Travelling with Prostate Cancer: Practical Guide for Kiwi Men
Prostate cancer affects approximately 4,000 New Zealand men each year — making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Kiwi men. For many, it is a cancer managed for years or decades rather than treated and cured quickly. This long-term management model means travel considerations are an ongoing part of life for many prostate cancer patients.
The good news: the majority of men with prostate cancer can travel and obtain travel insurance.
Getting Travel Insurance with Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is generally well-assessed by NZ travel insurance providers. The key factors:
- Active surveillance (no treatment): Most favourable outcome — minimal treatment risk, just monitoring. Most insurers assess very favourably.
- Post-radical prostatectomy, no evidence of recurrence: Good outcome, additional premium likely modest.
- Post-radiation (external beam or brachytherapy), stable PSA: Good outcome, additional premium applies.
- Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT/hormone therapy): Assessable with moderate additional premium.
- Metastatic prostate cancer on chemotherapy (docetaxel/cabazitaxel): More complex assessment.
- Castration-resistant prostate cancer on enzalutamide/abiraterone: Assessable on case-by-case basis.
Describe your situation precisely when completing the medical questionnaire — "prostate cancer" without detail gives the insurer less to work with.
Hormone Therapy (ADT) and Travel
Androgen deprivation therapy is used widely in prostate cancer management. Common forms:
LHRH agonists/antagonists (injections): Leuprolide (Lucrin), goserelin (Zoladex), degarelix (Firmagon) are administered by injection, typically every 1–3 months. If your injection schedule coincides with your travel: - Ask your urologist whether the injection can be given before departure - Or arrange for the injection to be given at a reputable overseas centre (ask your NZ team for a letter explaining the regimen)
Oral ADT combinations: Bicalutamide, enzalutamide, abiraterone — daily oral medications. Easy to carry. Pack sufficient supply plus buffer, carry in original packaging, and bring a physician's letter for customs.
ADT side effects relevant to travel: - Hot flushes: Can be uncomfortable in hot destinations. Choose cooler climates or air-conditioned accommodation. - Fatigue: Build rest periods into your itinerary; avoid overpacking activities. - Reduced bone density (osteoporosis): ADT reduces bone mineral density over time. Increased fracture risk on physically demanding itineraries — discuss bone density monitoring and calcium/vitamin D supplementation with your oncologist. - Weight changes: May affect fit of compression stockings — have these measured when weight is stable.
Radiation Seed Implants (Brachytherapy) and Airport Security
If you have received brachytherapy (radioactive seed implants) for prostate cancer, the radioactive seeds remain in the prostate permanently. They emit low-level radiation that can trigger portal radiation monitors (PRMs) at airports and border crossings.
This is not a safety issue — the radiation level is extremely low — but it can cause delays and concern at security checkpoints without documentation.
Your radiation oncology team will issue a documentation card confirming: - Your name - Date of brachytherapy - Type of seeds (typically Iodine-125 or Palladium-103) - Estimated duration of sensor triggering (usually 12+ months)
Carry this card through every airport. If you don't have one, contact your radiation oncology team before travelling.
Bladder and Urinary Considerations on Flights
Post-surgery or post-radiation urinary symptoms — urgency, frequency, poor flow — affect many prostate cancer patients. On long flights, these are manageable with planning:
- Book an aisle seat — always. Making your seatmates stand every 45 minutes is stressful; an aisle seat eliminates this.
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol before and during flights — both are diuretics that increase urinary frequency.
- Stay hydrated with water — sufficient to prevent DVT but not excessive in the hour before boarding.
- Consider timing of diuretic medications if you take them — discuss with your GP whether the timing can be adjusted on travel days.
- Incontinence products: If you use them, pack enough in your carry-on for the flight duration.
PSA Monitoring While Overseas
PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is the primary monitoring tool for prostate cancer after treatment. Regular testing frequency varies — typically every 3–6 months after radical prostatectomy, or as recommended by your urologist.
If your trip extends beyond your next PSA test date: - Discuss with your urologist whether the test can be safely delayed - Or arrange a PSA blood test at an accredited overseas laboratory - Major cities in Australia, the UK, Singapore, and the USA all have labs that can process a PSA — ask your NZ team for the normal range to compare results
Keep a record of your most recent PSA result and trend (rising, stable, or falling) — relevant information if you need to see a doctor overseas.
Recommended Destinations for Prostate Cancer Patients
Australia: Best option — short flight, excellent facilities, RHCA for emergency care, easy return.
Europe: Good oncology facilities, cool climates suit ADT-related hot flushes. Long flight requires DVT planning.
Pacific Islands: Short flight but limited facilities — ensure evacuation cover is included. Heat can worsen hot flushes and fatigue.
Asia (Singapore, Japan): Excellent facilities. Singapore has world-class urology. Bangkok Bumrungrad is experienced with international prostate cancer patients.
Key Takeaways
- Most men with prostate cancer can travel and get insurance — declare fully and complete the assessment
- Arrange your ADT injection schedule around your travel dates
- Carry brachytherapy documentation if you have had seed implants
- Book an aisle seat and plan for urinary management on long flights
- Discuss PSA monitoring timing with your urologist for extended trips
