Being able to use a personal cell phone while on the job is essential for many cancer survivors. It allows you to communicate with doctors via a private line (rather than a work line) and to be available when they call to deliver test results or when an insurance company calls to follow up on a claim.

However, cell phone use at work can be a slippery slope. A recent post on U.S. News & World Report’s Money blog offers tips for maintaining good habits and cell phone etiquette at the office:

• Check your company’s policy.
• Observe your manager and others at your company to see how they handle personal calls — including if they even accept any calls during work hours.
• Follow common courtesy. Take your phone to meetings, or have it on, only if you are expecting an important call; then find a quiet, private place to answer the call.
• Let family and friends know your work hours or use the “Do Not Disturb” feature if your phone has one.

Bottom line: Not only do you want to be courteous to your coworkers by not distracting them with your phone conversations, but you’ll want to ensure that calls with doctors, et al., aren’t overheard — especially if you’ve decided to keep your diagnosis private.

For help deciding whether or not to disclose your cancer diagnosis at your job, consult our Sharing the News section.