23 Dec What to Know About Returning to Work After Cancer Treatment

December 23, 2025 ~ Finishing cancer treatment is a major milestone—but it can also bring new challenges. You might be ready to go back to work at your previous job, you may be thinking about moving to a new job, or you may need more time to recover. Everyone’s situation is different, and there’s no single path forward. If you are thinking about returning to your previous job, planning ahead can help make the transition smoother.

Talk With Your Health Care Team and Employer

Before returning to work, check in with your health care team. They can help you decide whether it’s safe to return, what kind of schedule may be best for your health, and if you need other types of adjustments at work.

You can also consider talking with your employer or human resources (HR) representative. You might want to explore options like:

• Working part-time or adjusting your schedule
• Working from home temporarily or long-term
• Taking short breaks as needed during the day

It may also help to let your employer know if you’ll need time for follow-up medical appointments. Being proactive about your needs can support a smoother return to work.

Deciding Whether to Share Your Diagnosis at Work

Sharing that you’ve been diagnosed with cancer is a personal decision. Some people prefer not to share any details, while others are more open. Either choice is valid. But what is important to know is that you have choices and there are legal protections around the privacy of your medical information.

If you’re unsure how much to share or how to talk with supervisors or coworkers, you can explore Triage Cancer’s free resources about communicating your cancer diagnosis.

Understanding Your Rights at Work

If you’re returning to work after cancer treatment, you may have legal protections that can help.

The federal Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with:

• Job-protected and health insurance-protected time off, which can be helpful for ongoing medical appointments or days that you are not feeling well

The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can provide eligible employees with:

• Protection from discrimination at work based on a medical condition
• Access to reasonable accommodations at work (see below)

Not everyone qualifies for these protections, and they may depend on your employer’s size, how long you’ve worked there, or your job duties.

To learn more about your rights and options, visit TriageCancer.org/Employment.

What Are Reasonable Accommodations?

If cancer treatment or its side effects make it harder to do your job, you may be able to request a reasonable accommodation. This is a change to your job or work environment that can help you keep working.

Examples of reasonable accommodations may include:

• A flexible or reduced work schedule
• Changes to your workspace or equipment
• Taking time off for medical appointments
• Working from home
• Reassigning certain job tasks

Employers are generally required to provide reasonable accommodations unless it causes them significant difficulty or expense.

For more information, see Triage Cancer’s Reasonable Accommodations Resources.

Know Your State’s Workplace Protections

In addition to federal laws, some states may offer extra protections for people diagnosed with serious medical conditions like cancer. These might include additional time off, stronger privacy protections, or broader rights to accommodations.

To find out what may be available in your state, visit Triage Cancer’s Chart of State Laws.

Need Help Navigating Work After Cancer?

Triage Cancer offers free education on the legal and practical issues that can come up after a cancer diagnosis—including returning to work. Visit TriageCancer.org/Employment for tools, webinars, and guides to help you make informed choices.