Dealing with a cancer diagnosis may be an overwhelming and confusing time, not just in your personal life, but in your professional one as well.
A diagnosis may create challenges at work for you and for coworkers who may be uncertain of how to deal with your situation. Cancer may also make it difficult to stay employed, to work full time and require extended periods of time off.
According to a 2019 study, “45 percent of people diagnosed with cancer in the United States are ages 20 to 64 years, the traditional working age.” And despite the challenges, some people with cancer may need to work because of the financial burden of a diagnosis or because they need to stay on their employer’s insurance plan.
Sharing a cancer diagnosis with your boss and coworkers may not be easy. And it’s normal to be nervous, especially if you don’t know how your supervisors or coworkers will react. But you may also find you’ll receive the support and understanding you need to help you during your cancer journey.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- Tips on sharing your cancer diagnosis with coworkers
- Developing a work plan during and after treatment
- Tips for returning to work after treatment
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and want to get a second opinion of your diagnosis or treatment options, call us or chat online with a member of our team.
Tips on sharing your cancer diagnosis with coworkers
Taking time to plan what you’ll say, how much you will share and how you will deliver the news may help ease the difficulty of telling your boss and colleagues you have cancer.
If you want to tell everyone the same information at the same time, an email may be an option. If you expect to become emotional while discussing your diagnosis, it may be easier to ask a trusted coworker to spread the news. You may also consider making a list of people with whom you’ll share the news in private.
It's also important to decide ahead of time how much you want to share about your diagnosis. Some coworkers may ask about your cancer type, stage and the treatments you are undergoing. Sometimes, people openly ask questions, offer advice or even share their own personal stories.
Be prepared for a wide range of responses and decide ahead of time how you’ll respond if you are asked questions you don’t want to answer.
The following tips may also help you better prepare to share your diagnosis.
Start with a trusted coworker: Work cultures vary by workplace. By first speaking with someone you trust, you may be better able to assess and plan how to share the news with someone who knows firsthand the culture and people involved.
Tell your boss directly: It is important that your boss hears about the news from you and not through the grapevine. Find a comfortable and private setting to deliver the news. By opening the lines of communication with your supervisor, you may strengthen your relationship and set clear expectations.
Talk to your HR department: Once your boss knows about your diagnosis, he or she will need to communicate the information to the human resources department. You may want to go directly to your HR representative to learn more about company policies and your employment rights.
Accept help: Many people will react by asking, “What can I do to help?” You may not know how to answer that yet, or what help you’ll need. When you are ready, let others know how they may help, and be as specific as possible.
Developing a work plan during and after treatment
Once you have shared your diagnosis, discuss with your human resources representative the modifications and accommodations you may need if you choose to try to work during treatment or return to work after time off for care.
You may also want to discuss with your employer options about for flexible work arrangements, such as part-time hours, telecommuting, job sharing or reassignment to another position. It is also important to discuss your treatment schedule or any follow-up medical appointments, and how to work around them.
Developing open lines of communication with your company human resources department during and after treatment may help clear up expectations for both parties, says Elaine Smith, MS, LMFT, behavioral health specialist at City of Hope® Cancer Center Atlanta.
“By working closely with the human resources department, you can adjust, modify and be realistic about your work responsibilities,” she says.
Tips for returning to work after treatment
If you are ready to return to work after cancer treatment, you aren’t alone. More than 70 percent of Americans go back to their job after they’ve completed treatment. Sometimes, cancer patients make the decision because of income or health insurance needs. Others are looking for a sense of normalcy and routine. With the proper planning, returning to work doesn’t have to be a difficult transition.
A number of job-related questions may be running through your mind before heading back to work.
“Patient worries can run the gamut from fear of acceptance to concerns about being a good worker and colleague and more,” Smith says. While it is normal to worry about returning to the workplace, it is important to manage your anxiety or stress throughout the process.
Returning to work after cancer may also have a number of benefits. You may find that you rediscover a sense of accomplishment, boosting your self-esteem.
Going to work may also help you reestablish a daily routine, and it may provide opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and friends. You may also look forward to taking on interesting and challenging projects.
The following tips may help make your return to work a little easier.
Know your rights: Read up on employment-related laws, including the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are returning to work, you may have taken time off through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period to attend to a serious health condition.
Check in with your boss: Consider setting up frequent meetings with your manager to evaluate your transition and make any necessary adjustments. Discuss your workload and identify high-priority projects to help you be productive and meet expectations.
Manage side effects: Cancer and cancer treatment may cause side effects, such as, fatigue, nausea and pain. Returning to work may also cause stress and anxiety. Any of these side effects may affect your job performance, so it is important to address these issues as early and proactively as possible. Integrative care services, such as nutrition therapy, pain management and naturopathic medicine, may help you manage cancer-related side effects, before, during and after your cancer treatment, so you can better maintain your strength and stamina.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and want to get a second opinion of your diagnosis or treatment options, call us or chat online with a member of our team.
