Groundbreaking Canadian Research Reveals Financial and Workplace Impact
of a Breast Cancer Diagnosis 

~80 per cent of women experienced a financial impact; 16 per cent had
their jobs terminated~ 

Ottawa, ON, May 28, 2010: According to a new research report announced
today at Parliament Hill by the Canadian Breast Cancer Network (CBCN),
Canadian women diagnosed with breast cancer experience significant
financial burdens during treatment.  Breast Cancer: Economic Impact and
Labour Force Re-Entry, the first report to examine the financial and
labour impacts of breast cancer, also reveals that women continue to
experience unexpected hurdles when re-entering the workforce. 

The data shows that 80 per cent of respondents experienced a financial
impact, often with long-term financial consequences for both breast
cancer patients and their families.  On average, the patient household
experienced a 10 per cent drop in annual income - 44 per cent of
respondents depleted their savings and retirement funds, while 27 per
cent took on debt to cover treatment costs.  The Report also determined
that Employment Insurance benefits covered only 15 weeks of the average
treatment length of 38 weeks, thus adding to the financial burden.

Report Respondent: "We are in debt so far that I do not sleep at night
and am paralyzed by fear that recurrence or metastases will make us
bankrupt."

"This groundbreaking report firmly positions breast cancer as an
economic as well as a health issue by highlighting the direct and
indirect costs Canadian women and their families face while battling the
disease," said Cathy Ammandolea, President of CBCN.  "This report
provides a timely opportunity for government officials, employers and
other service providers to gain valuable insights into how breast cancer
patients use existing benefits and programs," she added. 

The report shows that breast cancer caused a significant disruption in
labour force participation.  Out of the 81 per cent of respondents who
were employed in salaried jobs at the time of diagnosis, 16 per cent had
their jobs terminated while undergoing treatment and 17 per cent were
unable to return to their previous job with the same title and salary.
Over one-fifth (21 per cent) of respondents reported returning to work
before they were fully able due to financial pressure.

Report Respondent: "I was 'let go' because my boss was concerned I
wouldn't have the strength to perform duties and that I might become ill
on the job. He 'was concerned for my health'."

Attitudes of employers and co-workers had a major effect on ease of
re-entry, with gradually increasing workload being the most important
factor in accommodating post-treatment needs. Almost half of respondents
reported a reduced physical ability to work after treatment and
one-fifth were forced to quit due to work-related restrictions, side
effects from treatment, fatigue or pain. 

"These are alarming figures. At CBCN, we recognize that women affected
by breast cancer are a vital part of Canada's economy. We will continue
to advocate on their behalf to facilitate their successful re-entry back
into the labour force," commented Ammandolea. "A successful re-entry is
good not only for the patient but for the economy; breast cancer
survivors are able to contribute to national productivity instead of
being dependent upon the social safety net."

Report Respondent: "The financial burden became more stressful than the
cancer itself."

"This is a critical time to raise these issues," noted Marsha Davidson,
Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Society of Canada, the main
funder for the report. "Breast cancer has a devastating effect on
women's health. We need to equip Canadians with the tools necessary to
balance both their health and economic needs."

Breast Cancer: Economic Impact and Labour Force Re-Entry is based on a
2009 national survey of 446 Canadians with a recent breast cancer
diagnosis. Key issues identified by the report show:
* The maximum length of Employment Insurance (EI) coverage does not
reflect the full length of breast cancer treatment, with an average gap
of 23 weeks without coverage
* There are large inconsistencies in health coverage across provinces
and territories, especially in the areas of cancer drug coverage,
supplies and prosthetics
* A breast cancer diagnosis caused significant disruption in labour
force participation. Many women had to retire from their jobs or go on
disability or medical leave

Actions for Change

In cooperation with its partners, CBCN will establish a task force that
will review labour policy, insurance benefits and workplace
accommodation structures to better reflect the reality of breast cancer
treatment and subsequent labour force re-entry.

About CBCN

CBCN is the only national survivor-driven and survivor-focused breast
cancer organization in Canada. CBCN works to focus national attention on
breast cancer and ensure that issues faced by those affected are
addressed by decision makers in research and health care policy. CBCN
has been the leading advocate for economic issues resulting from a
breast cancer diagnosis, while promoting the improvement of services and
access to optimal care for all breast cancer patients. 

-30- 

Note to Editor:
Copies of Breast Cancer: Economic Impact and Labour Force Re-Entry,
media kits and press photos are available at www.cbcn.ca
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?CBCN/8dd72f122a/7b84d838d3/07f68a40d1> .
Local CBCN spokespeople are available in British Columbia, Saskatchewan,
Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.




To manage subscriptions/passwords, or view archives, go to http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html . [log in to unmask] is run in collaboration with Health Nexus: http://www.healthnexus.ca/index_eng.php