Tips for returning to work after cancer treatment

If you’re considering returning to work after cancer treatment, you’re not alone. More than 70 percent of Americans return to work after completing treatment. Cancer patients sometimes make the decision because of their income or health insurance needs. Others seek a sense of normalcy and routine. With proper planning, returning to work doesn’t have to be a difficult transition.

A number of work-related questions may arise in your mind before returning to work. Eileen Smith, M.D., a mind-body therapist at our Atlanta Hospital, says patients’ concerns vary from person to person. “Patient fears can range from fear of acceptance to fears about being a good worker and colleague and more,” she says. While it is normal to worry about returning to the workplace, it is important that you control your anxiety or stress throughout the process.

Returning to work after cancer can have a number of benefits. You may find that you are rediscovering a sense of accomplishment, which increases your self-esteem. Going to work can also help you re-establish a daily routine and can provide you with opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and friends. You may also be eager to take on interesting and challenging projects.

Tips for getting back to work

The following tips can help make your return to work a little easier:

Know Your Rights: Read about work-related laws, including the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you return to work, you may have taken time off through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within any 12-month period to address a serious health problem.

Be open with your HR representatives: Developing open lines of communication with your company’s HR department during and after treatment can help clarify expectations for both parties. You may also want to explore options for flexible work arrangements, such as part-time hours, telecommuting, job sharing, or reassignment to another job. It is also important to discuss your treatment schedule or any follow-up medical appointments and how to fix them.

Check with your boss: Consider scheduling frequent meetings with your manager to assess your transition and make any necessary adjustments. Analyze your workload and identify high priority projects that help you be more productive and meet expectations.

Talk to coworkers: Decide in advance how much you want to share with your co-workers about your health. It can be helpful to plan ahead and anticipate how your reactions and questions will be handled. If your physical appearance changes, people can openly ask about your health, so being prepared gives you time to learn how to respond.

Managing side effects: Cancer and its treatment can cause side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, and pain. Returning to work can also cause stress and anxiety. Any of these side effects can affect your job performance, so it’s important to address these issues as soon as possible and proactively. Comprehensive care services, such as nutritional therapy, pain management, and naturopathic medicine, can help you manage cancer-related side effects before, during and after cancer treatment, so you can better maintain your strength and endurance.