Returning to work is not enough for cancer survivors: vocational rehabilitation needs to consider work-related well-being.

[PURPOSE] To explore how cancer survivors experience work-related well-being and aspects influencing their experience of it, one year after cancer treatment.

[METHODS] During the development of a work-related intervention, cancer survivors (n = 22, 67% was female, age md 56 years) were interviewed using purposive sampling one year post chemo-/radiotherapy for breast, prostate or colorectal cancer. Inductive content analysis was applied.

[RESULTS] The first year after treatment was described as a transition period in which cancer survivors strove to regain their general well-being but were able to experience work-related well-being even when their general well-being was limited. Their work-related experiences were characterised by a balance between personal readiness for work participation and workload. Daily life and working life were described as interdependent, requiring strategies to maintain balance. There was a vulnerability in handling the demands of work. Both general well-being and work-related well-being were promoted by the absence of side effects and the availability of guidance and responsiveness from caregivers and employers.

[CONCLUSION] One year after treatment, cancer survivors considered participation in work life to be important for their well-being. At the same time, the need for enhanced preparation was expressed for balancing work and private life, managing remaining side effects, and navigating ongoing rehabilitation. Our results suggest that the interplay between personal preparedness and work-related stress is central to work-related well-being, highlighting the importance of addressing work-related aspects early in treatment. The findings also indicate that available resources in cancer rehabilitation are underused relative to patients' individual needs.

[IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS] Cancer survivors desired a more holistic rehabilitation, as both general well-being and work-related well-being encompass life after illness as well as the process of returning to work. Strengthening and clearly defining the role of contact nurses regarding work-related issues, and establishing early collaboration between the cancer survivor, employer, and rehabilitation coordinators, can improve support for return to work. Further research is needed to investigate how these discussions and support efforts can be structured and how models and theories can be applied to contribute to increased focus on issues related to work-related well-being after cancer.