As part of our multimedia, Facing Cancer Together project, witf's Megan Lello spoke with Dr. Lidia Schapira, an oncologist and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.   In a previous conversation, Dr. Schapira shard some summer safety tips for cancer survivors.  Now, Schapira shares some advice for cancer survivors looking to travel this summer:

Just a few of her safe tips for patients:

• Know what cancer treatment you have and what side effects to expect
• Think about the equipment you need for treatment and know how to handle it and look after it
• Know how to pace yourself during travel: Anticipate that at the airport you may need to dress and undress in security,  you may have a long layover, you need to make sure you're getting enough fluids
• Plan ahead and leave some space in your itinerary for wiggle room
• Then, enjoy yourself and get away from cancer for a bit
• Anyone whose had recent surgery needs to ask their oncologist of its ok to fly.  Someone who has had surgery like a mastectomy could be at risk for swelling
• Take precautions when traveling by plane: Being immobile on a plane increases risk of blood clots- exercise in your chair, wiggle toes, and take a walk in the cabin
• If you're traveling to a country in which you need vaccines to enter, this needs to be discussed with you doctor.  Chemotherapy drugs may affect a person's immune system and could wipe out the memory of cells that are trained to fight infection

Have you traveled this summer during cancer treatment? Where did you go? What advice can you add to this list? Please leave a comment below!