Returning to work

After Breast Cancer: what to expect.

The impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on work life varies from woman to woman. For some, the effect might be minimal. You may have an understanding manager, flexible work arrangements, and encouraging co-workers to support you through your treatment. Other women going through the experience of breast cancer may not be quite so fortunate. For these women there may be questions about how to manage treatment and work. What do you tell your manager? How much time should you take off from work while having treatment? You may have financial pressures requiring you to work.
Tips for talking to your employer, manager or colleagues about
breast cancer:
• Ask for information from your doctors and nurses about your cancer and the likely effect treatment will have on the amount of time you will need to recover and your ability to return to work in your current job.
• A discussion with your employer or manager before or shortly after your return to work will be useful to clarify expectations.
• Give your employer or manager advance notice (if possible) of when you need to take time off work. This makes it easier for more flexible working arrangements to be made.
• Take the time or days off that you need to recover, then go back to work when you are ready.
• Know that some colleagues may deal with a cancer diagnoses with understanding and helpfulness; others may feel uncomfortable or awkward around you because of your cancer, they may not even want to deal with your cancer at all.
• Know that some people mean well, but don't know the right thing to say.
• If a colleague’s unhelpful attitude or actions get in the way of doing your job, try to ask your manager for help to address this.
Tips for employers, managers
or colleagues:
• Ask your colleague with cancer if they want to discuss their diagnosis; look for clues that they want to talk.
• Let them know that you are there to give them support if needed.
• Talk about topics other than cancer. Having cancer may not mean your colleague has lost interest in their favourite sport, TV shows, politics, for example. Use appropriate humour!
• Most women just want to be treated normally, not singled out as a cancer victim. Allow your colleague privacy and quietness if they seem to be a bit ‘down’, this is to be expected from time to time as they come to terms with the trauma of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• Don’t be afraid to suggest professional help. This may be beneficial if your colleague displays prolonged anxiety, stress, frequent crying, or complains about several weeks of having difficulty sleeping.