Medical advances are enabling more cancer patients to return to work after treatment, but not without difficulties. Many face pay cuts and struggle to cover medical bills or living costs, according to a recent survey of working cancer patients by Lifenet Insurance Co.

Conducted in June, the national survey of 566 patients found that the respondents' annual income was slashed by 20 percent on average to ¥3.32 million from ¥4.15 million.

Fifty-six percent, or 319 in the survey, said their annual salary was reduced. Of that total, 18 percent said they lost all income after their diagnosis.