Decembeard & Beyond: VR for Bowel Cancer Recovery

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) can play a transformative role in supporting individuals recovering from bowel cancer, especially when engaged early during treatment. From fatigue management to workplace adjustments for stoma care, VR professionals offer tailored, proactive support that empowers return-to-work readiness.

Early VR Engagement: Planning Ahead During Treatment

Referring individuals to VR services during treatment, not just after, can significantly improve outcomes. Early engagement helps maintain a sense of work identity, reduce anxiety about future employment, and foster proactive planning for return-to-work (RTW). According to Working To Wellbeing and Macmillan Cancer Support, early VR coaching enables individuals to self-manage symptoms, understand workplace options, and stay connected to their professional roles.

This approach aligns with the NHS’s emphasis on prehabilitation, which encourages physical, emotional, and practical preparation before and during treatment. North Bristol NHS Trust highlights how prehabilitation supports better recovery and smoother transitions back to work and daily life routines.

Fatigue & Energy Management Strategies

Fatigue is one of the most common and persistent challenges after cancer treatment. VR professionals can deliver structured fatigue management education, including:

• Activity pacing: Breaking tasks into manageable chunks and alternating activity with rest.
• Energy conservation: Prioritising tasks, delegating where possible, and using assistive tools.
• Workload balancing: Adjusting hours, responsibilities, or environments to match recovery needs.

These strategies are supported by Macmillan’s fatigue resources and are often integrated into VR coaching to help individuals sustain employment without compromising health.

Supporting Ostomy-Related Workplace Needs

Many bowel cancer survivors live with a temporary or permanent stoma. Returning to work with a stoma can be daunting, but VR professionals can help navigate practical and emotional challenges. Support may include:

• Access to private facilities for stoma care during the workday.
• Adjusted break schedules to accommodate physical needs.
• Workplace education to reduce stigma and foster understanding.
• Manager and colleague awareness training to build empathy and discretion.

Bowel Cancer UK offers guidance on living and working with a stoma, and VR services can tailor workplace adjustments based on individual needs and job roles.

Workplace Risk Assessment & Adjustments

After surgery or treatment, certain tasks, like lifting, prolonged standing, or exposure to infection, may pose risks. VR professionals conduct workplace risk assessments to identify these challenges and recommend adjustments such as:

• Ergonomic equipment
• Modified duties
• Infection control protocols
• Flexible scheduling

These assessments are vital for ensuring safety and confidence during the RTW process, and they align with best practices outlined in the UK Government’s VR guidance.

🎗️ Spotlight on Decembeard: Raising Awareness

From 1–31 December, Decembeard invites people to grow or decorate beards to raise awareness and funds for bowel cancer. Organised by Bowel Cancer UK, this campaign highlights the importance of early detection and supports the vision of a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer.

VR professionals play a crucial role in this vision, helping survivors rebuild their lives, navigate workplace challenges, and feel empowered in their recovery journey.

Sources: Macmillan Cancer Support – Rehabilitation Pathways
Working To Wellbeing – Early Intervention VR Coaching
UK Government – Vocational Rehabilitation Review
North Bristol NHS Trust – Cancer Prehabilitation

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