Early days
In the early days of living with cancer, you don't know what to expect. This section talks about some of the possibilities to prepare for when working through cancer.
Emotions
Hearing a cancer diagnosis can be a terrible shock. Some people may need some time off from work to cope with the emotions, and others want to stay at work as much as they can. Going to your job can be a relief or a way to feel 'normal' and in control. Every person reacts in their own way. You may have emotional ups and downs that can make it harder to do your job. At work, you might feel worried or guilty about getting time off. Your confidence
could be lower. Upsetting feelings can creep up on you. If you get distressed while you're at work, you may want to ask to go home for the day. Have a friend or relative collect you. If emotions are troubling you, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor or nurse.
How to tell people
You might be worried about telling people at work that you or someone you care for has cancer. Ask for a private meeting where you can tell your manager first. If you decide to tell others, then you and your manager can plan together how to do this. You can ask your employer to keep the details private.
'Work was the normal life I had before. That's why I focused in on it.'
Tiredness (fatigue)
Feeling very tired (fatigue) is common when you have cancer. The tiredness is worse at some times, better at others. At work, fatigue might make it harder for you to:
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do certain tasks
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concentrate and remember
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cope with meetings.
To get around the fatigue, you could try:
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scheduling work for times when your energy level is highest
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having more breaks
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setting realistic deadlines
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cutting back your work hours.
'Coping with fatigue', a useful guide can be found at www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Time off work
To help protect your income, get expert advice about benefits and sick pay right away.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount your employer has to pay, if you meet the eligibility criteria. You can get it for up to 28 weeks. If you are on SSP for a long time, you might be able to get Incapacity Benefit.
Depending on your contract, your employer might give you additional sick pay. Talk to your manager or human resources (HR) adviser about this. Carers have a legal right to request flexible working arrangements. You could also ask about emergency leave, compassionate leave or carer's leave.
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