Earlier this month Pfizer released the findings of study conducted in collaboration with Cancer and Careers, Supporting Workplace Conversations. The findings shed light on breast cancer in the workplace from the perspective of working women with the disease, employers and healthcare professionals. This was the first survey to take a comprehensive look at the perspectives of women working with breast cancer, healthcare professionals and employers on the topic of breast cancer and the workplace.

Our Chief Mission Officer, Rebecca Nellis, explains the significance of the findings in the press release:

“'These findings suggest a need for improved alignment between patient needs and support from employers and healthcare professionals, who play a central role in helping women with breast cancer thrive in the workplace,' said Rebecca Nellis, Chief Mission Officer, Cancer and Careers. 'The intentions of both healthcare professionals and employers are positive; however, the conversations do not seem to be taking place at the level of detail that may be most productive to women with breast cancer.'”

Additional findings from the survey include:

• Women with breast cancer – including those with metastatic disease, the most advanced stage of breast cancer – want to work for both financial and emotional reasons
• Despite their desire to work, women with breast cancer feel their disease negatively impacts their work life
• There is a disparity between the supportive measures and benefits employers report they provide and what women with breast cancer report are available; this difference in perspective may be due to a lack of communication
• Opportunities exist for healthcare professionals to increase support for women who are working during breast cancer treatment

For the full press release, click here.

To learn more about the issues surrounding working people with all types cancer, visit our Newsfeed!