Medical for childhood cancer survivor

[ddartt]

Hi everyone,
Finally at the age of 32 I've decided to try and realize a lifelong dream of learning to fly, starting with a PPL. I'll do mine in Spain for a variety of reasons and will likely do the medical here too. I'll start with a Class 2 as that's the one needed for the ppl.

I grew up in Russia where I'm originally from. Back in 1992, at the age of 4, I was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma, one of the common cancers in children. It was treated in Zurich with a surgery and 2 rounds of chemo back then and I've been in a complete remission ever since. I don't have any adverse effects from the treatment - you wouldn't even ever know I've had it if there wasn't a scar from the surgery.

For the first few years I had regular follow up scans etc, gradually becoming less frequent until 2002 or so when I was told I don't need those anymore as there is no progression for such a long time.

I was wondering how does it play out at the medical with regards to documentation. I've read the manual and I don't think it should preclude me from flying, but they do say for Class 2 the decision is to be made in consultation with an AME specialist (for Class 1 they say a referral is required).

I don't really have a GP or a "family doctor". I've got the clinic in Moscow where I was doing follow ups back then to write a letter describing the illness, the treatment taken, any follow ups, prognosis and lack of adverse effects - so I'll get this translated to English/Spanish.

Anything else I should be aware of? It's just been so long ago that even digging up the documentation isn't easy, but I'd like to prepare as good as I can.
I'd be grateful for any thoughts/experiences on this.

Thanks so much!

[ddartt]

Answering my own question.
A letter from the Russian hospital outlining the course of illness, the treatment taken, the remission length and lack of adverse effects was enough. With a notarized translation into Spanish. The AME was mostly interested in the part where it says there is no adverse impact and no risk of incapacitation. She also double checked that the tumor was NOT in the brain.
So I got my Class 2 with no problems.
I'm wondering if it'd be as simple for Class 1...

[ddartt]

Reviving the thread, hope the others don't mind as I'm just looking for some opinions.
I have now decided to go for the Class 1 initial. Meanwhile the (Spanish) medical center where I did my initial Class 2 are now authorized to also do the Class 1 initial. Their price is pretty high and communication is still a struggle.

But would I be right to do my initial Class 1 there anyway as the doctor knows me already from Class 2, they have my records and she didn't mention anything that could be an issue for Class 1 at the time - except for 2.25 astigmatism which she said would require a detailed examination by an ophthalmologist. It just seems to me a more sensible thing to do it there despite the cost and the communication issues, but what do others think?

[OvertHawk]

If you've got an established relationship with them I would not change unless there was a very good reason.

Communication is a struggle - it will be a struggle anywhere in Spain due to the language / translation issues.

It's expensive - Welcome to aviation! Everything is expensive!

I think you will be much easier to stay working with the clinic and doctor you've already worked with.

Good luck

[kwaiyai]

Hello ddartt,

I second what OvertHawk has written. I have experience of losing my C1 medical's (FAA and UK CAA) due to an injury for a while
and stuck with my AME I used to see for UK CAA revalidations before this happened. He already knew me already knew my file etc so this in my opinion helped alot
with the reinstatement process.
FAA AME similar to above. Sadly it did cost me a bit more but frankly stuff the extra pennies.
My 10cents worth.
all the best,

[UV]

We have read on here many times of people who have been refused a Medical Certificate following childhood problems which have not recurred. I know you are supposed to declare them but one has to use a certain amount of discretion.

Having not suffered from this since you were 4 years old, and having been discharged, I would be very careful saying anything to anybody.

Also, being a cancer, I assume you are extremely unlikely to suffer any sudden incapacitation.

So having already declared this to an AME I would be very careful using the same AME again. You may well live to regret it.