Living with Cancer

The journey for people living with cancer goes beyond receiving treatment. Other employees may be acting as carers and supporting someone with cancer.

In the words of the People Affected
by Cancer Advisory Board (PABCAB):

An increasing majority of people survive their cancer and may remain on the workforce. They’ll return as effective and loyal workers. Therefore, management and support are essential throughout. (Source of introduction: Maggies)

There is no single right way to support someone through a cancer journey. Rather, it may be a case of one step at a time. There may be periods of time out for appointments, sickness, and absence.

Some employees may be able to stay in work during treatment, if flexibility and reasonable adjustments are made. Others may feel unable to work, from point of diagnosis, during treatment or when treatment has finished.

Likely limiting effects of cancer

Different cancers may have specific limiting effects requiring specific disability adjustments e.g. special chairs, text to speech equipment, short and more frequent breaks for food or toilet needs.

Other symptoms can be more generalised, whether from the cancer itself or from major treatments. Some symptoms will be a direct side-effect of treatments. They’ll start to ease off slowly as these are completed. Others may continue as late effects into recovery.

Late effects might include adapting to surgical changes, chronic fatigue and the emotional impact of living with cancer.

Employers or colleagues may have their own ideas about side effects of cancer and its treatments. They may expect employees to look unwell when, in fact, some side effects are less visible or obvious.

Employers may be unaware of the specific effects on work
abilities. For example, mistaking the impact of cancer and
treatment on concentration, for poor attitude. This lack of cancer awareness can lead to misunderstandings or even unlawful discrimination.

Keeping links with work

A diagnosis of cancer does not mean the managed end of someone’s working life. Whilst some may need a total break, others may choose to carry on working. Many people find keeping contact with work, if unwell, can be a very important objective following a cancer diagnosis.

Feelings an employee may having about work can include:

  • worries about supporting themselves and dependants financially
  • a loss independence, normality and purpose that can be tied up in work
  • frustration and anger at not being able to work
  • worry about what employers, customers and colleagues may think
  • concern at extra workloads on colleagues or not meeting responsibilities
  • feeling out of touch with what’s happening and changes in the field of work
  • loss of confidence and self-esteem.
Changing needs over time

The challenges that may get in the way of work can vary considerably during someone’s cancer experience.

There may be various stages in a cancer journey – with different implications for their life as an employee:

An initial period of turmoil and tests

Someone may not be physically unwell but struggling emotionally as they attend appointments.

For some carrying on in work might offer a welcome sense of normality. Support may be around offering understanding, flexibility and time off to attend clinic appointments.

For others the cancer diagnosis news may be overwhelming. They may need to be a short period of sickness absence to take it all in.

Recovery

This may be a time of a phased return. The person with cancer may wish to build up gradually to the usual working week. They may need longer term reasonable adjustments.

Early recovery may be a gradual easing of the immediate side-effects of treatment or healing from surgery.

There may be less aggressive long term follow up treatments which have their own side effects.

Later into recovery, it may be learning to adapt and manage “late effects”. It can be now that the emotional /psychological impacts and processing kicks in.

After the treatment is finished, changes from surgery and long-term effects of treatment may need to be managed and support given.

Looking ahead

Many may not need further treatment and in time be able to put their cancer experience behind them. Others may get a recurrence and/or spread, requiring further treatment, or develop long term effects with changing needs for workplace support.

This might lead to a rethink regarding work and a need for early ill health retirements.

Carrying on in work, however, is often both possible and important, even for some with advanced cancers.

Creating Active Workplaces

Created by the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University.

A guide to steps you can take to encourage and support physical activity in and around the workplace across a range of settings.

Coming soon, sign up below to be notified.


Employers in action

Creating Active Workplaces

Created by the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University

A guide to steps you can take to encourage and support physical activity in and around the
workplace across a range of settings.

Creating Active Workplaces

Created by the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University

A guide to steps you can take to encourage and support physical activity in and around the
workplace across a range of settings.

If you employ people within South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw and have an example of how you are showing up for your workforce on cancer we’d like to hear from you.

Please Get In Touch to discuss how we can share your best practice through case studies and other methods.

Further Free Resources

WorkWell

Whether you’re a large employer or a small business in South Yorkshire – WorkWell is here to support your workforce with a health condition or disability who wants to improve their work situation.

WorkWell is delivered by South Yorkshire Housing Association in partnership with SYMCA, SY ICB, local authorities and other partner organisations. It provides bespoke one to one coaching, free advice, signposting, resources and support to your employees to help them to stay well at work.

Having cancer may affect your ability to work

Created by Maggies

Information to help you to find out more about work-related issues you may face after a diagnosis of cancer.

What to do after cancer treatment ends: 10 top tips

This leaflet is about what to expect after cancer treatment ends and where to get more support. It gives suggestions to help you get the best care and support and make healthy lifestyle choices.

Coping with fatigue (tiredness)

This booklet is about coping with fatigue caused by cancer or its treatment (cancer-related fatigue). It is for anyone who has cancer-related fatigue. There is also information for carers, family members and friends.

Emotional, physical and practical effects of cancer and how to manage them

Created by Cancer Research UK

A wealth of specific information, advice and options you have on:

  • Coping physically
  • Mental health and cancer
  • Coping practically
  • Dying with cancer
  • Family, friends, carers and cancer

How cancer can make you feel – Managing your emotions

Created by Cancer Research UK

Tips on how you can help yourself manage your feelings and emotions whilst coping with cancer:

  • Helping yourself
  • Coping with sleep problems
  • Controlling your symptoms
  • Learning to live with your cancer
  • Worrying about your cancer coming back
  • Links to Maudsley Learning cancer and mental wellbeing videos for people affected by cancer.

Coping at work during treatment 

Created by Macmillan 

Offering lots of useful information about coping at work during cancer treatment, such as:  

  • Making decisions about work 
  • Keeping in touch with your employer during treatment 
  • Your employment rights 
  • Reasonable adjustments to work
  • Coping with side effects whilst at work 
  • Information for self employed

External Services

We have included links to reputable organisations only, however links do not mean that this is an endorsement of services or an intentional exclusion of other services.

Cancer Research UK offer a bespoke programme of support as well as webinars, in person workshops, and an interactive awareness stand. Charges apply and are listed on the website.

Cancer Research UK offer a bespoke programme of support as well as webinars, in person workshops, and an interactive awareness stand. Charges apply and are listed on the website.

Cancer Research UK offer a bespoke programme of support as well as webinars, in person workshops, and an interactive awareness stand. Charges apply and are listed on the website.