Page 99 - LIVESTRONG Digital Guidebook

Employment Issues

Cancer and treatment can make it difficult to work. Prepare early if you think it is possible that you
will not be able to work for a while. If you work now, start by considering your current job. Think about
whether you will be able to continue to do the required job duties. If not, think about ways your job might
be changed so you can keep working. Also, consider future possibilities for work. These may be with the
same employer or with a new employer.

“I really have had to look at the hard cold facts and realize that I need —SUSAN C.
to keep my health insurance. I am lucky enough to have a job I love.”

Some patients want to keep working during cancer • Show him or her that you feel confident about
treatment if possible. This is often because there is returning to work
a need for income and health insurance coverage. • Tell him or her what he or she needs to
Some go back to work after cancer treatment. Other know including:
survivors go to a part-time work schedule or work
from home for a while. Still others decide to find a • How long you will be able to
new type of work or not work at all. continue working

Your decisions about work are likely to be based • Whether you will be able to continue
on your type and stage of cancer. Treatment and its to do all of your job duties
effect on you will also be important things to con-
sider. Some treatments require a stay in the hospital. • If you need to take time off from work
You are the one who can best decide what is right for for treatment, when you are likely to
your situation. be able to return to work

CONTINUING TO WORK Some patients can work during treatment only if
the employer allows changes in job duties (accom-
Cancer and treatment may or may not affect your modations). Talk with your health care provider if
ability to work. Telling your employer about the can- you are thinking about asking the employer to make
cer diagnosis is a personal choice. If your ability to changes at work. Ask for his or her advice. Your pro-
do your job will not be affected, you might decide vider may be able to write a note explaining what
not to tell your employer right away. On the other changes are needed and why.
hand, there may be certain things that could be done
to make it easier for you to continue to work if you Some examples of changes include:
tell your employer. • Altering a work schedule
• Doing different job duties for a while
If you decide to talk with your employer about • Working from home for a time
your cancer diagnosis, write down what you want
to say. Go over it with loved ones and friends. Get  Decide whether you want to keep working
their feedback before you meet with the employer. during cancer treatment.
Practice what you want to say until you feel com-
fortable. Provide only as much information as you  Decide whether you need to tell your
want to. employer about the cancer diagnosis.

When you talk with your employer:  Talk with your employer about your needs if you
• Try to find a solution that works for everyone will need to make changes to continue to work.

www.LIVESTRONG.org/WeCanHelp B : D U R I N G T R E AT M E N T D AY- T O - D AY C O N C E R N S 99