Cancer and Work: How to Stay Employed During Treatment

When you’re fighting cancer, a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that can spread through the body. Also known as malignancy, it doesn’t just attack your body—it reshapes your daily life, including your job. Many people assume they have to quit work during treatment, but that’s not always true. With the right support, adjustments, and knowledge of your rights, you can keep working through chemo, radiation, or surgery—even if your pace changes.

Workplace accommodations, changes to your job setup or schedule to help you perform your duties despite health challenges. Also known as reasonable adjustments, these can mean flexible hours, remote work, shorter shifts, or extra breaks. Employers in the U.S. and many other countries are legally required to offer them under laws like the ADA. You don’t need to be a superhero to ask. Saying, "I’m undergoing treatment and need to adjust my schedule for a few months," is enough. Most managers want you to stay—it’s cheaper and better for morale than hiring someone new.

Chemotherapy and jobs, the interaction between cancer drugs and daily work life, including fatigue, brain fog, and nausea that can interfere with productivity. Also known as cancer-related fatigue, this isn’t just being tired—it’s a deep, persistent exhaustion that doesn’t go away with sleep. You might need to shift tasks, delay deadlines, or take a day off midweek. That’s okay. The posts below show real stories from people who kept their jobs, negotiated time off without guilt, and found ways to stay productive even on bad days. You’ll also find advice on talking to HR, managing side effects at work, and knowing when to step back without losing your position.

Some of you are caregivers, not patients. You’re juggling appointments, insurance forms, and your own job. That’s a different kind of battle. The guides here cover both sides—how employees can protect their roles, and how employers can support them without overstepping.

There’s no one-size-fits-all path. Some people thrive working through treatment. Others need to pause. Neither is weak. What matters is having the tools to make the choice that fits your body, your job, and your life. Below, you’ll find real, practical advice from people who’ve been there—no fluff, no sugarcoating, just what works.