Julia’s cancer journey through work and healing
By Julia, Cancer Coach Participant
When you’re diagnosed with cancer, life doesn’t pause – it shifts, often in ways you never expected. For me, that shift included my career, my sense of self, and the way I viewed the world around me. Cancer isn’t just a medical condition; it’s a deeply personal experience that intertwines with every aspect of life.
The fear of telling my manager
I told my manager as soon as I knew I needed surgery. At first, I thought I might be lucky and only need a lumpectomy, which would mean just a few weeks off work. But reality had other plans. My treatment became far more extensive – multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
The idea of telling my manager terrified me. At that time, I could barely admit my diagnosis to myself, let alone say it out loud to someone else. I was afraid I would be seen as weak, as though I was letting the company down. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. My manager was incredibly supportive, and that reassurance meant everything.
Navigating work and cancer treatment
I took 18 months off in total. I work remotely, so I initially told my team in a virtual meeting. They were supportive, even sending me a thoughtful gift. But after that, I cut ties with work completely during treatment – I needed to focus on getting through it.
When it was time to return, I faced an entirely new challenge. I didn’t feel ready to work full-time, but requesting reduced hours felt like admitting another weakness. Would my colleagues see me differently? Would I be treated as less capable? It took time for me to accept that setting boundaries wasn’t a failure – it was a strength. Fortunately, my company agreed to my reduced hours, and eventually, I realised that prioritising my well-being was the right decision.
The emotional toll of returning to work
Coming back after cancer is more than just physically returning to the office (or, in my case, my home desk). Emotionally, I felt disconnected from my work. Tasks that once seemed important now felt trivial. I struggled with trauma, grief, and the overwhelming changes my body had been through. Surgical menopause brought its own set of challenges – brain fog, memory lapses, and anxiety. I questioned how I could possibly chair meetings when I couldn’t even remember the name of simple objects.
Some colleagues seemed unsure of how to interact with me, and that was frustrating. Their hesitation – perhaps fear of saying the wrong thing – made me feel different when all I wanted was to be treated as an equal.
The role of HR: silence and missteps
While my manager was incredibly supportive, my experience with HR was different. They were completely silent throughout my treatment. On one hand, I appreciated not being overwhelmed with emails and expectations. But on the other hand, I felt forgotten. I didn’t want them to pressure me – I just wanted to feel like they acknowledged what I was going through.
There was one major misstep that caused me enormous stress. HR mistakenly told me that my sick pay would stop after three months. I had a complete breakdown that day, panicking about how I would manage financially. Later, they admitted they hadn’t checked my contract properly – I was actually covered by an insurance policy and would continue to receive pay for 18 months. That moment of unnecessary distress made me wonder: how do people cope when they don’t have financial support? When facing cancer, financial security is one of the biggest concerns, yet it’s often overlooked.
What employers can do better
Looking back, I see so many areas where workplaces can improve their support for employees facing cancer:
✅ More proactive communication: Employees shouldn’t have to search for information on their rights and options. HR should clearly outline things like phased returns, reasonable adjustments, and financial support from the start.
✅ Training for managers and colleagues: Many people don’t know how to talk to a colleague returning from cancer treatment. Educating teams about how to offer support – without fear or awkwardness – would make a huge difference.
✅ Mental and emotional support: I was lucky to have access to a cancer counselling service through my company’s healthcare plan. It helped me realise that reducing my hours wasn’t a failure but a necessary adjustment. Every workplace should offer similar resources.
✅ Income protection insurance: Cancer treatment can last months or even years, yet many employees are forced back to work too soon due to financial pressures. A workplace insurance policy, which wouldn’t be a huge cost to employers, could be life-changing for employees facing long-term treatment.
Finding strength and moving forward
One of the best things I did during my recovery was joining Cancer Coach. It helped me navigate not just my return to work, but also my confidence, my appearance, and the emotional weight of everything I had been through. Cancer changes you in so many ways, and having a support system that understands those changes is invaluable.
I also wrote a book about my cancer journey, along with the stories of four other women. Tits, Tears and Triumph: My Battle with Breast Cancer is my way of showing that cancer is more than just a diagnosis – it’s a journey of strength, resilience, and, ultimately, hope.
A call for compassionate workplaces
This World Cancer Day, let’s remember that behind every diagnosis is a person, a story, and a journey. Workplaces have the power to make that journey easier – or harder. By fostering understanding, offering real support, and treating employees with dignity, companies can create environments where people don’t have to choose between their health and their careers.
Cancer Support UK’s Cancer Coach programmes provide a way forward for those who have completed treatment. From peer support groups to self-paced online modules and interactive workshops, there’s a path to help every survivor rebuild with confidence.
For workplaces, Cancer Support UK also offers Workplace Cancer Support Training, helping businesses create a compassionate culture where employees feel truly supported – during and after cancer treatment.
Let’s make sure no one faces cancer alone.