SINGAPORE: Fighting cancer is a battle no one chooses. With 1 in 4 Singapore residents facing the risk of developing cancer in their lifetime, we witness people overcoming it with extraordinary courage and strength every day.

What we rarely talk about is the second battle that begins after treatment: returning to work. I’ve met many cancer survivors who fought hard to recover and are eager to rebuild their lives, yet returning to work is another uphill climb. Instead of being recognised for their skills, some feel defined by their diagnosis. 

A 2025 study by the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) found that 88 per cent of cancer survivors see returning to work as vital to their recovery, with ties to their dignity, identity and mental well-being. Yet nearly 50 per cent of them feel anxious about doing so, fearing they will be treated differently.

Returning to work is not just a personal journey, but a shared responsibility between cancer survivors and employers.

INVISIBLE IMPACT OF CANCER 

We often don’t see the invisible impact of cancer and cancer treatments: neuropathy that makes typing on a keyboard painful, lingering fatigue after treatment, or brain fog that may make presentations difficult and diminish one’s ability to switch between tasks quickly. 

Survivors share how difficult it is when others assume that “looking fine” means being fully recovered. Many continue to face physical strain and exhaustion that keep them from returning to their previous levels of productivity.

Some feel uncertain about disclosing their illness to colleagues, fearing judgment. But without open communication, these challenges add pressure to meet workplace expectations, creating stress and guilt that lead to burnout.

In Singapore, 50 people are diagnosed with cancer every day, and more adults in their 30s and 40s are being diagnosed with early-onset cancer. However, surviv...