In Canada, there are roughly 2.5 million people who are self-employed. Yet only about 52,700 are registered and paying into the Employment Insurance (EI) Program, which means only a small portion are eligible for EI sickness benefits or disability benefits. At the same time, only about half of self-employed individuals have private health insurance.
This means that millions of people in Canada who work for themselves may not have access to public or private insurance programs to help offset income loss during a health crisis like breast cancer.
Breast cancer can affect many aspects of daily life, including the ability to work. For those who are self-employed, managing work during treatment can bring additional financial and practical challenges. Understanding what supports may be available can help reduce financial stress during treatment.
What are the challenges of self-employment during a breast cancer diagnosis?
Being self-employed can offer flexibility and autonomy, which is often the reason millions of people choose this type of work. But it can also mean fewer protections when a serious illness affects your ability to work.
People who work for themselves, including those running a small business, working freelance, consulting, or earning income through gig platforms, often do not have access to:
- Sick leave
- Job-protected leave
- Workplace accommodations
- Employer disability insurance
For many people, taking time off for treatment may mean losing income or clients. Unlike those who work in traditional workplaces, there may be no human resources department to help with leave or accommodations. Instead, you would have to navigate these decisions on your own.
Work can also be closely tied to personal identity and financial stability. Some people may choose to continue working during treatment to maintain income or stay connected to their work, while others may need to work only for financial reasons. Others may need or be able to pause their business activities temporarily. Every situation is different and decisions about work depend on personal health, treatment schedules, financial needs and available support systems.
Managing work during treatment
If you are choosing or needing to continue working through treatment, there are strategies that may help. While self-employment can come with uncertainty, it can also offer flexibility in how and when work gets done.
Treatment side effects like fatigue, nausea, or difficulty concentrating can make it hard to keep up with a full workload. It may not be possible to maintain your usual amount of work. Adjusting expectations during treatment is often necessary.
Some approaches that may help include:
- Prioritizing essential work and focusing on the most important tasks
- Adjusting your schedule around treatment, or planning work during times when your side effects feel more manageable
- Building in extra time between deadlines to allow for rest
- Breaking work into smaller, more manageable tasks
- Using templates or AI tools to reduce repetitive work
Communicating with clients can also be important. You do not have to share personal medical details with anyone you are not comfortable with but letting clients know when timelines may be longer, or projects need adjustments can help preserve good relationships.
If you can, connecting with freelancers or hiring short-term help to reduce your workload can also make a difference.
Returning to work
If you have taken some time off or reduced your workload, you may need to gradually rebuild your capacity. Consider options like:
- Starting with smaller projects or fewer clients
- Adjusting working hours while energy levels recover
- Setting realistic expectations about timelines
Recovery can look different for everyone, and it may take months or years to return to your previous working patterns.
Financial planning considerations
Because income can be unpredictable for self-employed individuals, planning for potential disruptions can be important.
Some steps people consider are:
- Reviewing savings or emergency funds
- Exploring disability insurance coverage (if available)
- Checking eligibility for government programs
- Seeking financial advice for managing income interruptions
Explore our FinancialNavigator database for available financial assistance or community supports.
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