00:00A breast cancer diagnosis at 27 changed Katie's world and her ability to work.
00:08Four to six months that I had off including my sick days.
00:13Seven years on, the digital marketer is now freelancing.
00:17Being a part of the workforce just allows me to still use my skills and feel like I'm still using that part of my brain.
00:25Now, research from Monash University has put a price on the productivity burden of different diseases including breast cancer.
00:33In the first five years after the diagnosis, every year women have lost almost half a year of their productivity.
00:42Cancers and kidney disease top the list, followed by depression and other chronic conditions including epilepsy, sleep apnea and migraines.
00:51Researchers say the economic burden isn't just about the loss in productivity at work but also employees missing work or leaving the workforce entirely.
01:02We are talking billions of dollars in productivity losses because of health conditions.
01:07For Katie, not knowing her life expectancy, she just wants to stay connected.
01:13Having to live in this limbo of continuing to work until I'm not able to just makes me more determined to want to give back and do that while I can.
01:24One day at a time.
01:26This is a challenge.
01:27What happens?
01:28This is a challenge.
01:29I hope to make a difference.
01:30This is a challenge.
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