Travel Insurance for Bladder Cancer

What is bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer starts in the lining of the bladder. The most common first sign is blood in your urine, which may come and go and is usually painless. Other symptoms include needing to pass urine more often or urgently, and a burning feeling when you go. Smoking is the biggest single risk factor. It’s one of the more common types of cancer in the UK.

Most bladder cancers are found early, before they’ve grown into the bladder muscle. These are often treated by removing the tumour through a camera passed into the bladder, sometimes followed by medicine put directly into the bladder. Because tumours can return, regular check-ups with a cystoscopy are common for years. More advanced cancer may require chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery to remove the bladder. See the NHS bladder cancer page for more.

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

Bladder cancer is a pre-existing medical condition even if it was treated early and you now only have check-ups. We ask about it because treatment can cause urinary infections, bleeding, or blockages that need urgent care. With a urostomy, supplies and leaks can also cause problems away from home, and unexpected treatment or recurrences could mean cancelling your holiday.

If bladder cancer 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 bladder cancer?

Many people can, whether they’re in treatment, having regular check-ups or are years past it. What affects whether cover is offered includes whether the cancer is non-muscle-invasive or has spread into the muscle or beyond, what treatment you’ve had, and whether a cystoscopy result or further treatment is still to come. A urostomy or other urinary changes may also be relevant.

What we’ll ask about your bladder cancer

The medical screening is online and simple to complete. For your bladder cancer, it asks about the treatment you’ve had and whether you’re still having check-ups. When you’ve finished with this condition, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

With the medical declaration complete, you’ll go through to the quote page. A list of quotes is shown if your bladder cancer and any other conditions are coverable, and the premium quoted includes the cost of covering your medical. If we can’t offer cover, you’ll find that out before going any further.

If your health changes before travelling

Cancer care can change at short notice. If there’s a new finding at a check-up, you start new treatment, you have a hospital stay, or you’re referred for more tests before you travel, 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 bladder cancer travel insurance cover?

Once bladder cancer is accepted, emergencies linked to it can be covered while you’re away. If you develop heavy bleeding or can’t pass urine while in Majorca and need emergency treatment, the medical costs can be covered, along with repatriation if you need help getting home. All subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If your health worsens before the trip and your doctor advises you not to travel, cancellation cover may help you reclaim non-refundable costs.

Routine cystoscopies, planned treatment abroad and anything relating to undeclared conditions are not covered.

Will bladder cancer affect the cost of travel insurance?

Bladder cancer can be reflected in the price, with the size of any difference coming from online medical screening. The questions may look at how your cancer is treated or has been treated, and how well it’s controlled. Where you’re going, how long for and how old you are also play their part. You’ll be shown the cost before buying.

Single trip or annual cover with bladder cancer

Single trip cover works well for one holiday. If you travel regularly, annual multi-trip cover might be an option, depending on your screening result.

Travelling with bladder cancer: practical tips

This advice is general. It isn’t part of your insurance.

Plan trips around your check-up schedule, so you’re not waiting for an important result while away. If a cystoscopy finds something, treatment is often scheduled soon after, so a gap in the calendar helps.

Bladder treatments can leave you needing the toilet more urgently for a while. Pick an aisle seat close to the toilets, cut down on caffeine and alcohol on travel days, and keep drinking water so your urine stays pale. Dehydration in hot climates can make irritation and infection more likely.

If you have a urostomy or catheter, take plenty of spare supplies in your hand luggage, and a night drainage bag. A travel certificate explaining your medical supplies can help at airport security. Know the signs of a urinary infection and ask your GP whether you should carry antibiotics. Our urinary tract infection page has more on infections.

After major surgery, wait until your team says you’re ready for a long flight, and move around regularly on the journey to reduce the risk of clots.

How to get a quote

Start with your trip details, answer the questions about your bladder cancer and anything else you need to declare, and choose your cover. You’ll see the price before paying.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Cancer Pages

• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Travel Insurance
• Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Travel Insurance
• Anal Cancer Travel Insurance
• Bladder Cancer Travel Insurance
• Bone Cancer Travel Insurance
• Bowel Cancer Travel Insurance
• Brain Cancer Travel Insurance
• Breast Cancer Travel Insurance
• Cancer Travel Insurance
• Cervical Cancer Travel Insurance
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Travel Insurance
• Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Travel Insurance
• Endometrial, Uterine, or Womb Cancer Travel Insurance
• Kidney Cancer Travel Insurance
• Lung Cancer Travel Insurance
• Melanoma Travel Insurance
• Ovarian Cancer Travel Insurance
• Pancreatic Cancer Travel Insurance
• Prostate Cancer Travel Insurance
• Skin Cancer Travel Insurance

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.