This webinar will serve as an introduction to Cancer and Work, a website that “was designed to address the unique needs of cancer survivors with returning, remaining, changing work or looking for work after a diagnosis of cancer. The website provides newly created information, resources, and interactive tools for cancer survivors, healthcare providers, employers, and highlights helpful information from across the globe.” The talk will include 10 steps to return to work, and job search ideas for cancer survivors

1. Cancer and Work
Maureen Parkinson, MEd, CCRC,
Provincial Vocational and Rehabilitation Counsellor, BC Cancer and Co-lead Cancer and Work / www.cancerandwork.ca
Acknowledgement: Christine Maheu RN PhD Associate Professor, Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University and
Co-lead Cancer and Work / www.cancerandwork.ca

2. Overview
• Introduction to Cancer and Work
(www.cancerandwork.ca)
• 10 steps to return to work
• Job search ideas

3. Relevance of Cancer and Work
www.cancerandwork.ca
CPAC projects that, by 2031, there will be
2.2 million Canadians living with cancer
About 40% will be between the age
range of 20 to 65, falling within the
age range of the working population
(de Boer et al 2015; Parry et al 2011)
63% of working age individuals will return
to work within the first year post-
diagnosis.
(Mehnert, 2011)
Between 26% to 53% of cancer
survivors will lose their job or quit
working during or after treatment
(Mehnert, 2011)
57% of individuals returning to work
after cancer will experience reduced
work hours by at least 4 hours/week
(Steiner et al 2008)

4. Importance of assessment and
addressing concerns about return
to work early
• The longer someone is off work, the harder it
can be to return to work
• Time limitations on insurance, services and or
being able to return to the former job (human
rights)
• Economic loss
• Health risks to unemployment

5. www.cancerandwork.ca
500 pages of content
9 videos
8 online tools
27 expert writers
cancer survivor advisory group
Designed for health care providers, cancer
survivors and employers
First Canadian website resource that links to
resources within Canada and the globe
Available in English and French
2018-2020: Awarded Leading Practice Award by
Health Standards Organization
Recognized as one of the top cancer survivorship
websites in the world (Bourdache, 2023)1
Bourdache, L.R., Ould Brahim, L., Wasserman, S. et al. Evaluation of quality, readability, suitability, and usefulness of online resources available to cancer
survivors. J Cancer Surviv 17, 544–555 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-022-01318-5

6. www.cancerandwork.ca
Understand Current
Abilities
Strategies and Work
Accommodations
Readiness to RTW
Reducing Stress at
work
Employment and
Vocational
Rehabilitation
Programs

7. Cancer and Work Interactive Tools
www.cancerandwork.ca

10. A comprehensive return
to work (RTW) program
for cancer survivors
➔ Navigation guide for all stakeholders involved in
the return to work of cancer survivors
➔ A multidisciplinary approach for all to
encourage collaboration between:
◆ Family physicians, oncologist, vocational
rehabilitation counselor, occupational and
physiotherapist, neuropsychologist, psychologist,
nurses, social worker, and more.
➔ Empowers survivors to self-manage
➔ Facilitates effective stakeholder communication
➔ Encourages strong survivor-workplace
connections
➔ Suggests resolution to unexpected challenges
that may arise during the RTW process

11. Cancer Survivors
Healthcare Provider Employers
iCanWork

12. iCanWork: Primary care provider course
eCourse: Supporting
Cancer Survivors
with Return to Work
https://elearning.ubccpd.ca/enrol/index.p
hp?id=411
Parkinson, Maureen. Maheu, Christine. Dolgoy, Naomi. Bernstein, Lori J. Hawley, Philippa. Cathy Clelland, Cathy. Shuel, Sian. Bates, Alan. Riley,
Colleen. Brown-Johnson, Anita Marie. Ginty, Alexandra. Hayward, Lauren. Simpson, John Steven A. (2022). Supporting cancer survivors' return to work.
Retrieved August, 2022, from https://elearning.ubccpd.ca/enrol/index.php?id=411

13. https://www.cano-
acio.ca/page/survivorship
manual
www.bloodcancercontin
uingeducation.ca
iCanWork module
Nurse Version

14. Step 1: Understand Factors that
Impact Work
Use the vocational rehabilitation model for
cancer survivors to assess the factors that can
impact work
(Parkinson & Maheu, 2016)

15. Step 2: Assess Function
Evaluated physical, psychological, cognitive
abilities that could affect work ability.
Utilize self report forms, medical assessments
obtain or advocate for professional
assessments.

16. Survivors
www.cancerandwork.ca

17. Physician’s guide to navigating
insurance forms and the
insurance process
Faith Hayman video
Available at: www.cancer
andwork.ca search: Faith
Hayman
https://www.cancerandwork.ca/healthcare-providers/returning-to-work-is-
communication-and-teamwork/communicating-with-insurance-providers/
Or from the e-course, google:
Supporting Cancer Survivors
with Return to Work:
https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=261-
supporting-cancer-survivors-return-to-work
https://youtu.be/IHcKUTnFEKM

18. Step 1: Say Yes or No to 21 potential cognitive
challenges at work.
Step 2: Rate level of Concern for each
questions answered yes
1 = Very low
2 = Low
3 = Moderate
4 = High
5 = Very high
www.cancerandwork.ca
Example of a cognitive challenge question

19. Assess cancer-related fatigue
levels and time period using
the Cancer and Work Fatigue
Tracking tool

21. Assess Function
www.cancerandwork.ca

22. Step 3: Understand job
demands
● Ask for a job analysis or job description from your
employer (if available) to determine the employer’s
expectations and share with your primary health care
provider
● Complete the job analysis on the Cancer and Work
website (see the tool section of www.cancerandwork.ca)
and share with your primary healthcare provider
• to assist in making informed decisions about when and how to
RTW and what accommodations may be necessary to ensure a
safe and successful RTW.

23. www.cancerandwork.ca
Areas assessed:
1.Physical Strength
2.Physical Demands
3.Temperaments
4.Psychological and
Cognitive Demands
5.Environmental
Conditions

24. Step 4: Identify and ask for
support
• Ask about medical, psychological and rehabilitation
treatment to improve your abilities and address your
challenges.
• Ask healthcare providers to refer to resources or
advocate for services in-house, within the
healthcare system, in the community or offered
privately.

25. Step 5: Take Control
• Seek out services for rehabilitation and
psychological support.
• Utilize online resources, written materials, and group
programs.
• Educate yourself on long-term disability.
• Advocate for yourself with healthcare and insurance
providers to access necessary support services for
returning to work.

26. Cancer Survivor Section
Each of the 23 symptoms
contain:
1. Description of the
symptom
2. Vocational
implications
3. What can you do
(self-management
options)
4. Job
accommodations
Survivors

27. Cancer’s impact on
work and strategies:
Survivors Section

28. Workplace Wellbeing Topics Include:
• Changing your job situation
• Change your unhelpful thoughts and feelings
• Unhelpful thought patterns
• Change unhelpful thoughts worksheet
• Change your reactions to work stress: Situation/
thought and feelings/Behavior.
Your Unhelpful Thoughts Summary
https://www.cancerandwork.ca
www.cancerandwork.ca
https://www.cancerandwork.ca/survivors/workplace-
wellbeing/

31. Long-term disability
• Qualification definitions vary (Any occupation/Own
occupation, Partial Disability)
• Rehabilitation plans vary by insurer and are not
standardized
• Work focused rehabilitation is more likely offered
earlier in the claims process
• Doctor's opinion is key, but specialist opinions may
be required
• Employees may need to fully participate in medical
treatments, rehab, and RTW planning
• Employment may continue for the duration of
disability insurance

32. Step 6: Identify and Foster
Workplace Support
• Request that medical professionals provide advance
notice of your return-to-work start date and necessary job
accommodations, if possible.
• Research the types of support, such as job
accommodations, that may be available at your
workplace.
• Maintain positive relationships with colleagues by staying
in contact with them and seeking their support.
• If you feel uncomfortable speaking to your employer or
colleagues, address your concerns in counseling or with
a trusted advisor.

34. Law, policy, and practice
information
Legal resources on human rights
CLAS: BC Human Rights clinic

35. Step 7: Assist in
Developing a RTW Plan
Seek guidance from your primary health care
provider on a graduated return-to-work plan,
which may include:
● a start and an end date for the RTW plan
● Re-assessment dates to evaluate progress
● Any medical restrictions or limitations
● Job accommodations that may be helpful
● Label it return-to-work “trial”

37. Step 8: Prepare for an
Imminent RTW
• Discuss symptom management strategies with your
healthcare provider, including ways to manage anxiety,
fatigue, sleep, pain, and nutrition to ensure you are
physically and mentally prepared for the return to work.
• Consider participating in work simulation activities (if
deemed safe by your healthcare provider) to help you
prepare for the physical and mental demands of your
job.
• Try out different job accommodation ideas to determine
what works best for you, and discuss these ideas with
your employer to ensure a smooth transition back to
work

38. Author: Kyla Johnson, Occupational Therapist, Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital
Fatigue
Sleep problems •Set up resting room, flexible hours
Pain
•Flexible hours to accommodate pain levels, schedule extra
breaks, allow working from home, modify tasks and reduce
physically demanding tasks
Nerve damage • Seek alternative tasks to reduce risk of injury
Lymphedema
• Seek mobility aid options, reduce heavy lifting tasks, stretch
2 mins every hour to encourage lymphatic flow
Hot flashes
• Ensure comfortable temperature using fans, provide access
to refrigerator to store cold packs
• Graduated RTW, modify work schedule, break demanding
tasks in smaller steps, switch tasks before becoming fatigue,
speech-recognition software, stand-lean chair.
•Flexible hours to accommodate pain levels, schedule extra
breaks, allow working from home, modify tasks and reduce
physically demanding tasks
•Set up resting room, flexible hours
• Seek alternative tasks to reduce risk of injury
• Seek mobility aid options, reduce heavy lifting tasks, stretch
2 mins every hour to encourage lymphatic flow
Accommodation ideas specific to common cancer
symptoms and treatment side effects

41. Step 9: Manage Work
Expectations
• Refer to medical guidance at work
• Seek counseling or learn about boundaries,
assertiveness, and conflict resolution if
needed
• Communicate with family members about
potential need for additional help at home
during your return to work

42. Step 10: Monitor the Work
Situation
• Schedule check-ins with primary care provider to
discuss progress
• Discuss symptom management and improving work
function
• Ask for rehabilitation support if needed
• Obtain updated medical notes for
employer/insurance if needed
• Schedule medical appointments at non-work hours
if possible

43. www.cancerandwork.ca
Changing Jobs and
Looking for Work

44. Job Search
● Improve job search skills
● Continue searching for
job opportunities even
after an interview
● Set aside dedicated time
for job searching and
reward yourself
afterwards

45. Career Exploration
● Take career assessments to understand
interests, aptitudes, strengths, and values.
● Consider past experiences, hobbies, and
passions for potential careers.
● Use online resources to research industries and
job opportunities.
● Network about jobs and industries
(informational interviews, events, career fairs
and social media)
● Gain experience through volunteering or
internships.

46. Networking
• 80% of jobs are not posted
• Get to the job first
• Determine if this job is a
match
• Foster job search mentors
• Develop a network
Questions:
1. Tell me about how your got
into the field?
2. Tell me about a typical day?
3. What do you like/dislike?
4. Given my skills and
experience what jobs do
you think I can do?
5. Who hires for such jobs?
6. Can your recommend
anyone I can contact?

47. Interview Preparation
● Embrace your strengths and unique skills
● Prepare an explanation for any gaps in
your work history and practice delivering
it
● Be truthful, but focus on positive aspects
● Disclose your disability only necessary for
accommodations
● Spin any disclosure in a positive light
● Remember that the work history question
is just one small part of the interview.

48. Thank you!
Maureen Parkinson, Vocational
Rehabilitation Counsellor, BC
Cancer mparkins@bccancer.bc.ca
Christine Maheu, RN, Ph.D. Nurse
Scientist, McGill University
christine.maheu@mcgill.ca

49. www.cancerandwork.ca
linkedin.com/company/cancer-and-work-
cancer-et-travail
facebook.com/cancerandwork
Twitter: @cancerandwork
Maureen Parkinson,
Provincial Vocational
Rehabilitation Counsellor
Co-director
Content Lead
Dr. Christine
Maheu, RN, Ph.D.
Associate
Professor
Co-director
Research Lead
christine.maheu@m
cgill.ca
linkedin.com/in/chris
Simon-Pierre
Dupuis
IT Director
Web Dev |
Strategies

50. Canadian Cancer Survivor Network
Contact Info
1750 Courtwood Crescent, Suite 210
Ottawa, ON K2C 2B5
Telephone / Téléphone : 613-898-1871
E-mail: jmanthorne@survivornet.ca or info@survivornet.ca
Website: www.survivornet.ca
Twitter: @survivornetca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CanadianSurvivorNet
Instagram: @survivornet_ca
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/survivornetwork/