Hi Nisha,

Thanks for writing to us and congratulations on landing an interview! Your question has to do with legal rights, and I'n not a cancer rights attorney but can provide some general information. Generally, under the law you do not need to disclose anything about your diagnosis to a current or potential employer. There are, however, a few instances where you are required to reveal some information about your medical condition. For more on this, read the answer to the first question here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/legal-and-financial/top-three-legal-questions.

If you would like more specific legal advice, I recommend that you get in touch with the National Cancer Legal Services Network: http://www.nclsn.org/

If you would like to talk to one of our social workers, please give my colleague Nicole a call at 646-929-8043.

I hope that this is helpful!

Best,
Sarah, Manager of Programs, Cancer and Careers

Hi Nisha,

I am going to jump in here with a follow up question, can you tell us why you have selected your stem cell transplant social worker as a reference? Typically professional references should be people with whom you've worked, interned or studied so that they can speak to your work skill set. I certainly understand how your social worker could speak to all kinds of qualities that would be relevant in a workplace but if you haven't directly worked with the person it will open up questions about your relationship and ultimately create a space that might force disclosure. And, even if you wanted to disclose there are limited ways an prospective employer may legally respond so it may not afford you the conversation you are looking for even if they saw it as an asset.

Another thing that often comes up for people applying for healthcare positions is a medical exam following a conditional job offer. You may want to do some reading on that piece of the puzzle as well. Below are some articles to get you started.
- https://www.azdisabilitylaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/E6-ADA-and-Medical-Exams.pdf
- https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/cancer.cfm
- http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/gp_solo_magazine_home/gp_solo_magazine_index/w96cohn.html

Best,
Rebecca

Rebecca V. Nellis, MPP
Chief Mission Officer
Cancer and Careers

Hello, I see your posting from August last year. In case you read this, I can share my decision about revealing my cancer history during an interview for a healthcare position. I decided not to reveal the cancer. During an interview, I was asked why I hadn't worked for the previous 16 months (I was getting the treatments and experienced some debilitating effects). Answering that question put me in a bind. If I revealed my medical history, I risked being excluded from consideration. Instead I briefly explained I have been spending time with my new grandson and my family, and meanwhile, I have kept up with my continuing education for my license. I did not reveal the diagnosis because the majority of healthcare workers I know, including my former supervisor, who frequently hires staff, said that they would not hire a cancer survivor, fearing poor work attendance and possible set backs from ongoing issues related to the cancer. Surprisingly, healthcare professionals lack sympathy where hiring is concerned. I've had several interviews, but no offers so far. I am also 63 years old, and I fear age is an issue with getting an offer.