A cancer diagnosis can be life-changing in so many ways which go beyond the physical. The period of time through treatment and recovery can bring profound shifts in your values, beliefs, and priorities. For some, once the treatment phase is over, a new challenge emerges: how do you return to work after having a career break to recover from cancer. This phase can be daunting, but it may also provide an opportunity for reflection, growth, and renewal.
A Time to Reflect, Reprioritise, and Reset
After any career break, it’s normal to question what the next chapter of your life should look like. What do you want to achieve personally and professionally? What brings you fulfilment now which has perhaps changed? Many returners recovering from long term illness find that that their outlook on life such as what matters most and where they want to focus their energy, has fundamentally altered.
However, going back to work after this time isn’t always about resuming your old routine. It may also involve navigating a new version of yourself. This period of transition can be seen as an opportunity to reset, to reprioritise, and to realign your professional journey with the new values and goals that have emerged from your experience.
Reconnecting With Your Strengths
As you prepare to re-enter the workforce, take some time to reflect on your key strengths and skills you already possess. It’s also worth recognising the power of your cancer experience. It may have provided you with greater insight into your resilience, tenacity, perspective, and motivation. These “new skills” are invaluable, both in life and the workplace.
Here are a few questions to help you reflect:
- What have I learned about myself throughout this experience?
- What personal qualities or strengths have been reinforced or developed?
- How can I integrate these into my professional life?
Setting New Priorities
Work-life balance, fulfilment, and personal well-being may feel more important than ever before. As you consider returning to work, think about the roles, sectors, employers and environments which will align with your values. Are there industries or employers that inspire you? By focusing on what truly matters to you, you may start to see a way forward that feels both energising and meaningful.
Realistic Optimism
It’s important to acknowledge that returning to work after cancer will come with its own set of challenges. There may be days when fatigue, emotions, or doubts creep in. However, it’s equally important to trust in your ability to overcome these hurdles. Realistic optimism is about facing challenges head-on while knowing you have the strength and resilience to navigate them.
Returning to work will require some introspection, patience, and self-compassion. This phase is more than a return to the workforce; it’s a chance to create a new narrative for yourself, both in your career and in your life. By reconnecting with your strengths, setting new priorities, and approaching the future with optimism, you can create a professional life that aligns with your new sense of purpose and fulfilment.
We are looking to build our support for those returning to work after career breaks for ill health. If you’ve recently returned to work after/with cancer, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us at coach@careerreturners.com to share your experience and let us know what helped you in your return. Equally, if you’re looking to return but coming up against various barriers, do let us know what support you’d value most.
Additional Resources
Macmillan Cancer Support
- Work and Cancer Programme: guidance on returning to work, managing work during and after treatment, and understanding your rights as an employee.
- Work Support Service: one-on-one support with work-related issues, including job-seeking advice after cancer.
Website: Macmillan Work Support
Cancer Research UK
- Employment Advice: information on rights at work, making decisions about returning to work, and dealing with employers.
Website: Cancer Research
Breast Cancer Now
- Employment Support: advice for those affected by breast cancer, including information on returning to work and understanding your rights.
Website: Breast Cancer Now
