Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41803564›Full record

ArticleJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2026

Returning to work is not enough for cancer survivors: vocational rehabilitation needs to consider work-related well-being.

Katarina Holmberg, Maria Fjell, Linda Eklund, Maria Engström, Angela G E M de Boer, Sven Trygged, Anna Efverman

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Katarina HolmbergDepartment of Caring Science, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden. katarina.holmberg@hig.se.
Maria FjellDepartment of Caring Science, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
Linda EklundDepartment of Caring Science, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
Maria EngströmDepartment of Caring Science, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
Angela G E M de BoerAmsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Sven TryggedDepartment of Social Work, Criminology and Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
Anna EfvermanDepartment of Caring Science, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.

Funding

the Benny Frengen's Foundation (2023CF-12)the Swedish Cancer Foundation (23 3156 Pj)the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (FORTE) (2021-01546)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo explore how cancer survivors experience work-related well-being and aspects influencing their experience of it, one year after cancer treatment.

methodsDuring the development of a work-related intervention, cancer survivors (n = 22, 67% was female, age md 56 years) were interviewed using purposive sampling one year post chemo-/radiotherapy for breast, prostate or colorectal cancer. Inductive content analysis was applied.

resultsThe first year after treatment was described as a transition period in which cancer survivors strove to regain their general well-being but were able to experience work-related well-being even when their general well-being was limited. Their work-related experiences were characterised by a balance between personal readiness for work participation and workload. Daily life and working life were described as interdependent, requiring strategies to maintain balance. There was a vulnerability in handling the demands of work. Both general well-being and work-related well-being were promoted by the absence of side effects and the availability of guidance and responsiveness from caregivers and employers.

conclusionOne year after treatment, cancer survivors considered participation in work life to be important for their well-being. At the same time, the need for enhanced preparation was expressed for balancing work and private life, managing remaining side effects, and navigating ongoing rehabilitation. Our results suggest that the interplay between personal preparedness and work-related stress is central to work-related well-being, highlighting the importance of addressing work-related aspects early in treatment. The findings also indicate that available resources in cancer rehabilitation are underused relative to patients' individual needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Cancer survivors desired a more holistic rehabilitation, as both general well-being and work-related well-being encompass life after illness as well as the process of returning to work. Strengthening and clearly defining the role of contact nurses regarding work-related issues, and establishing early collaboration between the cancer survivor, employer, and rehabilitation coordinators, can improve support for return to work. Further research is needed to investigate how these discussions and support efforts can be structured and how models and theories can be applied to contribute to increased focus on issues related to work-related well-being after cancer.

Indexed as

Cancer survivorshipOncologyPerson-centered careReturn to workTransitionVocational rehabilitationWork-related well-being

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.