I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in November 2020. I'm currently stable on my drugs (palbociclib, letrazole and denosunub) and have been able so far to continue my self-employed work as normal.

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Although I can work 'normally', I do find that I get more tired than I used to. That means no more late-night working, or working over the weekend. Good news in many ways but, because I'm self-employed, I have to think really carefully about how I support my clients and meet my deadlines without pushing myself too hard. Like all employers, I need to make sure that I make adjustments for myself – that means thinking about everything from how much work I take on, to how I market myself, and ways that I can work smarter. I'm still going through that process at the moment – and I'm sure I'll need to review it again and again over time. The most difficult part, though, is thinking through long-term plans when I don't know how I'll be in 6 months, 2 years, or 10 years. There's a temptation to just tread water and stay in the same place because it works for me... But I'm not sure that's the right solution, either. But, for now, I'm glad I can continue to do what I do with minimal adjustment.

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I would love to help everyone at work better understand advanced breast cancer – those who have it, and their colleagues and their bosses. Until I was diagnosed, I had no idea about the huge amount of jargon, or different treatment journeys and experiences of people with advanced breast cancer. It would help everyone in the workplace to know and understand more, so that we can all work to our full potential, with adjustments where needed.

I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in November 2020. I'm currently stable on my drugs (palbociclib, letrazole and denosunub) and have been able so far to continue my self-employed work as normal.

‍

Although I can work 'normally', I do find that I get more tired than I used to. That means no more late-night working, or working over the weekend. Good news in many ways but, because I'm self-employed, I have to think really carefully about how I support my clients and meet my deadlines without pushing myself too hard. Like all employers, I need to make sure that I make adjustments for myself – that means thinking about everything from how much work I take on, to how I market myself, and ways that I can work smarter. I'm still going through that process at the moment – and I'm sure I'll need to review it again and again over time. The most difficult part, though, is thinking through long-term plans when I don't know how I'll be in 6 months, 2 years, or 10 years. There's a temptation to just tread water and stay in the same place because it works for me... But I'm not sure that's the right solution, either. But, for now, I'm glad I can continue to do what I do with minimal adjustment.

‍

I would love to help everyone at work better understand advanced breast cancer – those who have it, and their colleagues and their bosses. Until I was diagnosed, I had no idea about the huge amount of jargon, or different treatment journeys and experiences of people with advanced breast cancer. It would help everyone in the workplace to know and understand more, so that we can all work to our full potential, with adjustments where needed.