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The Intersection of Work and Cancer

Cancer and Careers - July 2015

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Reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society estimate that the number of survivors (defined as anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer) will reach almost 18 million in the next decade. Men have slightly less than a one in two lifetime risk of developing cancer; for women, the risk is a little more than one in three. These numbers only validate what many of us already know to be true: these days you're hard pressed to find someone who doesn't have a cancer story, whether they were the one diagnosed, or a family member, spouse, friend, teacher, coworker, etc. Not only are more people being diagnosed with cancer, but more people are surviving and living long after.

As the number of cancer survivors continues to increase, the need for support around survivorship issues, such as working during and after treatment, is becoming more and more important. Here are some statistics that demonstrate just a few of the ways that cancer and work intersect today:

  • 41% of cancer survivors are diagnosed at “working age” (Mariotto AB, Yabroff KR, Shao Y, Feuer EJ, Brown ML. Projections of the cost of cancer care in the United States: 2010-2020. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2011 Jan 19;103(2): 117-28. Epub 2011 Jan 12)
  • Cancer survivors are more likely to be unemployed (JAMA 2009; 301(7):753-762)
  • 20% of cancer survivors still report work limitations affected by cancer-related problems 1-5 years after diagnosis (Work & Cancer Survivors)
  • In 2014, EEOC received 874 cancer discrimination claims (www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/statistics/enforcement/ada-receiptscfm) 

Cancer and Careers and Harris Interactive conducted a survey in 2012 to better understand the current needs of working people with cancer. The survey found that the majority of cancer survivors and people with cancer are eager to continue working, but need support to balance their health and work demands. Findings from the survey help to illuminate the importance of supporting survivors in their workplaces:

  • Top three reasons to continue working after a diagnosis: Feeling well enough (69%), Wanting to keep things as normal as possible (48%), Wanting to feel productive (38%)
  • 45% of surveyed cancer survivors took no time off following their diagnosis
  • 79% of surveyed cancer survivors said that cancer recovery is aided by the routine nature of work 

In 2010 a Livestrong survey found that 98% of cancer survivors experienced the physical (i.e., pain), emotional (i.e., emotional distress) and practical (e.g., financial) concerns of post-treatment survivorship. Only 20 percent of survey respondents received help with their practical concerns. Support around these survivorship issues is essential in order for people to thrive in their lives and workplaces post treatment.

Cancer and Careers is the only organization in the country solely dedicated to empowering and educating people with cancer to thrive in their workplace. Since 2001 we have been working at this intersection to help patients, survivors, healthcare professionals and employers navigate both the practical and legal work issues that come up after a cancer diagnosis. Over the years we have seen these issues become more frequently discussed, highlighted and researched in the news and media; which led to the creation of this Newsfeed to house discussions about work and cancer today.


Original source: www.cancerandcareers.org


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