Tailored support for preparing employees with cancer to return to work: Recognition and gaining new insights in an open atmosphere.

The study used a convenience sample of 22 participants, so it may not represent all employees with cancer or all return-to-work professionals. The employees did not necessarily follow all three modules, and the professionals did not necessarily deliver them, so the contribution of any single module, physical exercise or employer conversation cannot be separated. Professionals often had to depart from the protocol, and the authors questioned whether participants received the intended method or care as usual. Recall bias may have occurred because some participants' support had been provided three years earlier. Most employees were between 40 and 60 years, and half had breast cancer, so the findings may not fit younger employees or other cancer types. The authors did not examine employees' medical conditions, cancer severity or type of treatment. Employers were not asked directly, so workplace support is known only through employees and professionals. The study did not evaluate whether the support caused return to work or improved workability.

No funding or conflict of interest declaration is given in the supplied text.

Do not read the appreciation of the support as proof that Cancer & Work Support improves return to work. This was a qualitative interview study, not an effectiveness test, and the authors said they could not conclude whether or how the support contributed to work resumption. The support also included several modules, physical exercise and employer conversations, so any single component cannot be separated.