L’expérience de transition vers le retour au travail des survivantes âgées de moins de 50 ans après la fin des traitements du cancer du sein
After breast cancer treatments, many survivors wish to return to an active social life that includes return to work. Although this step seems beneficial, it has several challenges to overcome, such as managing the side effects of treatment at work or varying support from colleagues and health professionals. However, aspects of this experience remain to be explored for survivors, who are most likely to return to their jobs. It is even possible that this experience may be similar to that of a transition. To our knowledge, few studies have addressed this experience from a transition perspective and from the perspective of survivors under the age of 50. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of transitioning breast cancer survivors back to work.  An exploratory qualitative study was conducted. Narrative interviews (n=8) were conducted with youth survivors who had returned to work for at least six months and were under the age of 50. An analysis of the thematic content was carried out.  The results were grouped into four themes: 1) a life changed by cancer, 2) work is a sign of normality, 3) factors influencing the transition and 4) strategies mobilized to successfully transition back to work. The results suggest that breast cancer survivors want to leave their illness-tinged lives and return to a “normal” life that includes returning to work. The experience of transitioning back to work is also influenced by several factors that may facilitate or hinder it.  This study highlighted the transition experience of women under the age of 50 who appear to have distinct challenges to return to work. Based on the results, many recommendations were developed to better support survivors during their transition back to work.
Breast cancer Woman Return to work Transition Cancer survivorship Adult Middle age