The lived experience of women returning to work after breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is a global concern and a common cancer in women. Treatment can involve chemotherapy, surgical intervention with possible radiation therapy. Many breast cancer survivors return to work, even though the availability of health care and occupational health services may be limited. This phenomenological study examined the return to work experience of six breast cancer survivors. In-depth, unstructured interviews were undertaken and analysed using an adapted version of Colaizzi’s (1978) approach. Four themes emerged. Women noted that the impact of their disease on their work continued for some time. Some women gained an inner strength to progress their career on return to work. The provision of occupational health services emerged as a positive influence. These findings have implications for occupational health professionals, particularly the importance of positively supporting women so that the breast cancer return to work experience is fully understood.