The Second Battle: Returning to Work After Cancer is Tougher Than We Think
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Returning to work after cancer treatment presents significant challenges for survivors, impacting their dignity, identity, and mental well-being.
- Many survivors experience invisible side effects like fatigue, neuropathy, and brain fog, leading to difficulties in productivity and fear of judgment from colleagues.
- Employers play a crucial role in creating cancer-inclusive workplaces through practical support, flexible arrangements, and open communication to help survivors reintegrate successfully.
In Singapore, where cancer survival rates are rising, the conversation is shifting from the fight against the disease to the equally arduous journey of returning to the workforce. Channel News Asia (CNA) sheds light on a critical, often overlooked, aspect of recovery: the challenges faced by cancer survivors reintegrating into their professional lives. This isn't just a personal struggle; it's a societal issue that demands attention and action from employers.
Instead of being recognised for their skills at work, people affected by cancer may feel defined by the diagnosis.
The statistics are stark: 88% of survivors view returning to work as vital for their recovery, yet nearly half feel anxious about facing stigma or being treated differently. The invisible impacts of cancer and its treatments – lingering fatigue, cognitive difficulties often termed 'brain fog,' and physical discomfort – create a significant barrier. Survivors often feel pressure to 'look fine,' masking the ongoing strain and potentially leading to burnout if their challenges aren't understood or accommodated.
88 per cent of cancer survivors see returning to work as vital to their recovery, with ties to their dignity, identity and mental well-being.
From a Singaporean perspective, as highlighted by the Singapore Cancer Society, this issue is deeply intertwined with our national focus on well-being and productivity. With an aging population and an increasing number of diagnoses in the prime working years, supporting these individuals isn't just compassionate; it's economically prudent. CNA's reporting underscores the need for a cultural shift in workplaces, moving beyond mere compliance to actively fostering an inclusive environment. This involves practical measures like flexible work arrangements and open dialogue, ensuring that valuable employees with extensive experience and institutional knowledge are not lost due to a lack of support.
Yet nearly 50 per cent of them feel anxious about doing so, fearing they will be treated differently.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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