Cancer survivors face job, social challenges after recovery

Bhubaneswar: For many cancer survivors, getting cured of cancer after the final cycle of chemotherapy is not the end of struggle. It is the beginning of another difficult journey — returning to work, rebuilding confidence and convincing society that they are capable of living a normal life again.Ahead of National Cancer Survivors Day, observed on June 7, oncologists and survivors said cancer recovery is increasingly becoming not just a medical issue but also a social and economic one.Tanuja Behera, a 36-year-old from Ganjam who survived gastric cancer, said getting a job was harder for her than chemotherapy at times. “People looked at me with sympathy. Some assumed I would not be able to handle deadlines. I had to prove myself again,” she said.Like Tanuja, many survivors face interrupted careers, reduced income and mental stress long after treatment ends. Doctors say fatigue, fear of recurrence and workplace discrimination often push survivors out of jobs.“Cancer treatment may end in six months or a year, but surviving challenges continue for years. Many patients struggle to return to full-time employment because of physical weakness, anxiety or social stigma,” said Dr Ghanashyam Biswas, medical oncologist at a private hospital in the city.According to health experts, younger survivors are particularly affected as cancer disrupts their most productive years. Many are forced to exhaust savings during treatment, while some lose jobs due to prolonged absence.Swagatika Acharya, a cancer survivor who is now working for her fellow survivors, said a person like her faces difficulties getting work in any company or continuing in a job after recovering from cancer because many think that they cannot perform like a normal employee. “Actually, we can also perform like a perfectly healthy employee. Society should not judge us,” she added.She said govt can help cancer survivors get jobs by bringing a protocol or policy. “Govt, non-govt organisations, support groups and society should come together to help the cancer survivors live a dignified and hassle-free life after getting out of cancer,” she added.Hospitals across Odisha are witnessing a rise in survivors returning for counselling related to emotional health and rehabilitation rather than active treatment. Experts say workplace sensitivity and flexible employment policies can play a major role in helping survivors reintegrate into society.“Employers need to realise that cancer survivors are not weak employees. In many cases, they become more disciplined and emotionally resilient after recovery. Compassion is the best thing to give to society,” said clinical psychiatrist Dr Lagnajit Dash.