Kati Hiltrop1,2, Paula Heidkamp1,2, Sarah Halbach1,2, Evamarie Brock-Midding1,2, Christoph Kowalski3, Christine Holmberg4, Nicole Ernstmann1,2. 1. Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research (CHSR), Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. 2. Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO Bonn), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. 3. German Cancer Society, Berlin, Germany. 4. Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Knowledge regarding the occupational rehabilitation of male breast cancer patients (MBCPs) is currently scarce; however, there may exist unmet needs of men affected by this rare disease. Therefore, this exploratory study investigated the experiences of MBCPs in their return to work (RTW). METHODS: Interview data from 14 men with a breast cancer diagnosis were used for qualitative content analysis. Data were collected within the mixed-methods N-MALE project (Male breast cancer: patients' needs in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up care), conducted in Germany from 2016 to 2018. RESULTS: The eight identified motives for RTW were desire for normalcy, distraction, need for activity, social contacts, work as a source of pleasure, financial considerations, lack of self-perception of illness, and having a job requiring low physical effort. The participants reported positive experiences with their workplaces from diagnosis through RTW. However, stigmatisation occurred. The aftermath of the disease and treatment led to changes in the interviewees' productivity, for instance due to fatigue. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of RTW processes, as new insights were gained about motives and experiences particular to MBCPs. Support needs after return were apparent and may help to reduce long-term effects that limit productivity.
OBJECTIVE: Knowledge regarding the occupational rehabilitation of male breast cancer patients (MBCPs) is currently scarce; however, there may exist unmet needs of men affected by this rare disease. Therefore, this exploratory study investigated the experiences of MBCPs in their return to work (RTW). METHODS: Interview data from 14 men with a breast cancer diagnosis were used for qualitative content analysis. Data were collected within the mixed-methods N-MALE project (Male breast cancer: patients' needs in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up care), conducted in Germany from 2016 to 2018. RESULTS: The eight identified motives for RTW were desire for normalcy, distraction, need for activity, social contacts, work as a source of pleasure, financial considerations, lack of self-perception of illness, and having a job requiring low physical effort. The participants reported positive experiences with their workplaces from diagnosis through RTW. However, stigmatisation occurred. The aftermath of the disease and treatment led to changes in the interviewees' productivity, for instance due to fatigue. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of RTW processes, as new insights were gained about motives and experiences particular to MBCPs. Support needs after return were apparent and may help to reduce long-term effects that limit productivity.
Authors: Kati Hiltrop; Paula Heidkamp; Clara Breidenbach; Christoph Kowalski; Anna Enders; Holger Pfaff; Lena Ansmann; Franziska Geiser; Nicole Ernstmann Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2021-04-27 Impact factor: 4.442