The meaning of work and working life after cancer: an interview study

• Published in: Psycho-oncology (Chichester, England) Vol. 17; no. 12; pp. 1232 - 1238
• Main Authors: Rasmussen, Dorte M., Elverdam, Beth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.12.2008; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Attitude; Cancer; cancer survivors; Culture; Employment - psychology; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; lived experience; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms - psychology; Oncology; Personal Satisfaction; Qualitative research; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Return to work; Social Environment; Social Identification; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivors; Survivors - psychology; Denmark
• ISSN: 1057-9249; 1099-1611
• DOI: 10.1002/pon.1354

Background: Cancer survivors have diverse and complex patterns of return to work, but little attention has been given to individual experiences of returning to work. Objectives: To analyse the meaning of work and working life for cancer survivors over time. Methods: Participant observation was carried out at a cancer rehabilitation centre. A total of 23 participants were interviewed twice. Results: Cancer survivors try to get back to work after treatment and try to re‐establish their former structure of everyday‐life that is seen as a normal and healthy existence. Work contributes to creating the individual as a social being, partaking in social relations with others. Work plays a role in establishing the individual's identity. It is difficult for many to resume work. When they are unable to work, they establish new activities in everyday‐life that give meaning to a life. In order to understand the cultural meaning of work in capitalist society, we incorporate the theoretical perspective of Max Weber. Conclusion: Those who after cancer treatment are unable to work lose a part of their identity; they lose the personal challenge and satisfaction related to work. They are no longer part of the companionship related to work. Having had cancer means a disruption of the structure of everyday‐life that is taken for granted. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.