Science

New White Paper From the MASCC Psychosocial Study Group: Work After Cancer – Global Challenges and Solutions

MASCC/LinkedIn

Jun 10, 2025, 16:02

New White Paper From the MASCC Psychosocial Study Group: Work After Cancer – Global Challenges and Solutions

Nirmala Bhoo Pathy, Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at University of Malaya, shared a post by The MASCC on LinkedIn, adding:

“We know that work plays a crucial role in cancer survivorship, NOT just for financial security, BUT also for psychological, social and functional well-being.

Yet in many parts of the world, especially in LMICs, people with cancer are left without the support they need to return to or remain in work.

Our White Paper serves as an urgent call to action.

Investing in return-to-work solutions is an investment in people, in dignity, productivity and equity. LMICs cannot be left behind.

So, let’s build the evidence, raise visibility and mobilize funding. There’s much work ahead AND it matters deeply.”

Quoting MASCC‘s post:

“Work plays a crucial role in cancer survivorship, offering not only financial security but also psychological, social, and functional benefits. However, survivors face significant challenges that vary across economic settings.

Work After Cancer: Global Challenges and Solutions is a new white paper from the MASCC Psychosocial Study Group summarizing contemporary issues relating to the experience of work after a cancer diagnosis through a global lens, drawing on the findings of a rapid review of literature and a global survey of clinicians and researchers from 57 countries.

Download for free here.

Findings include:

– Most existing research focuses on high-income economies, with limited data on low- and middle-income economies
– Interventions to support return/maintenance of work after cancer are not routinely available as part of survivorship care
– There is a lack of research addressing broader health system, industrial, and economic policy considerations

As a global organization dedicated to supportive care in cancer, MASCC aims to highlight these challenges, through the lens of a global cancer care community and provide recommendations on how these challenges could be addressed.

This project was supported to MASCC by Allianz Trade.”