By Veronica Foote

‘Work is a cornerstone of identity and recovery for people living with and beyond cancer. Yet too many face stigma, inflexible practices, and inadequate support. We must move from ad hoc initiatives to systemic implementation, embedding the right to work, reasonable adjustments and sustained employer education into all national cancer and employment policies. Empowering people to work well with and after cancer is essential to Europe’s vision of living better, not just longer.’

That’s one quote I gave as part of a consultation process in which Working With Cancer contributed to the “Next Level EU Cancer Survivorship and Quality-of-Life Policy” from the European Cancer Organisation which was published today (17 November)

At Working With Cancer, our focus is clear: ensuring that people living with and beyond cancer are supported to stay in, return to and thrive at work.

The report highlights several work-related gaps and opportunities where action is urgently needed. We strongly support the recommendations that call for:

• Better integration of return-to-work pathways into cancer care planning, recognising work as a core component of recovery and quality of life.

• Stronger employer awareness, training and guidance so managers feel equipped to support employees through diagnosis, treatment and long-term survivorship.

• Commitment from employers to provide flexible working options and reasonable adjustments tailored to the individual’s condition and capacity.

• Greater collaboration between healthcare providers, employers and occupational health to create seamless, person-centred return-to-work support.

These are the areas where Working With Cancer continues to lead, advise and advocate and this report provides a critical roadmap for raising the standard of workplace support across Europe.

Download the report: https://www.europeancancer.org/images/Resources/Publications/next-level-eu-cancer-survivorship-and-quality-of-life-policy.pdf