For Shirley Mertz, continuing to work throughout the past 14 years as she battled breast cancer wasn’t only natural however conjointly vital to her well-being.

“After I used to be diagnosed with breast cancer, continuing to measure a traditional life was very necessary, and on behalf of me, traditional meant operating,” said Mertz, a former assistant superintendent for a public high school district in suburban Chicago, Ill., who is now 59 and a full-time breast cancer advocate. “I was fortunate enough to own a sympathetic employer and compassionate co-workers, but I had to look outside my workplace for the support and data I needed to deal with cancer. I never really considered that workplace resources may be an option.”

Mertz’s experience is echoed within the results of a national Harris Interactive survey of working girls diagnosed with cancer, that, astonishingly, found {that a} mere 1 p.c of them think about their company a source of information or support in dealing with their illness. Though they’re usually satisfied with interpersonal support and report a capability to balance the demands of their illness and their careers, many survey participants are in fact suffering treatment-related difficulties on the job, like fatigue, nausea and hair loss, however don’t seem to be finding help in workplace programs. The survey was initiated by Cosmetic Executive Girls Foundation’s (CEWF) Cancer and Careers program and supported by a grant from Roche.

Carlotta Jacobson, President of CEW, a number one trade organization in the beauty industry, says it’s essential for employers to find ways to anticipate and address the wants of their employees who have cancer.

“Our survey shows that, despite their stoic perspective, women with cancer usually struggle with physical, emotional and other issues in the workplace,” said Jacobson. “To handle their needs, we have a tendency to’ve developed the Cancer and Careers program, that includes free data, steerage and tools for each employees and their managers.”

Cancer and Careers is an on-line and offline resource for operating girls with cancer and their employers.

CEWF’s survey also revealed that ladies with cancer would like additional than simply workplace support to assist them address the challenges they face on the job. Nearly three-fourths of ladies surveyed expressed a desire for a less intrusive treatment to a operating lady’s lifestyle. Citing convenience and fewer aspect effects as rationale, 86 percent of girls said they would like an oral chemotherapy treatment to intravenous administration.

“As a result of I took an oral chemotherapy pill rather than visiting the clinic continuously for IV treatment, I missed fewer days of work and felt more like myself,” said Mertz. “I additionally did not have any hair loss, which helped me to take care of my self-esteem.”