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Cancer, work and insurance
- Research on the effects of cancer on employment
- Employment rights for cancer survivors
- Managing insurance, disability and social security issues
- Questions and answers
- For more information
Cancer and its treatment exact a toll on both the physical and economic well-being of cancer survivors. Simultaneously balancing the demands of treatment and employment is, for many patients, as challenging as it is necessary. Because our health insurance is tied to our employment, patients face a double jeopardy in that they must continue treatment and must continue to do their job if they want to maintain both their income and health insurance.
Recognizing the profound impact employment issues can have on cancer survivors’ decisions, quality of life and overall wellness, the Cancer Survivors Symposia Series has featured several experts on employment rights and insurance issues, giving attendees strategies not only for protecting themselves, but for advancing themselves, in the workplace.
Research on the effects of cancer on employment
Cathy J. Bradley, Ph.D., co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control research program at Massey, has done extensive research on the economic impact of cancer. Here she presents some of the most current research related to cancer and employment.
To read a summary of some of Bradley’s research, please click here. [pdf]
To hear an introduction to this session and discussion of Bradley’s research on the effects of cancer on employment, please click here. [mp3]
Employment rights for cancer survivors
Phyllis C. Katz, JD, is an employment attorney and partner with Sands Anderson Marks & Miller in Richmond, Va. She is also co-founder of the Legal Information Network for Cancer, which provides legal assistance for cancer patients and survivors. A two-time cancer survivor herself, Katz draws from personal experience and professional expertise to provide essential information on the rights of employers and employees, and advice on how to best protect and advance your career in the wake of a cancer diagnosis.
To read a summary of Katz’ presentation, please click here. [pdf]
Read the transcription of Katz’s informative presentation. [pdf]
Listen to Katz discuss employment rights. [mp3]
Managing insurance, disability and social security issues
Read the summary of the Symposium’s 2007 discussion of insurance, disability and social security issues. [pdf]
To hear Phyllis Katz, JD, discuss insurance, disability and social security issues, please click here. [mp3]
Questions and answers
For a transcript of the Q&A session at the end of the Symposium, “Cancer, Work and Health Insurance,” held on Jan. 18, 2007, please click here. [pdf]
For a transcript of the Q&A session at the end of “Cancer and Employment: What Survivors Need to Know,” held on April 24, 2008, please click here. [pdf]
Listen to the 2008 Q&A discussion featuring representatives from the EEOC, Department of Rehabilitative Services and Disability Determination Services for the Commonwealth of Virginia. [mp3]
For more information
Negotiating employment and insurance issues can be a daunting task. For additional coverage of this topic, please review our “Financial resources” section for more on employment discrimination and insurance concerns.
