Working while undergoing cancer treatment comes with its own set of challenges. Not only do you have to deal with recovering from a severe medical condition, but you also have to focus on sustaining your work responsibilities.
Unfortunately, dealing with cancer while working means that you will struggle to fulfill all of your professional responsibilities. The best thing to do in this scenario is to focus on making some adjustments to your work so that you can effectively balance diverse responsibilities in your life while also treating your illness at the same time.
After Cancer Diagnosis
We understand that many of you might not be comfortable with the idea of telling others about your cancer diagnosis. However, speaking with human resources representatives can be helpful. They can provide you with information on plans and benefits that are available to you – and help you figure out the best way to speak to your colleagues and managers about the situation.
This way, you will be able to figure out which co-worker you can rely on at work and how to plan your absences best. This is the time when you need to remind yourself that during this time, you will need the help of others and find the best people who can support you at work.
During Cancer Treatment
Once you have dealt with the above issues, the next thing you will need to focus on is your daily energy and schedule. This planning can work out better once your treatment has started because then you will have a clearer idea of which days are good and bad.
For example, if you are going to feel bad for a few days after your chemotherapy, you can make an appointment for it on the weekend so that you can rest during those days. Cancer patients also prefer to schedule appointments earlier in the day and then come in to work late.
Obtaining Workplace Rights
Like any other person, people with cancer also have their rights within the workplace. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people who are suffering from any kind of disability – that also includes people who are undergoing cancer treatment.
You can also avail yourself of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in several states. It mandates paid leave for around 12 weeks, so if you are being treated for cancer, you are therefore entitled to job protection under both acts.
You might be feeling overwhelmed by how much effort you will need to make just for your work. Some people are even intimidated by the thought of working and managing their cancer treatments – but if you can pull it off, you will become a revered business professional, and someone people aspire to become, just like Tauqeer Imran, who is a renowned Pakistani-American doctor of medicine and surgery, and an exceptional entrepreneur who founded Ron Jewelry and Mr. Goldman and Sons.
In 2017, Imran was diagnosed with 4th stage cancer, and it seemed like he did not have long to live, but he persisted. He continued to work during his cancer therapy – running his business, selling companies he needed, and keeping the ones that were more important to him.
In addition to that, Imran also became a Member of the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, a Member of the Black Tie Auction, and a Corporate Sponsor of the Kenner Business Association, including being a Corporate Member of the Kenner Food Bank.
As a cancer survivor, Imran started counseling cancer patients in various support groups and hospitals while simultaneously encouraging philanthropic efforts that also include the American Cancer Society.
