Background:
Work is a significant part of life for many people affected by cancer. For some, it supports recovery, identity, and stability. For others living with treatable but not curable cancer, it offers continuity, connection, and structure during ongoing treatment. For all, maintaining employment helps reduce financial stress and prevent financial toxicity. This need is growing as more people are diagnosed, survival rates improve, retirement is delayed, and cancer is diagnosed across a broader range of working ages. Many face challenges beyond physical health, including persistent side effects such as cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), fatigue, and anxiety, which impact confidence and capacity to work.
Aims:
To understand the mismatch between the needs of people affected by cancer and the expectations of their employers, and to develop a person-centred approach to work participation that responds to individual circumstances.
Methods:
This project drew on cross-sector collaboration involving survivorship services, career transition experts, legal and workplace advisors, and people with lived experience across roles including teaching, nursing, administration, corporate, and public service. Combining insights from research and lived experience, the project identified practical strategies to support both individuals and workplaces.
Results:
Participants report that invisible side effects, particularly CRCI, create ongoing uncertainty about cognitive capacity and work performance. Many were reluctant to disclose difficulties or request changes. A person-centred framework was developed to support tailored work plans, side-effect-informed communication, and adjustment strategies aligned with individual goals and treatment realities.
Conclusion:
Maintaining or reintegrating into employment during and after cancer requires recognition of emotional, physical, and cognitive impacts. Embedding person-centred approaches into survivorship care enables more equitable, sustainable work participation and addresses a growing need across the cancer care continuum.