ill health retirement due to cancer ***Title edited by MNHQ for clarity***

[Enigma52]

Has anyone gone through the process of applying for ill health retirement due to cancer?

If so, what was your experience please?

Thanks.

I wouldn't even mention menopause. I'd talk about the treatment for cancer as causing permanent symptoms and evidence that. Sorry you're going through this.

You should stop working, get a fit note and apply for ESA, you’d go right into the support group. No WCA needed when it’s breast cancer.

Then apply for ill health retirement- most pension providers won’t approve it if you are still managing to drag yourself to work. Having ESA & PIP goes along way to proving long term or terminal condition.

(Some areas ESA is being replaced with a form of UC. Get a fit note and then contact job centre for advice).

I've looked at IHR as I too had breast cancer in 2021. I subsequently went on to suffer from a severe form of asthma that's called eosinophilic asthma, which was possibly caused by the radiotherapy. I now have some medication that has eventually helped me but I did seriously consider applying.

I also suffer from side effects of the cancer prevention medication exemesatne.

I was told that I'd have to have evidence from occupational health, letters from my oncologist, respiratory team and GP and prove that this was all on going and would stop me working forever.

I'm a teacher and it's very hard to get IHR.

I wouldn't use menopause as your reason but side effects of any ongoing treatment you are having.

I've emailed MM, to change the thread title.

Metastatic is stage 4, usually this is terminal cancer and all they can do is slow the cancer down and prolong life. If that doesn’t qualify for ill health retirement, it damn well should.

Having read your update I'd think you've got more chance of getting it on the cancer diagnosis than menopause.
Particularly if your in LGPS as it's costly to the whole scheme for you to get your pension early so you've more chance with a cancer.

Sorry to hear your suffering like this

One would hope so.
There are various treatment lines, but no one knows how long each one will last, which brings a whole new level of anxiety into the equation.

Please don't resign - you'll lose your death in service benefits and quite likely reduce the ill health retirement benefits which may no longer be available.

As I think you realise OP, there will be something you can do, it's just a case of weighing up what's best for you and your family.

@Enigma52 sorry to hear of your health situation, I would look to see (sorry I don't want to be insensitive) if there are provisions within your LGPS pension ill health retirement process that specifically deal with terminal/ restricted life expectancy ill health situations (usually cancer). I would definitely apply on the basis of the cancer health impact and look to get medical evidence from your cancer treatment clinicians to back ups your claim. Wishing you all the best.

Good point, you need to go on sick while you get everything processed via work and via job centre. Resigning is not what I meant by stop working.

Yeah, I’m so sorry you are going through this. I have stage 2 breast cancer and mine is curable so that is a different kettle of fish. You are seriously unwell.

Thanks again all, much appreciated.
I will certainly sit down and formulate a plan of action which will hopefully be beneficial myself and family.

Apologies for the menopause title ( that came about as today I'm floored with bloody symptoms!)

Am pretty certain metastatic breast cancer is reason enough as it's stage four/terminal. I think it's immaterial how long you have left. Talk to Macmillan - they will advise.

I also have BC albeit not metastatic (although am waiting to see if it has spread). Having gone through a premature menopause prior to cancer, and suffering dreadfully, I declined various treatments because of the side effects - I know what you're struggling with. Also, any brain fog, muddled thinking etc is due to various cancer treatments, not just menopause stuff. Chemo brain left me unable to tell time at various points of my treatment.

Wishing you well.

Evening, everyone. Just dropping in to explain that we've edited the title and the first post for the OP, just to avoid any confusion.

@doublec I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis, I really hope it hasn't spread. When will you know?

The cancer treatments are certainly having an impact on my cognitive ability and that worries me, particularly as side effects are cumulative.

I shall get in touch with MacMillan, as has been suggested and try to find a way forward with this. It's hard, as work gives me a sense of purpose and focus away from cancer, but at the same time, I am becoming too tired.

@Enigma52

Am pretty certain we've spoken on one of the long(er) running cancer threads. Am so sorry this is how things have progressed for you. The impact to one's cognitive abilities is something many underestimate, and also that it's reversible - for many, it never fully recovers. I still struggle with peripheral neuropathy something dreadfully to the degree I often type with one finger or dictate. Weirdly my scalp hurts constantly, much like it did when my hair was falling out during chemo, however now, my hair is regrowing. The fallout to cancer treatment is crazy, so really sympathise with you. Anyway, Macmillian are amazing, so helpful with things like this. Make it a priority to do tomorrow or as soon as you're able. If you're near a hospital with a Macmillan drop-in centre, go in person. Do let us know how you get on.

As for me, whatever is in my lung is in the 2mm grey area of being too large to ignore but too small to biopsy/do a pet scan. All I know is that it wasn't there 12 months or even 3 months ago. Am due for another CT in four weeks or so time - must chase that up when I'm at oncology tomorrow.

Ex HR ... helped two people with cancer apply successfully and advised one not to apply (as death in service better).

@ByQuaintAzureWasp thanks.
I am going to call MacMillan when I get a chance, to investigate any benefit entitlement.

In the main, I like my job, but there are elements which remain stressful and I don't think I need this right now.

Ex HR Manager (education). You should qualify.
How long have you been off sick? If not off sick, please do so.
Your union should be your first port of call in yoy don't have a helpful/knowledgeable HR person.
Sorry you are in this position.

There may be other benefits you could apply for too PIP? The ESA? The one that means you can't work? MacMillan nurses are usually good to advise on these things