Overview

The news of a cancer diagnosis can be hard to handle, both for the person who has it and those who support them. It can also change their lives forever. It can affect how they think, feel, act, and even manage their jobs.

Whether you are diagnosed with or have had cancer in the past and are now working again, cancer treatment may change your job responsibilities. You can do some things to help keep your job and get the most from your workplace while undergoing treatment.

How Does Cancer Treatment Affect the Job?

Cancer treatment is an incredibly stressful experience, and it can take a toll on your job. Here are some of the ways that cancer treatment affects your job:

- You may be unable to work or travel as much during your cancer treatment.
- You may have to change jobs because of your treatment schedule if you've been working at a company for years and suddenly have to take time off work because of your cancer treatment plan. In that case, they'll likely need time to find a replacement before they can continue operating at full capacity.
- You may need accommodations in the workplace if you're having radiation therapy or chemotherapy treatments. In some cases, employers will provide a desk for people undergoing heavy radiation or chemotherapy treatments in their offices; others offer full-time staff members who can cover for these employees during these times so that everyone stays happy and productive during these difficult times!

What Are Some Workplace Accommodations For Cancer Patients?

Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Reasonable workplace accommodations may include:

- Flexible or part-time work schedules
- Allowing telework or remote work
- Modifying job duties or reassigning tasks
- Providing additional paid or unpaid leave
- Making changes to the workspace (e.g., adjustable chairs and desks)
- Modifying break times or providing extra breaks
- Providing a quiet workspace for concentration and focus
- Allowing workers to work from home
- Offering flexibility in reporting to work

It is important to remember that employers are not required to provide accommodation if it creates an undue hardship on their business. An employer may also deny a request if they feel the employee cannot perform their job safely or competently. For these reasons, employees must communicate clearly with their employers about their illnesses and treatment conditions.

How to Manage a Job During Cancer Treatment

You can work while getting treatment for cancer if it is a low-risk type of disease or if you have a condition that is less likely to cause problems with working. However, some types of treatment will make you more tired, and you may need to take extra days off from work or reduce the number of hours you work.

Talk to supervisor and co-workers.

Tell them about your plan to work while you are getting cancer treatment. They can help you with your arrangements and give you information on any special requirements or policies your company might have.

Notify your employer before taking leave.

Keep a paper trail for any accommodation and sick leave, medical certifications and company policies you need to use during cancer treatment. This can help you avoid misunderstandings and ensure you have everything you need to return to work.

Know what you are entitled to under your employer’s sick pay policy and workplace rights before you tell your manager about your cancer diagnosis. You can also learn more about how your employer handles illness-related issues by talking to your human resources department.

Schedule your treatment appointment.

When you have a cancer diagnosis, it’s not always easy to know how much time you can devote to your treatment and its impact on your work. Some people may be able to work fewer hours, while others need more leave or a flexible schedule.

You should also talk to your manager about the negative effects of chemotherapy that can occur after you leave treatment behind and return to work.

Getting emotional support during and after cancer treatment is important, especially at work.

Share your diagnosis details if needed.

Be matter-of-fact when sharing your cancer diagnosis with your employer and coworkers, and tell them only the facts that will make sense for them to understand. Practice what you will say before sharing it, and have friends or family help you if needed. Through this, your employer gets to know about your conditions.

Keep updating your manager about your treatment progress

Your boss plays a big role in your life at work, so it can be saddening when they learn that you have cancer. This can cause anxiety and stress, but talking with your managers about what you can expect and explaining your condition is important.

Your managers need to be updated about how your treatment is going, including the goals for treatment, such as cure or control. This will help them understand what they can do for you, such as provide emotional support and referrals to services that can make your life easier, such as cancer rehabilitation.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Oncology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Your doctor can also provide you with recommendations on how to adapt your job duties and schedule for the duration of your treatment. These may include adjusting your job title, making changes to your work hours, or modifying your office space so that the symptoms of your illness or side effects from your treatments do not hamper you.

References

- https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/young-adults-and-teenagers/school-and-work-during-cancer/going-work-during-and-after-cancer
- https://adata.org/factsheet/reasonable-accommodations-workplace