Following a survey of employees in 2005, Cancerbackup issued a report into how cancer affects working lives. More than half a million people in the UK under the age of 65 have been diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. With continuing progress in diagnosis and treatment, more people are surviving the disease, continuing or resuming their everyday lives, including their working lives, during or following treatment.

In addition, baseline support for employees with cancer is in place, with a large majority being offered paid time off to attend all medical appointments and extended sick leave. Despite this, survey results show that cancer has a negative effect on employment patterns and on an individual's financial stability.

Cancerbackup's campaign showed that many organisations are struggling to provide the information, support and flexibility employees with cancer need if they wish to continue or return to work during or following treatment. Line managers and colleagues provide good support to employees with cancer but there is a lack of support for all concerned from organisational policies, practices and information provision.

Cancerbackup recommended that flexible working, return to work policies and the provision of comprehensive, high quality information and support for employees with cancer shoudl be enshrined in organisational policy. The report also offers tips on best practice for employers, and advice for employers. Cancerbackup also produces helpful information for people living with cancer about working.

Press release

• CancerBACUP calls for an end to ‘culture of ignorance’ as survey reveals employees with cancer leave the workforce unnecessarily, 24 February 2005

Full report

In Parliament

81 Members of Parliament have supported Cancerbackup's work and cancer campaign by signing an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons.

Read more about what Cancerbackup has been calling for in the Parliamentary Briefing below.