Information about breast cancer

Return to work after breast cancer deserves a prominent place within the treatment pathway

Returning to work after breast cancer is a meaningful step - in all respects - that deserves proper attention and support. However, reintegration is not always easy. It is very important that patients, right from the start of treatment, are well informed and, in addition to family, employer and colleagues, hospital care providers also play an important role in this. This is also shown by the study Exploring practice-based evidence aimed at maintaining/resuming work for cancer patients in Belgium. Today, however, our country lacks a clear guideline for delivering "good practice" in this domain, taking into account the reality in the healthcare landscape on the one hand and scientific findings on the other.

Pink Monday informs on importance of return to work

Pink Ribbon and the NIHDI joined forces several years ago to develop the Pink Monday. A nod to the well-known "Blue Monday," which refers to the most depressing day of the year. Pink Ribbon wants to turn the often difficult day of returning to work into a joyful, hopeful day.

Research shows bottlenecks in role of caregivers

Recent research commissioned by the RIZIV and coordinated by Huget Désiron (European Certified Occupational Therapist), shows that also in oncological care a relative consensus is present about the fact that reintegration should get a prominent place from the start of the treatment process. However, caregivers themselves indicate that, in current practice, it is virtually impossible to effectively take up that role because of a lack of resources and people, of knowledge and tools, of focus, ...

The need among patients to possibly combine long-term treatments with (part-time) work and the recognition of cancer as a chronic condition form the basis for developing an approach that fits the long-term recovery process. Thus, recovery must not only be worked on medically. Psychosocial care, which includes reintegration into the workplace, must also be included as one of the objectives in the care offer from the very beginning.

Best practice to make reintegration more negotiable

The study concludes that a common roadmap should be developed for all patients that parallels the evolution of their recovery while still allowing for individual "customization." A crucial role is assigned to a central figure who performs a coordinating function.

Pink Monday code of conduct

So there is a clear unanimity among health care providers and patients alike: reintegration deserves proper attention. That is why Pink Ribbon invites you to make a difference. By doing so, you show your colleague that you stand by her before, during and after her breast cancer diagnosis and help her return to work.

Read the full study Exploring practice-based evidence focused on retention/resume work for cancer patients in Belgium here.

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Aftercare
Work resumption
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Reintegration into the workplace after breast cancer

Breast cancer does not mean the end of a career. On the contrary, most breast cancer patients want to return to work after their treatment. In many cases, adapted work is necessary, but this is not always possible. Occupational physician Mathieu Versée lists the obstacles and proposes solutions. "Reintegrating people who have undergone cancer treatment into the workplace is a win for employers."
Aftercare
Work resumption
Work resumption

Running Your Own Business While Living with Breast Cancer

Research shows that self-employed people with cancer generally remain active for longer during their illness and return to work sooner than employees. However, returning to work earlier does not necessarily mean a faster recovery.
Aftercare
Work resumption
Testimonial

“Former patients don’t ask for special treatment—they just want to be heard”: Job coach Leen on returning to work

Officially, she’s retired, but sitting still isn’t in Leen Goossens’ (63) vocabulary. Drawing on her years of experience as a coach, in HR, and from her own journey with cancer, she now helps people who are finding their way back to work and life after cancer.

Find out how you can support Pink Ribbon .

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