People With Advanced Cancer
We are increasingly working with people who have advanced or metastatic cancer, those who doctors may describe as ‘treatable but incurable’, who are returning to work or looking for employment. People in this group can survive and work successfully for many years post diagnosis (if they wish to and have the opportunities to do this) but often face ignorance or prejudice at work.
In the UK people in this group are protected by the Equality Act but can still be dismissed by their employer on the grounds of ‘capability’.
This year we are working to raise awareness of this issue and have invited those with advanced or metastatic cancer, and who are still working, to contribute their stories and photos.
If you would like to contribute your story and maybe a photo, please get in touch.
And, if you as a manager or your organisation need training or support to manage advanced cancer at work, you might be interested in attending one of our workshops on Managing Advanced Cancer at Work or contact us to find out more about our unique coaching service to support those with a primary or advanced cancer diagnosis to manage work, return to work or find work during or after treatment.
Louise Boston
Posted: 11th May 2021
I was diagnosed with Primary Breast Cancer in 2010, following which I had a bi lateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and Herceptin. All was well then for the next 8 years until in 2018 as a result of a routine follow up I was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. The breast cancer had spread to my lungs and… [Read More]
Kris Chadwick
Posted: 11th May 2021
Hi, I’m Kris, I’m 44 years old and I’m coming up to my three year “incurable cancer diagnosis.” In September 2017 my life was just about back on track following the death of my husband to a brain tumour in 2013. I’d needed a fresh start after he passed so left my job at Oxford… [Read More]
Jo Taylor
Posted: 11th May 2021
I had worked for 18 years in the electronics industry and promoted as Marketing Executive. I was made redundant and worked for a local estate agent. We decided to have children and whilst on maternity leave when our daughter was 5 months and our son was nearly 2.5, I found a lump and was diagnosed… [Read More]
Jeannie Ambrose
Posted: 11th May 2021
I was diagnosed with Secondary Breast Cancer in May 2019. I didn’t have a primary diagnosis, I went from thinking I was fit and healthy to finding out I had tumours in both breasts which had spread to my bones. I currently have targeted therapy treatment which are drugs that I take every day and regular… [Read More]
Heather Cripps
Posted: 11th May 2021
I was diagnosed straight to metastatic breast cancer in September 2020, with spread to my bones and peritoneum. The nine months before the diagnosis I suffered with lower back pain, which got progressively worse each month (about a week before my period was due). I had seen my GP and been referred for physio, which… [Read More]
Di Hart
Posted: 11th May 2021
I was originally diagnosed with stage III HER2+ breast cancer in December 2015 and subsequently went through 6 rounds of chemotherapy, an operation to remove the tumour in my breast and full lymph node clearance, followed by 18 sessions of radiotherapy and a year of monoclonal antibodies. We had a double whammy in the family,… [Read More]
Charlotte Kevan
Posted: 11th May 2021
I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in July 2017. Two weeks after my primary diagnosis. I had 6 rounds of chemotherapy along with herceptin and perjeta. The later I still have intravenously every 3 weeks today. I don’t know my prognosis other than the general 2-3 years life expectancy. I’ve already gone past that.… [Read More]
Bronagh Corry
Posted: 11th May 2021
I was diagnosed with Primary Breast Cancer in August 2013 when I was 39 years old. I had walked into the Breast Screening Clinic at 10am full of anxiety and dread. By 1.30pm, I had a date for surgery and had entered the world of cancer. The mammogram had shown 3 tumours in my right breast,… [Read More]
Anonymous
Posted: 11th May 2021
I’m a person who has always been “well”. Whenever I was asked to fill in a health questionnaire I’d always tick “no” without really reading it. That all changed in late January 2018 when aged 44 I was diagnosed very speedily with a rare type of breast cancer called Inflammatory Breast Cancer. It’s very aggressive… [Read More]