High Likelihood of Cancer Sufferers Not Returning to Work without Career Support

^{More than four in ten people who used the services of Working With Cancer (WWC) say it is likely they would have left work without the coaching, or career support they received.}

^{The stark figure in an impact survey run by the not-for-profit WWC found that 45 per cent of people felt it was likely that they wouldn’t have continued working without career guidance. Only 37 per cent of respondents said they would have continued working without any additional support.}

^{The question of not returning to work wasn’t applicable for 18 per cent of those surveyed for reasons including the fact they were already unemployed or self-employed, or they had only found WWC’s services after they had already returned to work. Sadly, another reason given was that a lack of confidence in telling their bosses that they had cancer with one respondent saying: “I never disclosed to any employer about my challenges as I never felt safe enough. never felt they would understand.”}

^{Barbara Wilson, founder of Working With Cancer said: “We are saddened but not surprised by this feedback. Although this impact study only looked at people who have worked with us we estimate that there are now one million people of working age affected by cancer in the workforce, so potentially, around 450,000 of the workforce could be struggling to remain in work if they are affected by cancer.}

^{“This is one of the reasons we are launching a new webinar on 1 May to help employers learn more about what is needed and what is missing in their own organisations to fill the gap between cancer and work. We’ll explain the outcomes of our 2024 research with the Institute for Employment Studies, talk through how and why to plan a cancer policy, and look at why training and coaching can retain and build staff loyalty.”}

^{WWC’s impact report also found that one third of people who used WWC’s services in 2024 said they found the support essential in giving them the confidence to return to work, or to continue working. A further four in ten said it was extremely beneficial and 16% found it helpful.  Services used included one-to-one career coaching (80%), legal or employment advice (8%) creation of a cancer policy (8%) and overall provision of general information.}

^{Employers completing the impact survey unanimously valued WWC’s services as helpful up to  essential in giving them the confidence they needed to support staff members. And 100% of those surveyed would recommend WWC’s services to others; 80% recommending them highly.}

^{The free Working With Cancer webinar runs from 12 to 1pm on 1 May  and can be signed up to} here