Radiotherapy went well for me, no particular side effects except maybe mental fatigue.
I took a week trip to Switzerland about 6-7 weeks later, to see friends , and skied one day. The trip was great, I recharged a lot mentally and physically. However I was quite tired afterwards, when back in the UK.
So I would recommend planning something not too intense if it’s happening within a couple months after end of treatment. Also get approval from your medical team and get travel insurance.
All the best with the next treatment steps and have a good trip!
Hello, My first time posting here, if you don’t mind me asking, what did you do regarding travel insurance? Pre-diagnosis I had a two week skiing holiday booked for early March but will probably cancel to something slower paced and/or a bit later as I’m starting my treatment mid January (lumpectomy then probably radiotherapy). Thank you
Insurance is a tricky one . I have my breast cancer as an exclusion on my travel insurance as I’ve been treated and all clear so far so it’s unlikely on a 2 week holiday to cause me any issues. I have my European health card . I feel that it’s a minimal risk and I accept that . Hope that helps
Regarding holiday insurance, I’ve just done a quote for a two week holiday in May. Most of the questions, which I dare say effect the price are to do with your current hospital treatments. I am coming to the end of mine, so by then I will just be on hormone therapy and the costs came back between £30 to £80. Obviously that will vary depending on other medical conditions and the type of cover you want. I have read on another post, some have been refused if in active treatment,
My concern would be a side effect from medication for example a blood clot caused by hormone tablets……particularly if you are travelling for several hours.
So worth getting a quote.
Thank you, it’s go to know it’s possible to get insurance. I will be at the same stage of treatment as you when I’m looking at going on holiday,
I recently hear about a travel insurance company called Insurewith. It was set up by a woman who had breast cancer and found it impossible to get insurance during her treatment. They apparently use a different model to mainstream insurers and ask more detailed questions to better understand where you are at regarding treatment, etc.
Sadly I hadn’t heard about them before I had a short holiday between my chemo and surgery, where our insurance cost over £400, as I was considered to be mid-treatment. 
I used Insuredwith for my holiday in France a couple of weeks after my treatment finished. Then I could honestly say my treatment was over apart from the Anastrazole I’m on for 5 years. I am always absolutely truthful when answering questions to get an insurance quote. I used to work for Insurance company and they will use any half truth to not pay out even if the claim is not related to it.