Other Writing

 Medical Writing: Working with Breast Cancer

Challenge

Employers wish to deal fairly and compassionately when one of their workers is diagnosed with cancer. But there can be a huge learning curve: labor laws, benefits and health insurance, medical terminology. How could the California Chambers of Commerce (CCC) support employers facing with this challenge?

Solution

The CCC commissioned the Northern California Cancer Center to tackle one specific diagnosis (breast cancer) that was showing up increasingly in the workplace. The result was a resource-filled workbook, Working with Breast Cancer: Workplace Guidelines and Solutions, provided free to employers. Because I served as editor for Breast Cancer Connection’s monthly newsletter, weaving together articles from leading physicians, researchers, and advocates, I was asked to handle three portions of the workbook: an overview of medical terminology and the diagnosis and treatment process; a listing of resource within the state; a collection of short case studies culled from interviews I did with cancer survivors.

Working with Cancer workbook

The following pdfs open in a separate tab:

• Understanding Breast Cancer

• Medical Term glossary

• Case studies from:

  • 3Com

  • the Palo Alto Unified School District

  • Mosel Vitelic

  • Cypress Semiconductor / Expression Therapeutic Practice / Netzel Associates

• Breast Cancer Resources