I was diagnosed 7 years ago (stage 1, HER2- Estrogen+) at the age of 37. Mastectomy, chemo, 31 radiations and 8 surgeries later: During chemo, cancer spread to my mastectomy scar... Then I was told I was in remission. 1.5 years ago, I could not stop coughing so, after many doctor visits and finally taking the initiative myself to do blood tests, I found that the cancer returned – now stage 4, in lungs and bones. I’m currently on a trial medication called ribociclib and will be on it indefinitely.

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Some companies and business owners are understanding – for most corporates, not so much. Cancer is something you don’t understand unless you have been through it. Companies do not have cancer policies and, in South Africa, you only get 30 days’ sick leave for every 3 years worked. That can be depleted (as I know too well) very quickly. Then you have to take ‘annual’ leave and then any more time off comes off your salary –  that is, if you are still fit and able to work.

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Being on treatment is time-consuming and takes a physical toll. That means loads of time off work and when you are at work you may battle to function through tiredness, pain, anxiety, concentration etc. If you don’t have an understanding employer you may be let go, and cancer is a major financial stress because treatment is expensive, so you try your best to do your best so that you can remain employed and still pay the bills etc. It is a huge stress factor!

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Kindness and compassion go a long way. Companies SHOULD have cancer policies in place, especially since cancer is everywhere! I was very lucky 7 years ago to work for a company whose CEO had compassion and they even paid for counselling for me. We didn’t ask for cancer... But we do ask for understanding and fairness in light of the fact that we are fighting for our lives!

I was diagnosed 7 years ago (stage 1, HER2- Estrogen+) at the age of 37. Mastectomy, chemo, 31 radiations and 8 surgeries later: During chemo, cancer spread to my mastectomy scar... Then I was told I was in remission. 1.5 years ago, I could not stop coughing so, after many doctor visits and finally taking the initiative myself to do blood tests, I found that the cancer returned – now stage 4, in lungs and bones. I’m currently on a trial medication called ribociclib and will be on it indefinitely.

‍

Some companies and business owners are understanding – for most corporates, not so much. Cancer is something you don’t understand unless you have been through it. Companies do not have cancer policies and, in South Africa, you only get 30 days’ sick leave for every 3 years worked. That can be depleted (as I know too well) very quickly. Then you have to take ‘annual’ leave and then any more time off comes off your salary –  that is, if you are still fit and able to work.

‍

Being on treatment is time-consuming and takes a physical toll. That means loads of time off work and when you are at work you may battle to function through tiredness, pain, anxiety, concentration etc. If you don’t have an understanding employer you may be let go, and cancer is a major financial stress because treatment is expensive, so you try your best to do your best so that you can remain employed and still pay the bills etc. It is a huge stress factor!

‍

Kindness and compassion go a long way. Companies SHOULD have cancer policies in place, especially since cancer is everywhere! I was very lucky 7 years ago to work for a company whose CEO had compassion and they even paid for counselling for me. We didn’t ask for cancer... But we do ask for understanding and fairness in light of the fact that we are fighting for our lives!