Exploration of the work related experiences of breast cancer survivors returning to work

Background: The risk of unemployment amongst breast cancer survivors is at a much higher incidence level than the healthy population, yet the health related benefits of employment include physical and social functioning, and vitality. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review and synthesise qualitative research studies on the return to work experiences of breast cancer survivors to identify predictors and challenges influencing return to work outcomes. Methods: The methods involved following a rigorous meta- synthesis process which aims to integrate the results from several inter-related qualitative studies, using an interpretive approach. A total of 207 results were retrieved from five databases; 31 studies were included following screening of the title and abstracts, and finally 12 publications were deemed relevant following screening of the full text. The included studies were quality appraised and rigorously evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) prior to rigorously following the meta-synthesis process. Results: The findings suggest that the benefits of work, financial concerns, the consequences of breast cancer, employer/ coworker support, and new values are key concepts which influence breast cancer survivors RTW experience. The importance of these concepts on returning to work is dependent on the value survivors place on these constituent functions. Conclusion: The meta synthesis proposed for this research study provides synthesized evidence on the work related experiences of breast cancer survivors, and the implications of this for occupational therapy clinical practice and suggestions for future research, particularly occupational therapist’s role in the vocational rehabilitation of breast cancer survivors.