ArticleBMC public health2012
Survived but feeling vulnerable and insecure: a qualitative study of the mental preparation for RTW after breast cancer treatment.
Article in BMC public health, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 26 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
26 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Prognostic factors affecting return to work in cancer patients: a systematic review.Occupational and environmental medicine · 2025Pooled it
- Experiences of women with breast cancer while working or returning to work: a qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022Pooled it
- Factors associated with return to work of breast cancer survivors: a systematic review.BMC public health · 2014Pooled it
- Taking action, return-to-work strategies used by Iranian cancer survivors: a qualitative study.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Understanding Return to Work After a Cancer-Related Sickness Absence. Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators Among all Relevant Stakeholders.Psycho-oncology · 2024Article
- A Reflection on the Tensions of Acting in Dual Roles of Doctoral Researcher and Practitioner when Evaluating a Lifestyle Intervention for Breast Cancer Patients.Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education · 2023Article
- Tailored support for preparing employees with cancer to return to work: Recognition and gaining new insights in an open atmosphere.Work (Reading, Mass.) · 2023Article
- Qualitative study of barriers and facilitators encountered by individuals with physical diseases in returning and continuing to work.BMC health services research · 2022Article
- Experiences of Female Breast Cancer Survivors Concerning Their Return to Work in Spain.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- Returning to Work After Cancer in Australia: What Facilitates a Positive Return to Work Experience?Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2021Article
- Article
- The challenge of return to work in workers with cancer: employer priorities despite variation in social policies related to work and health.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2020Article
- Supporting the Return to Work After Cancer in Romania: Exploring Employers' Perspectives.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2020Article
- Article
- Cancer Survivors' Social Context in the Return to Work Process: Narrative Accounts of Social Support and Social Comparison Information.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2018Article
- Developing a Return to Work Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors with the Intervention Mapping Protocol: Challenges and Opportunities of the Needs Assessment.Frontiers in public health · 2018Article
- Three-Year Prospective Cohort Study of Factors Associated with Return to Work After Breast Cancer Diagnosis.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2017Article
- Return to work among breast cancer survivors: A literature review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2017Review
- The "Big C"-stigma, cancer, and workplace discrimination.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2016Article
- Bridging Health Care and the Workplace: Formulation of a Return-to-Work Intervention for Breast Cancer Patients Using an Intervention Mapping Approach.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2016Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundImprovements in treatment have resulted in an increasing number of cancer survivors potentially being able to return to work after medical treatment. In this paper we focus on the considerations regarding return to work (RTW) of breast cancer absentees in the Belgian context and how these considerations are related to reactions from their social environment.
methodsA qualitative study was performed to understand the RTW considerations of Belgian breast cancer absentees who had undergone breast cancer surgery in 2006. Twenty-two participants (mean age 46) were included and interviewed between May 2008 and August 2009 in their personal environment. An in-depth analysis (Grounded Theory) took place using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven (Quagol).
resultsBefore the actual RTW, breast cancer employees try to build an image of the future resumption of work based on medical grounds and their knowledge of the workplace. Four matters are considered prior to RTW: (i) women want to leave the sick role and wish to keep their job; (ii) they consider whether working is worth the effort; (iii) they reflect on their capability; and (iv) they have doubts about being accepted in the workplace after returning. These inner thoughts are both product and input for the interaction with the social environment. The whole process is coloured by uncertainty and vulnerability.
conclusionOur study demonstrated that mental preparation for RTW is not a linear process of improvement. It shows a detailed picture of four types of considerations made by breast cancer survivors before they actually resume work. Vulnerability appears to be an overarching theme during mental preparation. As the social environment plays an important role, people from that environment must become more aware of their influence on decreasing or increasing a woman's vulnerability while preparing for RTW.
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