Employment discrimination: another hurdle for cancer survivors

Approximately 25% of the six million persons in the United States with a cancer history experience disparate treatment in employment solely because of their medical histories. Many employers do not realize that more than half of the people diagnosed with cancer in 1991 in the United States will overcome their illness, that cancer is not contagious, and that cancer survivors have relatively the same productivity rates as other workers. Decisions to deny employment opportunities to a cancer survivor that are based on misconceptions about cancer, instead of the individual's ability to perform the job, may violate the survivor's legal rights. Employment discrimination against individuals who are qualified for jobs, but are treated differently solely because of their cancer histories, violates most federal and state laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on actual or perceived disabilities. Health professionals, as well as survivors themselves, must take action on three fronts to combat cancer-based discrimination: public and professional education, individual and group advocacy, and appropriate use of legal remedies.