Successful Return to Work for Cancer Survivors

Abstract

This study investigated factors associated with successful return to work for cancer survivors in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A focus group was held with seven female cancer survivors. Participants discussed return-to-work issues following a cancer diagnosis. Factors such as coworker support and job flexibility improved their experiences, whereas coworker and supervisor ignorance about cancer and lack of support made returning to work more stressful. Participants discussed personal, environmental, and cancer-related factors that influenced their experiences with returning to work following a cancer diagnosis. Knowledge of factors that support employees helps occupational health nurses ease their transition, and may improve quality of life for employees. Physicians and health care provider teams may play a critical role in the employees' positive evaluation of their recovery process. This pilot study serves as a basis for a larger, population-based study.

Return to Work After Early-stage Breast Cancer: A Cohort Study into the Effects of Treatment and Cancer-related Symptoms

“…Manual work and work demanding physical efforts were also negatively associated with return to work of cancer survivors [8]. In contrast, social support and a supportive work environment facilitated return to work [8][9][10][11]. Discretion over work hours and amount of work were also positively associated with return to work of cancer survivors [12].…”

Predictors of employment among cancer survivors after medical rehabilitation – a prospective study

“…Our findings show that the patient can best predict RTW at an early stage of the rehabilitation process. However, so far only limited knowledge exists about motivational and volitional factors and its association with demographic, family and work-related aspects (46,47). Occupational motivation or skepticism towards RTW should be carefully assessed at the beginning of rehabilitation programs and during the joint establishment of rehabilitation aims between the patients and the professional team (48).…”

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

“…Although several studies have emphasised the importance of a supportive environment-including work environment-after cancer [3][4][5], little is known about women's perceptions, experiences, and concerns about returning to work, and how these might influence their return to work. In an overview of studies of cancer survivors, Spelten et al [3] distinguished three categories of factorswork-related factors, disease-and treatmentrelated factors, and person-related factors-that influence whether survivors will return to work.…”

“…In an overview of studies of cancer survivors, Spelten et al [3] distinguished three categories of factorswork-related factors, disease-and treatmentrelated factors, and person-related factors-that influence whether survivors will return to work. Emotional or practical support and job flexibility, which allows returnees to schedule their work and to choose specific work activities, can improve return-to-work experiences [4,5]. Lack of supportive interactions coupled with co-worker and employer ignorance may hinder returning to work or make it more stressful [4,5].…”

“…Emotional or practical support and job flexibility, which allows returnees to schedule their work and to choose specific work activities, can improve return-to-work experiences [4,5]. Lack of supportive interactions coupled with co-worker and employer ignorance may hinder returning to work or make it more stressful [4,5]. We assume that experiences and interactions with the environment (e.g.…”