Cancer sufferers are struggling at work, according to a poll carried out by Macmillan Cancer Support.
Almost six out of 10 (57%) of the 1,000 current or former cancer sufferers polled by the charity had been forced to stop work or study, change their role or cut their hours, the Press Association has reported.
Seven out of 10 respondents saw a drop in income, with an average 50% decrease in earnings. Just 20% had been warned of the potential impact of the disease on their career.
Macmillan Cancer Support is calling on the government to give more help to cancer sufferers.
Chief executive Ciaran Devane said: “Every year in the UK, 106,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer, with many having to juggle jobs, treatment and the long-term effects of the disease.
“Every political party must ensure that all working-age cancer patients are offered return-to-work support as part of a complete after-care programme designed to help them manage the long-term effects of treatment and get their life back to normal.”
