Newly Diagnosed With Breast Cancer: At Work

Whether you can, or should, work straight through treatment or take limited or extended time off, is purely an individual decision to be made after discussion with your doctor. Some people can work through a treatment and recovery period, and other women need the time for their bodies and minds to rest.

Explain to your cancer doctor what you do at work, including what you do on a daily basis.

Find out what you need to know. Ask:

• Will I be able to work throughout my treatment?
• If I have to stay home to recover from surgery or other treatment, how long will I be away from my job?
• If I do return to work:
  • Will any of my abilities to perform my job be impaired as a result of treatment?
  • Do I need to have a different work schedule?
  • How will I know if I am overdoing it at my job?
• What can help minimize the effect on work?

If you are going to have radiation, keep in mind that many women fit it into their regular schedule before going to work, during lunch or after work. Fatigue is the biggest side effect. For some women, the disruption to their work lives was so minimal that no one at work even knew they went through radiation treatment.

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