Returning to Work after cancer treatment: case study of health care worker after cancer

Returning to work following a diagnosis of cancer can often be an important part of the recovery, indeed Waddell and Burton (2006) stress that (good) work is health enhancing. Staying in employment should be a realistic option, and with appropriate interventions workers with cancer can be supported to remain in work (Taskila et al, 2013).
This case study examines the impact that breast cancer and its treatment had on Beryl (pseudonym), a health care worker on a medical unit in relation to a successful return to work (RTW). It highlights the impact of the pathophysiology of cancer, the assessment of Beryl’s fitness for work and planning a successful RTW is considered.