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• Only half of respondents informed by employers of statutory rights
• Less than half advised by cancer doctors about impact of treatment on their work
• Less than half offered flexible working arrangements or work adjustment policies
• Return to work policies, information and support in the workplace found to be crucial

A CancerBACUP report published today calls on policymakers, health professionals and employers to do more to improve the working lives of up to 90,000 people of working age who are diagnosed with cancer every year.

The report, ‘Work and Cancer: How cancer affects working lives’, highlights the negative impact of cancer on employment patterns and on financial stability. Nearly a third (31%) of cancer patients do not return to work after cancer treatment and nearly two-thirds (61%) experience financial difficulties.

Four out of ten (41%) say their overall working life had deteriorated. More than a third (37%) of respondents said their career prospects had deteriorated and a quarter (25%) feared disclosing their cancer to a new employer. Almost a third had lost confidence in their ability to do their job.

Many employees do not leave the workforce because of the severity of their cancer, says CancerBACUP, but because there is a crucial lack of practical policies, information and support.

Less than half of respondents were offered flexible working arrangements or work adjustment policies; more than a third had not been offered a return to work meeting; less than one in five had been offered information about managing cancer at work. 

The majority found side effects difficult to manage at work during and following treatment but less than half (46%) had been advised by their cancer doctors about how different treatments would affect their work.

Those not offered information about managing work issues associated with cancer were four times more likely to report that their working lives had deteriorated as a result of their cancer. Those not offered flexible or alternative working arrangements were 15 times more likely to experience significant financial difficulties.

More positive findings include the number of employees who said they had received good support from their colleagues (77%) and their line managers (74%) during treatment. In addition, baseline policies are in place in terms of time off for medical appointments and sick leave.

Joanne Rule, Chief Executive of CancerBACUP, said:

"There is a culture of ignorance among employers about the true needs of employees with cancer.

"Those in charge of organisations may have good intentions but don’t realise that people with cancer need more than the support of line managers and colleagues if they are to feel confident about continuing or returning to work following treatment.

"Flexible working, return to work policies and the provision of high quality information and support must be enshrined in organisational policy and championed by senior managers.

"Employers who ignore this advice will miss out on a wealth of knowledge and skills. In an age when increasing numbers of people are being cured of cancer or living with it, the impact on business is only likely to increase.

She added: "Organisations must make sure they understand their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. They should be aware that soon most cancer patients are likely to be protected from discrimination from diagnosis and they should communicate this to all staff."

Alastair Ross Goobey, Governor of the Wellcome Trust, Deputy Chairman of the GWR Group plc and CancerBACUP Trustee has written the report foreword. He said:

"This report recommends practical measures to ensure employees with cancer are supported if they wish to continue or return to work, as so many do. I would encourage employers to take note of its findings and implement its recommendations without delay."

While only 2% of employees reported direct discrimination, it is difficult to know whether this reflects true experience as only half (51%) of survey respondents were informed about their statutory rights by their employer. Only 15% were aware that more cancer patients are likely to receive protection from discrimination under the amended Disability Discrimination Act.

The report makes recommendations for policymakers, health professionals and employers and is supported by the Disability Rights Commission. It coincides with the publication of a new CancerBACUP guide ‘Work and cancer’ for employees with cancer.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

For more information during office hours please contact Daisy O’Clee on 0207 920 7219 or Jill Morrell on 0207 920 7220. For more information outside office hours please call 07973 308 346.

• CancerBACUP can provide case studies of employees with cancer who are willing to talk to the media about their experiences.
  
• A copy of the report is available to download below, or from the CancerBACUP press office.
  
• CancerBACUP has also produced a new information booklet for employees with cancer. The booklet, also called ‘Work and cancer’, is available free from CancerBACUP’s helpline on 0808 800 1234. The information can also be found at www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Resourcessupport/Practicalissues/Workcancer
  
• Bert Massie, Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission said:
  "This is a powerful report. In common with other people with long-term health conditions many people with cancer want to continue to work or get back into work after treatment but face unnecessary barriers. It is possible for employers to retain the skills and expertise of people with cancer if they make the necessary adjustments – to do so also boosts productivity and staff morale. People with cancer and employers alike need more effective support to manage cancer in the workplace."

Please note: this information is from an archived press release so may no longer be current. Contact the Macmillan press team on 020 7840 7821.