Many people diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer continue working throughout treatment. Whether you plan to keep working because you want to (or need to for financial stability or employer-based health insurance), you have rights in the workplace. To learn more about how metastatic breast cancer can impact your job, steps you can take to prepare for tough conversations, and resources for support, see below.
What research says about the impact of MBC on employment
- Study Reveals Impact of Metastatic Cancer and Ability to Work This article from Oncology Times summaries research into how metastatic cancer affects the employment of people living with the disease, and presents suggestions on how to better support those who continue to work.
Voices of people continuing to work after an MBC diagnosis
- Working with Metastatic (Stage 4) Breast Cancer Sharsheret shares one woman’s experience continuing to work after receiving her MBC diagnosis.
- Three Things to Consider When Continuing to Work With Metastatic Breast Cancer Breastcancer.org shares one woman’s insights about continuing to work while receiving MBC treatment.
How can I prepare to continue working throughout my treatment?
- Cancer and Careers: Where to Start Cancer and Careers provides resources to help you prepare to talk about your diagnosis and get the support you need at work.
What legal rights do I have as an employee or potential hire?
- Cancer and Careers: Legal and Financial You have certain rights to privacy and support in the workplace. Cancer and Careers explains the ins-and-outs.
- Triage Cancer Work & Employment Resources Triage Cancer provides resources on the legal impacts of cancer, including information about your rights to medical privacy in the workplace and how you might access the Family and Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act while you continue to work.
- 2020 EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Virtual Forum Series | Working with MBC Video
Last Modified on March 22, 2021