Employment
Should I tell my boss and my colleagues that I’ve got breast cancer?
That is entirely up to you. Some people tell everyone at work what is happening, some may tell only one or two people, and others choose not to tell anyone. You will probably need to provide some explanations if you are going to need to take time off or have to keep attending hospital appointments, but legally, you do not have to tell your boss exactly what is wrong.
If you decide that you want someone at work to know about your breast cancer, but you want to be sure that the information remains confidential, remember that human resources staff and occupational health staff are bound by confidentiality and can’t disclose medical details to your employer or anyone else without your permission.
Can I continue to work during my treatment?
If you feel able to continue to work then there is no reason to stop. You will need some time off to have an operation and recover and many people do take time off during chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. But some people do continue to work.
A lot will depend on your work schedule: some employers are quite flexible and if you are self-employed you may find it easier to ‘work around’ appointments. It also depends on how emotionally and physically draining your job is. Some people are able to work shorter hours or to take an occasional day or two off (for example, around the time you have chemotherapy) rather than stopping work altogether. If you are continuing on hormone therapy for some time, you may feel able to go back to work full-time. Sometimes the pressure of needing to earn an income is difficult to balance against allowing yourself to recover from what can be pretty tough treatments. Only you can decide what is right for you.
Could I lose my job if I need to take time off work because of my cancer or treatment?
Anyone who has cancer is protected by the Disability Discrimination Act. This means that you can’t be sacked just because you have cancer. Providing you tell them about what is happening, employers are expected in law to make all reasonable efforts to help you to continue to work, if you wish to.
They should also not discriminate against you, for example, if you apply for promotion. If you have any concerns about your employment rights, you should talk to a union representative, the human resources department or occupational health staff, and for more information about the law contact.
I’m unemployed. When I go for a new job do I have to say that I have had breast cancer?
If you are asked about your health you should answer truthfully. Although all employers are bound by the Disability Discrimination Act in
