Cancer patients facing work discrimination, charity warns

A survey conducted by Macmillan has suggested that 18 per cent of patients diagnosed with cancer face discrimination from employers or colleagues on return to work.

The survey included 1,009 patients who were all in work when they received a diagnosis.

The findings of the survey revealed that 15 per cent had returned to work before feeling ready, while many felt guilty for taking time off work for medical appointments. It also indicated that 14 per cent of those diagnosed with cancer gave up work or are made redundant as a result.

The charity warned that it was vital to make sure employers provided the right kind of support to employees who are diagnosed with cancer, with one in three people living with cancer in the UK being of working age.

Current regulations require that when an employee is diagnosed with cancer, employers should make reasonable adjustments to any elements of the job that place the employee at a substantial disadvantage, such as accommodating flexible working to cope with fatigue or allowing employees to make a staggered return to work.

Liz Egan, who leads the Working Through Cancer programme at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “If people are unaware of these rights, they are unable to ask their employers to make adjustments for them. Sometimes they don't even tell their employers that they have cancer.”