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Many people look forward to returning to work after breast cancer treatment because it helps them feel normal again. But it’s common to have worries about returning to a job, especially if you’ve been away for a while. Planning can help you feel more confident and allow you to balance your health and work demands.

Here are some things to consider and plan for when you’re returning to work after cancer treatment.

Factors Associated With Return to Work After Breast Cancer Treatment

Completing breast cancer treatment is a significant milestone. But your body has been through a lot, and it may take you a while before you start to feel like yourself again.

Recovery from cancer treatment is hard because medication side effects can linger for weeks or months. It’s also normal to feel mentally and physically exhausted. These factors can influence your overall well-being — and your decision to return to work.

Physical and mental side effects

After breast cancer treatment, you may still have various mental and physical side effects. These may affect your ability to work. They can include:

• Chemo brain — After chemotherapy treatments end, you may experience brain fog, memory problems, or difficulty concentrating or multitasking. These can add extra stress when you’re planning to return to work, especially if your job is mentally demanding. Talk to your doctor about medications or cognitive training that may help.
• Digestive problems — Chemotherapy can cause long-term intestinal problems and diarrhea. A nutritionist can suggest foods and strategies to help manage chemo-related digestive issues so they don’t interfere with your life.
• Emotional distress — Fighting cancer is emotionally draining, even after you finish treatment. You may still feel worried, depressed, or angry. Some people also report post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Talk to your health care team about your emotions and ask for help if you’re struggling.
• Fatigue — Cancer-related fatigue is common and can last for years after treatment, making it hard to meet your work demands. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, exercising, and eating a healthy diet with plenty of whole plant foods can help.

Managing stressful situations

Before committing to a return to work date, consider these factors, too:

• Is your workplace or job stressful? Chronic stress exposure can affect your immune system, impacting your ability to heal and potentially leading to other health problems. Talk to your boss about ways to alleviate stress at work.
• Will you need help managing your home life? If you have children or a family, consider arranging extra child care, housekeeping, or a meal delivery service. Having these in place can reduce home life stress.

Deciding when to return to work after cancer treatment is personal and depends on how you feel mentally and physically. You should also consider how demanding your treatment was. You may need to take six months or more off if you’ve had surgery and intensive treatment for late-stage breast cancer.

Even if your treatment wasn’t as intensive, it’s always best to pace yourself and prioritize your health.

Before You Return to Your Regular Job

Talk to your health care team before deciding on a return-to-work date. It’s essential to make sure you’re well enough to do your job before heading back.

You should also ask what your medical schedule may look like in the coming months and whether you’ll need time off for follow-up care, blood work, or more treatments.

When your doctor has given you the OK to return to work, set up a meeting with your human resources department or manager. You’ll want to:

• Ask if they have a formal return-to-work or disability management program — Some companies require regular check-ins with your supervisor to monitor your progress and pivot your job responsibilities as needed.
• Ask if your job allows a phased return to work after cancer treatment — Working a reduced schedule with shorter days or fewer days a week can help you ease back into your routine. Your company may request documentation from your medical provider to verify your limitations and the need to adjust work hours and location.
• Inform them about limitations resulting from treatment side effects that may impact your job performance — The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for people with physical limitations due to health conditions. This includes time off for medical appointments and a change in duties if you can no longer do your regular job.

How to Prepare for a New Job

A cancer diagnosis and treatment can force you to reevaluate everything in your life, including your job. If your job is highly stressful or unfulfilling or you’re unable to meet its demands, now may prove the perfect time to change paths.

If it’s been a while since you’ve changed jobs, make sure you update your resume to highlight your accomplishments for other employers. A career coach can help with as well as interviewing tips.

Try to network with old work colleagues, friends, neighbors, and even extended family members. Employers often don’t advertise the best job opportunities and fill them by word of mouth. You never know who’s hiring.

Finally, keep these legal tips in mind when preparing and interviewing for a job after breast cancer treatment:

• An employer can legally ask questions related to the duties and responsibilities of a job, but they can’t ask questions about your health or a medical condition.
• You can tell a potential employer about your breast cancer if you wish. But they may still not ask you any questions about your cancer, treatment, or recovery. They must also keep any information you share confidential.

Dealing With Discrimination

Laws can protect you from discrimination. But some people still find they receive different or unfair treatment after returning to work.

The best way to handle discrimination is to take steps like these to prevent it:

• Ask your doctor for a letter stating your ability to return to work.
• Attend classes or workshops to refresh your job skills.
• Meet regularly with your manager to ensure you’re on top of projects and assignments.
• Review past work assignments.
• Stay up to date on projects or developments that happened while you were away.

Returning to work after breast cancer treatment is both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Take the time you need to ease back into it, and remember, your health must always come first.