ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of work readiness and its influencing factors among postoperative lung cancer patients returning to work. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on young and middle-aged postoperative lung cancer patients who were treated at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March to September 2023 and returned to their jobs. Data were collected through a general information questionnaire, readiness for return-to-work scale (RRTW), general self-efficacy scale (GSES), and simplified coping style questionnaire (SCSQ). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the factors affecting the work adaptation of returning patients. ResultsA total of 219 patients were included, with 59 males and 160 females aged 18-60 years. Among the postoperative lung cancer patients returning to work, 73.1% were in the active maintenance stage of return-to-work readiness with a RRTW score of (17.59±1.48) points, and 26.9% were in the uncertain maintenance stage with a RRTW score of (16.22±1.50) points. Bivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients aged≤30 years (OR=52.381), employees of enterprises and institutions (OR=7.682), agricultural, pastoral, fishery, forestry laborers (OR=15.665), and those with higher self-efficacy (OR=1.157) had higher return-to-work readiness, while patients with≥2 children (OR=0.055), positive coping (OR=0.022), and out-of-pocket expenses (OR=0.044) had lower return-to-work readiness. ConclusionThe return-to-work readiness of young and middle-aged postoperative lung cancer patients needs to be improved, and occupation, job nature, main coping styles, and general self-efficacy are associated with return-to-work readiness.