Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy
Exploring Women's Experiences of Work Participation During Breast Cancer Treatment: A Qualitative Study
By Cadorin L, Fortin A, Cedrone S and 2 others.
Abstract
Background
Breast cancer and its treatments significantly affect women's daily functioning, including their ability to engage in work. While return to work has been widely studied as an outcome, less is known about how work participation is experienced and negotiated during active treatment, particularly in relation to patients' functioning and support needs.
Aim
The aim of this study was to explore how women with breast cancer experience and make sense of work participation while undergoing treatment.
Methods
A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted with 19 women receiving treatment for breast cancer at three hospitals in northeastern Italy. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Colaizzi's seven-step method.