Travel Insurance for Chronic Myeloid Cancer (CML)

What is chronic myeloid leukaemia?

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a cancer of the blood in which the bone marrow makes too many immature white blood cells. It’s linked to a genetic change in the blood cells known as the Philadelphia chromosome. CML is uncommon, and most people are diagnosed in the chronic phase, when it progresses slowly and symptoms such as tiredness or a swollen spleen may be mild. It shouldn’t be confused with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which affects a different type of white cell.

Treatment has changed a great deal. Most people now take a daily tablet called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), such as imatinib, and have regular blood tests to check how well it’s working. For many, CML becomes a long-term condition that they manage for years. The NHS chronic myeloid leukaemia page has the details.

Why do I need to declare CML for travel insurance?

Even when your blood counts have been good for years, CML is a pre-existing medical condition that needs declaring. We want to know because a change in how well treatment is working, or side effects such as fluid retention or heart rhythm problems, could lead to medical care abroad. A sudden need for review could also mean cancelling. A claim linked to undeclared CML 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 CML?

Usually you can look for cover. For CML, whether it can be accepted tends to depend on which phase it’s in, how well your treatment is working, any recent change of medicine, hospital admissions and whether you’re waiting for test results. Your medical screening result shows whether cover is available.

What we’ll ask about your CML

The medical screening is online and simple to complete. For your CML, it asks about which TKI you take and how well your CML is responding to it. 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 CML 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

A switch to a different TKI is fairly common with CML. If your treatment changes, you’re admitted to hospital, you’re referred for tests, or you’re given a new diagnosis 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 CML travel insurance cover?

Once CML has been accepted, a related emergency abroad is treated the same as any other. If you became unwell in Croatia with a severe infection or bleeding linked to low blood counts and needed hospital care, emergency treatment can be covered, as can repatriation with medical help if necessary. This is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If your doctor advises against travel because your CML has changed, you may be able to reclaim non-refundable costs under cancellation cover.

It doesn’t extend to treatment planned in advance abroad, or to anything linked to an undeclared condition.

Will CML affect the cost of travel insurance?

There may be an effect on cost, with the exact difference coming from your screening result. Expect our online medical screening to ask how your CML is treated and how well your treatment is keeping it under control. Beyond that, the usual factors of age, destination and time away play their part. Nothing is fixed until you see the quote, and you can check it before you buy.

Single trip or annual cover with CML

With CML well controlled on daily tablets, many people travel often, and annual multi-trip cover may suit them, depending on their screening result. For a one-off holiday, single trip cover does the job.

Travelling with CML: practical tips

These general pointers may help with planning. They’re separate from your insurance cover.

Keeping your TKI going matters. Missing doses can affect how well it controls CML, so pack enough for the whole trip and a week or so extra in case of delays. Split it between your hand luggage and a travel companion’s bag if you can. Over several time zones, ask your pharmacist how to shift your dose time gradually.

Several TKIs interact with grapefruit and some other foods and supplements, and certain ones need to be taken on an empty stomach. Holiday breakfasts and buffets can disrupt the routine, so read your patient leaflet before you go.

Stomach upsets can be more of a problem if they stop you keeping tablets down. Take care with food and water, pack oral rehydration sachets, and ask your team what to do if you’re sick for more than a day.

Some people on TKIs find their skin more sensitive to the sun or retain fluid in hot weather. Shade, sunscreen and loose clothing help. If you’re travelling to an area needing vaccines, check with your haematology team or a travel clinic, and look up your destination on TravelHealthPro.

A letter listing your diagnosis and medicines is worth carrying. Our guide on travelling abroad with medication explains what else to check.

How to get a quote

Give us your trip details, go through the screening for CML and any other conditions, then choose your level of cover. You’ll see the cost before you decide.

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.