Can cancer affect my ability to work?

Yes. Cancer and its treatment can change your ability to work, and this is common. The National Cancer Institute explains that having cancer may make it hard to do the physical and mental tasks of your job. You may miss time at work, or find that you cannot work at all for a period.

To give a sense of scale, one study found that working people who were getting cancer treatment missed about 22 more workdays a year than people who were not in treatment. People with cancer may also earn less income, change to part-time work, take extended leave, or have difficulty returning to work.

These effects are recognized and common — not a sign of weakness. If work is becoming difficult, it can help to talk with your care team about what to expect, and with your employer's human resources department about your options. A hospital social worker can also point you to support.