Lifestyle - How to keep healthy
All young adults are entitled to continue into higher education after leaving school, regardless of previous ill health, provided of course you can satisfy the qualification standards.
If you are applying to University or college an excellent place to start looking for information is via the UCAS website www.ucas.com.
There are sections for students, parents, colleges, schools and educators. It explains which courses are available at which universities, how to apply, qualifications needed as well as Access courses for those over 19 years.
It has a direct link to ‘Skill’ www.skill.org.uk. This is the National Bureau for students with disabilities, promoting opportunities for young people, and adults with any kind of disability in post 16 education, training and employment across the UK. It also has links to DSA (Disabled Student Allowance), which is designed to pay for extra costs, which disabled students may incur. Usually colleges and universities try to be helpful to students with disabilities or chronic health problems. Difficulties are most likely to result from practical problems such as physical access to buildings but this is improving as a result of legislation. A letter from your doctor can be helpful.
I missed a lot of schoolwork when I was ill. Who can help?
Cancer treatment can be very disruptive to education, particularly in teenage years. Schools should be supportive and careers advisors can be a very good source of information if you have to change direction because of your treatment. They may be able to suggest other ways you can be involved in the area you had chosen.
What job can I do?
You can do most jobs providing you can offer the relevant qualifications and ability. Employers have to act fairly in their selection of applicants for jobs. If you are unsuccessful with an application you can ask the employer to explain why you were not selected for the job.
The Department of Trade and Industry has produced a wide range of booklets, fact sheets and leaflets providing practical guidance on employment regulations and procedures www.dti.gov.uk
Can I join the Armed Forces?
The Armed Forces have strict guidelines about people joining up. In the past it has been very difficult for people who have been treated for cancer to be accepted in the Forces. They state clearly that anyone who joins needs to be medically fit and able to serve worldwide, that training will be physically demanding and mentally taxing and new recruits will be able to meet the challenge. Each application is assessed individually but you will be asked to declare information about your past medical history and have a medical examination with one of the Forces doctors and it will be their decision as to whether you can join. The same procedure applies to the Territorial services. Their website is www.mod.uk and there are links through to navy, air force and army.
Should I tell my employer I had cancer?
Answer questions honestly, you only have to give the medical information if you are specifically asked. It may be helpful to emphasise how long ago you received treatment. Your treatment summary will be helpful here. Again, it may be useful to ask a potential employer to contact your doctor if they need more information.
Sarah Woolnough
This website is produced on behalf of the CCLG Late Effects Group.
Edited by Dr Annie Griffiths | Contributors
Designed by the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG)
© CCLG 2007