• At Work
  • Looking for Work
  • Employers
  • Healthcare Professionals

  • Events
  • Newsfeed
  • Take Action
  • About Us
  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • Where to Start

  • Legal   Financial

  • Working Remotely

  • Back to Work

  • Coworkers

  • Caregivers

  • Early Career

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • Managers

  • Human Resources

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • Job Search & Disclosure
  • Your Online Footprint

  • Networking

  • Resume & Cover Letter

  • Resume Review Service

  • Interviewing

  • Exploring Your Options

  • Early Career

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Upcoming Events

  • National Conference

  • Balancing Work & Cancer Webinars

  • Midwest Conference
  • West Coast Conference
  • In-Service Training

  • Balancing Work & Cancer Workshops

  • Job-Search Intensive

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • News

  • Blog

  • Research

  • Newsletter

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • Donate

  • Sponsorship

  • Advocate/Become an Ambassador

  • Shop for a Cause

  • Beauty Editor's Closet Sale

  • Beauty of Giving Luncheon

  • Beauty with Benefits

  • Young Professionals Committee

  • Other Ways to Help

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

  • Go Back
  • Introduction

  • The Issue

  • Our Impact

  • Supporters

  • History

  • Transparency

  • Board of Governors

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  • Staff

  • Contact Us

  1. Login
  2. Donate
  3. Ask a career coach
  4. Collective diary
  5. Resources
  6. Free Publications

    Order or Download

  7. Educational Videos

    View All

ES
Cancer and Careers Logo
  • SEARCH
    • My Favorites (0)
    • Create an Account
    • Sign In
  • En Español
  • Donate

    Menu

    Close

  • At Work
    • Where to Start
    • Legal & Financial
    • Back to Work
    • Working Remotely
    • Coworkers
    • Caregivers
    • Early Career
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • Looking for Work
    • Job Search & Disclosure
    • Your Online Footprint
    • Networking
    • Resume & Cover Letter
    • Resume Review Service
    • Interviewing
    • Exploring Your Options
    • Early Career
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • Employers
    • Managers
    • Human Resources
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • National Conference
    • Balancing Work & Cancer Webinars
    • Midwest Conference
    • West Coast Conference
    • In-Service Training for Healthcare Professionals
    • Balancing Work & Cancer Workshops
    • Job-Search Intensive
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • Newsfeed
    • News
    • Blog
    • Research
    • Newsletter
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • Take Action
    • Donate
    • Sponsorship
    • Advocate/Become an Ambassador
    • Shop for a Cause
    • Beauty Editor's Closet Sale
    • Beauty of Giving Luncheon
    • Beauty with Benefits
    • Young Professionals Committee
    • Other Ways to Help
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All
  • About Us
    • The Issue
    • Our Impact
    • Supporters
    • History
    • Transparency
    • Board of Governors
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
    Ask a career coach
    Collective diary
    Resources
    Free Publications Order or Download
    Educational Videos View All

Home > Ask A Career Coach > Disclosing Early Diagnosis to New Employer

ADD TO THE DISCUSSION

Please sign in to ask your question or

Create an Account

DISCUSSION TOPICS

Career Change
Career Management
Image/Professionalism
Interviewing
Job Search
Resume Building and Writing
Work/Life/Cancer Balance
Workplace Politics

meet the career coaches

Image of Bud Bilanich
Bud Bilanich

a career success coach, leadership consultant, motivational speaker, bestselling author, influential blogger and cancer survivor...

Image of Brandon Gottlieb
Brandon Gottlieb

20 years in the talent acquisition industry

Image of Julie Jansen
Julie Jansen

Motivational speaker, career and executive coach, trainer...

Image of Rosalind Joffe
Rosalind Joffe

A recognized national expert on chronic illness and...

Image of Arona Roshal
Arona Roshal

Creative Life and Career Coach

Disclosing Early Diagnosis to New Employer

Reggie L. on November 13, 2014

Career Management

I was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer and also have tissue growth on one rib. I'm waiting for a kidney biopsy to be scheduled and a radiation appt to discuss rib treatment. 

In the middle of this, just got offered a job and want to know what to disclose to new employer. I currently have no symptoms except light tenderness on rib occasionally. 

Because I am waiting for the full diagnosis, I have no idea what the treatment plan will be and how it will affect my ability to work (desk job). Also, my husband works for the same company in the same department, so his boss is aware there is a "family matter" but she has not details on what that is.

Your feedback is appreciated.




4 Comments

Image of Sarah Goodell

Sarah Goodell

Nov 13, 2014

Cancer and Careers Staff Comment:

Hi Reggie,

Thanks for reaching out and congratulations on the job offer! I have sent your question off to our coaches who will be in touch soon. In the meantime, you might want to check out our "Should You Tell" section of the website if you haven't already: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/Sharing-the-News/should-you-tell

This doesn't exactly answer your question, but it should have some useful information for you and our coaches will get back to you with more advice.

Best,

Sarah, Associate Manager of Programs, Cancer and Careers


Image of Reggie L.

Reggie L.

Nov 13, 2014

Thank you for your very quick response. I just found your website and it's very helpful and encouraging. Thanks to the CEW Foundation,


Image of Margot Larson

Margot Larson

Nov 14, 2014

Career Coach Comment:

Reggie-

My advice is that since you do not have biopsy results, it’s
not a confirmed diagnosis.  It does not sound as though you have proof of a malignant condition; you have no
information to share with a potential employer.   Take the job, if it fits, and deal with the
situation as it plays out.   I think you
would be in premature in reporting something that you and your medical team
suspect. ( I am in a similar situation. They suspect a new disease progression
but don’t have evidence).

Once you have a confirmed specific diagnosis, a treatment
plan that you agree with, then share it with your direct supervisor.  Though you may not qualify for FMLA, since you
don’t have symptoms and may or may not have side effects from radiation that
would impede attendance,  you may be able
to negotiate  a flexible work schedule so
that treatment does not impact your performance.

It’s a matter of timing and honesty. Don’t scare or mislead the
employer before you have solid information to share. 

The only question they can legally ask is:  Are you able to perform this job with or
without accommodations?
  At this
point, your answer is YES. Next
month, the situation may change.

 Margot 


Image of Reggie L.

Reggie L.

Nov 14, 2014

Thank you Margot. This is good advice that I will follow.


post a comment

Please sign in to post a comment

NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information and resources.

FOLLOW US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Videos
eTrust Privacy Certificate logo © 2025 Cosmetic Executive Women Foundation/Cancer and Careers. All Rights Reserved.