Let’s Talk About Cancer…. Especially in the workplace

1 in 2 people will get cancer at some point in their life. It’s a statistic that’s hard to ignore. And yet, despite how widespread cancer is, we still don’t talk about it enough, especially when it comes to how it intersects with our working lives.

There’s a widespread perception that cancer is a disease of the elderly. Something that happens later, in retirement, far removed from the professional world. But the numbers tell a different story. Half of all cancer diagnoses now occur in people of working age.¹ The number of under-50s being diagnosed with cancer has surged by over 80% in the last 30 years, and it's projected to rise by another 30% by 2030.²

So, let me ask you: when you hear the word cancer, what image comes to mind?

Is it someone frail in a hospital bed? Someone with hair loss, looking translucent and tired from chemotherapy? Someone approaching the end of their life? …Death?

There's no denying that cancer can be all of those things—but not always. And even when it is, that’s often only part of the story.

Since publishing my article “cancel the cancer culture!”, I’ve had an overwhelming number of colleagues and friends reach out, shocked, many not knowing that I even had cancer. And that’s understandable — because I work, I exercise, I socialise, I enjoy the odd beer on weekends… but I have stage 4, recurrent cancer. I was initially diagnosed at age 24.

I won’t go into the boring medical details, but I’ve had the unfortunate privilege to sample the full buffet of cancer treatments including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. I consider it a privilege, because if I was faced with my diagnosis ten years ago, I very much doubt I would be writing this now. But today, because of incredible progress in research and treatment, I’m still here. I’m even participating in a clinical trial that reprograms my immune system to recognise and attack the cancer. It’s astonishing what medicine can do now!

But while cancer treatments are evolving so rapidly, societal attitudes towards people with cancer, especially in the workplace, are lagging far behind.

Many people living with “treatable but incurable” cancer are returning to work or actively seeking employment. They can and do live full, meaningful lives for many years post-diagnosis. Yet, they still face judgment, prejudice, and ignorance in professional settings.

I’ve experienced a spectrum of reactions, some incredibly kind, others… not so much:

• Judgement: “Why would you want to work? Shouldn’t you be focused on other more important things?”
• Assumption: “Surely you won’t be able to work after that… ?”
• Questioning: “Are you sure you’re still capable of doing your job?”
• Instruction: and of course, the ever-popular “you should…” or “you need to…”

These responses, however well-intentioned, are incredibly unhelpful. They’re based on a stereotype rather than reality. They undermine people’s autonomy.

In a survey of over 1,200 working-age cancer patients, only 22% said their HR departments told them about their right to reasonable adjustments or phased returns to work. Shockingly, 25% had to use their annual leave to attend cancer treatments.³ That isn’t just unfortunate — it’s unacceptable.

This toxic culture needs to be called out and it needs to change. 

Here’s the thing: I didn’t choose to have cancer. But I can choose how I respond to it. And everyone should be able to make that choice for themselves.

For some, it might mean leaving work to travel the world. For others, it might mean staying home, surrounded by family. For people like me, it means carrying on with work — because it gives me purpose, structure, and, frankly, a sense of normality in a life that often feels anything but.

The problem is when the stigma around cancer takes those choices away.

When your colleagues, your boss, your workplace make assumptions about what your diagnosis means. When you're forced to jump through hoops to “prove” you can still work. When your value as a professional is questioned simply because you’re navigating a health challenge.

Just imagine being told you have cancer, knowing you face 18 months of treatment, or worse still, the rest of your life — and then being made to feel like your voice, your choices, and your future at work don’t matter anymore. That’s the reality for far too many people.

Cancer already takes away so many choices. Therefore, the least we can do is to ensure people still have a say in how they work by preserving and protecting their freedom to decide.

In my article, I called for dedicated workplace cancer policies. But I’m under no illusion that any one document can solve this. Cancer is complicated and complex. It doesn’t follow rules. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

So here’s my advice — and it applies to everyone:

Start a conversation. Ask what they need. And then listen.

It really is that simple.

We all have a part to play. Because chances are, cancer will touch your life at some point- whether it’s your own diagnosis, a family member, a friend, a colleague. When that happens, will you be the person who makes things easier… or harder?

Will you give someone space to make their own decisions? Or will you, consciously or unconsciously, take that away from them?

Let’s choose empathy. Let’s choose support. Let’s choose to dismantle the outdated attitudes that stop people with cancer from thriving at work.

Personally, I’ve chosen that I’m not going to live with cancer anymore — cancer is going to live with me- whether it likes it or not.

Let’s keep talking. Let’s keep challenging. And let’s finally cancel the culture of silence, stigma, and stereotype that has gone unchallenged for far too long.

And to everyone who’s walked this journey with me—to the friends and colleagues who have held my hand, taken me to appointments, brought light and laughter to the darkest days, respected my choices, and reminded me that I was still me—thank you. Truly, from the depths of my heart, you are the real heroes in this story. 

References:

1. Ferlay J, Colombet M, Soerjomataram I et al.Cancer incidence and mortality patterns in Europe: estimates for 40 countries and 25 major cancers in 2018. Eur J Cancer 2018; 103: 356-387.
2. Zhao J, Xu L, Sun J et al. Global trends in incidence, death, burden and risk factors of early-onset cancer from 1990 to 2019. BMJ Oncol2023; DOI: 10.1136/bmjonc-2023-000049.
3. Institute for Employment Studies. Cancer and employment survey: summary of key findings. 2022. Available at https://www.employment-studies.co.uk/resource/cancer-and-employment-survey(accessed February 2025).