title: Cancer and the meaning of work.
abstract: The importance of work in patients with cancer has received relatively little attention. This article reviews the existing literature and uses case examples to illustrate the themes that characterize work-related distress. Whereas loss of occupational identity can be a source of significant anxiety and depression, continuing or returning to the workplace allows many patients to maintain a sense of normalcy or control. The experience of discrimination can become a focus for strong feelings about fairness. Clinicians need to both address work-related distress directly and appreciate the larger significance these themes may have in their patients' coping. A closer look at the importance of work in oncology suggests several areas for future research.
authors.affiliation: Adult Psychosocial Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Partners Cancer Care, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Peteet
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D014937:Work