What is breast cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. Breast cancer starts in the breast tissue and occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow in an uncontrolled way.

Breast cancer can develop at any age and mainly affects women. However, some men can be affected as well.

There are several risk factors that are associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer. These can include personal, family history and genetic factors, reproductive, environmental and lifestyle factors. Having one or more risk factors does not mean you’ll necessarily develop cancer. Some individuals that develop cancer have no known risk factors.

Fixed risk factors associated with the development of breast cancer include:

• A strong family history
• Genetic factors
• Being female and increasing age

Lifestyle factors that are associated with development of breast cancer (which can be modified) include:

• Drinking alcohol – drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing breast cancer
• Body weight – maintaining a healthy bodyweight decreases breast cancer risk
• Physical activity – active women of all ages are at reduced risk of breast cancer compared with women who don’t exercise
• Menopausal hormonal therapy – prolonged use of HRT can increase breast cancer development risk
• Breastfeeding – breastfeeding reduces risk and the longer it’s done, the better.

Breast cancer and travel insurance

Having breast cancer should not stop Australians from having a great holiday particularly as insure4less specialises in providing affordable travel insurance for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions.

For your own peace of mind, you can relax in the knowledge that you have the protection of one of the world’s largest insurers and medical emergency teams to support your whilst overseas if you suddenly suffer from an illness related to breast cancer. We ask you to declare your breast cancer illness when completing your online travel insurance (normally there is no extra to pay) and then, when you receive your policy via email, it will confirm in writing exactly what your cover is. You can then simply travel and relax.

Here are a few travel tips for individuals with breast cancer…

• Ensure you pack any required medication (and some extra in case of delays) with your carry on luggage so that you can easily access it
• If you are travelling via plane or over long distances by other means of transport, ensure you get up and and walk around the cabin, or have regular rest stops where you move around
• Dine on healthy foods and get plenty of regular exercise
• Build in extra periods of time during your vacation to take extra rest should you need it

Get a quote now! Use the quote form at the top right hand side of this page.