This slideshow discussion provides tips for women with ovarian cancer on how to navigate your diagnosis in the workplace, from talking to coworkers, paid time off and sick leave, and more.

1. Navigating Cancer in
the Workplace
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2. Step One: Gathering Information
Medical and Treatment Information
• Open communication with the medical team
• Specific details about medications and treatments
and potential side effects
• Comprehensive understanding of how treatment
could impact job performance.
• Work-friendly treatment options
Information adapted from Cancer & Careers www.cancerandcareers.org

3. Step One: Gathering Information
Work Information
• Company Policies: Employee handbook or HR
Department
• Benefits like paid time off, use of sick days, etc.
• Reasonable Accommodations process
• Medical Leave process
• Culture
• Specific demands of job, anticipated concerns
Information adapted from Cancer & Careers www.cancerandcareers.org

4. Step One: Gathering Information
Your Needs and Wants Regarding Work
• Financial
• Maintain normalcy
• Socialization and support
• Investment in career path
• Develop an organized plan for managing work load
• Identify if you will need reasonable accommodations
(e.g. flexible work schedule, modified work space)
• Consider coping strategies for the workplace

5. Step Two: Communication
MEDICAL
• Be clear with medical team about demands of your
job so they can help you set reasonable expectations
or consider treatment options.
• Communicate side effects openly so you can discuss
various ways of managing the impact of treatment
• Remain open to new ways of gathering cancer
related information and support (e.g. support group,
webinar, conference)

6. Step Two: Communication
WORK DISCLOSURE
• Will diagnosis/treatment interfere with job
performance?
• What is the culture of the workplace?
• What are work relationships like?
• How did others react in similar circumstances when
an employee was out of the office for an extended
time?
• Who do you tell? Consider their role and
relationship.
Information adapted from Cancer & Careers www.cancerandcareers.org

7. Step Two: Communication
UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF
• What are the benefits and stressors for continuing to
work vs taking time away?
• What emotions are you feeling as you consider
workplace disclosure? (e.g. vulnerability, pity,
control)
• Do you have an action plan for addressing awkward
(or inappropriate) interactions with colleagues.
• What self-care behaviors will help you cope with
stress in the workplace?

8. • Strong
• Character Building
• Growth oriented
• Reward
• Fulfillment
tress 101
• Tired
• Hungry
• Sick
• Overwhelmed
• Emotional
Proactive Stress Resilience

9. Increasing Self-Awareness: Triggers

10. Construct your Distraction Plan
• Temporarily stops the distress  Gives you time.
• Not to be confused with repressing  Bookmark for
later.
• Doing something purely for joy
• Paying attention to someone else.
• Shift gears. Give your brain a different focus
(mental).
• Leave — Change position or location (physical).
• Mental tasks or physical chores.

11. Develop a Relaxation Plan
• How do you self-soothe?
• Get connected to your body.
• Tune into your five senses. (News Flash: Eight
senses!)
• Slow your internal pace.
• Stop fighting – Let go.
• What gives you perspective?
• What self-care options do you have at work?

12. Navigating Awkward Conversations
Inevitably, awkward (or inappropriate) exchanges happen regarding
your cancer experience. Caught off-guard, what is your action plan?
STOP! Rehearse statements that
decisively cut short the personal
direction of the exchange.
“Usually I’m fine talking about my
diagnosis, but today I just need to
focus on other things.”
“Oh goodness, I’m so sick of talking
about stupid cancer. Let’s talk about
something more interesting.”
SHIFT. Redirect the conversation.
“I hear you are planning a great
summer vacation! Tell me more about
it.”
“Whatever happened with your son’s
Little League team?”
STABILIZE. When the focus is
safely off of you, take an internal moment
to breathe and ground yourself.

13. Cancer. It’s Personal
The “YOU INVENTORY”
• Did you learn anything new about yourself since you
were diagnosed with cancer?
• Is there more than one way to think (feel) about
your cancer experience?
• How has cancer “changed” you?
• Do those changes show up in your day-to-day?
• What pieces of you do you give at work? What do
you save for later?