Travel to Cuba for Cancer Treatment — A Patient Guide

Preparing for Your Medical Journey

Traveling to Cuba for cancer immunotherapy requires careful planning. For patients with advanced lung cancer, the journey involves not only medical considerations but also logistical coordination — visa processing, flights, accommodation, and communication in a foreign country.

Cuba's international patient services are designed to handle every detail, allowing patients and their families to focus entirely on the treatment. This guide walks through each step of the journey, from initial inquiry to returning home with a maintenance therapy plan.

Step 1: Medical Review & Eligibility

The journey begins with a consultation request submitted through SMC Salud's secure portal. Patients provide:

• Pathology report confirming non-small cell lung cancer • Recent imaging (CT/PET scans) on CD or via secure upload • Complete treatment history (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery records) • Current blood work and tumor marker results • Current medication list • General health summary including any coexisting conditions

Cuba's oncology team reviews the records within 24-48 hours and responds with an eligibility determination. If the patient qualifies for CIMAvax-EGF or Vaxira, a personalized treatment proposal is issued with timeline and costs.

Key tip: Ensure all medical documents are translated to English or Spanish before submission, and include imaging on CD where possible. SMC Salud's team can assist with translation if needed.

Step 2: Visa & Documentation

For cancer treatment in Cuba, patients need:

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond the treatment period. • Tourist Card (for programs under 30 days) — available when purchasing your airline ticket or at Cuban consulates. This is sufficient for most induction-phase programs. • Medical Visa (for programs exceeding 30 days) — processed through the treatment center with SMC Salud's assistance. • Cuban health insurance — must be purchased from ASISTUR upon arrival or in advance. If you have existing travel insurance, ASISTUR determines whether it is accepted.

SMC Salud's coordination team assists with all visa processing and documentation. For patients traveling from the United States, specific travel authorization may be required — SMC Salud provides guidance on current regulations.

Important: Keep copies of all medical records, treatment proposals, and travel documents in both digital and physical format. Carry essential medications in their original packaging with prescriptions.

Step 3: Arrival & Reception

Patients arrive at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, where SMC Salud's multilingual team provides airport reception. For cancer patients who may be fatigued from travel and illness, this personalized reception is essential for a smooth transition.

SMC Salud's team: • Meets the patient and accompanying family member at the airport arrivals area. • Provides comfortable ground transport directly to the accommodation or medical facility. • Ensures the patient is settled and comfortable. • Conducts an orientation briefing covering the treatment schedule, facility location, and emergency contacts.

Professional medical interpreters fluent in Arabic, English, Turkish, French, German, Russian, Portuguese, and Chinese are available throughout the stay, ensuring precise communication during medical consultations.

Step 4: The Induction Phase

The induction phase typically lasts 2-4 weeks, during which the patient receives initial vaccine doses in a specialized clinical facility in Havana. During this time:

• The patient attends scheduled vaccination appointments at the CIM or partner hospital. • Baseline blood work (including EGF levels) is drawn and monitored. • The oncology team monitors the patient's response and overall health. • Supportive care is provided for any side effects or coexisting conditions. • Regular progress updates are communicated to the patient and family.

Between appointments, patients rest at their accommodation. Family members are encouraged to accompany the patient and are involved in care discussions. The international patient coordination team checks in daily and is available 24/7 for any needs.

Step 5: Cultural & Dietary Accommodation

Cuba's international patient services honor the cultural and spiritual needs of patients from diverse backgrounds:

• Prayer rooms — available at partner hospitals, with prayer mats and Qibla direction provided. • Halal meals — prepared on request at all facilities. • Dietary needs — vegetarian, kosher, and special medical diets accommodated. • Cultural liaisons — coordinators who understand your customs and preferences. • Nearby mosques — accessible from accommodation for Muslim families.

For cancer patients, nutrition is especially important. Cuba's facilities can accommodate specific dietary requirements to support treatment and recovery. Inform your coordinator of any dietary needs in advance so arrangements can be made before arrival.

Step 6: Returning Home & Maintenance

Upon completion of the induction phase, the patient receives:

• Comprehensive medical report documenting the treatment, vaccine doses administered, immune response (antibody titers), and recommendations for maintenance therapy. • Maintenance therapy schedule — either continued during return visits to Cuba or coordinated with the home-country oncologist. • Follow-up coordination — SMC Salud's team remains available for questions and can facilitate telemedicine consultations with the Cuban oncology team. • Restaging guidance — Recommendations for when to repeat imaging and tumor markers to monitor treatment response.

It is essential to share the Cuban medical report with your home-country oncologist for coordinated follow-up care. SMC Salud can provide translated copies and assist with communication between the Cuban team and your local physician.

The journey doesn't end at discharge — maintenance therapy and regular monitoring are critical components of the immunotherapy program. Adherence to the maintenance schedule and follow-up appointments maximizes the potential benefit of the treatment.