I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of the year and recently finished radiotherapy in April. I started tamoxifen in mid-April and I’m still adjusting to the side effects — mainly fatigue, occasional nausea, and occasional headaches. Some days are okay, but others are really challenging.
I’m cabin crew and now facing the decision about returning to work. My GP has signed me off as fit for ground duties for a couple of months to ease me back in, but unfortunately my employer says they don’t have any ground roles available — so it looks like I might have to do a phased return to flying instead.
I’m feeling very torn. I miss work and want to get back to some normality, but I’m worried about whether I can physically and emotionally cope with long flights, disrupted sleep, lifting, and being on my feet for hours, especially while still recovering and dealing with tamoxifen side effects. I also don’t know if I can cope with having to deal with the general public.
To add to the pressure, I’ll be down to Statutory Sick Pay next month, and financially I can’t really afford to stay off any longer, even though I don’t feel 100% ready to return to full flying duties.
Has anyone here been in a similar position — either returning to a physically demanding job or making decisions based on your health and finances? I’d really appreciate hearing how others have managed this, or any advice on phased returns, adjustments, or just general thoughts.
Hello @glasgow12
I haven’t been in your position but I read your post and just wanted to say that I think before you start to fly again, now or further down the line, you should run it past your oncology team to a. see whether they think you are fit enough and b. be sure that nothing in your treatment or the meds you are on makes you more at risk of DVT etc. it’s one thing flying as a passenger but entirely different if you are flying as crew doing a hard job at altitude and getting jet lag etc.
I’m not really up on employment law but I thought if you aren’t medically fit to do your old role then your employer is duty bound to find you something you can safely and reasonably do. I’m sure breast cancer now or Macmillan will be able to clarify it.
Please don’t take on too much too soon and put your wellbeing first.
A big hug to you x
Hi @glasgow12 I would agree with everything @jayesse has said. You have to come first and based on your job role I too would question your return with your oncology department. Find out your legal rights and the obligations your employer has to fulfill.
I wish you well and hope you can find a happy medium x x
I am glad to hear you are through your treatment and feeling ready to go back to work
I would definitely seek some advice from MacMillan or Maggie’s about your position under the Equality Act: all cancer patients are considered disabled and employers are required to make reasonable adjustments in your return to work.
Is there opportunity to do short haulgh flights rather than long, if that’s what you were doing? Tbh I’ve been back in a role that involves 12 hour shifts and 50% night rotation since October, but after a phased return have opted not to do nights for the foreseeable as part of ‘reasonable adjustments’ with the backup that nightshifts can carry an increased cancer risk.
Even with the regulation of my work pattern, I have struggled with increasd tiredness, its very noticable when you do a physical job that involves being on your feet for 12 hours and lots of lifting. Just about muddling through some days and often takes the next day off to get over it. No way would I have coped with switching days to nights, then back again on top. I had 6 months off in total, but months later still have less energy.
Hi Glasgow12, I would recommend a chat with your healthcare team about flying while on Tamoxifen. I imagine the DVT risk is reduced as you’re on your feet for most of the flight, but best to get their opinion.
If you have been flying long-haul, is there the opportunity to switch to short-haul?
I would also get in touch with Macmillan for some clarity on your rights, I believe that you are entitled to reasonable adjustments under the Disability Act.
I hope you are able to reach an agreement with your employer.
Lynne xx
I worked as a HLTA teaching multi classes in a primary school covering for teachers when out of the class. I had to plan, prepare and assess all children. I didn’t go back to work due to my treatment that included chemo and Herceptin and then Letrozole. I had fatigue, aches and pains aswell as terrible brain fog, so I was unable to plan my lessons let alone stand up in front of 30 children and give them my best. I was able to take redundancy and the lump sum of money has helped.
I was on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) that can be paid after statutory sick pay and continue if you are earning less than a certain amount.
I have since swapped from Letrozole to Exemestane which increases my risk of infection, but still have aches and pains and fatigue but the brain fog has improved a bit, but not enough to teach. I was to,d by my oncologist I could take Tamoxifen if I had no history of blood clots, so as others have said check with your team regarding regular flying.
You are protected under The Equality Act 2010, your employer should make reasonable adjustments but the key word is should. However, I have read on other ‘disabled’ charity websites that if they don’t make reasonable adjustments they have to justify why and could be seen to be discriminating against you. MacMillan and Maggie’s may be good places to get help but I would also suggest looking at or contacting https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/ they can also advise your employer on their obligations to you.
I hope you get the support you need and your employer works with you.
Yea, there’s conflicting reseach either way on the matter (but helpful if managers believe it). It definitely affects cortisol and messes with hormones. Some mornings I’d crawl in bed shivering, having to pile on covers even though I knew it wasn’t particularly cold, like having flu.
Regardless, given that I’ve regularly been fighting tiredness at work, I doubt I would cope at all with constantly switching shifts. Recovery from effects of radiotherapy can take a long time. If you don’t do a physical job, its probably less noticeable. My fitbit tells me that I did over 13000 steps each shift this week, with all the bending and lifting that occurs on top, it becomes more obvious that I don’t yet have the same stammina I used to. Hopefully will get there in time. But it can take a long time, which is why protected reasonable adjustments at work is so important.
I work nights, calls outs in my job and I was dreading returning to work. It has however been a really positive experience and taken me out of cancer world and back into the real world again. It sounds like our treatments have been similar. Great advice on here regarding reasonable adjustments etc and with the right support i think you’ll be suprised at how quickly you get back to your job again. Good luck x
Hiya,
I returned to work too early as a child care assistant. I was on tamoxifen too, having gone through chemo and radiation treatment. Please think about yourself and your health first and get proper advice about your rights.
Wishing you all the best xx
As a cancer patient you are highly protected under the disability act. Quite frankly your employer should be doing more to support you back into work safely especially if you need to work due to your finances. Research your rights & speak to them again, but please put yourself & health first if you can. X
I sent a strongly worded email last week and it seemed to have worked! I had a meeting today and they’ve offered me a mon-wed ground based job for 2-3 months with the hope I can then gradually return to crew
