Background & Aim: The health benefits of work for individuals, employers and society are well established [1]. Transitioning back to sustainable work for cancer survivors is a marker of social recovery, a move towards improved quality of life and financial security, and is a research priority. Researchers, occupational rehabilitation (OR) and insurance sectors and Cancer Support services have collaborated to implement and evaluate a tailored, multimodal rehabilitation innovation in breast cancer survivor (BCS) care that aims to optimise recovery and return to sustainable work through improving beliefs and perceptions about breast cancer and work.
Methods: Participants are BCSs of working age who have been unable to work in their pre-diagnosis capacity for >3 months due to cancer, and their employers. The multimodal intervention consists of an evidence-based biopsychosocial assessment and health coaching program (weekly face-to-face sessions), and other services (e.g. exercise physiology) tailored to breast cancer. Health coaching identifies current barriers and empowers to facilitate recovery and return to social function, including work. Employer education and support facilitates (early) communication and improved support when transitioning back to work.
Pilot results: Life insurance sector pilot results from 65 cancer survivors (>50% BCSs, working age) showed improvements in work capacity, physical and cognitive fatigue, concerns about recurrence, and pain. Consultant surveys found considerable barriers to participation in and engagement with the program, including referral delays, cancer recurrence and health concerns.
Conclusions: Pilot results have informed the refinement of the next stage longitudinal study that will compare baseline and 6 month follow-up data on work and capacity outcomes, and a range of biopsychosocial factors known to affect return to work for BCSs. The service stands to benefit survivors, families and workplaces in Australia and moves toward improved work and health outcomes and competency improvements within the life insurance, OR and large employer sectors.