Travel Insurance for Cervical Cancer

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer develops in the cervix, which is located between the vagina and the womb. Almost all cases are linked to long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical screening looks for HPV and for abnormal cells, which means many problems are treated before they ever turn into cancer.

When cancer is found, treatment may be surgery, which can mean a hysterectomy, or radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. It is a separate condition from womb cancer, which starts in the lining of the womb itself. Some of the longer-term effects of treatment include early menopause, bladder or bowel changes, and swelling in the legs. The NHS cervical cancer page explains symptoms, treatment, and recovery.

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

Cervical cancer is treated as a pre-existing medical condition, during treatment and after it has finished. We need to know because surgery and chemoradiotherapy can leave lasting effects, which might need attention abroad or mean you have to cancel. If it’s left off your policy and you claim for something connected to it, the claim could be refused or the payout could be less than you expected.

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 cervical cancer?

Cover is often available. With cervical cancer, the factors that usually count most are the stage, how recently you had surgery or chemoradiotherapy, any complications such as bowel or bladder problems, recent hospital stays, and whether you’re waiting for follow-up scans. Your screening result will set out whether cover can be offered.

What we’ll ask about your cervical cancer

Declaring your cervical cancer online doesn’t take long. The screening asks about the treatment you’ve had and whether you’re still being monitored by your specialist. After that, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions you have.

Once you’ve finished the medical declaration, you’ll go through to the quote page. If your cervical cancer and your other conditions can be covered, you’ll see a list of quotes, and the premium shown includes the cost of cover for your medical. If we can’t provide cover, you’ll know before going any further.

If your health changes before travelling

Cancer care can move on quickly. If your medication changes, you’re admitted to hospital, you’re referred for more tests, or you receive a new diagnosis between now and departure, you must let us know. Your cover might need another look, your medical situation may have to go to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to continue with cover. A future claim can be affected or denied if a change in your medical isn’t reported.

What can cervical cancer travel insurance cover?

When cervical cancer has been accepted, a related medical emergency abroad can be covered in the usual way. If you needed hospital treatment in Malta for a urinary infection linked to your treatment, for example, emergency medical costs can be covered, and repatriation too if you need help getting home. This is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

Should your doctor advise you not to travel because of the cancer, cancellation cover may help with non-refundable costs.

The policy won’t cover treatment that was planned to take place while you’re away, and it won’t cover anything related to an undeclared condition.

Will cervical cancer affect the cost of travel insurance?

Cervical cancer might add to the cost of your cover. Your screening result is what determines this, so it’s hard to give a figure in advance. Through our online screening you may be asked about the treatment you’ve received and how well controlled things are now. Like everyone else, your age, chosen destination and trip length make a difference too. The price is shown before you pay.

Single trip or annual cover with cervical cancer

Choose single trip cover for one holiday, or annual multi-trip cover if you’ll be taking a few trips over the year. Annual cover is subject to your screening result.

Travelling with cervical cancer: practical tips

The tips below are general and aren’t part of what your insurance covers.

After a hysterectomy, recovery takes several weeks and lifting is usually restricted for a while. Your surgical team can advise when travelling and carrying luggage is reasonable. Wheeled cases, help with bags and booking airport assistance can all make the journey easier.

Pelvic radiotherapy can leave the bowel or bladder more sensitive. Plan routes with toilets in mind, carry a change of underwear and some pads, and be careful with spicy food and alcohol if they upset things. Some bladder and bowel charities offer a toilet card you can show in shops and cafés when you need one urgently.

Surgery to the pelvis and some cancer treatments can raise the chance of blood clots. On long flights or drives, stop and move about regularly, and drink plenty of water. If you’ve been told you have lymphoedema in your legs, ask your specialist about compression stockings for the journey.

Treatment that brings on early menopause can cause hot flushes, which can feel worse in hot places. Light clothing and a cool room help. If you’re on HRT, take enough for the trip plus a little extra.

Keep medicines in your hand luggage, with your prescription. Our page on travelling abroad with medication explains how.

How to get a quote

Put in your trip details, answer the questions about cervical cancer and any other conditions you have, and choose your cover. The full price is shown before you buy.

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.