Employment Challenges Faced by Breast Cancer Survivors in an Upper Middle–Income Asian Setting

Background: Cancer survivorship as an area, which focuses on the health and life of an individual following cancer diagnosis and treatment is increasingly being recognized as an important component of the cancer control continuum. Advances in breast cancer detection and treatments have resulted in a growing number of patients experiencing a breast cancer diagnosis at an age when career plays an important role in their lives. Yet, very little is known on how breast cancer affects employment and return to work among survivors, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. Aim: This qualitative study aims to gain an in-depth understanding on employment challenges and motivators/barriers in return to work faced by breast cancer survivors in an upper-middle income Asian setting. Methods: Eleven focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with breast cancer survivors representing various ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds in Malaysia. Patients diagnosed one to two years prior to the study were recru...