A study conducted by Penn State University, published recently in the Journal of Applied Psychology by the American Psychological Association, focused on retail employers and compared two groups of job applicants, those who were ostensibly not cancer survivors, and those who indicated on their resumes that they were cancer survivors. 

Applicants disclosing cancer received fewer callbacks from managers than the applicants who did not disclose a history of cancer. Researchers concluded that although diversity efforts have generally increased over the last decade, health characteristics have the tendency to be excluded in diversity programs.

Additional findings indicated that workers with a history of cancer were rated higher in "warmth" than in competency. Lead researcher and assistant professor of hospitality management at Penn State, Larry Martinez, states "managers and employees should be mindful of the fact that although societal attitudes toward cancer survivors are generally quite positive, with people often viewing them as champions...we nonetheless might perceive them as being less desirable employees simply because of their history with cancer."

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