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The meaning of work and working life after cancer: an interview study
Dorte M Rasmussen1, Beth Elverdam
1Institute of Public Health, Research Unit for General Practice, Odense, Denmark. dmrasmussen@health.sdu.dk
Background:
Cancer survivors have diverse and complex patterns of return to work, but little attention has been given to individual experiences of returning to work.
Objectives:
To analyse the meaning of work and working life for cancer survivors over time.
Methods:
Participant observation was carried out at a cancer rehabilitation centre. A total of 23 participants were interviewed twice.
Results:
Cancer survivors try to get back to work after treatment and try to re-establish their former structure of everyday-life that is seen as a normal and healthy existence. Work contributes to creating the individual as a social being, partaking in social relations with others. Work plays a role in establishing the individual's identity. It is difficult for many to resume work. When they are unable to work, they establish new activities in everyday-life that give meaning to a life. In order to understand the cultural meaning of work in capitalist society, we incorporate the theoretical perspective of Max Weber.
Conclusion:
Those who after cancer treatment are unable to work lose a part of their identity; they lose the personal challenge and satisfaction related to work. They are no longer part of the companionship related to work. Having had cancer means a disruption of the structure of everyday-life that is taken for granted.
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