Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Self-Employed Canadians’ Experiences with Cancer and Work: A Qualitative Study

Version 1 : Received: 23 February 2023 / Approved: 24 February 2023 / Online: 24 February 2023 (04:44:52 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Maheu, C.; Parkinson, M.; Wong, C.; Yashmin, F.; Longpré, C. Self-Employed Canadians’ Experiences with Cancer and Work: A Qualitative Study. Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30, 4586-4602. Maheu, C.; Parkinson, M.; Wong, C.; Yashmin, F.; Longpré, C. Self-Employed Canadians’ Experiences with Cancer and Work: A Qualitative Study. Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30, 4586-4602.

Abstract

Self-employed individuals comprise around 15% of Canada’s workforce. For those with cancer, frequent functional loss and diminished work ability due to side effects of the disease and its treatment significantly impact their well-being and business vitality. Compared to salaried can-cer survivors, the self-employed experience greater reductions in work hours and up to 48% greater income loss, yet most research addresses the former population. To describe self-employed Canadian cancer survivors’ experiences continuing and returning to work, our quali-tative study examines their strategic efforts to continue working throughout the disease trajecto-ry or return to work post-recovery. Employing an interpretive description approach and an in-terview guide based on a vocational rehabilitation model for cancer survivors, we analyze data from 23 participants—both French- and English-speaking—from six Canadian provinces, with eight different job types and nine different cancer diagnoses. Our constant comparative analysis of the transcribed interviews reveals four major themes and twelve sub-themes: Impact of can-cer on the self-employed function (physical, cognitive, and psychological), on their ability to maintain their business, and financial well-being, and facilitating factors for working with can-cer. Cancer disclosure and non-disclosure were both deemed viable strategies, but ceasing work was not. We thus recommend professional support for self-employed cancer survivors in plan-ning any necessary business modifications to accommodate their condition and cancer treatment to lessen the negative impact of cancer on self and on their business well-being.

Keywords

self-employed; cancer; work; return to work; cancer survivors

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Oncology and Oncogenics

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