Cancer in the Workplace: Support and Resources

1. Cancer in the workplace 0800 CANCER 226 237 Any Cancer, Any Question December 2011 Cancer Society of New Zealand

2. Outline of the presentation • Why cancer in the workplace is important • Common effects of cancer • If a co-worker has cancer • If your boss has cancer • Other situations/questions • Where to go for support Cancer Information Service | 2011

3. Why cancer in the workplace is important • NZ -more than 20,300 new cases of cancer in 2008 • 43% were in 25-64yr olds • The impact of cancer on employment (Australian research): • more people diagnosed at earlier stages and surviving cancer, many of working age - productivity and continuing employment must be addressed by patients and employers • in many cases people with cancer, and cancer survivors, are able to continue working • between 10% and 38% of employees don’t return to work after treatment for cancer • a supportive work environment leads to higher rates of cancer survivors returning to work Cancer Information Service | 2011

4. 3 myths about cancer • Cancer is a death sentence • Cancer is contagious • Cancer makes workers less productive Cancer Information Service | 2011

5. How cancer treatment affects work life • Cancer-related fatigue is very common • Cancer-related fatigue can challenge physical, emotional, social and economic functioning of employees and carers • Can affect concentration skills Cancer Information Service | 2011

6. Managing fatigue at work • Effects of cancer-related fatigue can be reduced by: • adjusting work routines, workload, working hours • regular discussions about managing workload • ‘return-to-work’ meetings • don’t expect too much- recovery after cancer treatment can take a long time – people may be fatigued for months after treatment. Cancer Information Service | 2011

7. Other side effects • bone-marrow depression – risk of infection • nausea/pain • hair loss • loss of confidence and lowered self-esteem Cancer Information Service | 2011

8. If a co-worker has cancer: • Most co-workers are sympathetic and supportive. • Other reactions include: • shock • feeling awkward • helpless • tension/resentment • avoidance/withdrawal • reminder of previous personal experience • concern for own mortality • Cancer is often seen as an unspecified but significant threat Cancer Information Service | 2011

9. What helps: • Rreorganisation of workload, offering to share tasks • S support in a practical way - shopping, food for the freezer (check preferences), offering to be a ‘point person’ eg email updates to colleagues if the person wishes, check they know about services eg EAP, Cancer Society • V validation – still the same person, colleagues provide a connection to their ‘normal’ life • P privacy – respect confidentiality, let them know you’re there if they want to talk • discuss concerns/tensions with your manager, • clarification of likely appointment/treatment schedules can help understanding and assist planning • think about your own feelings about cancer, • seek credible information - ph 0800 CANCER (226 237) Cancer Information Service | 2011

10. More tips for workmates • Many people with cancer appreciate having unchanged relationships with their workmates. • The emotional/social support of the workplace gives great benefit for many. • Most employees diagnosed with cancer tell their work colleagues; one-third of employees prefer to tell close colleagues and ask them to inform others; only 3% choose not to share a diagnosis with colleagues. • Ways to help include: • Just listening • Asking the person with cancer if they want to talk about it • Sending cards, telephoning or visiting • Finding out what specific help is most needed eg. doing errands, helping with difficult tasks, cooking meals, providing transport, taking kids to school • Talking about things other than cancer • Avoiding ‘smothering’ the person by doing too much • Encouraging helpful coping strategies such as exercise to overcome treatment side effects • Using appropriate humour(follow the lead of the person with cancer) • Continuing to include the person with cancer in social events • Encouraging the person with cancer to access support groups, counselling, Cancer Society • Source: Working with cancer www.cancer.org.au Cancer Information Service | 2011

11. Some conversation starters: ‘I am sorry this is happening to you’ ‘I am thinking of you’ ‘I don’t really know what to say or how to say it, but I do want you to know I’m here for you’ ‘How are you feeling today?’ Cancer Information Service | 2011

12. Things to avoid Cancer Information Service | 2011

13. If your boss has cancer • Common reactions: • insecurity • anxiety/concern about the future of your job • guilt (‘how can I ask for leave while he/she is sick?’) • What can help • Ask your boss to appoint a contact person at work to keep the rest of you informed- cuts down on emails, phone calls, and rumours, saving everyone time and energy. • Find out what information to give the 'outside world.' Does he/she want a simple: “She's on medical leave’ or something more? • Get a to-do list that's prioritized, with deadlines. • Ask before helping - shows respect for boundaries (while your boss may love your baking, their partner/family may not want to deal with work colleagues). Cancer Information Service | 2011

14. Other situations : • Carers of people with cancer • carers twice as likely to have depression • fatigue is common • their needs are often unmet • self-care often poor • many carers need to keep working due to financial strain, • supportive workplace can provide connection to ‘normal life’ for carers • ‘long-distance carer’ - consider those who have unwell family in another place Cancer Information Helpline | 2011

15. Where to go for support • Cancer Society Wellington offers: • Experienced cancer nurses provide information and support to people with cancer, family/whanau, general public, workplaces, students ph 0800 CANCER (226 237) • Email a nurse info@cancersoc.org.nz • Online support www.cancerchatnz.org.nz • Library – books/DVDs/CDs • Counselling service • Networking groups and workshops/Living Well programme • Cancer Connect peer support • Volunteers - Transport to treatment/support visitors/hospital volunteers • Look Good…Feel Better • CanTalk newsletter • Supportive therapies – massage, exercise egHealthy Steps, Tai Chi, Nordic Walking • Lymphoedema support and information Cancer Information Service | 2011