Are you ready to return to work after cancer treatment?

This is the 4092nd article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

With the development of early cancer screening and treatment technology, the incidence and survival rates of cancer have increased simultaneously. It is estimated that by 2030, there will be 75 million cancer survivors worldwide. The number of cancer survivors in Shanghai in 2021 has reached 490,000, higher than other parts of the country. At the same time, the proportion of young and middle-aged cancer survivors has increased year by year. For the young and middle-aged groups, they are the backbone and spiritual pillar of the family, shouldering many social responsibilities such as supporting the family, stimulating consumption, boosting the economy, marriage, childcare, and elderly care. Therefore, returning to work is of particular significance. How can you return to work smoothly after cancer treatment?

1. Why are you encouraged to return to work?

Returning to work is currently an important outcome indicator reflecting the comprehensive recovery of patients with chronic diseases and mental disorders. Returning to work after cancer treatment can allow survivors to gradually return to normal life, significantly improve their physical and mental health and quality of life, and reduce the care burden on families and society.

2. How to gradually return to work?

1. When is the best time to return to work?

Returning to work after completing treatment is one of the most important decisions a cancer survivor will make. This decision is influenced by many factors, such as your treatment and its side effects, your job status before diagnosis, and your level of social support. Here are 9 questions you can answer to help you make this decision:

How emotionally, mentally, and physically prepared am I to return to work?

Do I feel pressure to return to work quickly? If so, where is this pressure coming from?

Do I want to return to work gradually, to ease myself into a different life situation?

Do I have a good support network outside of work to help me transition to “normal”?

How well do I feel my previous employer understands and supports my needs and recovery?

Do I want to change the way I work, for example: work part-time, work from home more, or even freelance?

Would it be helpful to do some volunteer work first? That might ease my mindset back into the work world and help me test my readiness?

If I return to my original unit, to what extent do I think I will get support from my colleagues and leaders?

Do I want to go back to my old job?

2. How should we return to work?

Once you have decided to return to work, you will also have to think about how you will return to work. Returning to work can be divided into three different forms:

Return to the original job and change to another job (such as part-time job, job with less workload, etc.)

Freelance or self-employed

But no matter how you decide to return, in the process of communicating with your workplace, you can try to fill out the "What can I do" self-checklist. The following figure shows four aspects of your self-check, including: What can I do? What can be the same as before, but what needs to be adjusted, and what still has certain difficulties.

By self-examining these questions, you can communicate from the perspective of "what I can do in my current situation" instead of "what I can't do" to gain the greatest support from your company and colleagues.

3. Tips for returning to work

1. When you return to work, your health should still be your top priority

A smooth return to work will allow you to gradually return to normal, but it may also be a barrier to participating in a rehabilitation program or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In this regard, you should always remember that your health is still your first priority and be sure to take care of yourself during the return to work process.

2. Give yourself some time

Regardless of the reason, it is not recommended that you rush back to work if you are not ready. Everyone needs time and space to recover. A gradual approach is the best way to return to work smoothly.

3. Learn to accept and ask colleagues for help appropriately

Although you know your own physical condition best, sometimes it is appropriate to inform your leaders and colleagues about your recent situation and talk to them about your illness so that they can understand you better and know more about how to help you. You should try to face it calmly. When you feel unwell, you can ask your colleagues for help to improve the prognosis and prevent postoperative complications.

4. Be mentally prepared for challenges

You may face various unknowns and challenges when you return to work in the future, so you must be fully prepared mentally and believe that "there will always be a time to ride the wind and waves, and set sail to cross the vast ocean." "A thousand sails pass by the side of the sunken boat, and a thousand trees bloom in front of the dead tree."

Author: School of Nursing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Assistant Researcher Zhang Yuanyuan

Wang Lehao ​​2020 undergraduate nursing student