Work, money and practical matters

Practical help after a cancer diagnosis: telling your employer, time off and benefits, fertility preservation before treatment, getting to appointments, and keeping paperwork in order.

6 min read · last reviewed September 30, 2026

A cancer diagnosis brings a lot of practical questions. Can I keep working? How will we pay the bills? How do I get to all these appointments? These worries are real, and they can feel as heavy as the medical ones.

The good news is that help exists, and you don't have to sort it all out alone. Many cancer centres have social workers or navigators whose job is to help with exactly these things. Ask to meet one early.

Fertility: ask early

Some cancer treatments, including some chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and surgery, can affect your ability to have children later. This is one of the few decisions that is best made before treatment starts.

• Ask your team right away, ideally before your first treatment: "Could my treatment affect my fertility?"
• Ask for a referral to a fertility specialist if you might want children, or if you're not sure. Cancer guidelines recommend this conversation happen at diagnosis.
• Options exist. Depending on your situation, these may include freezing sperm, eggs or embryos, or other methods. Some can be done quickly, so treatment is not usually delayed for long. Ask your team whether any delay is safe for you.
• Ask about birth control. Many treatments can harm a developing baby. Ask what birth control is safe during treatment.
• Ask about costs. Fertility preservation may or may not be covered. Some programs and charities can help.

Even if it feels like too much to think about right now, a quick conversation can protect choices for your future self.

Telling work

You decide whether to tell your employer, when, and how much. You may not need to share details of your diagnosis. But telling your employer can make it easier to get time off or changes to your job.

• Think about what you need: time off for treatment, a lighter workload, flexible hours, working from home, or rest breaks.
• Talk to your manager or human resources when you feel ready. Keep a note of what was agreed.
• Ask your team for a letter explaining what you can and can't do, without extra details you don't want to share.

Your rights at work. In many places, the law protects people with cancer from being treated unfairly at work, and employers may need to make reasonable changes to help you keep working.

• In Canada, human rights laws require employers to accommodate people with medical conditions, up to a point.
• In the U.S., the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may require reasonable changes at work, and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may give eligible workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave a year.

Rules differ by province, state and employer. A social worker, union representative or legal clinic can help.

Money and benefits

Cancer can bring extra costs and lower income. Help may include:

• Sick leave or disability insurance through your job. Check your workplace benefits.
• Government benefits. In Canada, Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits can give eligible workers partial income for up to 26 weeks while they can't work, with a medical certificate. EI caregiving benefits may help family members who take time off to care for you. In the U.S., ask a social worker about disability, insurance and state programs.
• Medicine costs. Ask your pharmacist or social worker about drug coverage programs and patient support programs.
• Tax credits for medical expenses, travel for treatment, or disability. Keep receipts.
• Help from charities with costs like travel, parking, wigs or housing near treatment.

Something you can do this week: Ask your cancer centre for a social worker, and bring your questions about money and work.

Getting to appointments

Treatment can mean many trips to hospital. You may not be able to drive yourself after some treatments.

• Ask about help with rides. In Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society runs volunteer driving and travel support in some areas (call 1-888-939-3333). In the U.S., the American Cancer Society's Road To Recovery program offers free rides in some areas (call 1-800-227-2345).
• Ask about parking passes, which some hospitals offer at a lower cost.
• If you live far away, ask about travel grants and lodging near the cancer centre.
• Make a ride schedule. Friends and family often want to help. A shared calendar makes it easy.

Paperwork and planning

A little organization can make a big difference.

• Keep one folder (paper or digital) for appointments, test results, medicine lists, insurance forms and receipts.
• Keep a list of your team with names and phone numbers.
• Name someone to speak for you. It's wise for every adult to choose a person who can make health decisions if they can't. In Canada this may be called a substitute decision-maker or power of attorney for personal care. In the U.S. it may be a health care proxy. The names vary by where you live.
• Talk about your wishes. This is called advance care planning. It isn't about giving up. It helps your family and team know what matters to you.
• Check other documents, such as a will and power of attorney for finances, when you feel ready.

Other practical things

• Children and pets. Line up backup help for school pickups, childcare and pet care on treatment days.
• Driving. Some treatments and medicines make it unsafe to drive. Ask your team.
• Travel. Check with your team before booking trips, and get travel insurance advice.
• Household help. Accept offers of meals, cleaning and errands. People often want a specific job.

Questions to ask your care team

• Could my treatment affect my fertility? Can I see a fertility specialist before I start?
• Can I keep working during treatment? Can you write a letter for my employer?
• Is there a social worker who can help with money, benefits and paperwork?
• Is help available for rides, parking or travel costs?
• Is it safe for me to drive after treatment?
• How do I name someone to make health decisions for me if needed?

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your health care team about your own situation. In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

General information, not medical advice. It does not replace your own care team. If you think you or someone else is having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 (Canada and the US).

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