New report on job return from the European Commission

People who have had cancer still face stigma and lack of support in their efforts to return to work after treatment, according to a new report from the European Commission.

Stella Kyriakides, the EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, responded to the report by calling for an end to “the stigma that may affect persons touched by this disease" and emphasising the need to "protect the right to return to work, to stay employed and ensure there is no discrimination”.

The new document maps good practices in the EU that help cancer patients remain in and return to work, but also identifies key challenges.

It identifies a lack of dedicated national legislative frameworks for job retention and reintegration for cancer patients in many countries. And it highlights a variety of barriers – including the fact that cancer remains stigmatised. “Certain employers and colleagues may find it difficult to understand that it is possible to work with cancer,” it says.

Other key challenges identified include a lack of support for work reintegration, lack of flexible working arrangements and workplace accommodations. “In spite of these obstacles, financial challenges may cause people to return to work earlier than they would wish or before they are physically or mentally ready,” says report.

Stella Kyriakides pointed out that improving quality of life was one of the key action areas of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. “We will now analyse the results and encourage stakeholders to engage in discussions on how to turn the challenges of today into opportunities for tomorrow.”