Facilitating Factors and Barriers in the Return to Work of Working Women Survivors of Breast Cancer: A Qualitative Study

• Published in: Cancers Vol. 15; no. 3; p. 874
• Main Authors: Marinas-Sanz, Rebeca, Iguacel, Isabel, Maqueda, Jerónimo, Mínguez, Laura, Alquézar, Paula, Andrés, Raquel, Pérez, Esther, Sousa, Ramón, Moreno-Atahonero, Elena, Solé, Dolors, Güemes, Antonio, Martínez-Jarreta, Begoña
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 31.01.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Absenteeism; Breast cancer; Cancer; Cancer survivors; Cancer therapies; Care and treatment; Clinical medicine; Cognitive ability; Consent; Coronaviruses; Disease; Employers; Employment; Exercise; Female employees; Focus groups; Health care industry; Human resource directors; Management; Medical personnel; Medical prognosis; Medical research; Metastases; Oncology, Experimental; Patient outcomes; Patients; Physical activity; Professional ethics; Qualitative research; Rehabilitation; Sick leave; Small & medium sized enterprises-SME; Social aspects; Womens health; Working women; Workplace accommodation; Spain; breast cancer; qualitative study; return to work; work; focus groups; sick leave
• ISSN: 2072-6694; 2072-6694
• DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030874

Several studies have identified the main barriers and facilitators that breast cancer survivors experience in the return to work (RTW). The authors conducted a qualitative study using focus group discussions with a group of female non-metastatic breast cancer survivors (n = 6), a group of health professionals from different medical specialties (n = 8), and a third group of company managers mainly composed of human resources managers (n = 7). The study was carried out between March and December 2021 in Zaragoza (Spain). Transcripts were analyzed using inductive content analysis to identify work-related barriers and facilitators and coded by the research team. Barriers identified included physical and cognitive symptoms, psychosocial problems, lack of knowledge and coordination (health professional, patients, and managers), legal vacuum, physical change, time constraints, work characteristics (lower skilled jobs), unsupportive supervisors and coworkers, family problems and self-demand. Facilitators included family and work support, physical activity and rehabilitation, personalized attention, interdisciplinary collaboration, legal advice for workers, knowledge about breast cancer in companies, positive aspects of work, elaboration of protocols for RTW in women with breast cancer. RTW in working women with breast cancer requires a personalized and holistic view that includes the perspectives of patients, healthcare professionals and company managers.