Is Cancer a Disability under the ADA?

The effects of cancer and cancer treatment on a person can range from mildly debilitating to severely incapacitating. But would that qualify them as disabled, and is cancer considered a disability under the ADA?

With an aging population and a global workforce that works longer before retiring, the incidence of cancer in the workplace will increase.

Early cancer diagnostic services and improved treatments mean survival rates are higher than ever, and many cancer patients resume their normal daily activities, including work.

However, many employees facing a cancer diagnosis may not know that cancer is a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means they are legally entitled to specific accommodations from their employer, such as flexible work hours, modified job duties, or additional breaks.

Cancer patients need to be aware of their rights under the ADA so that they can advocate for the accommodations they need to succeed in the workplace.

Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted, marking a significant milestone in civil rights.

The ADA is designed to end discrimination against individuals with disabilities in virtually every aspect of public life. That means it covers everything from employment and education to transportation and even extends to all public and private spaces accessible to the general public.

The United States Department of Justice upholds ADA requirements across three key domains:

Title I: Enforcing employment practices – primarily applicable to state and local government entities.
Title II: Overseeing programs, services, and activities conducted by state and local governments, including their public transportation systems.
Title III: Regulating public accommodations and commercial facilities – including a wide array of privately owned or operated establishments. This includes private transportation services, movie theaters, dining establishments, retail stores, medical offices, fitness centers, zoological parks, convention centers, private educational institutions, childcare facilities, homeless shelters, funeral homes, and other similar facilities and services.

Title IV pertains to individuals with hearing and speech impairments and is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The ADA prohibits discrimination against employees with disabilities in all aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, and fringe benefits. The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunities Commission) oversees the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Ultimately, the main goal of the ADA is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

Defining Disability under the ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offers a comprehensive framework for defining disabilities, including those associated with cancer.

The ADA defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.”

Major life activities covered by the ADA encompass a broad spectrum, including but not limited to:

Self-care
Performing manual tasks
Vision
Hearing
Eating
Sleeping
Mobility (walking and standing)
Lifting
Bending
Speech
Breathing
Learning
Reading
Concentrating
Thinking
Communicating

When discussing cancer, it’s essential to recognize it is a severe disease that can significantly affect a person’s physical well-being and mental health. Cancer treatment can also be debilitating, and patients may experience many symptoms and side effects.

Despite this, cancer was not always considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

However, the ADA has been amended to include broader cancer-related conditions as disabilities, ensuring that people with cancer have the same rights and protections as other people with disabilities.

The Impact of Cancer

Cancer is a complex group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells, posing a serious threat to health and, in many cases, leading to fatal outcomes if left untreated.

The impact of cancer on an individual’s life is multifaceted and depends on several variables. These variables include the cancer’s primary site, its stage of progression, the person’s age and overall health, and the specific treatments administered.

In addition to its physical and emotional challenges, cancer can have lasting effects that may impact the ability to work and perform daily tasks.

Physical & Emotional Challenges

Over half of all men and a third of all women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

This means that many of us know someone who has dealt with this disease, and we are no strangers to its challenges.

Cancer often causes a range of physical challenges, such as pain, fatigue, and diminished physical capabilities. These symptoms can vary widely depending on the type and stage of cancer. Commonly reported side effects include nausea and vomiting, hair loss, weight loss, depression, cognitive difficulties, and respiratory challenges.

On top of that, the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis and treatment cannot be underestimated.

Anxiety, depression, and the stress of managing a life-altering illness can significantly impact an employee’s well-being. Cancer not only affects the diagnosed person but also substantially impacts their whole social circle, including caregivers, colleagues, and family members.

Moreover, managing medical expenses, cancer insurance claims, and potential loss of income due to extended leave or reduced work hours can create financial stress for the employee.

This financial burden can further impact their ability to focus on work and daily tasks.

Long-term Effects of Cancer

While some employees successfully overcome cancer and resume their regular lives, many continue to grapple with lasting, sometimes permanent, repercussions from their treatments.

These repercussions, often called “late effects,” are side effects of cancer treatment that manifest after the treatment has concluded. Many cancer survivors might encounter these late effects years following their treatment.

In other words, the very treatments that may have saved lives can also cause ongoing side effects. These can encompass physical disabilities resulting from surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy and ongoing health challenges or complications.

Commonly recognized effects include infertility, nerve damage that may prevent activities like driving, heart problems, and dental and vision issues.

Moreover, the psychological trauma associated with a cancer diagnosis can persist long after treatment wraps up.

Patients in remission often undergo frequent tests, which can trigger what’s commonly called “scanxiety.” For those who’ve faced a cancer diagnosis, undergoing imaging scans can evoke a rollercoaster of emotions.

According to the National Behavioral Health Network, approximately half of cancer survivors struggle with some degree of anxiety, with some individuals experiencing it to the extent of being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

How Cancer Can Impact an Employee's Ability to Work and Perform Daily Tasks?

Work can provide a sense of normalcy and financial support for employees with cancer.

However, the physical and emotional effects of cancer, as well as the side effects of treatment, can make it difficult to maintain a normal work schedule and productivity.

Even essential job functions like walking, lifting, and socializing may become challenging. Additionally, some cancer patients experience treatment-related cognitive impairments, such as “chemobrain.”

Chemobrain can significantly impact employees’ ability to work and perform daily tasks. For example, an employee with chemobrain may have difficulty remembering instructions, meeting deadlines, or completing complex tasks. They may also have trouble multitasking or working in a fast-paced environment.

Employees with cancer may require adjustments to their workload or job tasks to accommodate their abilities during treatment and recovery. Flexible work hours, reduced workload, modified responsibilities, or the ability to work remotely may be necessary to support their productivity.

Is Cancer Considered a Disability under the ADA?

Clearly, the effects of cancer and cancer treatment on a person can range from mildly debilitating to severely incapacitating.

But would that qualify them as disabled? And is cancer considered a disability under the ADA?

Whether cancer is considered a disability under the ADA depends on how it affects a person’s ability to engage in essential life activities, such as eating, driving, or working.

If cancer significantly limits one or more major life activities, it is likely to be considered a disability under the ADA. This applies to individuals currently undergoing cancer treatment or experiencing long-term side effects from cancer or its treatment.

The Stance of the United States Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC)

The United States Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) clarifies that cancer isn’t always automatically classified as a disability.

The ADA can provide protection when cancer impedes or makes it extremely difficult to perform everyday tasks like household chores, bathing, or getting dressed. However, this disability must be either permanent or long-term.

The ADA Amendments Act of 2008

On January 1, 2009, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 changed how the ADA’s definition of disability was interpreted.

While the original definition of disability covered impairments of “major life activities”, now it also includes “major bodily functions.”

These amendments extended coverage to a broader range of physical and mental disabilities, encompassing functions related to the immune system, cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, brain and nervous system, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive systems.

These changes made it easier for many people with cancer to meet the ADA’s definition of disability.

Due to the amendments made by the ADA Amendments Act, individuals with cancer, whether currently active or in remission, should typically qualify as having a disability under the ADA.

Similarly, those with a history of cancer are covered under the ADA because they have a record of an impairment that substantially limited a major life activity in the past.

The ADA & Employment Accommodations

Certain employees with cancer may require leave for medical appointments or recovery.

The ADA mandates that employers provide reasonable accommodations, such as adjustments or modifications, to ensure equal employment opportunities for job applicants and employees with disabilities.

This should be done unless it poses an undue hardship, such as significant difficulty or expense. These accommodations may be necessary due to the limitations caused by cancer itself, the side effects of treatment, or both.

Additionally, the ADA obligates employers to consider providing unpaid leave as a reasonable accommodation if needed by an employee with a disability, as long as it doesn’t create undue hardship for the employer. This applies even if:

The employer doesn’t offer leave as an employee benefit.
The employee isn’t eligible for leave per the employer’s policy.
The employee has used up all available leave, including that under workers’ compensation, FMLA, or local laws.

Here are some examples of reasonable accommodations that may be provided to people with cancer:

Flexible work hours
Modified work duties
Leave for medical appointments and treatment
Accessible workspace
Assistance with job tasks

It’s important to note that the ADA applies to employers with at least 15 employees. However, employees working for smaller companies may still be protected against discrimination through state-fair employment laws that mirror the ADA’s provisions.

Legal Protections & Rights for Cancer Patients

In the United States, federal laws and regulations protect employees’ right to work and to be treated fairly at work, even if they have cancer. Employees must disclose their cancer diagnosis to benefit from these legal provisions. Some safeguards to protect employees include:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A legislation mandates that employers must reasonably accommodate employees with disabilities.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Established in 1993, FMLA grants many individuals up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for medical and family-related reasons. Importantly, those who take FMLA leave continue to receive their benefits and are protected from job loss during their absence. FMLA applies to public agencies, public and private schools, and organizations with more than 50 employees. People with cancer or their caregivers are eligible for leave under FMLA.
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA): Enacted in 2008, GINA safeguards an employee’s genetic information, including genetic mutations related to cancer, from being requested or exploited by insurers or employers to influence health coverage or job-related decisions.
The Federal Rehabilitation Act: A law that prohibits employers from discriminating against employees with disabilities, including cancer. However, it only applies to federal government employees and private and public employers who receive public funds.

Unfortunately, despite legal protections, people with cancer can still encounter obstacles to equal job opportunities.

Addressing Discrimination in the Workplace

Discrimination often arises from misperceptions among supervisors and co-workers regarding a cancer patient’s ability to work during and after treatment.

Even with a favorable prognosis, some employers may assume that a cancer diagnosis will lead to long work absences or hinder job performance.

Discrimination can manifest in various ways:

Direct discrimination involves treating a person with cancer less favorably than someone without cancer, such as denying them a job opportunity or promotion based on their cancer diagnosis or history.
Indirect discrimination occurs when an employee with cancer is treated the same as someone without cancer, resulting in a disadvantage for the employee with cancer due to their inability to participate or comply with a workplace requirement.

For instance, demanding that all employees in a role involving prolonged standing, while an employee with cancer finds it challenging due to their condition, may constitute indirect discrimination.

As an employer, it is crucial to understand your responsibilities in preventing workplace discrimination and implementing policies that ensure that employees dealing with cancer and their caregivers are not disadvantaged during recruitment, while working, or upon returning to work.

Building a More Inclusive Workplace

While many organizations are starting to address cancer by integrating it into their health and well-being strategies, there’s room for improvement.

Where can companies make improvements?

Many of these efforts mainly focus on a preventative approach, such as regular screenings and promoting healthy lifestyles.

However, employers should also establish guidelines that support employees impacted by cancer and reintegrate cancer survivors into the workplace.

According to one survey, nearly three out of ten respondents (29%) either agree or strongly agree with the notion that “companies inadequately support employees with severe illnesses.”

When asked about areas where their organizations could enhance their practices and policies concerning employees with cancer, survey participants are most inclined to mention the need for managerial training to effectively handle subordinates facing illness.

For these reasons, companies should have clearer information about their guidelines and policies regarding severe and chronic illnesses in the workplace, and promote awareness of resources that could help employees, like pain management resources and employee assistance programs.

Additional Resources

In conclusion, it is essential for cancer patients and survivors to be aware of their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Cancer is considered a disability under the ADA, and individuals currently undergoing treatment or experiencing long-term side effects are protected by this legislation.

Returning to work after a cancer diagnosis can be challenging, but with proper support, understanding, and adherence to legal protections, employers and employees can navigate this process more smoothly. It is crucial to recognize that addressing the needs of cancer patients and survivors has far-reaching implications for society, the labor market, organizations, individuals, and their overall well-being.

For further guidance and resources on this topic, individuals and employers can explore organizations and support networks specializing in cancer and disability rights and consult with legal professionals knowledgeable about ADA compliance and workplace accommodations.

Written by Ivana Radevska

Senior Content Writer at Shortlister

Sources

Cancer Diagnostic & Support Services

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