Understanding Workplace Issues and Cancer

All cancer treatments can cause side effects. It’s important that you report any side effects that you experience to your health care team so they can help you manage them. Report them right away—don’t wait for your next appointment. Doing so will improve your quality of life and allow you to stick with your treatment plan.

Some side effects may occur across treatment approaches. This section provides tips and guidance on how to manage these side effects should they occur.

Managing Digestive Tract Symptoms

Nausea and vomiting

• Avoid food with strong odors, as well as overly sweet, greasy, fried or highly seasoned food.
• Eat meals that are chilled, which often makes food more easily tolerated.
• Nibble on dry crackers or toast. These bland foods are easy on the stomach.
• Having something in your stomach when you take medication may help ease nausea.

Constipation

• As hydration is important to avoid constipation, make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Also, limit your intake of caffeine and alcoholic beverages, as they can cause dehydration.
• Include foods high in fiber in your daily diet, such as fruit (especially pears and prunes), vegetables and cereals. If your health care team approves, you may want to add synthetic fiber to your diet, such as Metamucil, Citrucel or FiberCon.
• Be as physically active as you can, after checking with your health care team on the level of physical activity that is right for you.
• If your doctor has prescribed a “bowel regimen,” make sure to follow it exactly.

Diarrhea

• Drink plenty of water. Ask your doctor about using drinks such as Gatorade which provide electrolytes. Electrolytes are body salts that must stay in balance for cells to work properly.
• Over-the-counter medicines such as loperamide (Imodium A-D and others) and prescription drugs are available for diarrhea but should be used only if necessary. If the diarrhea is bad enough that you need medicine, discuss it with your doctor or nurse.
• Choose fiber-dense foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, all of which help form stools.
• Avoid food high in refined sugar and those sweetened with sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and mannitol.

Managing Loss of Appetite

• Eating small meals throughout the day is an easy way to take in more protein and calories, which will help maintain your weight. Try to include protein in every meal.
• To keep from feeling full early, avoid liquids with meals or take only small sips (unless you need liquids to help swallow). Drink most of your liquids between meals.
• Keep high-calorie, high-protein snacks on hand such as hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, cheese, ice cream, granola bars, liquid nutritional supplements, puddings, nuts, canned tuna or trail mix.
• If you are struggling to maintain your appetite, talk to your health care team about whether appetite-building medication could be right for you.

Managing Fatigue

Fatigue (extreme tiredness not helped by sleep) is one of the most common side effects of many cancer treatments. Here are a few tips that may help reduce fatigue:

• Take several short naps or breaks during the day.
• Take short walks or do some light exercise, if possible.
• Try easier or shorter versions of the activities you enjoy.
• Ask your family or friends to help you with tasks you find difficult or tiring.
• Save your energy for things you find most important.

There are also prescription medications that may help. Your health care team can provide guidance on whether medication is the right approach for your individual circumstances.

Fatigue can be a symptom of other illnesses, such as anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis or depression. Be sure to ask your doctor if they think any of these conditions may be contributing to your fatigue.

It can also be beneficial to speak with an oncology social worker or oncology nurse to help manage your fatigue. These professionals can work with you to manage any emotional or practical concerns that may be causing symptoms and help you find ways to cope.

Managing Flu-Like Symptoms

The fever and aches that may occur with treatment can be managed with a combination of rest and medication. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) is often a doctor’s first choice to treat these symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also help, but should be taken only if recommended by your doctor, as they can cause other side effects. NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin and others) and naproxen (Naprelan, Midol, Aleve and others).

It may be helpful to keep a daily log (on paper or in a digital format) of any side effects that you experience. The log should include:

• The specific side effect
• The time the side effect occurred
• The activity you were engaged in when the side effect occurred
• How strongly you were affected, on a scale of 1 to 10
• Any relief measure you might have taken and its effectiveness

This log will make it easier to share information with your health care team. Together, you can find effective strategies to manage these side effects.

As you manage your cancer, it’s important to remember that you are a consumer of health care. The best way to make decisions about health care is to educate yourself about your diagnosis and get to know the members of your health care team, including doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, dietitians, social workers and patient navigators.

Here are some tips for improving communication with your health care team:

Start a health care journal. Having a health care journal or notebook will allow you to keep all of your health information in one place. You may want to write down the names and contact information of the members of your health care team, as well as any questions for your doctor.

Prepare a list of questions. Before your next medical appointment, write down your questions and concerns. Because your doctor may have limited time, ask your most important questions first and be as specific as possible.

Bring someone with you to your appointments. Even if you have a journal and a prepared list of questions or concerns, it’s always helpful to have support when you go to your appointments. They may also think of questions to ask your doctor or remember details about your symptoms or treatment that you may have forgotten.

Write down your doctor’s answers. Taking notes will help you remember your doctor’s responses, advice and instructions. If you have a mobile device, ask if you can use it to take notes or record the discussion, which will help you review the information later.

Q: I am unable to work. What are my options for health insurance?

A: If you are unable to work due to your cancer diagnosis and/or treatment, there is help. Options for health insurance include:

• Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare is a government-provided health care plan for people 65 and older and those who have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for a minimum period of two years. Medicaid provides health care services for people whose income falls under a certain level. Contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at 877-267-2323 or visit www.cms.hhs.gov to find out whether you are eligible for either of these programs.

• COBRA. If you have left a job recently and were covered by an employer’s health insurance, you may be able to continue your coverage under COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). This law requires employers to make health insurance coverage available through their plan to former employees for a minimum of 18 months after employment has ended. Beneficiaries are required to pay the premiums plus an additional administrative fee. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor website (www.dol.gov) to learn if you are eligible.

• Social Security. Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income may be able to help with the cost of health insurance and other living expenses. For eligibility requirements, call 800-772-1213 or visit www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/.

On a related note: Unemployment Insurance may be an option if you lose your job. Typically, however, you must be well enough to work to qualify for unemployment insurance. Speak to your human resources office regarding health insurance options as well as short-term and long-term disability options, if any.

Q: Are there any specific discussions I should be having with my health care team about my work or my workplace?

A: In addition to the general guidance provided for improving communication with your health care team, here are specific tips related to your workplace.

• Let your doctor know if work is a priority for you throughout treatment.
• Describe your work hours and what your job entails. It’s also important to include any unique workplace circumstances that may cause difficulty for you during treatment.
• Ask your health care team what to expect during treatment and how treatment may affect your job performance.
• Be prepared for treatment side effects and ask your doctor how you can best manage side effects, both during and after work hours.
• Ask about the best time to schedule treatment or take any medications to minimize side effects during your work hours.
• Ask about treatment options that might make it easier for you to continue working.

Q: What is a treatment summary and why is it important?

A: Keeping your own records up-to-date in the form of a treatment summary can be helpful, as it allows you and your family members to have instant access to the specifics of your cancer diagnosis and treatment. A treatment summary should include:

• Your name and date of birth
• Date of diagnosis
• Prescribed therapy/therapies, including dates started and stopped and dosages when appropriate
• Dates and types of baseline and post-diagnosis testing and the results of these tests
• Other medications and supplements you are taking
• Names, affiliations and contact information of all members of your health care team

Ask the members of your health care team what they suggest be included. Take your personal record with you when you visit any doctor, not just your oncologist.