23 April 2026
A cancer diagnosis can turn a person’s life upside down, affecting not only their career but also their sense of stability and well-being. Ahead of International Workers’ Day taking place on 1 May, the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) and cancer societies across Europe highlight the barriers cancer patients and survivors still face when returning to work.
Each year in Europe, around 1.6 million people of working age are diagnosed with cancer. Many of them want to stay or return to work – work represents financial security, social contacts and for some, a strong sense of identity. For many people faced with cancer, returning to work is a crucial part of recovery.
And yet, finding a way back into the workplace is not always straightforward. Each year, around 1.1 million full-time jobs are lost in Europe because of the impact a cancer diagnosis can have on employment. Patients returning to the workplace are often met with uncertainties and barriers, and face a 1.4 times higher risk of unemployment compared to their healthy peers.
“Cancer should not mean the end of working life. While many people want to stay in or return to work after a diagnosis, too many still face barriers and unequal access to support depending on where they live. This International Workers’ Day, we are highlighting the need for fair, flexible and inclusive support for all”, explains Helena Ros, Policy Officer at the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL).
The extend of such barriers depends heavily on where patients live. In countries with smaller or less diverse job markets, support systems like reintegration programmes, occupational health services and employer guidance are often limited or harder to access. This creates a clear inequality: while some cancer survivors receive the support they need, others are left to navigate the return to work largely on their own.
Across Europe, only a few countries have measures in place that specifically support people affected by cancer. To improve this, ECL is calling for a strong EU-wide framework that reflects the reality of today’s labour markets and offers flexible ways for patients and survivors returning to work. By protecting those who are most vulnerable, no one is left behind because of where they live or the support available to them.
“On International Workers’ Day, we highlight the importance of returning to work during and after cancer. Our research, based on a survey of over 1,300 employees and 400 employers in Belgium, shows a clear need for accessible, high-quality support for both employees and employers—combining tailored guidance, expert coaching, follow-up, and strong workplace policies to enable sustainable reintegration for all”, says Wim Geluykens, legal researcher at Stand Up to Cancer Flanders and Chair of the ECL Patient Support Working Group.
Learn more about ECL’s work to support cancer patients and survivors return to work:
Read testimonials from cancer experts and survivors:
