In a long letter published Wednesday, November 13 on X, the PS mayor of Rouen, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol revealed that he had been suffering from bladder cancer for two years. The opportunity for him to address the difficult issue of employment for people suffering from this disease. “I wanted to talk about it because I think it’s taboo,” explained the elected official Thursday at the microphone of France inter.
Pour « do something useful” from this personal experience, he announced the launch of a plan for more kindness and flexibility at work in his municipality. “ Isolation is worse than anything, kindness in the professional environment is essential in the fight against this disease » recalled the mayor of Rouen and first deputy secretary of the Socialist Party.
In France, each year, 400,000 people are diagnosed, 40% of them are working at the time of the announcement, recalls a study by the National Cancer Institute. “ Most of the people we support are afraid that their employer will find out, so they hide it as much as possible. », Regrets Camille Combourieu, project manager at the League Against Cancer. If they keep it to themselves it is out of denial but above all out of fear of being stigmatized or pushed aside.
A double punishment
However, it is difficult to hide it in the long term, says Camille Combourieu: “ you have to be absent for your treatments, there are physical pains, cognitive problems such as memory problems and obviously physical changes. »
The majority of workers with cancer must take leave between nine and twelve months. To continue working normally, “ the employer must have great flexibility if we want to continue working. With this disease we cannot predict anything; constant readjustments are necessary. “, she specifies.
There is also an impact on the collective to manage. “SIf the person reduces their activity, their colleagues must be able to carry out the part of the work that they can no longer do. » All this means that “sonly a minority of patients continue to work throughout their treatment, but more out of necessity than by choice ».
Another problem is the many prejudices about cancer. In companies, colleges and managers “ do not understand that physical and psychological after-effects remain years after remission”explains Camille Combourieu. “ Others think that certain types of cancer are better treated than others, such as breast cancer. » This lack of knowledge makes it more difficult for the sick person to return to work. So much so that five years after diagnosis, 20% of 18 – 54 year olds are no longer working.
A disease like no other
To facilitate the return and retention at work when possible, the League against Cancer organizes awareness-raising events in companies. Among the recommendations: get news without waiting for a response; provide regular updates on the company's situation; understand that cancer is not “ a disease like any other ».
Various national systems exist to help people with cancer reconcile their treatment and employment. Generally, occupational medicine recommends job adaptation. Companies can adapt work according to the needs of the employee, by modifying schedules, reducing certain physical tasks or adapting the workspace. When the position allows it, teleworking can also offer some flexibility to those in treatment.
If cancer causes partial or total incapacity, the employee can also benefit from a disability pension. This pension compensates for loss of income and is calculated according to the degree of incapacity. In the event of work stoppage, therapeutic part-time allows you to gradually resume your part-time activity while receiving part of your daily allowance. Financial aid which rarely exceeds more than 50% of initial income.
