Making a decision about working

Many self-employed people with cancer find ways to have treatment while keeping their business on track. Depending on the nature of your business, self-employment can give you more control over your work schedule. You may be able to work around treatment sessions and set aside the time needed for recovery.

The decisions you make will depend on your individual circumstances. The type of cancer, the proposed treatment and potential side effects are all factors to consider. If you rely on your income or if your business has been a major focus of your life, taking time off or permanently stopping work may be a major concern. Reading Coping with side effects may help you make a decision.

If you are uncertain about what to do, discuss your options with family or friends. You could also seek professional financial advice.

Your options may include:

• checking existing insurance policies for entitlements, including any benefits payable through your superannuation
• claiming early entitlements from your superannuation fund (make sure to get financial advice about how this will affect your retirement)
• talking to Centrelink about government benefits
• selling or scaling back your business.