Victoria Stevens (53) says she does not want sympathy, but considers there is a disparity between what is offered ACC claimants who are unable to work and those who cannot work as a result of illness.
Having to worry about money compromised cancer patients' ability to deal with their situation, and she believed it could affect recovery.
Ms Stevens, who is pursuing a treatment injury claim with ACC related to her diagnosis, was working as a florist for about six years before she was found to have bowel cancer last year.
At the time of her diagnosis she had not been with her employer long.
After her surgery she had to take time off for chemotherapy, and eventually she decided to leave her job.
The toxicity of the chemotherapy had built up mid-way through the five months' treatment, and it was too difficult for her and not fair on her employer: "She thought she was getting a really good florist and she got a basket case. You can't have a weeping basket case working for you."
Ms Stevens found she was only entitled to a benefit of $40 a week because her partner earned more than $500 a week. This meant she could only afford to be off work for a short time. Exhaustion from working meant she was not able to endure her final round of intravenous chemotherapy, something she worried could affect her prognosis.
"I feel like I have fallen through the cracks of both systems," she said.
She was unable to work as a florist again because of her hands' numbness and sensitivity to cold, and difficulty in performing delicate hand movements. These conditions also meant she could not work in her previous occupation as a chef.
She returned to part-time work at Blueskin Nurseries at Waitati and has now increased her hours to full-time. Because the work was quite physical and she was still suffering from the aftereffects of the chemotherapy it was not ideal, but she loved being around plants and her employers were " the best".
Otago Southland Cancer Society chief executive Wendy Houliston said the society had been involved nationally in the debate about the difference in support for those with illness and those affected by accidents.
Some assistance was available through the society and it was important that people who were concerned about their financial situation discussed it at " the first possible opportunity" with social workers or the society to see what help was available.
Often people did not have the energy to deal with their financial worries and that could put extra stress on them and their families.
Otago District Health Board social work professional director Michelle Derrett said there were many amazing employers who would support and help staff through treatment, but there were also those who could not afford to absorb the cost of having staff off work for long periods or not working to usual levels.
"The effect of having understanding and sympathetic employers who help people who need the extra time off during a time of crisis is immeasurable - I have seen employees develop great loyalty to their employers."
She agreed with Ms Houliston that it was important patients discuss their situation with social workers who could explore what was available and advocate for them and their families.
Employment issues could also affect those supporting the patient who might need to take time off to look after the patient at home or take them to treatments.
Otago Southland Employers Association chief executive Duncan Simpson said in his experience most employers were pretty flexible on sick leave and time off for treatment, but sometimes they got to the point where they had to " bite the bullet" over someone's employment. It would usually be some months before people got to that point and it was a difficult situation for both parties.
