英国工作年龄人口的头颈癌发病率和患病率正在增加。工作对于个人和社会都非常重要。头颈癌幸存者比其他癌症幸存者更少回到工作岗位。治疗会对身体和心理功能产生长期影响。证据有限，没有英国的定性研究。采用批判现实主义方法进行的定性研究，包括对工作中的头颈癌幸存者进行半结构化面谈。采用Microsoft Teams通讯平台进行面谈，并采用反思性主题分析进行解释。共有13名头颈癌幸存者参加了面谈。数据中得出了三个主题：工作和身份的意义转变、回到工作的经历和医疗保健专业人员对回到工作的影响。身体、语言和心理上的变化影响了工作环境互动，包括同事的污名化反应。参与者在回到工作岗位时面临一定挑战。工作互动和背景因素会对回到工作的成功产生影响。头颈癌幸存者希望在医疗咨询中就回归工作进行交流，但认为这一点存在缺失。

UK head and neck cancer incidence and prevalence in working-age people are increasing. Work is important for individuals and society. Head and neck cancer survivors return to work less than other cancer survivors. Treatment affects physical and psychological functioning long-term. Evidence is limited, with no UK qualitative studies.A qualitative study was conducted, underpinned by a critical realism approach, involving semi-structured interviews with working head and neck cancer survivors. Interviews were conducted using the Microsoft Teams communication platform and interpreted using reflexive thematic analysis.Thirteen head and neck cancer survivors participated. Three themes were drawn from the data: changed meaning of work and identity, return-to-work experiences, and the impact of healthcare professionals on returning to work. Physical, speech and psychosocial changes affected workplace interactions, including stigmatising responses by work colleagues.Participants were challenged by returning to work. Work interactions and context influenced return-to-work success. Head and neck cancer survivors want return-to-work conversations within healthcare consultations, but perceived these as absent.