Travel Insurance for Anal Cancer

What is anal cancer?

Anal cancer develops in the anus, the opening at the very end of the bowel. It’s a fairly rare cancer, and many cases are linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Symptoms can include bleeding from the bottom, itching or pain, a lump, and changes in bowel habits, which are easily mistaken for piles.

It’s treated differently from bowel cancer. Most people have chemoradiotherapy, a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and surgery is used for very small tumours or if the cancer comes back. Some people end up with a stoma. The NHS anal cancer page explains more.

Why do I need to declare anal cancer for travel insurance?

Anal cancer counts as a pre-existing medical condition whether you’ve just been diagnosed, are in treatment or finished some time ago. We ask because treatment such as chemoradiotherapy can leave you prone to infection, dehydration and bowel problems, and a stoma may need care while you’re away. Any of these could lead to treatment abroad, or to cancelling if your plans change.

If it isn’t declared, a related claim could be refused or reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with anal cancer?

It’s often possible, before, during and after treatment. Whether cover can be offered mainly depends on where you are with the cancer: when it was found, whether treatment is current or finished, whether it has spread, and whether further treatment or scans are planned. Side effects such as bowel problems or a stoma may also come into it.

What we’ll ask about your anal cancer

Our online medical screening is quick and straightforward. You’ll answer a handful of questions about your anal cancer, covering the treatment you’ve had and whether you’re still being monitored with scans. Once this condition is done, carry on and declare any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

When the medical declaration is complete, you’ll move on to the quote page. Where your anal cancer and any other conditions are coverable, a list of quotes appears, with the cost of covering your medical already built into the premium. If cover isn’t possible, you’ll find out before you proceed.

If your health changes before travelling

Cancer care can change between check-ups. If, before your trip, your treatment changes, you have a hospital stay, you’re referred for scans, or you receive a new diagnosis, you must let us know. Your cover may need reviewing, we may need to refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. If you don’t let us know of any changes in your medical, a future claim can be affected or denied.

What can anal cancer travel insurance cover?

When anal cancer is accepted on your policy, emergencies related to it can be covered while you’re away. If you develop a serious infection after treatment and are admitted to hospital in Spain, emergency medical costs can be covered, as can repatriation if you need medical help to get home. This is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If your health changes before the trip and your doctor advises you not to go, cancellation cover may help you recover costs you can’t get back.

Routine follow-up, planned treatment abroad and anything related to undeclared conditions won’t be covered.

Will anal cancer affect the cost of travel insurance?

It’s possible. After you complete our online medical screening, the result shows whether anal cancer changes the cost and to what extent. Along the way you may be asked how the cancer has been treated and how well it’s controlled. Your age, destination and trip length matter as they would for any traveller. The quote is there to check before you pay anything.

Single trip or annual cover with anal cancer

Single trip cover is usually best for a one-off trip. If you travel often and treatment is behind you, annual multi-trip cover may be available, depending on your screening result.

Travelling with anal cancer: practical tips

These are general tips and aren’t part of your insurance cover.

Radiotherapy to the pelvic area can leave skin sore and bowel habits unpredictable for some time. Choose a seat near the toilets on flights and coaches, carry spare underwear and wipes, and plan days out around places where facilities are easy to find. A RADAR key can unlock accessible toilets in the UK, and many airports and venues recognise the Just Can’t Wait card.

If you have a stoma, pack more supplies than you think you’ll need, split between your hand luggage and hold luggage. Keep them cool in hot countries, and take pre-cut bags as you may not be able to use scissors on the plane. A travel certificate explaining your stoma can help at security.

Sitting for long periods may be uncomfortable after treatment. A cushion can help, and so can getting up and moving around regularly, which also lowers the risk of a blood clot.

Stay well hydrated, especially somewhere hot, and take any medicines for diarrhoea or pain that your team has suggested.

How to get a quote

Put in your trip details, answer the health questions about anal cancer and any other conditions, then select your cover. You’ll see the price before you pay.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Cancer Pages

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• Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Travel Insurance
• Anal Cancer Travel Insurance
• Bladder Cancer Travel Insurance
• Bone Cancer Travel Insurance
• Bowel Cancer Travel Insurance
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• Kidney Cancer Travel Insurance
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Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.