Making decisions about working

The many decisions you need to make after a diagnosis of cancer and during treatment can be hard. Adding decisions about work to that load can feel overwhelming. This section aims to help by giving you things to think about, and suggesting options that may be available to you.

Work is an important part of many people’s lives. It can give a sense of purpose, independence and stability. For many people with cancer, the idea of giving up work can feel like another loss. Others may be happy to take time out from their career to focus on their health.

Being able to work with cancer, or while caring for someone with cancer, depends on several factors. These include the symptoms of the cancer, timing of treatment and any side effects, workplace flexibility, your financial situation, and what support and responsibilities you have. Thinking about these things can help you to work out your best options. You may need or want to keep working, to take a break, or to resign or retire. If you take a break, you may return to your job, change jobs, or even look for a new career that better suits your circumstances.

Although things may seem to be happening quickly, there is usually time to look at your options and make a well-informed decision. Try to avoid feeling rushed, and get any advice you need. If you have trouble deciding what to do, you could list the reasons for and against. Or talk to family, friends or a counsellor to help work out what you want. A workplace EAP can offer career advice. Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 to connect with someone who’s been in a similar situation. You may want to talk to your general practitioner (GP) and cancer specialists too.

Work options to consider

When you are diagnosed with cancer, you may wonder if you can keep doing your job well. You may worry that if you can’t perform you may be forced to quit. But there are often other ways of working available to you. Your employer may be able to help you to continue to work with flexible options, or you may decide to take leave and return to work later on.

Working during treatment

If you are thinking about staying in your current job and working while having treatment, there are some things to consider. Cancer treatment will most likely affect your ability to do your job in some way. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to work, but you’ll probably need some flexibility to make things easier for you. For more information, see Flexible ways of working.

Cancer affects many people who work. In Australia, more than 1 in 3 people diagnosed with cancer each year are of working age (aged 20 to 64). Workplaces tend to be more supportive of employees with cancer than they were in the past. In most cases, employers want to keep their staff, so they will usually help you to keep working.

Talk to your employer about whether your current role needs to change, or if flexible working arrangements will help you manage treatment and side effects or how cancer affects you. You could set out any agreed changes in a plan (similar to a return to work plan). Let your employer know that you may need to change any plans you make as time or treatment goes on. This is because how well you feel, and your ability to work, can change over time.

Ask your treatment team whether they offer very early/late or weekend appointments, or chemotherapy from home, so that you can fit your treatment sessions around work. Also check with your treatment team if there are any precautions you need to take in the workplace to protect yourself and others.

Cancer and its treatment may affect your ability to drive safely. Doctors must tell patients not to drive if they are a risk to themselves or others. As a guide, most people are told not to drive on the day of treatment, or if they are feeling unwell. Certain medicines may also impact your ability to drive, and your doctor will let you know if this is the case for you. Consider if being unable to drive may affect your ability to work. Before you start driving again, get your doctor’s advice.

For tips on working while coping with side effects from cancer or treatment, see Coping with side effects and Returning to work.

Two days a week, I would have chemotherapy. I scheduled it at 1pm and I would work a half-day and spend the afternoon at home in bed.

Sarah

Taking time off

Some people find it difficult to work when they have cancer, or during treatment and recovery, and decide to take a break. Sometimes they decide straightaway, other times they may work for a while but then find it too physically or emotionally difficult to continue.

Discuss your leave options with your employer. You may want to use paid leave or ask for unpaid time off (for more information, see Leave entitlements). If you decide to take time off, you may want to set up a system for staying in touch with your employer so you know what is happening at work. If you take extended leave, speak to your manager or HR department. Let them know that you would like to return to work when your health improves.

Retirement

Some people stop work completely when they are diagnosed with cancer. You may feel that this is the right choice for you. It’s natural to have mixed feelings about retirement. How you feel may depend on your age, and what plans you had before the cancer diagnosis. Some people feel a sense of loss and others worry they’ll be bored. It may help to talk about it with friends, family, a hospital social worker, spiritual leader, work EAP or other counsellor, or call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20.

Most people take time to adjust to retirement. Making plans for dealing with how it affects your sense of self, finances and relationships can make the change easier. Centrelink has financial information support officers and aged care support officers, who may help. Some people find it helpful to do volunteer work as part of moving into retirement.

For more information, see Emotions and cancer and listen to Cancer Council's podcast episode Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis from the series The Thing About Cancer.