Cancer and the class 1 medical

[hulk111]

I am a controller at a UK airport suffering right now from Lymphoma (Hodgkins Disease) . Im just interested to see if there is anybody, flight crew or controllers who might have had cancer and went into remission with the good fortune of returning to their previous jobs . I am coming to the end of a 15 month spell of treatment involving chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant and I am rather anxious to hear about peoples dealings with the CAA medical Branch in getting their Class 1 medicals reinstated . I know from speaking to medical branch there have been a few controllers /aircrew who have had Cancer (specifically Hodgkins and Non-Hodgkins) and they told me that 95% of these people tend to return to work after CAA testing .

I look forward to hearing from anybody who has had dealings of this nature .

Thanks

[Speedwing]

I had testicular cancer a few years back which is now in recession. I am a pilot and I was off flying for 9 months (3 months for the chemo course and then 6 months which the CAA mandate).

I am now flying Public Transport with a Class 1 Restricted medical (as or with co-pilot or whatever the new JAA term is). I have regular check-ups and I have to have copies of the reports sent to the CAA. They do get a bit stroppy sometimes if they haven't received one in a while, but I must say that they were very helpful during the period of chemo and the 6 months afterwards and were eager to allow me back to flying.

Hope that helps a bit?

[eden]

Hulk 111 - Hello there fellow Hodgkins person. I am a fixed and rotary ATPL and currently undergoing chemo. I have spoken at length with Dr Sally Evans - Chief Aeromedical Adviser CAA regarding probability, clinical and statistical issues related to our misfortune. I have some useful info'. The important issue seems to be the anthracycline drug use. 'These boys' - are cardiotoxic and can cause Ventricular enlargement and/or arythmia (don't check spelling). If these problems present themselves Class 1 medicals can prove difficult to get.

I would be glad to correspond by email if you like to go into more detail. I hope you are well and wish you all the best.

I'm off for a slice of Chemo on toast today, so tonight won't be party night.

Look forward to hearing from you

A

[Big Dave]

I have been in a similar situation to yourself having undergone chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant for non-hodgkins lymphoma which was diagnosed in '95.

I am a rotary pilot and did initially have a few problems regaining my Class 1 certification but I found Dr Sally Evans extremely helpful and within approximately 20 months of being diagnosed I was back to work initially with a restricted certificate but now unrestricted with close follow up by my specialist and the CAA.

As eden mentioned the Anthracycline was one of the major problems in regaining Class 1 certification although it appears that the view on this may have softened slightly.

Good luck and if you have any other questions feel free to e-mail.

[eden]

Go Big Dave - great news about your Class1 and helo flying. Are you flying single pilot ? and if you feel happy to go into it a bit further by email - I could use some of your advice. I hope to return to both fixed and rotary ATPL work. Post -Chemo completing in Mar 2001, with the mandatory 6 month lay off prior to tests etc.

I hope you're still well and wish Hulky boy a speedy recovery.

regards

A

PS - Perhaps we should start a HODGERS CURRY NIGHT - ???????

[This message has been edited by eden (edited 15 January 2001).]

[Big Dave]

Hi eden, at present the majority of my flying is two crew however I do have an unrestricted medical certificate and fly single pilot at times.

Feel free to email if you have any other questions and good luck.

[eden]

Big Dave - very interested in how things work out in the future..so will be in touch.
Thanks for the offer of advice. I have 4 more sessions of Chemo and then I'm waiting.

I know the doc's want to see full remission and a good prog' - Do you know what criteria constitutes - FULL remission?

Anyway - will comm' by email in due course.

Many thanks

A