Stories from people affected by cancer

If a safe return to work is to be achievable on the cancer journey, then there needs to be greater understanding of the mental and physical impact of cancer on us, as individuals and realistic guidelines and policies created which reflect this.

In looking at a health profession through the eyes of patients as people. It has strengthened my resolve to not look away from honest pragmatism. I shall not be disheartened, the tenderness within can be found.

My employer did not understand, they would not listen and they did not wait until I was ready to come back to work. The stress and anxiety this caused me was harder to deal with than the cancer. This is my story, my identity has been concealed, the hurt and the pain is gone. I hope no one has to go through a similar situation.

I underestimated how much effort was required to return to work, as did my employers. I would urge people to take their time, and not be pressured into being the person they were.

A tough return to work in the aftermath of cancer made me see that the ability to just pick work back up again on the way that you used to is not a good measure against which to judge your progress

A story looking at the need for Change in employment for employees treated unfairly in the workplace.

Every cancer is different, everyone is an individual and in a world of “one size fits all” tick boxes the challenge is to just keep going…