6 February 2026
In this modern life, many challenges fall on us and for many people, the emotional toll that comes with a cancer diagnosis is just as heavy as the physical one. According to research, those who suffer from cancer experience depression, yet it often goes unseen at work. Treatment schedules, side effects and recovery don’t pause during the workday. When emotional support is missing, even familiar tasks can feel overwhelming.
Work can either add to the strain or become a source of stability. When employers recognize the emotional realities of cancer and respond with compassion, they foster empathy, helping employees feel understood and supported during uncertain times. Many employees don’t ask for help due to stigma, concerns about job security, or a fear of burdening others. That silence doesn’t reduce the need for support. It just makes it harder to reach. Here are ways employers can help:
Care for mental and physical health
Cancer affects both the body and the mind, yet mental health care is often separate from medical treatment. Without coordinated care, employees are left to navigate complex systems when their capacity and energy are already stretched thin. Caregivers should be included here as well. They often shoulder significant emotional strain and connecting them to mental health support helps sustain both the employee and broader team.
Reach your employees
Treatment side effects, fatigue, cancer and depression symptoms don’t follow a predictable schedule. Needs can shift from week to week, or even day to day. Flexible hours, remote options, and gradual return-to-work plans help employees stay connected without pushing beyond their limits. It’s essential to communicate these support options clearly and regularly, framing flexibility as support, not diminished commitment, so employees feel safe using it.
Adapt to change
Needs change over time. What helps during treatment may not be enough during remission or long-term survivorship. Employers can stay responsive by listening to employee experiences, survey feedback and patterns in benefits use—and by regularly reviewing and adjusting support strategies accordingly. This signals that care is ongoing, not a one-time-only event.
Extend support
The end of treatment is often assumed to be a return to normal. For many, it’s one of the most vulnerable times. Depression after cancer usually peaks when appointments slow down, but fear, fatigue and uncertainty can linger or intensify. Post-cancer depression support helps employees regain stability and confidence as they navigate life beyond treatment, emphasizing the employer’s role in their ongoing recovery and well-being.
When employers acknowledge both the physical and emotional realities of cancer, employees feel steadier and less alone. Coordinated, compassionate support helps teams stay connected and allows work to become a source of structure and care, not added strain. No one should have to carry cancer and depression alone at work.
UASA encourages employers to remember employees’ struggles when facing health challenges. The workplace is a second home to many and employees should feel safe. UASA is a partner of Lyra Health, a professional organisation that provides employees with professional health services throughout various life stages. UASA encourages organisations to prioritise their employees’ wellness, ensuring they receive efficient support to help them overcome health challenges that may affect their livelihood. Offering employees assistance, such as counselling, to help them manage the health challenges they will be facing, goes a long way.
Ref: www.lyrahealth.co.za www.uasa.org.za