Research

Cancer and Careers - April 2025

In 2024, Cancer and Careers commissioned a survey fielded by Harris Poll to better understand the experiences of people working after a cancer diagnosis in the U.S. The findings address key areas of concern and interest: disclosure decisions, benefit availability, the power of support and the future of workplace support.

American Cancer Society - July 2024

The American Cancer Society released a study showing the lasting financial impact of a cancer diagnosis for many working-age adults and their families in the United States. When combined with high out-of-pocket costs for cancer care, nearly 60% of working-age cancer survivors report at least one type of financial hardship.

Cancer and Careers - April 2024

In 2023, Cancer and Careers commissioned a survey fielded by Harris Poll to better understand the experiences of people working or looking for work after a cancer diagnosis in the U.S. The data illuminated a range of differences in the experience of those 18-40 as compared to those 41 and older. Details on the methodology of the research or how to

Cancer and Careers - December 2023

Cancer and Careers commissioned this survey fielded by Harris Poll to better understand the experiences of people working or looking for work after a cancer diagnosis in the U.S.

Outcomes4Me Inc - December 2023

Outcomes4Me Inc., released the results of it's second annual State of Patient Empowerment Report on December 19th. The report surveys over 450 breast cancer patients and data from over 850 medical records requests. The study highlights the many challenges faced by patients in active treatment, and their reliance on online resources.

Cancer and Careers - October 2022

Cancer and Careers’ semi-annual online survey, conducted between August 22nd through September 19th, 2022, by The Harris Poll, was designed to better understand the experience of 905 cancer patients and survivors, from diverse backgrounds, who are either employed or unemployed but looking for work.

UAMS - April 2022

A new study published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship analyzes barriers to employment for rural female cancer survivors. The study found that rural women are more likely to face significant challenges finding secure and reliable employment following cancer treatment if they did not already have a secure job at the time of diagnosis.

Cancer and Careers - December 2021

Understanding the fundamental importance of work to the emotional and financial health of cancer survivors, Cancer and Careers’ most recent surveys, conducted by The Harris Poll and Wakefield Research, investigate how individuals diagnosed with cancer have fared in the workplace since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cancer Support Community - June 2020

Cancer Support Community's 2020 Cancer Experience Registry Report provides invaluable insights into the emotional, financial and psychosocial concerns and needs of cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, along with key data related to work and cancer.

Cancer and Careers - December 2018

Our annual online survey, conducted between September 21 and October 22, 2018 by The Harris Poll, was designed to better understand the experience of 882 cancer patients and survivors who are either employed or unemployed but looking for work.

Ryan Murphy - March 2018

While many employers want to support their employees with cancer, many are unsure of the most effective ways of offering support when it comes to returning to work after a diagnosis. Best practices were offered at the Employers Cancer Care Summit in February.

Liam Davenport - March 2018

With the increase of survivorship among individuals with cancer, economic and financial problems have shown they are common obstacles. Challenges including accessing jobs, mortgages, loans and insurance increase for those who declare they have had cancer.

Cancer and Careers - October 2017

The second infographic from our 2017 survey results sheds light on some interesting differences in women and men's behaviors and experiences when it comes to issues around work and cancer.

Cancer and Careers - June 2017

2017 marks the 5th year our national survey has been conducted to better understand the experience of cancer patients and survivors in the workplace. The 2017 survey highlights many issues that we hear about everyday—from disclosure to accessing support to looking for a new job—but this year we also put more focus on healthcare.

Economist Intelligence Unit - February 2017

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has published a report on Cancer in the Workplace to assess the challenges that cancer poses for employers, examine workplace policies and practices to address the needs of those affected by the disease, and to explore possible measures to strengthen workplace support.

Cancer and Careers - August 2016

Social media has changed the rules of privacy for almost everyone. But for people diagnosed with cancer, social media use comes with the additional complications of online disclosure, which can have unintended consequences. This year’s Cancer and Careers’ survey polled survivors on their experiences with disclosing their cancer online.

Jason Hoffman - November 2015

Cancer survivors tend to face challenges to workplace accommodations such as fear of requesting accommodations and difficulty with accommodating jobs, a new study has shown.

Zhiyuan Zheng, K., et. al. - November 2015

The American Cancer Society recently published a new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that found that colorectal, breast and prostate cancer experience more economic burden than individuals without cancer.

Kathryn Doyle - October 2015

New research led by Anna Zajacova of the University of Wyoming, found that the average U.S. adult diagnosed with cancer will miss five weeks of work in the first year and see a total family income decline by 20 percent. The article cited human resources departments and Cancer and Careers as resources for cancer patients to navigate work challenges.

Cancer and Careers - September 2015

In the spring of 2015, Cancer and Careers and Harris Interactive collaborated to design and field a survey to better understand the attitudes and behaviors of U.S. cancer survivors who worked during treatment, as well as unemployed cancer survivors and patients currently looking for work. The key findings and press release are available here.

Raque-Bogdan TL, Hoffman MA, Ginter AC, Piontkowski S, Schexnayder K, White R. - March 2015

The Journal of Counseling Psychology released the findings of a study exploring the work lives and career development of young breast cancer survivors. The study found that young breast cancer survivors view their experience as contributing to an increased desire for work to provide meaning, financial security and insurance.

WSB Online - January 2015

The website Workplace Savings and Benefits published an article on the findings of a survey that was conducted to learn more about cancer survivors’ experience on the job, including whether they feel pressure to return to work immediately following treatment.

Kate O’Rourke - January 2015

Clinical Oncology News reported on a study presented at the inaugural Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium, which examined the financial and work challenges cancer patients often face.

Elaine Schattner - November 2014

Forbes reported on the findings of two new studies looking at the relationships between employment, finance and cancer.

Robert Preidt - October 2014

The results of a survey presented at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology found that "One-third of cancer survivors in the United States say they have experienced money or work problems due to cancer care, while even many cancer patients who have insurance say they have had to change their lifestyle and medical care".