Study, university and work

The law says cancer is a disability. So, you must be treated fairly at work and in education. That’s still true when you're in remission.

You don't have to tell anyone at work, college or university about your medical history. But if you do, they may have to make “reasonable adjustments” to help you do your job or learn.

In the video below, four young adults talk about how blood cancer affected their work and academic life:

As a student with blood cancer, you should have the same chance of doing well on your course as anyone else.

Your college or university may have a disability service that can help keep your learning on track. You might be able to find their details on the college or university website, or you can always ask a tutor.

You may be given a disability adviser who’ll ask you what makes studying difficult for you and what would help. The disability adviser will also ask you for evidence of your condition – they’ll tell you what you need to provide.

You can find out more about what kind of support you might be entitled to, including extra money and reasonable adjustments, below.

If you’re studying for a bachelors (BA or BSc) or post-grad degree at university, you may be eligible to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). This could give you money for any extra support or equipment you need if blood cancer has affected your ability to study. Your university’s disability service can help you apply.

After talking through your needs with you, a disability adviser can write something called a support agreement to share with your tutors. This will explain what help you need but may not say what your condition is if you don’t want it to. You can tell your tutors about your experience with blood cancer if you feel comfortable about it.

As a student with blood cancer, you might have more difficulties than other people because of the effects of the cancer or your treatment. For example, you might have fatigue (extreme tiredness), memory or concentration problems, or simply need to go to lots of medical appointments.

To help with these things, you have the right to ask for “reasonable adjustments”.

Examples of adjustments, depending on your personal situation, might be:

• more time for assignments if you have fatigue or other side effects
• timetable planning to help with fatigue or to avoid crowded places
• permission to record lectures and classes
• more flexibility about your attendance to allow for medical appointments
• catch-up sessions if you miss lectures
• use of a room on campus if you need rest breaks
• support from staff if you need to take time out from your studies
• a parking space on campus.

Many colleges and universities use a hybrid learning model and provide some learning online. Online learning might suit you better at times, if you're fatigued or at risk of infection.

Student Space has advice on online learning and lots of other resources to support students.

If you’re diagnosed with blood cancer while you’re at school, it can be really helpful to talk to your school about how they can support you with your studies.

Think about how you feel physically and mentally and get advice from your hospital team about how your treatment might affect you. Your next step could then be to talk to someone at school about what you need to carry on studying – perhaps your form teacher or head of year first.

For example, you might need to start school later or finish earlier to cope with feeling really tired when you’re on treatment. You might want support to study at home some of the time. You could also ask if it’s possible to attend some classes virtually.

Find out more

• Teenage Cancer Trust has information about going back to school after cancer treatment.
• Young Lives vs Cancer has information about cancer and education.

If you need to stay in hospital for treatment, talk to your nurses, social worker or youth worker about getting help to carry on with your school work and exams.

Some hospitals that specialise in treating children and young adults have hospital schools. So there will be teachers on site to help you. They can work with your regular school to help you keep up.

You may not feel like someone with a disability, but cancer is a disability in law. This means you’re protected against discrimination, whether you are already in a job or applying for one.

At any time, you can ask your employer for reasonable adjustments – changes to the workplace or the way you work that will help you do your job. As things can change, it’s a good idea to review these regularly with your managers.

What you agree with your workplace will depend on you and your individual needs, but here are some examples of common adjustments:

• taking time off for medical appointments or counselling
• cutting your working hours
• working flexibly or job-sharing
• changing your work routine to suit the times when you feel at your best
• taking more breaks
• limiting work that’s physically demanding or likely to make you tired
• getting a parking space close to work.

Have a think about what you find difficult about your job and what would make things easier. Employers find it helpful if you offer possible solutions to any problems you might face.

Being diagnosed with blood cancer is a huge adjustment, and it can also be hard to 'get back to normal' again, whatever that looks like for you. Here are some things that might help get your life back on track:

These organisations give advice about getting a job:

• The Mix has advice for under 25s about job hunting
• The National Careers Service has information about getting a job with a disability (which includes cancer.)

If you’re not working or you are but you’re on a low income, you may be able to claim certain benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Ask your GP, keyworker, youth support worker or social worker about which benefits you’re eligible for and how to apply. You can also call Citizens Advice on 0344 411 1444 or Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 00 00.

Go to our Money and work page for more information on claiming benefits if you’re not working or you’re on a low income.