I’m on the hunt for people’s experience & advice for returning to work following breast cancer treatment (whilst understanding that we’re all unique in our diagnosis and circumstances!).
I’m nearing the end of my 7-month treatment journey, with radiotherapy rounding things off in a couple of weeks’ time, though will be in hormone treatment for 5-7 years (Letrazole + Zoladex / Prostap).
I’ve heard some people return within two weeks, though I deeply feel I need more time to process the last 7 months, build up my strength and health again, and to simply enjoy some time off without it being dominated by cancer. That said, my employer has been brilliantly supportive and I don’t want to seem like I’m taking the mick in any way.
My job is quite fast-paced, and I also have a slight fear of stress contributing to the risk of reccurence (hence my reservations about work!).
Any snippets of advice or experience would be really helpful.
Hi!
I have just gone back to work after 6 months off after lumpectomy and subsequent mastectomy (I didn’t need chemo or radio) and now on Tamoxifen. I definitely needed time to build up my strength and process what had happened (still work in progress!). I am lucky enough to have a phased return over 1 month which might be worth discussing with your employer. It feels like a positive step but I am surprisingly tired after half a day! Be kind to yourself and do what feels right for you. Wishing you all the best x
Apart from time off for surgery, I have worked through my treatment with the odd few days off during chemo - and in hindsight, I’m not sure it was the best thing to do. People see me around and assume I’m back to being me. But I’m not. I haven’t had the time to digest what has hit me. And I’ve still got radiotherapy to go! I started Letrozole six weeks ago so have also had that to contend with.
My advice would be to be honest with people and be kind to yourself. I try to set the pace but I’m not sure I always do so successfully and I’m not sure it has done me any good at all. It’s really hard balancing work, home, cancer and drugs - and saying no.
On the other hand, work provides a bit of normality where it’s not just about cancer. Personally, I’m looking to leave as it’s given me the insight that work isn’t working for me any more! xx
I took 6 months off but didnt go back until about 6 weeks after radiotherapy. Unfortunately, in my case, effects started occuring 3-4 months after radiotherapy- breast oedema, intermittent cording ect. Had a rough time at the beginning of the year with a virus on top, but was using some annual leave accrued to make hours less, so doable just about. A bit better in last few weeks - radiotherapy was back in August, so that shows that effects can last. Its all individual though and I had boosts and 19 fractions in total, so a fair amount.
I recommend a phased return, dont expect to be back to FT hours if you work them for a good while.
I had chemo/surgery/radiotherapy and went back to work 4.5 months after my last RT. I had the whole summer off, spending time with friends and family, catching up on my bucket list… and having some very lazy days too! As much as I understand some people’s need to work to help distract them, you’ve been through so much and wanting time off to work on yourself and your healing/recovery is also so important! Even when I went back, I was on a phased return over 4 months, so I didn’t even go back to my full hours for a while, it helped ease me back in and pick up little projects. Wishing you all the best in making your decision, you’re almost at the finish line
@flojo That sounds exactly the same as my path. I agree that with hindsight, stopping or slowing down to process (and just to rest and recuperate) may have helped. But work was a distraction and made me feel I wasn’t solely a patient.
I could have written your post myself just over 3 years ago….
I was diagnosed in July 2021, I had a lumpectomy shortly after diagnosis and 15 sessions of radiotherapy in the October. I returned to work in January 2022.
At the time I wasn’t really enjoying my job, I couldn’t deal with the diagnosis and work and whilst I felt like I should be at work I realise that I had no reason to feel compelled to be at work. I believe most employers sick pay policy is insurance backed: being paid sick pay doesn’t necessarily come from the employer’s personal pocket nor does statutory sick pay,
My oncologist gave me the best advice which was not to return to work until I was crawling the walls and there is nothing else I’d rather be doing, and she was absolutely right!
Almost four years on I am 12 months on from a promotion and really enjoying the same job. My breast cancer diagnosis taught me a lot of things not least to be kind to myself, by allowing myself time to process my diagnosis treatment and recovery time I feel that this has all been to my longer term recovery and attitude to life.
Wishing you all the best with your future recovery and return to work: I’m glad to hear you have a kind employer not all of them are, notwithstanding that there are laws in place to protect cancer patients
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