Work and radiotherapy

You may need to take time off work during your treatment and for a while afterwards. It can be hard to judge the best time to go back to work and your decision if and when to go back is likely to depend mainly on the type of work you do, and how much your income is affected. It is important to do what is right for you.

Getting back into your normal routine can be very helpful and you may want to go back to work as soon as possible. Many people find that going back to work as soon as they feel strong enough gives them a chance to forget their worries, as they become involved with their job and colleagues again. It can be helpful to talk to your employer about the situation – it may be possible for you to work part-time or job share.

On the other hand it can take a long time to recover fully from treatment for cancer, and it may be many months before you feel ready to return to work. It is important not to feel pressurised into taking on too much, too soon. Your consultant, GP or specialist nurse can help you decide when and if you should go back to work. If you have a disability caused by the cancer, your employer can get specialist help to enable you to work.

For further information, see our sections on work and cancer|, which includes details of benefits and financial help.