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.

“Once I used to be diagnosed with breast cancer, continuing to live a traditional life was very vital, and on behalf of me, traditional meant operating,” said Mertz, a former assistant superintendent for a public high faculty district in suburban Chicago, Ill., who is currently 59 and a full-time breast cancer advocate. “I used to be lucky enough to possess a sympathetic employer and compassionate co-workers, however I had to seem outside my office for the support and information I needed to cope with cancer. I never extremely thought-about that workplace resources might be an option.”

Mertz’s experience is echoed within the results of a national Harris Interactive survey of working women diagnosed with cancer, that, astonishingly, found {that a} mere one % of them consider their company a supply of information or support in handling their illness. Though they’re typically satisfied with interpersonal support and report an ability to balance the strain of their illness and their careers, many survey participants are of course suffering treatment-related difficulties on the work, like fatigue, nausea and hair loss, however aren’t finding help in workplace programs. The survey was initiated by Cosmetic Govt Ladies Foundation’s (CEWF) Cancer and Careers program and supported by a grant from Roche.

Carlotta Jacobson, President of CEW, a leading trade organization in the sweetness trade, says it’s essential for employers to find ways in which to anticipate and address the requirements of their workers who have cancer.

“Our survey shows that, despite their stoic perspective, girls with cancer usually struggle with physical, emotional and different issues in the workplace,” said Jacobson. “To handle their wants, we have a tendency to’ve developed the Cancer and Careers program, that includes free information, steering and tools for each workers and their managers.”

Cancer and Careers is an online and offline resource for working women with cancer and their employers.

CEWF’s survey additionally revealed that women with cancer want more than just workplace support to help them address the challenges they face on the job. Nearly three-fourths of women surveyed expressed a need for a less intrusive treatment to a working lady’s lifestyle. Citing convenience and fewer side effects as rationale, 86 percent of women said they would favor an oral chemotherapy treatment to intravenous administration.

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