Cancer patients 'unaware of rights'
5 August 2008
Breast Cancer Care has found some 61 per cent of breast
cancer patients are not clear about the changes to their employment
rights after their diagnosis.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), all cancer
sufferers are protected from prejudice in the workplace.
According to the charity's research, it is not just patients who
are unaware of the implications of diagnosis for employees - while
80 per cent of employers know of the DDA, only 20 per cent are
clear it extends to cancer sufferers.
Samia al Qadhi, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Care,
commented: "When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer they [do
not need] added worries over the amount of time they may need to
take off work, loss of earnings and concerns regarding job
security."
Of those questioned, only 19 per cent had regular meetings with
managers to discuss the effects of treatment and 20 per cent said
they had access to an HR or occupational health officer during
treatment.
Last week, Breast Cancer Care also highlighted that women living
in cities have a greater risk of developing cancer because of
lifestyle reasons.
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