Cancer and careers: Perspectives and experiences of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer

BackgroundAs new cases of differentiated thyroid cancer become younger and survival rates improve, young and middle-aged patients have become the main population with the disease. Therefore, most patients are in the developmental stage of work. Returning to work after cancer treatment has become common.ObjectiveTo explore the perceptions and experiences of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer about continuing to work after cancer.MethodsUsing the descriptive phenomenological research method, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who entered the follow-up period, and the data were analyzed using the Colaizzi 7-step analysis method and managed with the help of Nvivo 11.ResultsThe themes of work experience are as follows: necessary reasons for continuing to work: survival needs, supporting family, work for recovery; negative effects of disease in work status: distressing cancer symptoms, fear of disease recurrence, difficult choice between health and future, labeling of cancer patients; support and coping: family support, social support, professional information support.ConclusionsEconomic factors play an important role in differentiated thyroid cancer survivors' choice to continue working. Patients who are currently in a work status have some distress, but to some extent, the work status facilitates survival and treatment. Multidisciplinary and individualized medical interventions, as well as employer and policy support, can help to mitigate the harm caused by cancer diagnosis and treatment and promote patients' continued work and improved quality of life.