06/04/2026
Women are twice as likely to lose their jobs after a cancer diagnosis.
A nationwide study followed over 20,000 cancer patients for six years. Women had nearly double the risk of job loss compared to men. And once out, they were 26% less likely to get back in.
The women who do return report ongoing fatigue, brain fog, pain, and nausea that can last for years. Many can no longer work the hours they used to. Some hide symptoms at work. Others rehearse “I’m fine” before walking through the door.
One woman said: “I used to have no problem exceeding 186 hours a month. Now I can’t even reach that.”
Another: “There were places where I was told upfront that they would rather not hire someone who could ask for a leave of absence due to health reasons. It breaks you mentally.”
These patterns persist for years. They affect income, stability, and long-term career trajectory.
Support changes outcomes.
CAT’s Marketplace connects women with vetted practitioners offering career coaching, professional confidence rebuilding, leadership development, vocational planning, and workplace re-entry support. Private, simple, built for women in this exact moment. 💛
💬 Have you or someone you know gone through this? Tell us in the comments.
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