Reintegration and maintenance of employees with breast cancer in the workplace

For many persons with cancer, return to work serves as a measure of recovery from the treatment aspect of the illness as well as a positive step toward the future. Problems related to insurance coverage exist for cancer survivors due to the lack of legal requirement that an insurance company insure any applicant. The occupational health nurse brings knowledge of cancer, cancer therapy, and rehabilitation to the employer and the employee and serves as a liaison between the needs of the organization and the employee with respect to return to work. Information sharing, values clarification, role playing, and legal and ethical consultation may be effective in helping the employer as well as the co-workers meet identified goals.