Re-defining one's occupational self 2 years after breast cancer: A case study

Issue title: Work and Cancer

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Newman, Robin M.

Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 West Taylor Street (Mail Code 811), Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Tel.: +1 312 355 2656; Fax: +1 312 413 0256; E-mail: rnewma3@uic.edu

Abstract: Margaret*, a 56 year-old Caucasian Stage III breast cancer survivor, participated in a 5 week occupational therapy pilot program, called Take Action. This program was designed for breast cancer survivors who self-reported changes in cognitive function following completion of chemotherapy. The goals of the program were to improve participants' knowledge and use of strategies to enhance occupational performance and to improve satisfaction and performance of meaningful daily activities or occupations. Through a client-centered and evidence-based approach, this case study highlights the importance of incorporating the survivors' sense of self into an occupation-based intervention. Occupational therapists play an important role in facilitating exploration of sense of self in the survivorship phase of care to support occupational performance in self care, productivity, work, leisure and social participation. This case study highlights the important work of redefining oneself in the survivorship phase of care. (*denotes name change)

Keywords: Breast cancer, survivorship, occupational therapy

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131679

Journal: Work, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 439-444, 2013