Practical Concerns After Cancer Treatment

Cancer may have a long-lasting impact on many practical areas of your life, including your return to work after treatment. The resources listed below can help you address these issues as you navigate life after cancer.

Cancer care is one of the most expensive medical treatments in the United States. Cancer survivors commonly have financial problems long after active treatment ends, but resources that are available to help you manage life after cancer and financial concerns.

City of Hope will help you navigate your health insurance to determine what's covered after treatment ends. We offer information on how your health insurance may help you after cancer treatment for: 

• Patients treated in California 
• Patients treated in Arizona, Georgia and Illinois

Since many cancer patients stop working at some point during treatment, it may be challenging for survivors to return to the workforce following cancer treatment.

Your cancer history can’t be used against you in the workplace, and you don't have to tell potential employers about your medical history thanks to legal protections for cancer patients. The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees your right to health privacy and prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against employees or qualified job applicants based on disability, including cancer.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off for health reasons. Companies with at least 50 employees are required by law to provide this job protection. FMLA leave may be taken in small amounts, including hours or days. If you don’t use all of your FMLA benefits during cancer treatment, you might be able to use some after treatment for medical reasons.