Learning to live with cancer

Cancer is a common disease. Almost 40 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes. Even though cancer may be life-threatening, many people have successful treatment. Others live with cancer for a very long time.

For most people with cancer, learning to live with the disease is one of the biggest challenges they've ever faced. That's because having cancer touches just about every part of your life and the lives of those around you.

Cancer and its treatment may change:

• Your daily routines and ability to work
• Your important relationships
• The way you look, feel, and think about yourself

You may feel more in control and prepared to cope with these changes if you learn about what to expect. Your health care provider can help you find information and support services that are right for you.

Coping with feelings about having cancer

Having cancer may cause a range of strong emotions, such as sadness, anger, fear, worry, or guilt. These feelings are normal, and they're likely to change over time. It's helpful to sort out your feelings in a way that's comfortable for you. You might try:

• Talking openly with someone you trust
• Writing about your feelings
• Using relaxation methods, such as meditation and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
• Doing things you enjoy to give yourself a break from focusing on cancer

If your emotions seem to take over your life, tell your provider. You may need extra support if you have symptoms of depression, stress, anxiety, or panic disorder.

Communicating with your health care team

During cancer treatment, you usually have a team of providers. Along with doctors and nurses, you may be able to talk with social workers, pharmacists, dietitians, and other health professionals.

These professionals are prepared to help you deal with the issues that cancer brings up, including concerns about finances. But it's up to you to let your team know what's on your mind.

Good communication with your providers may help you feel more in control and satisfied with your care. Your communications may be better if you:

• Tell your providers how much you want to know about your cancer and its treatment. Do you want all the details or just the big picture?
• Write down your questions and concerns before your visits.
• Bring a family member or a friend to your visits. This person can help by listening, taking notes, and asking questions.

Talking openly with family and friends

Cancer changes the daily routines and roles of the people who love and support you. They may need to start doing the things you've always done for them. And you may need their help doing things you've always done for yourself. These changes can be difficult for everyone.

It may help to have an honest talk about changing roles and needs. If that sounds too difficult, ask a social worker or other member of your care team to help you talk with family and friends who are helping with your care. These caregivers may need some support, too.

Dealing with changes in your self-image

Cancer and its treatment may cause some big changes in how you look, feel, and think about yourself. For example, you may have:

• Less energy
• Temporary or permanent changes in your body, such as scars, or hair loss from chemotherapy
• Problems being sexually close or doubts about dating

Coping with these changes can be hard. But most people find ways to feel more positive over time. If you feel well enough, you might try:

• Exercise. Walking, yoga, or other movement may help you feel stronger and more in control of your body. But check with your provider first.
• Staying involved in life and helping others. Think about volunteering, hobbies, or other activities that might make you feel good about yourself.
• Counseling for sexual problems. Talking with a professional, either with a partner or on your own, may help.

Adjusting to life after treatment

After treatment, you'll have regular cancer follow-up care. Your provider will explain the schedule of checkups and tests you'll need. This is a good time to discuss the challenges you may face ahead. Knowing what to expect may help you make plans as you find a "new normal" with cancer as part of your life.

If you feel well enough, keep up with your daily routine. This includes:

• Going to work
• Spending time with family and friends
• Taking part in activities
• Going on trips

Think about how you want to spend your time and who you like to be with. What makes you happy? What types of things do you enjoy the most?

My cancer made me take a closer look at how I spend my days. I vowed to use my time in ways that were good for me or brought me pleasure.

Lindsay

Have Fun

You can still have joy in your life while having cancer. Sometimes people with cancer try new, fun things that they have never done before. For instance, have you always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon or go on a boat cruise? What fun things have you always wanted to try, but have never taken the time to do?

Try to do something just for fun, not because you have to do it. But be careful not to tire yourself out. Some people get depressed when they are too tired. Make sure to get enough rest so you feel strong and can enjoy these fun activities.

Look for What Makes You Laugh and Smile

Is cancer life-threatening? Yes, but why die mad? So I joked about it all the way through, and I think it helped me.

Ari

If you like to joke with your friends and family don't stop now. For many people, humor is a way to gain a sense of control. Laughter can help you relax. When you laugh, your brain releases chemicals that produce pleasure and relax your muscles. Even a smile can fight off stressful thoughts. Of course, you may not always feel like laughing, but other people have found that these ideas can help:

• Ask people to send you funny cards
• Enjoy the amusing things children and pets do
• Watch funny movies or TV shows
• Listen to comedy recordings and podcasts
• Buy a funny desk calendar
• Read humor-related books or articles
• Check out websites and videos on the Internet. If you don't own a computer, use one at your local library

You may even find that you can laugh at yourself. "I went by to help a friend this summer, and it was really hot, so I took my wig off," one woman said. "I got ready to go and I couldn't find it. After searching high and low, I found it hanging from her dog's mouth. But I just stuck it on my head and went home. My husband said, 'What happened?' Needless to say that wig has never been the same."

Exercise and Physical Activity

Research shows many people find they have more energy when they take part in physical activities such as swimming, walking, yoga, and biking. They find that these types of exercise, or anything that gets their body moving, helps to keep them strong and makes them feel good. A bit of exercise every day:

• Improves your chances of feeling better
• Keeps your muscles toned
• Speeds your healing
• Decreases fatigue
• Controls stress
• Increases appetites
• Decreases constipation
• Helps free your mind of bad thoughts

Even if you have never exercised before, you can start now. Choose something you think you'd like to do, and get your doctor's okay to try it. There are things you can do even if you have to stay in bed.

Set Goals to Look Forward to

You may find it helpful to look beyond your treatment and think about what you want to do when you feel well again. Many people set goals so that they can work toward something. For example, they research and plan a trip, or they think about classes and learning things they’ve always meant to learn. They may look forward to going to a wedding or meeting a new grandchild.

Call your doctor right away if you get a fever or feel sick during your chemotherapy treatment.

People with cancer who are treated with chemotherapy are more likely to get infections. Your immune system helps your body protect itself from getting an infection. Cancer and chemotherapy can damage this system by reducing the number of infection-fighting white blood cells. This condition is called neutropenia.

An infection can lead to sepsis, the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency.

Find out from your doctor when your white blood cell count is likely to be lowest, since this is when you’re most at risk for infection. This usually occurs between 7 and 12 days after you finish each chemotherapy dose, and may last as long as one week.

How to Prevent Infections During Your Cancer Treatment

Watch Out for Fever

If you get a fever during your chemotherapy treatment, it’s a medical emergency. Take your temperature any time you feel warm, flushed, chilled, or not well. Call your doctor right away if you have a temperature of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher.

Wash Your Hands Often

Clean hands help prevent infections. You and anyone who comes around you, including family members, doctors, and nurses, also should wash their hands often. Don’t be afraid to ask people to wash their hands.

Know the Symptoms of Infection

Call your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms of an infection, such as a fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, redness or swelling in any area, diarrhea, or vomiting.

If you have cancer now or have had cancer in the past, you are at higher risk for flu complications.

Get Your Flu Shot!

Flu vaccination is especially important for people with cancer or a history of cancer because they are at high risk of developing serious flu complications even when vaccinated.

Are You 65 Years Old or Older?

Some older adults (65 years of age and older) may have a weaker immune response to flu vaccines. This can make them more likely to get sick with flu or get flu complications even when vaccinated.

Certain vaccines are designed to create a stronger immune response in people who are 65 or older.

You May Need a Pneumococcal Shot, Too

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious flu-related complication that can cause death. People with cancer or other diseases that compromise the immune system should ask their doctor about pneumococcal shots.

What to Do If You Get Sick

Stay Home

If you have flu symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

Call Your Doctor If You Get a Fever

It’s important for people with cancer to call their doctor immediately if they get a fever. If you get a fever during your chemotherapy treatment, it’s a medical emergency.

Take Antiviral Drugs If Your Doctor Prescribes Them

If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder, shorten the time you are sick, and prevent serious flu complications.

COVID-19 and the Flu

• Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time.
• Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar. Testing is needed to tell what the illness is.
• People with a weakened immune system have a higher risk of getting serious flu complications and very sick from COVID-19.

Talk About It—Even When It’s Hard

You may feel uncomfortable talking about mental health and your struggles. Family members or friends may not want talk about it. It may go against your cultural beliefs, or you may feel you should be “strong” or “brave” and keep it to yourself. No matter the reason, it’s important to understand that sharing what you’re going through mentally is just as important to your health as sharing how you feel physically.

It’s OK to Reach Out for Help

Get in Touch with a Doctor or Specialist

Every feeling you have is real and valid. Talking to experts is very important, because mental health problems can get worse if they are ignored.

Your doctor and other health care providers—such as nurses, social workers, or patient navigators—can match you with a specialist who can help you address your concerns through different types of talk and behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, medication, and referrals to support groups. Talking with people who may have had similar experiences can help you feel less alone, give you different perspectives, and help you learn how others have dealt with the same challenges.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• Does my medicine cause any mental or emotional side effects?
• Is what I’m feeling common? How can I deal with these feelings?
• Is counseling or a support group right for me?

Find Specialists and Resources

A variety of professionals can help you manage your feelings, address the issues you’re facing, and take advantage of resources in your community, including—

• Psychologists,clinical social workers, and counselors are trained mental health specialists who are licensed by the state to diagnose and treat mental health problems. They can help you manage your feelings and concerns. Many of these professionals, such as oncology social workers, specialize in working with people who are facing cancer.
• Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in psychology or mental health. In addition to providing different therapies, they can also prescribe medications.
• Faith or spiritual counselors can help you cope with concerns such as feeling alone, fearing death, searching for meaning, and having doubts about your faith.

If you seek help from a specialist, make sure you find one you feel comfortable with and who can help you address the issues you’re facing. At your first meeting, ask questions like—

• What are your credentials, training, and experiences? Do you have a specialty? Do you have experience helping people who have faced problems like mine?
• How have you helped people who have faced these issues in the past?
• How long have you been practicing? And specifically, how long have you been helping people with similar problems?
• What approach will you take to help me? Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
• How often do you generally meet with clients (weekly? every other week?) and for how many weeks, months, or years?
• How will you check my progress against my goals for therapy? What will happen if I don’t start to feel better?
• Is medication an option? Is so, how will you coordinate prescriptions if you’re not licensed to prescribe medications?

Support Groups and Other Programs

Ask your health care team or local community centers, clinics, or places of worship about programs they may offer. Some hospitals, clinics, and support organizations offer special classes or cancer-specific support groups. Many advocacy organizations also offer support groups that meet in person and online.

• Cancer survivor support groups: These groups bring together survivors to talk about how they’re feeling.
• Family support groups: Your whole family may want to be involved in the healing process. In these programs, you and your family members take part in therapy sessions with trained specialists to help you talk about problems, learn about each other’s needs, and find answers.
• Stress management programs: These programs teach ways to relax and take more control over stress. Hospitals, clinics, and local cancer organizations may offer these programs and classes.

If you can’t find a program in your area, look into alternatives to in-person support, such as virtual support groups and therapy by telephone, video, or text.

Many people with cancer look more deeply for meaning in their lives. They want to understand their purpose in life or why they got cancer. Spirituality means the way you look at the world and how you make sense of your place in it. Spirituality can include faith or religion, beliefs, values, and "reasons for being."

What Being Spiritual May Mean to You

Being spiritual can mean different things to everyone. It's a very personal issue. Everyone has their own beliefs or practices such as:

• Finding it through religion or faith
• Practicing certain rituals
• Meditating or yoga
• Volunteering or doing things for others
• Teaching
• Reading or writing
• Being in nature or with animals

How Cancer May Affect Your Spirituality or Faith

Having cancer may cause you to think about what you believe, whether you're connected to a traditional religion or not. It's normal to view the experience both negatively and positively at the same time. Some people find that cancer brings more meaning to their faith. Others feel that their faith has let them down and they struggle to understand why they have cancer. For example, they might question their relationship with God.

Some people look for a sense of peace or connection with loved ones. They find that having cancer causes them to enhance their bonds with the people closest to them. Others try to forgive themselves for past actions they took or didn’t take. Or they look to forgive others and make it a time for healing relationships.

While you may realize what’s important to you, it’s also normal to feel distressed. Some people have feelings of uncertainty about their purpose in life. Others have a lack of hope or worries about their loved ones.

Your Values May Change

Many people also find that cancer changes their values. They make changes to reflect what matters most to them now. The things you own and your daily duties may seem less important. You may decide to spend more time with loved ones or do something to help others. Or you may take more time to do things in the outdoors or learn about something new. For some, faith can be an important part of both coping with and recovering from cancer.

Finding Comfort and Meaning During Cancer

If you want to find faith-based or spiritual support, many hospitals have chaplains who are trained to give support to people of different faiths, as well as those who aren't religious at all. You could also ask your health care team about local experts or organizations that help cancer patients and survivors.

Some ideas that have helped others find comfort and meaning are:

• Praying or meditating
• Reading uplifting stories about the human spirit
• Talking with others with similar experiences
• Taking time alone to reflect on life and relationships
• Writing in a journal
• Finding a special place where you find beauty or a sense of calm
• Taking part in community or social gatherings for support and to support others

Why Is Food Important?

Quite simply, the food you eat affects how you feel. A healthy diet can help you feel better, regain your strength and energy, and reduce risks for health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. But before making any big changes to your diet, check with your doctor to make sure you don’t have any food or dietary restrictions.

It Isn’t Always Easy to Make Healthy Choices

Eating a healthy diet can be hard. You may be nauseated or not feel hungry. You may notice changes in the way some foods taste, especially if you’re taking certain medicines. You may also have to avoid certain foods.

For many cancer survivors, caregivers, and their loved ones, balancing the need to eat differently with the demands of the rest of the household may feel overwhelming. People may be busy or on different schedules. Not everyone may agree with a new, healthier approach to eating. And it may be hard to find or afford healthier options.

Ways to Save Money

• When they’re on sale, stock up on canned or frozen fruits and vegetables, especially ones that are low in salt and sugar.
• Start a vegetable garden. It’s a great way to get outside, get some exercise, and involve the whole family. Some vegetables, like tomatoes and bell peppers, grow easily in a container on a balcony or patio.
• Consider replacing a meat-based meal with a vegetarian one a few days a week. Try adding peas or beans as a protein substitute.
• Freeze leftovers.

Tips for Healthy Eating

Here are some steps you can take to overcome challenges. Try the ones that make sense for you, and don’t feel you need to do them all at once! It’s all about baby steps.

• Keep track of what you eat. Use a notebook or an app to write down what and how much you eat.
• Ask your doctor what you can’t eat with medicines you take or allergies you have.
• Try to eat meals at the same time every day. When your body gets used to eating at the same time, you’ll be able to manage how much you eat better.
• If you’re having trouble regaining your appetite, start with small meals of your favorite foods.
• Try healthier versions of your favorite recipes. Many healthy and easy-to-follow recipes are available online.
• When you’re able to eat more foods, try to fill half your plate with fruit and vegetables. The other half of your plate can be a mix of lean proteins and whole grains.
• Think of sugar-sweetened food and drinks and alcohol as treats for special occasions.

If you don’t have the time or energy to shop for groceries or cook every day, these tips can make things easier.

• If you can afford it, go out to eat or order pickup or delivery service from a local restaurant. Many restaurants include nutritional information about their menu online, which can help you plan.
• Look for meal delivery programs in your area. Some organizations deliver groceries or prepared meals to people with health issues.
• Explore a meal subscription service, if it fits into your budget.
• Order your groceries online. Many supermarkets offer pickup or delivery.
• Ask for help. Can someone in your household take over or help with cooking? Is a friend or neighbor willing to pick things up when they go out? People want to help, but they may not know what you want.
• Reach out to organizations that offer help.
• Involve family members in meal planning and preparation.
• Set aside one day to prepare meals for the week.

How to Get Your Doctor Involved

When you visit your doctor, ask for healthy eating advice. First, think about your goals. Do you want to feel more energetic? Are any side effects bothering you? Do you want to gain or lose weight?

Write down questions as you think of them. Some examples—

• Are there foods I should avoid because they may interfere with my medicines or cause side effects?
• Does the cancer or treatment I had affect my appetite?
• Can you recommend a specialist or resource, online or in the community, to help me make dietary changes?

How Your Care Team Can Help You

Your oncologist or primary care doctor may be able to refer you to a nutritionist or dietician. You can also check with the social services division of area hospitals and health departments. In addition, a social worker or case manager can help set up financial assistance or a food delivery program.

A specialist can also help you—

• Involve your family or loved ones in making healthy choices.
• Make healthy choices on a budget.
• Find local transportation or food delivery services.

Physical activity has many benefits besides helping you feel better. It helps build strength and balance, increases your ability to move and get around, and reduces stress.

Cancer survivors who keep a healthy weight and stay physically active may have—

• A better response to treatments.
• A better mental and physical quality of life.
• A lower risk of having cancer come back or developing a new cancer.
• A lower risk of getting other illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease.

Being physically active doesn’t necessarily mean intense workouts. Going for a walk, lightly jogging, dancing, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator are all ways to fit physical activity into your day. Try to build up to 30 minutes of movement a day.

What’s Stopping You?

Common challenges to being active include not having enough time or energy, not feeling it’s important, or not having access to places to be active. If you’re facing any of these hurdles, start with activities you enjoy and can do safely that work with your lifestyle.

Start Small

Think of things you can do in your home or neighborhood. Ease your way into a routine with a walk around the block, sitting and standing up a few times, or lifting household objects like cans of food. Local parks, community centers, some schools, malls, the YMCA, and faith communities are great places to explore physical activity options for free or at low cost.

No matter where or how you are active, always listen to your body. If something hurts or feels wrong, talk to your doctor.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• Can I be physically active?
• What is the right level?
• What can I do or what should I avoid?
• How do I overcome fatigue?

Specialists Can Help

An exercise physiologist or specialist, physical therapist, or personal trainer can help you become more physically active by—

• Identifying your goals and concerns.
• Determining any safety precautions you should take.
• Recommending and showing you how to do exercises that will help you meet your goals.
• Helping you find support groups, organizations, local teams, or classes.

Sleep allows your body to refresh, replenish, and rebuild. It helps your immune system work better and keeps you mentally sharp. Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep each night, but talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.

How Sleep Affects Your Health

Lack of sleep can raise the risk of health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. It can also affect your concentration and memory.

Not getting enough sleep can lead to serious problems for people with cancer, including lower quality of life, depression, and the inability to carry out regular day-to-day activities.

Having Trouble Sleeping Is Common

It’s not uncommon to feel very tired during and after cancer treatment, especially in the first year after treatment. Many things can affect sleep, including anemia, poor nutrition or dehydration, pain or discomfort, side effects of medications, and irregular sleep patterns. Anxiety, depression, fear, worry, and stress can also affect your ability to get enough sleep.

Your doctor or a specialist can help you find ways to save your energy throughout the day and sleep better at night.

Healthy Sleep Habits Can Help

To improve your quality of sleep, try to—

• Soak up some morning sunlight. This increases levels of the hormone melatonin, which is important for sleep.
• Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on weekends.
• Relax with a book or take a soothing bath.
• Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature.
• Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smart phones from the bedroom.
• Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
• Move more and sit less. Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.

Resources for a Restful Night

Health care professionals who specialize in sleep problems can help you. Think about the problems you’re having with sleep and talk to your doctor to uncover any causes or triggers. Some questions to ask a doctor or specialist include—

• Is there a treatment or a change I can make to help?
• What types of support or services are available to address sleep problems?

If you have trouble sleeping, try keeping a sleep diary to share with your doctor. Include information like medicines you take, when you go to bed, how long it takes to fall asleep, your nap schedule, how much you’re exercising, and any alcohol or caffeinated beverages you drink.

Talking to your family and friends may be challenging. Start by letting those around you know that you welcome their questions and concerns. Let them know what you do—and don’t—feel comfortable sharing.

Some topics to consider discussing include—

• Changing roles and responsibilities. The relationship and roles between you and your care partners may have changed during treatment. They may even change after treatment as well. It’s a good idea to talk together about feelings and changes.
• How friends and family can offer support. Those closest to you may not know how to support you after treatment. Be open, honest, and specific about how they can help (or not help) in your new normal.
• Patience. It’s important to discuss expectations for recovery and to be patient throughout the process. Everything may not go back to “normal” right away, and that’s OK.

You may find that family support groups or counseling are a great way to start the conversation. A professional can ask questions to guide you and your family.

When you talk with your family and friends, be honest about your feelings. It is important to share how you’re feeling, accept help, and let others know what to expect from you.

Be Kind to Yourself

Getting back to normal may take time. When your cancer treatment ends, you may feel relieved or empowered. You may also have a new set of goals or worry about what’s next. You may find that it takes time before you can do some of the things you did before. You may depend on other people for help more than you are used to, and you may worry about money and about your cancer coming back.

Try to be patient and open-minded about what your “new normal” looks like—and talk to someone about it.

People with cancer often want to get back to work. Their jobs not only give them an income but also a sense of routine. Work helps people feel good about themselves.

Before you go back to work, talk with your doctor as well as your boss. You will all want to make sure you're well enough to do your job. You may need to work fewer hours or do your job in a different way. Some people feel well enough to work while they're having chemo or radiation treatment. Others need to take time off until their treatments are over.

Talking with Your Boss and Coworkers

The response of coworkers about your cancer treatment may differ. Some people may be a huge source of support, while others may be a source of anger or frustration. Some people mean well, but they don't know the right thing to say. Maybe they just don't know how to offer support. Others don't want to deal with your cancer at all. They may think that you aren't able to work as hard as before.

If coworkers seem unsupportive, it could be because they're anxious for you or for themselves. Your cancer experience may threaten them because it reminds them that cancer can happen to anyone. Try to understand their fears and be patient as you try to regain a good relationship. But some people with cancer say that they get tired of trying to act cheerful around others. Many say that friendships change as they let go of their casual ones and give more time to the meaningful ones.

Relating to Others at Work

How do you relate to other people in your life when you go back to work? Does it feel good to return or do you worry how others will react? Here are some tips for returning to work:

• Accept help. When people offer to help, say yes, and have in mind some things that they could do to make your life easier. In this way, you will get the support you need, and they will feel helpful.
• Talk to others. If you find that a coworker's feelings about cancer are hurting you, try to resolve the problem with that person face-to-face. If it's still affecting your work after that, your manager, employee assistance counselor, or personnel office may be able to help.
• Address problems that come up from the start. Supervisors or coworkers may be able to help those around you understand how you want to be treated.
• Try to keep up contacts during your recovery. Coworkers will worry about you. But if they are kept up-to-date about your progress, they will be less anxious and scared. Talk to them on the phone, send email, or appoint a trusted friend or family member to do this for you. Your return to work or other activities will be easier for you and others if you stay in touch.
• Plan what you'll say about your cancer. There is no right way to deal with others about your illness, but you do need to think about what you'll say when you're back on the job. Some people don't want to focus on their cancer or be linked in people's minds with the disease. Others are very open about it, speaking frankly with their boss or other workers to air concerns, correct wrong ideas, and decide how to work together. The best approach is the one that feels right to you.

Your Legal Rights at Work

Some people with cancer face roadblocks when they try to go back to work or get a new job. Even people who had cancer many years ago may still have trouble. Employers may not treat them fairly because of false beliefs about cancer. For example, an employer may think cancer can be spread from person to person or that people with cancer take too many sick days. Some employers also think that people with cancer are poor insurance risks.

It is against the law to discriminate against (treat unfairly) workers who have disabilities such as cancer. There are national laws that protect your rights as a worker. And if you're looking for a new job, you have no legal obligation to talk about your cancer history unless your past health has a direct impact on the job you seek.

Handling Problems at Work

• Decide how to handle the problem.
  • What are your rights as an employee?
  • Are you willing to take action to correct a problem?
  • Do you still want to work there? Or would you rather look for a new job?
• If necessary, ask your employer to adjust to your needs.
  • Start by talking informally to your supervisor, personnel office, employee assistance counselor, shop steward, or union representative.
  • Ask for a change that would make it easier for you to keep your job (for example, flextime, working at home, special equipment at work).
  • Document each request and its outcome for your records.
• Get help working with your employer if you need it.
  • Ask your doctor or nurse to find times for follow-up visits that don't conflict with your other responsibilities.
  • Get your doctor to write a letter to your employer or personnel officer explaining how, if at all, your cancer may affect your work or your schedule.

Talk with your social worker about laws in your state. Your social worker can give you the name of the state agency that protects your rights as an employee. You may also want to ask about benefits you can get as a person with cancer.