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Support Services

Cancer, work and you

Information for employers and employees when someone at work is affected by cancer

Cancer, work and you

Many cancer patients continue to work during their treatment and recovery, just as many people caring for someone with cancer are also holding down jobs. Often colleagues don't know what to say or how to help.

Cancer Council provides support and resources helping to make attending work or returning to work easier for patients, carers and survivors, their employers and colleagues.

A number of our booklets are now available as ebooks, making them easy to download and view on an ebook reader, mobile device or computer.

Click on one of the following categories to access our publications online or to download booklets and fact sheets.

To access Cancer Council ebooks:

PC: Download a stand-alone ebook reader or install a browser add-on.
Mac: Use the iBooks app installed.

If you don't have an ebook reader, Wikipedia has an extensive list of open-source and paid ebook readers here.



Information for employees

Cancer, work and you

Provides practical information for employees, including those self-employed, with cancer. It also contains information for working carers. 

Cancer care and your rights

Outlines what you can expect of your treatment team and the healthcare system, including information on health insurance and workplace rights.

Cancer and your finances

Helps you to understand how to manage your finances after a cancer diagnosis.

Caring for someone with cancer

Offers support and practical tips to help balance the demands of caring for someone with cancer and looking after your own needs.

Cancer in the school community

A guide for school staff who would like to support students, families and colleagues affected by cancer.


Information for employers

Cancer Council has developed a series of fact sheets designed to help human resource managers provide a supportive work environment for employees with cancer and working carers.

Cancer: an overview

Provides a snapshot of the incidence of cancer in Australia.

Cancer myths and facts

Provides information on some of the common misconceptions about cancer and cancer treatment.

Talking to your employee about cancer

Some suggestions about how to approach the initial conversation with an employee with cancer.

Managing the effects of treatment

Provides information on the most common types of cancer treatment and how to manage side effects that can impact an employee's work.

Creating cancer-friendly workplaces

Aims to provide a starting point to create a supportive work environment for people affected by cancer. 

Supporting a colleague with cancer

Produced to help co-workers who want to be supportive but are unsure of what to say or do. 

Supporting working carers

Provides suggestions to make it easier for a working carer to manage his or her situation. 

Death and bereavement

Provides a starting point for employers dealing with death and grieving among their employees.

Where to find more information and support

Cancer Council offers a range of services for people with cancer as well as family, friends and colleagues.

How you can help us

Shows many simple ways that your workplace can help Cancer Council in our efforts to beat cancer.


Explore all support servicesÂ