Source www.macmillan.org.uk

Over 100,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year and there are currently over 700,000 people of working age living with a cancer diagnosis.

Many people living with cancer tell Macmillan that work is important to them. A job can restore normality, routine, stability, social contact and income. These things are also important to carers. Around one in eight workers in the UK are carers, many of whom will be supporting a friend or relative with cancer.

Employers play a pivotal role in supporting people with cancer and their carers – a good relationship between an employer and an employee is more likely to lead to a successful return-to-work. This is particularly important because less than 40% of people are advised by health professionals about the impact cancer and its treatment may have on their ability to work.

As an employer or line manager, you may not always feel confident about how best to support an employee who is affected by cancer. There are challenges at the time of diagnosis, during treatment, at the time of return-to-work and afterwards. As it is also important to cater for the needs of other individuals in the workplace and your organisation as a whole, you may find it challenging both on a practical and personal level to meet the needs of all your employees.

Our cancer support specialists can provide emotional support to employees and line managers, as well as put them in touch with other sources of information and support. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00 (9am–8pm, Mon–Fri).

Click here for more information about work and cancer

Click here for more information about work support route guide for Health Professionals