Health · Medical Research · 19 hrs ago
Returning to work after cancer can bring lasting challenges in France
More than 430,000 new cancers are diagnosed in France each year, and four in ten people diagnosed are working at the time.
Treatment can keep people away from work for months or years, and returning can be difficult even when they are in remission.
Eléonore, who had breast cancer, was away from work for about two and a half years and still works part-time because of fatigue.
She says returning brought anxiety and stress, and she continues to see a psychologist.
Benjamin, an IT worker in public service, returned after a year and a half of lung cancer treatment and says colleagues have left him out of work for fear he might become ill again.
These experiences show that recovery can affect both health and working life, while cancer remains difficult to discuss in some workplaces.
Employers and workers may need to address how a return is managed, but no specific next step is given.
More than 430,000 new cancers are diagnosed in France each year, and four in ten patients are working when diagnosed.
Returning to work after cancer treatment can bring lasting physical and psychological difficulties, even years after diagnosis.
Eléonore, a director of an association, was unable to work from February 2017 to July 2019 after breast cancer treatment and still works part-time.
Benjamin, a local government IT manager in Seine-Maritime, says he faced stress and workplace exclusion after returning following lung cancer treatment.
Experts and support groups say workplaces can struggle with the return process, and that discrimination can occur.
- Who
- People returning to work after cancer, including Eléonore and Benjamin.
- What
- They describe lasting challenges after returning to work, including fatigue, anxiety and workplace exclusion.
- When
- The article was published on October 11, 2026. Eléonore was diagnosed in 2017; Benjamin returned after a year and a half of treatment.
- Where
- France, including Seine-Maritime.
- Why
- Cancer treatment can have lasting physical and mental effects, while workplace support and understanding may be lacking.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I felt as if I were in an unknown world.
I no longer want to live for a job, but for myself, because I fought for my survival.
There are still difficulties when people return, and this is also a time when discrimination occurs.
Eléonore was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Eléonore was unable to work while undergoing cancer treatment.
Benjamin returned to his office after lung cancer treatment.
Benjamin said he felt excluded and that colleagues were reluctant to assign him work.
- New cancer diagnoses
- More than 430,000 in France each year
- Patients working at diagnosis
- Four in ten
- Eléonore's time away from work
- February 2017 to July 2019
- Benjamin's location
- Seine-Maritime
- Benjamin's time in treatment
- A year and a half
Sources
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