Working with cancer

What do I need to consider?

It’s a good idea to be prepared for the future. Here are some things to think about.

What does your treatment plan look like?

If you’re an early-stage patient, you will likely have surgery and will need to take some time off afterwards to recover. This will likely be at least 6-8 weeks for many patients, but could be longer if you have a physically active job.

If you are a stage III or IV patient, you may be having some combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery. Your chemo infusions will probably be every two to three weeks, depending on the protocol, and you will need to spend most of the day at your infusion center. While some people don’t feel too poorly afterwards, others feel nauseated, fatigued, and generally unable to work for several days during each chemo cycle. You will also need to factor in time off for other medical appointments, scans, and lab tests.

It’s important to talk with your oncologist to understand exactly what treatments have been planned, so you are able to communicate clearly with your employer.

What side effects will you experience?

Talk to your oncologist about common side effects, how long they’re likely to last, and how severe they may be. You can also ask whether patients on similar treatment plans have been able to continue working, and whether your oncologist has specific recommendations based on your personal circumstances. 

If you’re just starting chemotherapy, it might be a good idea to take off a bit more time than you think you need at first, until you can figure out how your body responds to treatment. Some people feel okay on infusion day, and a couple of days after that (hello, steroids!) but then crash. Other patients feel terrible on infusion day, then slowly recover as time goes on. These patterns can be different for everyone, so it’s important to listen to your body and be realistic about what you’re capable of doing while in treatment.

Do you want to continue working?

This may seem like a silly question, but it’s an important one. Some patients love their jobs, and find that continuing to work brings them a sense of satisfaction, normality, and routine that they crave. Other patients find their jobs stressful and draining, and would rather spend their time with family and friends and focusing on self-care. Of course, we all have logistical and financial considerations to think about, so quitting your job may not be an option at the moment. But it’s a good idea to consider what you really want, and how continuing to work is going to affect your quality of life.

How many hours a week do you work?

If chemo and/or radiation is part of your treatment plan, you’ll need time off to attend medical appointments and to recover from side effects. If your job allows for flexible working hours and the opportunity to work from home, it will be much easier for you to continue working than for someone with a rigid schedule who has to be physically present at work every day.

However, in the US, you have the right to ask your employer to make “reasonable accommodations” (more on this later) to allow you to continue working if you want to. You may be able to ask for reduced hours or a change in your work schedule. It’s important to realize this may be much more feasible for an office worker than a restaurant server or delivery driver.

How stressful is your job?

Cancer can be an emotional rollercoaster, and treatments can be very hard on the body. You’ll need extra time to rest, recover and focus on self-care. If you have a highly stressful or demanding job, where you are under pressure to meet strict deadlines and work long hours, you may find it difficult to balance everything. If you have a job that requires a lot of your energy, physical or mental, you will probably need to consider taking more time off than someone with a less demanding job.

You may be able to talk to your employer about modifying your schedule and/or daily tasks to reduce your stress.

What do your finances look like?

This is probably the most important factor that will influence your decision whether or not to continue working. Unfortunately, most people are not able to continue paying their bills if they quit their jobs, particularly if they are single or don’t have much family support. In the US, health insurance is also tied to employment. If this is your case, it’s a good idea to be honest with your employer about that fact, ask for necessary accommodations, and try to come to an agreement that works for everyone and allows you to continue working.

If you do lose your job, or are unable to continue working for any reason, know that there are public benefits you may be able to access, as well as non-profit organizations who can provide some financial assistance. 

Read more about financial assistance here.

Do you have health insurance?

Cancer treatments are expensive, and sometimes patients need to travel out-of-network for second opinions and treatments that may not be available locally. Having a good insurance policy can make a huge difference to your general well-being and treatment options (nobody likes fighting with insurance companies!) If you feel like you need to continue working because you rely on insurance from your employer, it may be a good idea to see if you can reduce your hours while maintaining your insurance.

If you lose your job, or are unable to continue working for any reason, there are several options that may be available to you.

Read more about health insurance assistance here.