Engineer with Cancer Fights for Job, Still Laid Off; Faces Cruel Choices in Re-employment
A recent survey on cancer patients' employment shows over 90% desire flexible hours and job adjustments, but only half receive support. The Cancer Hope Foundation urges strengthening the Ministry of Labor's "Cancer Patient Labor Rights Zone" and creating workplace communication guidelines. With over 130,000 new cancer cases annually in Taiwan and a 5-year survival rate exceeding 60%, cancer is becoming a chronic disease. Ensuring employment rights for cancer patients requires integrated government resources to foster a more supportive work environment.
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- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 18:04
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Ms. Bai's experience is not unique. A recent survey on the employment status of cancer patients shows that over 90% of cancer patients hope that companies can provide flexible working hours and job adjustments, but in reality, only half receive support. The Cancer Hope Foundation calls for strengthening the functions of the Ministry of Labor's "Labor Rights Zone for Cancer Patients" and formulating guidelines for workplace communication and coordination for cancer patients.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's cancer registration data, the number of new cancer cases in Taiwan exceeds 130,000 annually, with about half being under 65 years old. At the same time, the 5-year survival rate for cancer has increased to over 60%, indicating that cancer is gradually becoming a chronic disease that can coexist long-term.
At the end of 2025, the Cancer Hope Foundation and Associate Professor Liu Yi-lung of the Department of Social Work at Fu Jen Catholic University conducted a survey on the employment status of cancer patients, collecting 408 valid questionnaires. The average age of respondents was 47, and about 70% were still employed. The survey found that over 90% of cancer patients expect companies to provide flexible working hours and job adjustments, but only about half actually receive support.
The survey shows a significant gap between ideals and reality. Liu Yi-lung recently pointed out in a press release that this is not a problem of a single company but a structural gap in institutional design. Cancer patients still hope to maintain their jobs during treatment, but due to the lack of clear guidelines, companies and supervisors are at a loss regarding work hour arrangements, job adjustments, and leave management, making it difficult to implement relevant rights.
Su Lien-ying, CEO of the Cancer Hope Foundation, said that cancer patients face double obstacles in returning to work and seeking new jobs. They want to work but cannot return to their old jobs or find new ones. The most crucial "employment support" has never been included in the Cancer Control Act and the National Cancer Control Program. If the employment rights of cancer patients cannot be guaranteed, the so-called quality of life may only be limited to the medical goal of prolonging life, rather than helping survivors truly rebuild their lives.
Su Lien-ying calls on the government to learn from Japan's experience, strengthen the functions of the "Labor Rights Zone for Cancer Patients" and formulate guidelines for workplace communication and coordination for cancer patients, providing direction for companies and workers to follow. However, before the system is perfected, cancer patients do not necessarily have to proactively disclose their medical history during job interviews. They should make good use of various institutional arrangements for leave and work, and should not be forced to sign voluntary resignation letters to protect their employment rights.
The Cancer Hope Foundation stated that it is not necessary to proactively disclose medical history during the interview stage. According to the Employment Service Act, job seekers are not obligated to proactively disclose their health status and can evaluate the situation. If they choose to explain, they can rationally state their current condition and emphasize that it does not affect work performance.
In addition, cancer patients can, according to their needs, combine ordinary sick leave, personal leave, special leave, or leave without pay to balance treatment and work. If cancer patients are involuntarily dismissed, they should not casually sign a voluntary resignation letter and should apply for a service certificate to protect their subsequent payment and subsidy rights.
Su Lien-ying stated that as cancer has become a chronic disease, the government must comprehensively consider adding employment support for cancer patients in the Cancer Control Act and the National Cancer Control Program in the future, integrating resources across ministries to create a more favorable and friendly employment environment after cancer. (Edited by: Wu Su-jou) 1150407
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's cancer registration data, the number of new cancer cases in Taiwan exceeds 130,000 annually, with about half being under 65 years old. At the same time, the 5-year survival rate for cancer has increased to over 60%, indicating that cancer is gradually becoming a chronic disease that can coexist long-term.
At the end of 2025, the Cancer Hope Foundation and Associate Professor Liu Yi-lung of the Department of Social Work at Fu Jen Catholic University conducted a survey on the employment status of cancer patients, collecting 408 valid questionnaires. The average age of respondents was 47, and about 70% were still employed. The survey found that over 90% of cancer patients expect companies to provide flexible working hours and job adjustments, but only about half actually receive support.
The survey shows a significant gap between ideals and reality. Liu Yi-lung recently pointed out in a press release that this is not a problem of a single company but a structural gap in institutional design. Cancer patients still hope to maintain their jobs during treatment, but due to the lack of clear guidelines, companies and supervisors are at a loss regarding work hour arrangements, job adjustments, and leave management, making it difficult to implement relevant rights.
Su Lien-ying, CEO of the Cancer Hope Foundation, said that cancer patients face double obstacles in returning to work and seeking new jobs. They want to work but cannot return to their old jobs or find new ones. The most crucial "employment support" has never been included in the Cancer Control Act and the National Cancer Control Program. If the employment rights of cancer patients cannot be guaranteed, the so-called quality of life may only be limited to the medical goal of prolonging life, rather than helping survivors truly rebuild their lives.
Su Lien-ying calls on the government to learn from Japan's experience, strengthen the functions of the "Labor Rights Zone for Cancer Patients" and formulate guidelines for workplace communication and coordination for cancer patients, providing direction for companies and workers to follow. However, before the system is perfected, cancer patients do not necessarily have to proactively disclose their medical history during job interviews. They should make good use of various institutional arrangements for leave and work, and should not be forced to sign voluntary resignation letters to protect their employment rights.
The Cancer Hope Foundation stated that it is not necessary to proactively disclose medical history during the interview stage. According to the Employment Service Act, job seekers are not obligated to proactively disclose their health status and can evaluate the situation. If they choose to explain, they can rationally state their current condition and emphasize that it does not affect work performance.
In addition, cancer patients can, according to their needs, combine ordinary sick leave, personal leave, special leave, or leave without pay to balance treatment and work. If cancer patients are involuntarily dismissed, they should not casually sign a voluntary resignation letter and should apply for a service certificate to protect their subsequent payment and subsidy rights.
Su Lien-ying stated that as cancer has become a chronic disease, the government must comprehensively consider adding employment support for cancer patients in the Cancer Control Act and the National Cancer Control Program in the future, integrating resources across ministries to create a more favorable and friendly employment environment after cancer. (Edited by: Wu Su-jou) 1150407
FAQ
What were the results of the survey on cancer patients' employment status?
Over 90% of cancer patients desire flexible working hours and job adjustments, but only half actually receive support.
What is the Cancer Hope Foundation advocating for?
The Cancer Hope Foundation is calling for the strengthening of the Ministry of Labor's "Labor Rights Zone for Cancer Patients" and the formulation of workplace communication and coordination guidelines for cancer patients.