FINANCIAL NECESSITY IS THE DRIVING FACTOR BEHIND MOST CANCER SURVIVORS' DESIRE TO WORK.

• The main reasons that unemployed people with cancer want to continue working after diagnosis include: working for financial reasons (79%), feeling well enough to keep working (38%), and wanting to feel as normal as possible (36%).

CANCER IMPACTED THE WORK LIFE OF MANY PATIENTS AND SURVIVORS.

• More than half of cancer survivors surveyed said their diagnosis impacted their work life in some way, with many (63%) taking time off or quitting their jobs altogether. 

RETURNING TO WORK CAN BE A CHALLENGE FOR CANCER PATIENTS AND SURVIVORS CONCERNED ABOUT DISCLOSING THEIR DIAGNOSIS.

• Many cancer survivors are concerned about the impact their cancer can have on finding a new job. In particular, they worry that they will be treated differently or ultimately, not get hired.

A GOOD WORK ENVIRONMENT IS CRITICAL FOR CANCER PATIENTS TO SUCCEED IN A NEW JOB, AND SUPPORT IS STILL WIDELY NEEDED TO HELP BALANCE CANCER AND WORK.

• 83% of cancer survivors surveyed agree that people living with cancer or cancer survivors that receive support from their employer are more likely to thrive in the workplace.

A MAJORITY (84%) OF THOSE SURVEYED SAID AN ORGANIZATION LIKE CANCER AND CAREERS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL. 

• Most surveyed cancer patients and survivors (78%) agreed that they want to work, and nearly three-quarters (71%) agree that addressing the more practical issues of balancing cancer and work is essential.

The Fact Sheet can be found here. For the full survey, please email us at cancerandcareers@cew.org.