Aviation career after Cancer?

[Detour]

Is it still possible to apply to airlines after Cancer or would they instantly reject a case of Cancer history,even if it's been cured?

Any insight much appreciated.

[FatFlyer]

I know of one commercial instructor, now sadly deceased, who got back his class 1 when the cancer went into remission.
Most airlines seem to ask to see your medical when being interviewed, as far as I know, they don't generally ask about your medical history so would there be a need to tell them if you are cured?

[Detour]

It would be great to not have to tell, but the medical questioner asks specifically abt any malignant tumours. Also there is usually a question for 'any significant medical history' .

:(

[rocafellascunk]

Detour if you don't mind my asking what type of cancer is it that you are talking about?
R

[Detour]

Thyorid ca

Does the kind make a diffrence?

[hadagutful]

Detour

Your question might be of some general academic interest to the pilot fraternity.
However, we do not know the details and the specific medical diagnosis and prognosis of your case and you would probably want to keep that confidential. Also most of the respondents are not medical specialists and are unable to give an opinion.

I suggest you consult a designated aviation medical practitioner or a specialist oncologist.
Whatever level of licence required would probably depend on a medical report from him or her.

There is no question that you will need to disclose this in your medical history when applying for a licence, that is not to say that you may be denied a career in aviation.
Individual case histories are usually assessed on that basis, i.e. your particular medical history and prognosis.

I hope you have a successful outcome and are able to pursue your dream.
Members come to the forum for general discussion of medical issues, support and shared experience. Some contributors as you say are medical specialists, others are not. Nevertheless, some of the most valuable information and support has come from those who have a medical condition and have negotiated their way through the difficulties of licencing or return of their medical category.

[Detour]

Thanks hadagutful. Sound advice, I should probably ask a DAME , but was just curious if anybody knows of anybody getting in with a ca history.

[UncleFester]

:) I had bowel cancer, surgery and 6 months of gopping chemotherapy, its now in remission (2 years). I spoke to CAA medical dept.... very helpful. The main concern is on-going medication and its side effects.

P.s. I am still flying:D

[redsnail]

A mate in Oz had cancer and got it cleared. One DAME gave him grief but he got his medical back no probs after seeing another guy. He's had no probs ever since.

[rightbank]

FatFlyer

Sorry about the late reply to your post, only just spotted it.

If you are talking about the same late commercial instructor as I think you are (Southend based?), then I think you will find that he didn't get a full class 1 medical back when his cancer was in remission, but one restricted to flying with a qualified pilot (i.e. no student pilots). As he was mainly conducting instructor ratings, BCPL courses and instructor renewals and therefore only flying with pilots who already held a licence, this was not too much of a problem. However I remember him telling me that he had quite a fight to get even that concession.

Sadly missed.

[whalecapt]

Detour asks, "aviation career after cancer?"

Depends very much on your controlling medical authority. The Singapore CAMB, for example, imposes a five-year standdown period for pilots who have been diagnosed with cancer regardless of treatment and remission status - a draconian measure that will terminate a flying career in that state!

With the benefit of more extensive experience in these matters, the UK, US, and other authorities are prepared to evaluate each case on its merits and it is likely that, with a monitoring and assessment program in place, the candidate will be returned to flying status although some restrictions will, in all probability, be imposed. As already suggested in preceeding posts, a DME or assessor will provide the best guidance.