Working Through Cancer
- "Escape to the Country" TV star Jonnie Irwin, 49, revealed that his television contract was not renewed due to his cancer diagnosis, and he felt "hugely let down."
- Irwin was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, and he has also previously said that he felt compelled to continue working through cancer so he could pay his bills.
- Some cancer patients can continue to work during cancer treatment, while others may need to take some time away. Doctors recommend returning to work if possible, as it helps cancer patients regain a sense of normalcy.
- Cancer patients choosing to work but needing some accommodations on the job may be protected by the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
After famous TV presenter Jonnie Irwin, 49, began battling his aggressive lung cancer, he recently said, a network didn’t renew his contract. His journey sheds light on the realities cancer patients face as they receive treatment while also continuing to work.
"That hurt. That broke my heart. I feel hugely let down. I can't even watch the show now," the “Escape to the Country” star said in an interview with Hello! magazine.
Irwin claimed he "wanted to work" but his employer at the network felt differently.
"When I said, 'I can get you doctor notes and assurances from my oncologist that I am fit to work,' I was told, verbatim, 'Oh you really don't want to go down that route, do you?'," Irwin said.
Irwin told The Sun, he was paid for the rest of the season but his contract wasn't renewed.
Irwin's employer, Channel 4 and Freeform Productions in the U.K., said previously in a statement, "Jonnie has been a hugely important part of the 'A Place in the Sun' family for over 18 years and all of us were deeply saddened by his diagnosis," as reported by multiple news outlets including the Irish Post.
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Irwin's diagnosis emerged during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The production company claimed they were "unable to secure adequate insurance cover for him" as their reason for not renewing his contract.
After hearing his employer's decision, Irwin said he felt "really low."
Although Irwin was employed in the U.K., his situation still highlights an important aspect of the journey for cancer patients in the U.S.
Expert Resources on Lung Cancer
A Cancer Patient's Rights at Work
People who are facing cancer may be wondering how treatment could affect their job. It’s important to know that some accommodations can make working through cancer a little easier.
Some people with job problems related to cancer are protected by the Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act. Others may also benefit from the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a law that allows many people with serious illnesses to take unpaid leave to get medical care or manage their symptoms.
Your human resources department should be able to share with you your options.
In some situations, employers must accommodate a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the employer can show it would be an undue hardship to do so. This could mean making changes to work schedules, equipment, or policies.
On the other hand, employees are not expected to provide accommodations that cause "undue hardships" or "significant difficulty or expense," according to the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission.
Find out more about job accommodations and employment of people with limitations from the Job Accommodation Network. Your human resources department should also be able to share with you your options.
Laurie Ostacher, a behavioral health clinician, recommends cancer patients talk with their employer about accommodations they may need upon returning to work.
WATCH: Working during cancer.
"Patients need to let their employer know [they're] going to need some flexibility around that. Because there are going to be days when you're not as energetic or feeling as well as other days," Ostacher explained.
WATCH: Can my cancer get me fired?
Working Through Cancer
People who work in the oncology field doctors and social workers have told SurvivorNet that they recommend working during cancer treatment if you can.
"We always encourage people to continue to work if they can," Sarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center said.
"I think it creates a sense of normalcy for patients," Stapleton adds.
Not only does working provide a needed source of income, but it also reminds you that you have a life apart from cancer.
Stapleton highlights that if you can work, you'll be busy and may not be constantly worrying about how your treatment is going.
Additionally, sometimes cancer can make you feel isolated and lonely, and being around people for work can alleviate feelings of loneliness.
It's important to talk with your doctor before taking the big step of going back to work. Some people can continue to work during cancer treatment while others may need to take some time away. Remember, sometimes cancer treatment can cause fatigue, leaving you unable to fulfill your duties as you once could.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are battling cancer and are feeling open to working during treatment, consider the following questions for your doctor first.
- What's the current prognosis of my cancer?
- What are the potential side effects of my recommended treatment?
- Will the side effects affect my ability to travel to work, or will remote work be better for me?
- How long is my treatment expected to last?
- If I cannot return to work as normal, what financial resources are available while I take a leave of absence?
- Is a social worker or patient navigator available to help me work through my options?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.