Experiences and concerns about ‘returning to work’ for women breast cancer survivors: a literature review

Abstract

Objective: To explore how female breast cancer patients experience work incapacity during the treatment and return-to-work phases and how interactions between patients and stakeholders affect this experience.Method: Database search for full text articles published between January 1995 and January 2008 that focused on employed female breast cancer patients, factors related to work incapacity, and returning to work. Only results based on self-report data were included. Studies focusing on treatment, financial factors, rate of return, or absence were excluded.Results: Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Women with breast cancer receive varied reactions but little advice about returning to work. Women were primarily concerned with disclosing the diagnosis to their employer and to relatives. Uncertainties about physical appearance, ability to work, and possible job loss affected the women's decisions about working during the treatment phase. After treatment, most women wanted to regain their 'normal life', but concentration and arm or fatigue problems potentially interfered. Although supportive work environments were helpful, the individual needs of women differed. Employers and employees need to find a balance in defining accommodating work. Many women received favourable support, but some reported feeling discriminated against. Many women re-evaluated the role of work in their lives after being confronted with breast cancer.Conclusion: Work adjustments could help women to keep their jobs during illness and recovery. To resolve women's concerns about returning to work, employers, physicians, and insurance institutions should consider increasing and improving communication with breast cancer patients and playing a more active and supportive role.

Association between Socioeconomic Status and Altered Appearance Distress, Body Image, and Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

“…Several studies found that breast cancer patients often experience difficulties when continuing to work or returning to work after treatment because they had to cope with functional changes, support from co-workers and employers, and job flexibility (Ahn et al, 2009;Tiedtke et al, 2010). Therefore, it would be necessary to develop a tailored intervention program for working breast cancer patients, helping them to manage altered appearance and keep their self-confidence.…”

Breast cancer survivors’ views of factors that influence the return-to-work process – a qualitative study

“…Accumulating evidence suggests that most employed breast cancer survivors are able to return to work (1-3) but often experience difficulties managing their work, for instance due to physical (eg, arm function) or cognitive work limitations (eg, concentration, fatigue), or unreasonable treatment at the workplace (eg, feelings of being discriminated against, unsupportive work environment) (4)(5)(6). It is important to understand the difficulties cancer survivors experience in order to develop interventions to better support them in their resumption of work.…”

Survivorship Care Plans for Breast Cancer Patients: Understanding the Quality of the Available Evidence

“…Of the included reviews, thirteen reported challenges faced by bca patients and survivors [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]40 . Their findings are categorized and described next.…”

“…Three reviews reported fatigue in bca patients and survivors 28,30,38 . According to those reviews, fatigue is one of the most frequently observed side effects during the active treatment period and beyond 28,30 .…”

“…Return to work was investigated in one review, according to which, bca patients and survivors often face a miscellany of challenges that affect the return-to-work decision 38 . They frequently experienced extreme fatigue and fear of recurrence.…”