Your questions answered

If you’re worried about cancer

If you are worried about unexplained changes to your body, such as the sudden appearance of a lump, blood in your urine or a change to your usual bowel habits, then you should contact your GP surgery as soon as possible.

These symptoms are often caused by other relatively minor illnesses, but it’s vital to get it checked out as soon as possible and to put your mind at rest.

You may be referred to cancer services at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust who will make sure you get the tests you need and discuss any care and treatment options. It’s really important you keep your appointment, which could be by phone, video consultation or in person.

If you are diagnosed with some cancers, such as breast, colorectal, prostate or a haematological cancer, then you may be referred to the Macmillan Next Steps Cancer Rehabilitation team at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. They provide services and courses aimed to help support those affected by cancer.

We are very fortunate in Gloucestershire to have a wide range of local charity, community and business organisations that offer support to people affected by cancer (patients and their loved ones).  

Please contact the FOCUS Support and Information Centre or Macmillan Information Hub for more information:

• FOCUS Support and Information Centre
• Macmillan Information Hub

Here are some links offering a range of information about cancer.

• Cancer Research UK
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• NHS website

Legislation in the Workplace – your rights as an employee

Anyone that has a cancer diagnosis is automatically covered under the Equality Act 2010 which means that they are considered disabled (whether this is how they see themselves or not) meaning they would be protected against any disability discrimination. Under this legislation employers must make reasonable adjustments for their staff when required. 

• Definition of disability 
• Reasonable adjustments at work
• Supporting disabled people at work 
• Disability discrimination 
• Accessibility at work
• If you have been discriminated against at work
• Booklet – Your rights at work when you are affected by cancer 

Flexible Working guidance 

• Flexible Working – GOV.UK
• Further information on flexible working 

I’m Self employed, what guidance will help me? 

• Support for the self employed
• Booklet – Self Employment and Cancer 

Financial Support and Benefits 

• Help with the cost of living and cancer
• Financial support to help you stay in work - Access to Work
• State benefits if you have a health condition

Reasonable Adjustments 

Audiobooks and Podcasts around Work & Cancer

• Macmillian Audiobook – Work & Cancer 
• Talking cancer podcast - Series 1, Episode 5: Work and Cancer
• In this podcast, Macmillan Next Steps' therapies assistant practitioner Katie Clive talks to Lisa about her experience of returning to work during and following cancer treatment: Returning to work after cancer

Letting work colleagues know about a cancer diagnosis 

Looking for a new direction for your working life?  

• Find out what careers might be right for you: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/skills-assessment 
• Finding a new job during or after cancer

Other helpful resources

• Citizens Advice 

Welcoming and supporting people back into the workplace 

 Advice for employers

• Preventing discrimination 
• Booklet – 10 top tips for line managers 
• Booklet – Managing cancer in the workplace
• Information for employers
• Audiobook - Talking with someone who has cancer
• Macmillan at Work - training and support for employers
• Consider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training for all staff

Guidance for Small businesses

• Support for small business owners 

Other helpful resources

• Citizens Advice 

You are a valuable asset to your employer who will want to support you to stay in work.  Have a conversation with your employer to understand how to balance employed work with your caring role. 

•  Have regular conversations; be clear about what help you need from your employer for your physical and emotional wellbeing to stay working
• Ask if there are policies or guidance in your business/organisation to support time off (paid/unpaid) for carer responsibilities during cancer treatments
•  Ask if a flexible working pattern (short or long term) is available to enable you to support at appointments and through treatment
• What is arrangement to have time off at short notice for your carer role?   

Other guidance for working carers can be found here:  

Macmillan support for working carers: Working while caring for someone with cancer

Macmillan support line 0808 808 00 00 

Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust has a wealth of information to support carers: Information for carers

There is a Gloucestershire Hospitals Carers Liaison Officer.  You can contact them by calling the Gloucestershire Carers Hub on 0300 111 9000 or by email at carers@peopleplus.co.uk.