When you are diagnosed with cancer, you may wonder if you can keep doing your job well. You may worry that if you can’t perform you may be forced to quit. But there are often other ways of working available to you. Your employer may be able to help you to continue to work with flexible options, or you may decide to take leave and return to work later on.
 | Continue workingWith support from your employer, you can try flexible working arrangements or make workplace adjustments. |
 | Take time offYou may be able to use your paid leave entitlements, take unpaid time off, or claim on insurance. |
 | Return to workYou may be able to go back to your existing job straightaway. Or you may need to ease back into a full workload, with some workplace changes and a return to work plan (see Returning to work). You may want a new job due to changes in your abilities or priorities. |
 | Retire from workYou may decide that retirement is the right option for you. |
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Brooke Russell, Principal Occupational Therapist, WA Cancer Occupational Therapy, WA; Bianca Alessi, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Prunella Blinman, Medical Oncologist, Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; James Chirgwin, Physiotherapist, The Wesley Hospital, QLD; Danielle Curnoe, Consumer; Simon Gates, Barrister, Tasmanian Bar, TAS; Justin Hargreaves, Medical Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Bendigo Health Cancer Centre, VIC; Kaylene Jacques, Director, People and Communications, Cancer Council NSW; Alex Kelly, Senior People Attraction Advisor, Human Resources, Allianz Australia Insurance, NSW; Legal reviewer; Georgina Lohse, Social Worker, GV Health, VIC; Lesley McQuire, Consumer, Cancer Voices NSW.
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