Decisions about work during cancer treatment can be tied to big emotions and financial concerns. And everything from your treatment plan to how stressed you are at your job can make a difference as you weigh the options.
Not everyone is able to or wants to keep working. And if you do, you might decide to stop later. Whatever you choose, your work life will be different. And some preparation — mental and logistical — can help you find what's right for you.
The goal: As you navigate work with cancer, put your health needs at the center, protect your energy and be gentle with yourself.
Making a plan
You might need to take extra days off, work from home some days or even go from full time to part time.
Working with your employer to make a plan can go smoothly for some, but can be difficult for others. You may have to ask for what you need more than once. Remember that the things that will make your life easier are worth fighting for.
Know your rights. Get to know the federal and state laws that affect you. It'll give you an idea of what you can ask for. Workplace protections depend on your employer, your state, your hours per week and more. A social worker who knows the law is a good starting resource. Ask your care team to connect you.
Prep for a meeting. Once you've set up a meeting with your HR rep and/or your supervisor, it's a good idea to prepare. What do you want to share vs. keep private? What accommodations do you want to be sure to ask for? You may also want to share your treatment schedule with your employer so they're aware of what you'll be dealing with in the coming weeks or months.
Get it in writing. Even if you have a good relationship with your employer, documentation is important. You'll want a record of what you requested and whether you got it. You can follow up meetings with emails that confirm what happened.
Remember, your needs might change over time. Listen to your body and your care team. And be open to changing the plan.
Telling your co-workers
Opening up about a cancer diagnosis at work can feel vulnerable. You might worry about intrusive questions, insensitive comments or being treated differently by co-workers.
And it's true: You might have to set new boundaries ("I'd rather not talk about chemo right now.") and ask for help ("Can you catch me up on the meeting I missed?"). You might be touched by some co-workers' reactions and feel a new distance with others. That's normal.
How you tell co-workers about your diagnosis can set a tone. Many will follow your lead. If you share details openly, others might feel comfortable broaching the topic. If you're more private, letting them know that will help others know what questions and comments to keep to themselves.
So try to be honest about your needs. Say someone asks to take a work task off your plate. Is it a project you love working on? Don't be afraid to say no and counter with something that will help you more. Being clear about what you need from people at work can help you protect your time and energy — and let them show they care.
Remember that you're entitled to privacy, even from people who mean well. You're in charge of how much you want to share.
Being adaptable
Brain fog? Fatigue? Nausea? You can't know your body's response until you go through treatment. And it might change over time.
Taking care of yourself is different for each person. But here are some ideas from people who have been through it:
Schedule appointments for the end of the day or over a weekend. Chemo, radiation and other treatments can leave you exhausted. Ask your doctor about leaving time to recover before Monday rolls around.
Listen to your body. If your symptoms are starting to affect your work, think about taking time off. It can be hard to accept a new normal. But forcing yourself to keep working through extreme pain or exhaustion can deprive your body of the rest it needs to heal. And it could affect your disability benefits down the road.
Get the help you need. Mental health counseling can be an immense help during cancer treatment, especially when work issues arise. A therapist can help you work through issues with co-workers, supervisors and the changes in your body that affect your work.
Learn from other working cancer survivors. In-person and online support groups can connect you. Being the only sick person at work can feel lonely. Try talking to someone who gets it — and who may even have advice.