Hi all,
I’ve stated chemotherapy for triple positive breast cancer. I’m on week three of my second EC treatment. I’ve decided to work through my chemo but am being sensible taking time to rest etc.
I’m working from home as am really worried about infection but my employer has asked if this is the advice I have been given and if I should be working sone time from the office.
Am I being too OTT is it safe for me to work from the office.
Any advice would be great.
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Hi Louc,
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis of Breast cancer.The fact you are working at all your boss should be grateful.I was diagnosed with Triple negative breast cancer in March this year.The consultant told me on.the day i will not be in work until treatment has finished which is looking at Feb next year.I am a Social Worker with Older adults so for many reasons my immunity ad theirs.I would say the same for yourself,you are covered under the disability act has someone with cancer.This means your employer must not treat you differently and has to make reasonable adjustments.All the best with your treatment xx
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Thankyou I was beginning to think I was being too over cautious. I work in an organisation with social housing and education so all sorts of people accessing our premises and this is what worries me.
I am missing the interaction with others but it’s only for another 4 months and I’m still achieving loads from home. Good luck with all your treatment and thanks again fir responding
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I was diagnosed in June - double mastectomy last month and haven’t been back to work since. My GP gave me a sick note until end of October and said she will extend it whenever needed. I only work three days a week (NHS) which includes one day at home, so I may do some work but it will be at home for the next few months.
So I don’t think you are being overly cautious at all - it’s your health and that comes above everything else xx
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Took 9 months off for treatment…got paid so didnt need to worry about work fortunately…absolutely no way would i have gone into an office though…ypur immune system is shot to peices…so eady to get infections which can quickly lead to sepsis …dont take any chances…keep wfh or get signed off
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Thankyou I feel so much better now … thought I was going mad!
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I think everyone is different. I wanted to work as I missed it. I am a nurse. I had 4 days off for chemo then worked the rest of the cycle till I started again. I worked in a health centre and had no problems. I worked through radiotherapy too as managed to get an early session, then back to work in the morning. It is not for everyone, but it made my treatment go faster. Best wishes.
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Work is really important to me so really keen to continue as I am currently. I’ll speak to my consultant on Friday and see what she says as the more views I have the better I can decide what might be best.
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I had a different breast cancer to you but still went through chemo & radio. I was a nurse and my ward sister told me not to come in. It was 2021/2022 when covid was rife but even so, she was adamant I was not to be there.
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You need to do what’s best for you.
If you are a member of a union you could also contact them as they can advise on the legal side, around disability discrimination act etc. Also I’d suggest contacting Macmillan and breast cancer now by phone to just talk things through. They are so helpful and might give you some more insights.
If you can and want to work through treatment it can be very helpful mentally, but not everyone can. You may or may not find the chemo is cumulative in making you tired.
Warmest wishes
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I was diagnosed in March and have been working from home ever since. I wanted to keep working but didn’t want to risk catching infections. Thankfully my work has been supportive- they recognised I could have gone off sick for several months and agreed that I could work from home as and when I felt well enough. I’ve found it to be a good distraction and would encourage you to push for the same at your work, Emma
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Hi
I known its not easy but you have lots of rights, protection in law 0and Macmillan or indeed citizens advice can give you war and peace on this subject
Im amazed your employers aren’t aware of their legal obligations!
Your immune system has gone so keep yourself safe as this will aid your recovery and wellbeing
Good luck
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Welcome to the forum @louc
I’m sorry to hear what you’re going through with your employer. I don’t have much to add to the excellent advice here. If you have breast cancer, employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to help you continue to work, return to work, have time off for medical appointments or for continued treatment and recovery. Your employment rights are protected under the Equality Act 2010.
Macmillan have a dedicated work support service that you may find helpful 0808 808 00 00. We recently did a podcast with Barbara from Working With Cancer which discusses issues like this. You may also find this helpful: Breast Cancer Now / Barbara on Working With Cancer (audioboom.com)
Wishing you all the best with finding the solution that works for you.
Sending our warmest,
Lucy
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It is not safe for you to be in the office. Chemo will affect your immune system and you need to protect what’s left at all costs. I wore a mask everywhere I went but stayed home as much as possible during it.
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Hi @louc
I am also triple positive and worked throughout my 20 weeks of chemo which I completed on 22 July. My next step is surgery.
I am a HR professional and can see a few comments here about discrimination when it should be about reasonable adjustments. I am in London and commuting for more than 1 hour each way, and working in a busy open space office would have been risky during chemo. You need to explain your employer that you are immuno suppressed. Unless your work cannot be performed from home at all they will need to let you wfh. This would be a reasonable adjustment. Another one would be breaks/changing hours to get a nap, or wven agree a temporary reduction in hours. Everybody is differen and you may not need many changes.
All the best with tour treatment and please shout if you have any questions!
Hugs
Marion
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Thankyou everyone this has been really helpful x
I was diagnosed with TNBC July 2022 mastectomy in August 2022 had 20 rounds of chemo from October to March 2023. I isolated throughout, had my circle of safe family so didn’t go to work. As you go through chemo, it will unfortunately take it’s toll so keeping away from any possible illness/viruses is really important, you don’t want anything to interrupt your treatment. I had 11 months off in total, touchwood I didn’t pick anything up. Please don’t feel you’re being too cautious, you’ve just got to get through this next stage with being as kind to yourself as you can. Good luck with it all lots of love xx
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Hi Louc,
I’m also working from home while going through chemo treatment and agree with other comments that you need to protect your immune system as much as you can. For me that is not the only factor though, as I need to take regular breaks, and naps sometimes. I couldn’t do that if I was in an office environment. I adapt my working day to my health so if I’m feeling very fatigued, I might have an afternoon rest but then make up the time by working in the evening. This flexible approach works for me. Hope your employer is understanding. All the best, Ruth.
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I am ER+, HER2+ with a bilateral diagnosis and having treatment for 18 months, excluding Letrozole and Zometa infusions. I was diagnosed in May 2023 and have not returned to work. I was paid full time for 6 months and half pay for 6 months, after statutory sick pay finished I was entitled to claim Employment and Suppprt Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
I worked in a school which can be full of germs, infections and diseases, my headteacher told me not to come in after my diagnosis as I needed to come to terms with it. I had said I’d work until my surgery and then be off until my immune system was normal but I’m glad I didn’t. So many appointments and tests and the waiting for results. Since being off my school has had Covid, Scarlet Fever, Measles, slapped cheek to name just a few that I should avoid being immune suppressed.
The GP has been happy to sign me off and the oncology nurse completed my ESA form until November 2024 (3 months after my treatment finishes to allow my immune system to repair). I have recently took redundancy as I don’t feel that I could do my job as I did before.
As has been already said you are covered by the Equality Act 2010 and the www.workingwithcancer.co.uk and MacMillan charities can offer support to you and your employer. I think it’s a bit selfish for your employer to suggest you work in the office, they should be glad you are able to work. I definitely wasn’t able to during my 12 weekly Paclitaxel but know of many others who were able to ‘accommodate’ some work depending how they felt. Different jobs, different treatment plans and different people will have different outcomes and ability to work. You have to do what is right for you. You might find it ok at the beginning and then struggle to work as time goes on, you may be ok to work. You won’t know until it happens.
Don’t be pressured by your employer, if they push you could just ask the GP or your team to sign you off or with a Fit For Work Note that states you should work from home. It’s in the employer’s interest to be flexible with you or you can just be signed off.
I wish you well with your treatment. Have you joined the August monthly chemo starters 2024 thread for support with others haveing treatment with you?
Take care🥰
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Seen my consultant today and has confirmed that I need to be working from home and will put it in a letter if I need him to. Xx
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