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# JAN’S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES

**Job Accommodations for People**

**with Cancer**

Cancer is a group of many related diseases. All forms of cancer involve out-of-control growth of abnormal cells. Symptoms caused by cancer vary, but generalized symptoms and signs include unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, or lumps. Other signs and symptoms are relatively specific to a particular type of cancer.

Worldwide, there are over six million new cancer cases each year. The American Cancer Society predicts that about 33 percent of Americans will eventually develop some form of the disease. Many people with cancer will continue to work during and after treatment. The following is a quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be useful for employees with cancer. For a more in depth discussion, access JAN's publications at http://askjan.org/media/atoz.htm.  To discuss an accommodation situation with a consultant, contact JAN directly.

# Fatigue/Weakness:

· Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress

· Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation

· Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time

· Allow work from home

· Implement ergonomic workstation design

· Provide a scooter or other mobility aid if walking cannot be reduced

· Provide parking close to the work-site 

· Make sure materials and equipment are within reach range 

· Move workstation close to other work areas, office equipment, and break rooms

· Reduce noise with sound absorbent baffles/partitions, headsets, etc. 

· Provide alternate work space to reduce visual and auditory distractions

**Medical Treatment Allowances:**

· Provide flexible schedules and/or flexible leave

· Allow a self-paced workload with flexible hours

· Allow employee to work from home and/or provide part-time work schedules

# Respiratory Difficulties: 

· Provide adjustable ventilation and avoid temperature extremes

· Keep work environment free from dust, smoke, odor, and fumes 

· Implement a "fragrance-free" workplace policy and a “smoke free” building policy

· Use fan/air-conditioner or heater at the workstation

**Skin Irritations:**

· Avoid infectious agents and chemicals 

· Avoid invasive procedures 

· Provide protective clothing

# Stress: 

# · Develop strategies to deal with work problems before they arise 

# · Provide sensitivity training to coworkers 

# · Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others for support 

# · Provide information on counseling and employee assistance programs 

# Temperature Sensitivity:

· Modify work-site temperature or provide an office with separate temperature control

· Modify dress code and use fan/air-conditioner or heater at the workstation

· Allow work from home during extremely hot or cold weather 

# · Redirect air-conditioning and heating vents

**Resources Specifically for People with Cancer**

**American Cancer Society**

1599 Clifton Rd, NE 

Atlanta, GA 30329

Toll Free: (800)ACS-2345 or (866)228-4327

http://www.cancer.org

**Cancer Care, Inc.**

275 Seventh Ave.

New York, NY 10001

Toll Free: (800)813-HOPE

Direct: (212)712-8080

http://www.cancercare.org

**Cancer Information Service**

Building 31, Room 10A31

31 Center Drive, MSC 2580

Bethesda, MD 20892

Toll Free: (800) 4 CANCER or (800)422-6237

TTY: (800)332-8615

http://cis.nci.nih.gov/ 

**National Cancer Institute**

6116 Executive Boulevard

Bethesda, MD 20892-8322

Toll Free: (800)4CA-NCER

TTY: (800)332-8615

http://www.nci.nih.gov 

Updated 3/22/10. 

This document was developed by the Job Accommodation Network, funded by a contract agreement from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (DOL079RP20426). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Job Accommodations for People with Cancer

Fact Sheet Series