Cancer is more than a diagnosis – Paula’s story

World Cancer Day poster featuring emotions

My story of work, treatment, and healing. By Paula, Cancer Coach Participant

Every cancer diagnosis is more than just a medical event – it’s a deeply personal journey that reshapes every aspect of life, including work. When I was diagnosed, I had no roadmap for how it would impact my career, my colleagues, or my sense of identity. Now, looking back, I see how much I’ve learned – not just about cancer, but about resilience, self-advocacy, and the need for more compassionate workplace support.

The day everything changed

I told my line manager about my diagnosis the day I received it. It was surreal – I emailed them because, at the time, we were still working remotely due to the pandemic. I had no idea what my treatment plan would be or how it would affect my job, my team, or even my sense of normalcy. Everything was uncertain.

Thankfully, I never feared losing my job. I worked for a large corporation, and HR was involved from the beginning. However, there was an initial moment of panic when I was incorrectly told I’d only receive statutory sick pay. That misinformation caused unnecessary stress during an already overwhelming time, but it was quickly cleared up, and I was reassured that my salary would be covered through my company’s protection insurance.

Telling my colleagues

One of the hardest parts was telling my team. I couldn’t face doing it myself, so I asked a close friend at work to share the news. Beyond that, I didn’t widely announce it – I simply disappeared from work. Over time, as people noticed my absence, my team let them know why. Their support meant everything to me.

Stepping away to focus on healing

I took ten months off for treatment. Managing a global team in a high-pressure role, I knew I couldn’t juggle the demands of work and cancer treatment. More than anything, though, the emotional burden was just too much. Looking back, I spent far too much time feeling guilty about not working. If I could do it over, I’d remind myself that healing—physically and emotionally—was my full-time job during that period.

The emotional impact of returning to work

Going back to work after treatment was almost as difficult as leaving in the first place. I returned just weeks after finishing radiotherapy, still dealing with the physical and emotional aftershocks of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. I eased in with a phased return, but within a couple of months, I was full-time again. It was too much.

Eventually, I made the decision to step down into a less demanding role. It was the best decision I could have made for my well-being. I’ve stayed in that role, and I’m so much happier for it.

The gaps in workplace support

While my workplace was very understanding in terms of practicalities, the emotional side of returning to work after cancer was something I had to navigate largely on my own. I found the emotional support I needed through charities and support groups, like Cancer Coach.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that once treatment is over, you’re “better now” and ready to return to normal. But cancer changes you. I wish there was more education in workplaces – both for managers and colleagues – about what it really means to come back to work after cancer. It’s not just about being physically able to return; it’s about adjusting to a new version of yourself and finding a way to reintegrate without feeling pressured to be exactly who you were before.

Knowing my rights

I was aware of my disability rights, but only because I actively sought out the information from Macmillan Cancer Support. No one handed me a guide; I had to advocate for myself. I also had to bring up the idea of “reasonable adjustments” with my employer myself. That shouldn’t be the case. Every employee going through cancer should be proactively given the resources they need to understand their rights and options.

How employers can do better

Overall, I had a positive experience with my employer. But there’s always room for improvement. The most important thing workplaces can do is educate themselves on the long-term impact of cancer. Employers need to understand that just because someone is back at work doesn’t mean they’re back to their old self. Managers should be trained in how to support employees returning after cancer treatment—not just logistically, but emotionally, too.

Because cancer isn’t just a medical condition. It’s a human experience. It’s grief, pain, healing, resilience, love, and so much more. And when workplaces take a truly people-centered approach – one built on empathy, flexibility, and understanding – employees facing cancer can find their way back with the support they deserve.

 

 

This World Cancer Day, let’s remember, behind every diagnosis is a person, a story, a journey. And every workplace has the power to make that journey just a little bit easier.

Cancer Support UK’s Cancer Coach programmes offer a way forwards for anyone who has completed their cancer treatment. Choose from Cancer Coach peer support groups (online and via telephone). Cancer Coach Digital – a 12 week module that you can complete online at your own pace. Focus Forwards – a one hour interactive session via Zoom designed to help anyone who has completed their cancer treatment move forward with confidence.

Cancer Support UK also provides Workplace Cancer Support Training, which is available to employers to create a more supportive environment for colleagues with cancer and help customer-facing teams have better conversations with vulnerable clients.

Whatever your industry or size of organisation, we can help you improve organisational awareness and understanding of cancer, and develop the skills to have compassionate conversations.