Travel Tips for Ovarian Cancer

Spending time with people you love can be a welcome change from medical appointments and the routines of living with ovarian cancer. If it involves travel, you may have questions about whether going on a trip is safe.

In the meantime, here are some travel tips to help you get on your way.

Prepare Before Packing

When discussing your travel plans with your care team, ask whether your immunizations are up-to-date, says Christina Duncan-Lothamer, DO, a board-certified gynecologic oncologist at Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Reduce Your Infection Risk

Plan Ahead to Prevent Blood Clots

Make Airport Screening Easier

Pack an Ovarian Cancer Travel Kit

Assemble a complete kit that covers your medical needs, comfort, and symptom management, says Ami Vaidya, MD, a board-certified gynecologic oncologist and the co-chief of the division of gynecologic oncology at John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. This avoids scrambling for important items and hard-to-find supplies while you’re away.

Prescription and Symptom-Relief Medications

Pack all medications you take regularly, along with any your oncology team recommends to help manage treatment side effects, says Kim.

Medical Information

Medical Supplies

Infection-Prevention and First-Aid Kit

A fever can be the only sign of an infection when treatment has lowered your white blood cell count, so pack a digital thermometer and ask your care team what temperature requires a call or urgent care, Kim says.

Water Bottle, Electrolytes, and Familiar Snacks

Bring an empty reusable water bottle that you can refill, along with electrolyte powder for hydration, says Vaidya. Wash the bottle regularly with soap and safe water to prevent germs from building up, she says.

Comfort Items

Loose-fitting clothing may feel better if you’re dealing with bloating or abdominal tenderness. Vaidya also recommends packing layers of clothing, a supportive pillow, an eye mask, and earplugs to make resting easier.

Manage Medications on the Move

Keep the following tips in mind.

• Pack medications in your carry-on. Keep medications and medical supplies in your carry-on bag so they remain within reach and aren’t lost or delayed with checked luggage.

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   Duncan-Lothamer also suggests photographing the medication labels in case you need the prescription details.
• Follow storage instructions. Avoid leaving medications in hot cars, direct sunlight, or other warm environments that could affect how well they work, Duncan-Lothamer says. Ask your pharmacist whether any medication needs refrigeration or protection from heat, light, or moisture, and use an approved cooler bag if needed.

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• Plan for time zone changes. If your trip involves crossing time zones, discuss adjustment to your medication schedule with your care team.

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  “If you miss a dose, ask [your oncology team] how to adjust your schedule rather than making the change yourself,” says Kim. Use reminders and a pill organizer to take the guesswork out of which medications you’ve already taken and when.
• Check security and destination rules. Review TSA, airline, and destination requirements for medications, liquids, needles, and medical equipment.

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   If you’re traveling internationally and take a controlled medication, such as an opioid or certain anxiety or sleep medications, check the embassy website for each country you’ll visit or pass through to confirm whether you can bring it and if you need any advance approval.

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Safeguard Your Sleep

“Vacations are such an important part of life with or without a cancer diagnosis,” says Duncan-Lothamer, who encourages making sleep a priority while away from your usual routine.

Here are some ways to safeguard your sleep while traveling.

• Re-create your sleep environment. Vaidya suggests using an eye mask and earplugs to make an unfamiliar room darker and quieter. Turn off screens at least 30 minutes before bed, and try to stop drinking caffeine at least six hours before bedtime, especially if you’re sensitive to it.

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   These measures can help your body wind down and make it easier to fall and stay asleep.
• Stick to a consistent sleep schedule. Especially when your surroundings change, predictable sleep times can provide a comforting sense of structure.

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   Try to follow a consistent sleep schedule and aim for about eight hours each night, Duncan-Lothamer says.
• Plan for fatigue. Schedule rest periods into your itinerary to get more out of the activities you’re most looking forward to.

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   If treatment-related fatigue catches up with you during the day, take a break or consider a nap when needed, Duncan-Lothamer says.

Soothe Your Stress

There’s no question that traveling with ovarian cancer can make you feel a little on edge. Move at a pace that feels right for you — and use the tips below — to reduce some of the uncertainty.

Here are some planning tips to lower your travel stress.

• Handle the details early. Vaidya recommends confirming transportation, accommodations, and other travel arrangements before you leave. If walking long distances is difficult, check what mobility support is available at the airport, hotel, and planned attractions, and reserve wheelchair assistance ahead of time.

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• Choose what matters most. Pick one or two activities that mean the most to you, and treat everything else as optional, Kim suggests. If your energy or symptoms change, you can tweak your plans without feeling that you’ve missed the entire trip.
• Use small moments to reset. Keep a few relaxation techniques handy, such as slow breathing or a brief meditation routine, Vaidya recommends. They can help calm your nervous system while you navigate crowds, long lines, or unfamiliar environments.

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• Let others help. If possible, travel with someone who knows your medical history and can step in if there’s an emergency.

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  Vaidya suggests looping your travel companion in on what you need. Be specific about the kind of help that would make the trip easier, and stay aware of your limits and avoid pushing yourself too much.

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Perhaps most importantly, give yourself permission to live fully and create new memories. “This may mean redefining a ‘successful’ trip not by a packed itinerary, but by your own comfort and joy, even in small, quiet moments,” Vaidya says.

Optimize Nutrition On the Go

Here are some ways to plan for your nutrition while traveling.

• Sip fluids regularly and replenish electrolytes. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Vaidya suggests aiming for 8 to 10 cups of fluid daily, unless your care team recommends a different amount. Keep a water bottle handy and take small sips consistently.

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   Limit dehydrating drinks like caffeine and alcohol, and stick to sealed bottled water if you’re unsure about local water quality.

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  While research on alcohol is evolving, the World Health Organization says drinking less or not at all is better for your health.
• Follow the eating routine that works for you. If small, more frequent meals help you manage nausea and appetite changes at home, continue that pattern while traveling, says Kim.
• Protect yourself from foodborne illness. Follow your care team’s food safety guidance, especially if your immune system is weakened.

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  Skip raw or undercooked dishes and street vendor food, and wash or sanitize your hands frequently before eating.

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• Keep your packed snacks close. Carry some of the familiar snacks from your travel kit in your day bag so you have something available when you’re hungry or meal choices aren’t appetizing.

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Emergency Care When Traveling

An emergency is the last thing anyone wants to think about while planning a trip. Still, preparing for a few “what ifs” can help you feel more confident.

Consider the following.

• Make your health information easy to find. Have the medical information you packed with you whenever you go out. Vaidya suggests carrying an “In Case of Emergency” card, a wallet-size card listing your diagnosis, medications, allergies, emergency contact, and oncology team’s phone number. She also recommends wearing medical alert identification. Services such as MedicAlert Foundation connect medical ID jewelry to a 24-hour service that can share your health information with emergency responders.

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• Look into travel insurance. Ask your current health insurer what it covers at your destination. For international trips, consider buying supplemental coverage for emergency medical care, medical evacuation, and trip cancellation or interruption if illness changes your plans.

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  Read the policy carefully to confirm whether it covers preexisting conditions, including ovarian cancer.

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• Know where to find medical care. Identify a reputable hospital or emergency room near your destination, and save its address, Vaidya recommends. Learn and document the local emergency phone number for your destination, which isn’t always 911.
• Ask what should trigger a call. Before leaving, ask your oncology team which symptoms require an immediate call and which mean you should go directly to an emergency room, Kim says. Have your care team’s daytime and after-hours numbers available.

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• Don’t ignore red-flag symptoms. Seek immediate care for a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher, chills, heavy bleeding, or new pain or swelling in one leg.

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   Severe or worsening abdominal pain, painful bloating, and vomiting or diarrhea you can’t control also require immediate care.

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  Call 911 or the local emergency number for chest pain, sudden trouble breathing, confusion, or weakness.

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   These may be signs of a blood clot in the lungs, a stroke, or another medical emergency. If anything feels concerning, go to the nearest emergency room rather than waiting until you return home.