Health Screening for Uni Course

Caro 3 months ago

1 reply
44 subscribers
270 views

Hello,

I was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to my liver. I have started on ribociclib and letrazole, but otherwise I am really well. I am at work, exercising and otherwise totally fine (most of the time).

Before the diagnosis it was my plan to apply to do a MSc course next academic year. I had initially thought I would park this plan, but recently have decided that it is important to me and I still want to go for it.

As part of the application I need to complete their health screening process, which is a bit worrying. I realise you cannot provide specific information, but in your experience would a stage 4 cancer diagnosis be an automatic fail of a health screening? Or would this be discriminatory, being that i am well and hoping to live well despite the diagnosis?

I am considering not disclosing the diagnosis (hence I haven't contacted or spoken to the uni about this already). However, not disclosing is probably not the right approach.

I hope you are able to offer some insight into how the breast cancer may affect the outcome of the health screening.

Kind regards

Caro

Gail H - Macmillan 3 months ago

Hello Caro,

Thanks for contacting us. I’m Gail, one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

It’s good to hear you are recovering well after your treatment and are keen to continue with your studies. The Equality Act considers a diagnosis of cancer as a disability. You don’t have to have symptoms or consider yourself disabled by your cancer to be covered. But the Act gives you important rights. People involved with your education should not treat you less well because you have cancer.

All universities require students to complete a health questionnaire and not doing so may result in an offer of a place being withdrawn. You are required to answer questions honestly as this helps the university decide what adjustments they can make to support you through your course and advise you on other help available to you. UCAS also has useful guidance.

Your chosen university may have online information giving details of their health check requirements or it may be beneficial to telephone them and speak to them openly about your situation. They are also likely to have experience of advising students in your position.

I hope this information is useful. You can also contact the Macmillan Support Line 0808 808 0000 (7 day a week, 8am - 8pm) if you would like to speak to us.

Best wishes,

Gail

Cancer Information nurse Specialist.

Ref:GH/LR

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Health Screening for Uni Course