If you are employed at the time of your breast cancer diagnosis, you will need to consider:

• your employment arrangements
• your financial situation
• if you want to continue working or take time off
• how your diagnosis and treatments may affect you emotionally and physically.

Useful information

For further information, the following resources are available:

• Download BCNA's fact sheet Legal rights and responsibilities for employees about workplace rights and responsibilities following a diagnosis of breast cancer.
• For information about discrimination because of your cancer contact the Australian Human Rights Commission on 1300 656 419.
• For free over-the-phone legal advice and means and merit tested legal assistance and representation contact Legal Aid.
• For information on dealing with finances and debt contact the National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 or visit National Debt Helpline.
• For free financial counselling visit MoneySmart.
• For free financial counselling for those living in rural areas visit Rural Financial Counselling Service.
• For assistance with a functional assessment at work or a rehabilitation plan, contact Occupational Therapy Australia.
• Visit Cancer Council for more information about employees, employers and workplaces dealing with cancer.
• See Flinders University's Work after Cancer for information on working during and after cancer diagnosis.