Free benefit supports you across the cancer continuum

Want to understand how best to reduce your risk of developing cancer?

Have you or a loved one recently been diagnosed with cancer and don't know what to do next?

Are you unsure of your rights as an employee in treatment or caring for someone in treatment?

Are you in treatment and need guidance on how best to balance medical appointments and side effects with your work responsibilities?

Do you need help reviewing your pathology report?

As a manager, do you need assistance so you can create a supportive workplace for your employee who has been diagnosed or is in treatment?

The answers to these and any other cancer-related questions are available at your fingertips through Work Stride: Managing Cancer at Work, a free health care benefit available to all university employees. The program consists of two components: a comprehensive website and direct access to Johns Hopkins oncology nurse navigators. Each provides information, guidance, and support wherever you may be on the cancer continuum.

Feb. 4 is World Cancer Day, a global event that aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness, providing education about the disease, and pressing government and individuals to take action. It's also a great time of year to find out what cancer screenings are available to you. Currently, there are screenings for cancer of the breast, cervix, colon, lung, prostate, and skin.

A good way to find out is to visit your Work Stride website at workstride.org/jh. Open the section on Screening & Prevention, then click on Screening Tool in the dropdown menu to take a confidential cancer risk questionnaire.

Your oncology nurse navigators, Eden and Rose, can help you understand the results of your screening questionnaire or answer any questions you have about your specific situation. You can contact them at 844-446-6229, managecancer@jh.edu, or workstride.org/jh (click on Contact the Nurse Navigator).

All your communication with the nurse navigators is completely confidential.