Has Cancer Impacted You In The Workplace?

work after cancer

Have you changed careers or exited the workforce since your diagnosis?  Did you want to but were unable?

A new study is currently seeking participants to help uncover why 33% of working aged cancer survivors exit the workforce within 5 years of diagnosis and why others, who remained in the workforce, have changed careers. Although 89% of working‐aged cancer survivors are back in the workforce 2 years after their diagnosis, at the 5 year mark, only 67% of working‐aged cancer survivors remain in the workforce. This number does not account for those who have changed careers.

Our end goal is to develop best practices for employers so they may better assist their employees impacted by cancer both during and post‐treatment.

To participate in a short online survey, follow this link or call (406.994.6198) or email (Robyn.Chupka@montana.edu) for an electronic link.

Please feel free to contact Robyn with any questions or for more information.

Research Study Recruiting Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

childhood cancer late effects study

Are you a young adult survivor of childhood cancer?  Have you experienced any late effects?  Then this is the research study for you!

Researchers, Kristen Trost, BSW, MSS, Ph.D. candidate (older sibling of a childhood cancer patient and social worker) Dr. Benjamin, Dr. Haney (previous childhood cancer nurse) and Dr. Hoch, of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA are interested in understanding why survivors of childhood cancer chose to (or not to) participate in screening for late effects, either going to a specific late effects clinic or working with a primary care physician. We would like for 250 or more childhood cancer survivors who are between the ages of 18-29, who are at least 5 years post treatment to complete a 10 minute, anonymous, online, survey about what influences their decisions.

Survivors have the option to participate in a phone call to discuss in more detail their thoughts on late effects and screening. Responses from the online survey will not be linked to the responses from the phone interview. Survivors do not have to participate in late effects screening to participate in the survey as we want to hear from everyone. From the results of the study, we hope to get a better understanding of what influences a survivors decision to go or not to go to late effects clinics or screening appointments, and use that information to better serve the survivor.

Please click the link to give them your thoughts.

Advice From Cancer Moms

advice from cancer moms

Caregiving for a child with cancer is loaded with challenges.  It can be easy to feel alone and frustrated as you manage your child’s treatment and recovery schedule while keeping them in school and part of a “normal” life.  School, in particular, can present a difficult environment for the childhood cancer survivor.

Recently, Cancer Knowledge Network featured the voices of several Cancer Moms as they journeyed with the cancer survivor kids.  The parents quickly discovered all they had in common while helping support one another.

Check out the great article, here!

Parenting An AYA With Cancer Research Study

parent of a young adult cancer survivor

Are you the parent of an adolescent or young adult cancer survivor, aged 14-39 years?  Just like your young adult cancer survivor child, you have unique challenges and needs.  Learning the right balance between parenting and peer, support and allowing independence is difficult!  Researchers at Hunter College have developed a survey just for you!  Now you can help another parent of a young adult cancer survivor, just like you.

From the research team:

“Researchers at Hunter College have designed a survey to better understand the parents’ unique needs, concerns, and experiences in caring for a young adult child with cancer.  Their hope is that the information parents provide helps in developing programs to support other parents facing similar challenges.  Please share this survey with any parents you know that are currently or have cared for a YA child with cancer.”

To see the survey, go here!