Over one in two people diagnosed with head and neck cancer returned to work after diagnosis and treatment, a new Irish study has found.

The study looked at people diagnosed with head and neck cancer who had been working at the time of diagnosis. The results show that return to work is eventually possible despite such a serious diagnosis.

Researchers from the National Cancer Registry found that while 77% of the people studied took some time off work for treatment and recovery, over half (58%) eventually did return to work after their diagnosis.

The average time taken off work was nine months, but a small group of those studied were absent for more than a year before they returned to work.

The researchers say factors such as the type of cancer, type of treatment and type of work all influenced chances of returning to work after head and neck cancer.

"Working contributes to an individual's sense of self and quality of life, as well as protecting against financial distress. Therefore, it is important that head and neck cancer survivors are aware that return to work is possible, but may take an extended period of time," said Alison Pearce, one of the authors of the study.

The results also indicate that doctors need to be aware that patients' future workforce participation should be taken into account from the time of diagnosis and may continue to be an issue during and beyond the period of rehabilitation.

The researchers say policy-makers and employers need to be aware that flexibility is required in the workplace to accommodate longer-term effects following head and neck cancer.

The research is published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship.