What’s it like to return to work after you have recovered from cancer?
One person who has recently experienced just that is Newstalk’s political correspondent Seán Defoe.
Every year, 170 men in Ireland are diagnosed with with testicular cancer and last year, Seán was one of them.
After months of treatment, he returned to work for the local and European elections in June.
On Lunchtime Live, Seán said the past year had not been his “favourite 12 months”.
“It’s been weird for the last few weeks because, obviously, with election campaigning, it has been flat to the mat,” he said.
“I love elections, I thrive off elections but I’ve had all of the anniversaries fall during the election.
“Last week, when we were doing the live shows with you, it was a year on since I had started chemo.”
In this powerful podcast Seán Defoe discusses his cancer journey and speaks to our own @jgleesonirl and also @MohammadSaab7 about the crucial role of early detection and comprehensive treatment in overcoming #testicularcancer. @IrishCancerSoc https://t.co/huAjDvQ2XV
— Cancer Research @UCC (@CanResUCC) May 30, 2024
According to Cancer Research UK, 36% of all cancer patients were over 75.
Despite this, since the 1990s, cancer rates have increased significantly among those aged 24 and under.
“Unfortunately, there are so many more people getting cancer young now,” Seán said.
“Particularly, bowel cancer, for example, we’re seeing rising rates among young people.
“The knock on effect is that, yes, thankfully, so many more people are returning to work healthy and getting over it.
“But getting a life changing diagnosis like that is not exactly the easiest thing, so I want to start a bit of a conversation.”
We’re sharing the five red flag symptoms of #BowelCancer so everyone knows what to look out for.
If you notice any of these symptoms or something doesn’t feel right, we’d encourage you to visit your GP.
Find out more: https://t.co/0M7K1uJTEx pic.twitter.com/DCz26CKDKT
— Bowel Cancer UK (@bowelcanceruk) February 6, 2024
Seán said he decided to throw himself in at the “deep end” when he returned to work but worried he might succumb to brain fog - one of the many side effects of chemotherapy.
“When you’re coming up to something like an election, you’re trying to remember hundreds of candidates across the country, who they stand for and where they’re running,” he said.
“I was just really worried I was going to blank on air and it has happened to me a couple of times on air.
“I was covering The Anton Savage Show one day and I turned around and said, ‘So, Paul, what do you think?’
“He turns around and says, ‘Well, I’m John.’”
A common experience
Susanne Dowd of the Irish Cancer Society told Seán that performance anxiety is common among cancer patients returning to the workforce.
“A lot of people report issues about their confidence in returning, their sense of self was shaken up by their cancer diagnosis and by going through treatment,” she said.
“Some of the other challenges that were flagged were a reduction in income - salary or bonus.
“Also, there were cases when people reported an unsupportive manager or colleagues which didn’t help their return either.”
For those who are able, the Irish Cancer Society recommends returning to work on a part-time basis to begin with.
You can listen back here:
Main image shows Sean Defoe in studio. Image: Newstalk
