Are cancer survivors well‐performing workers? A systematic review

Abstract

Cancer, its therapy, and related adverse effects have been associated with reduced work performance, including absenteeism (i.e. absence from scheduled work due to health problems) and presenteeism (i.e. impaired on-the-job performance due to health problems) among cancer survivors. This review aimed to compare the work performance of employed cancer survivors with that of cancer-free controls, and to examine factors related to the impairment of work performance. The findings from this review could bring about suggestions for clinical interventions aimed at improving survivors' work performance. Literature searches on cancer survivors' work performance were conducted in three electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO). Twenty-six studies were identified. Most studies comprised survivors of breast, prostate, testicular and gastrointestinal cancer. Although survivors diagnosed within 5 years reported more absenteeism than did controls in the studies, there was no difference between controls and survivors diagnosed >5 years earlier. Survivors diagnosed within 5 years also reported more presenteeism than did controls. Many studies reported that the complications related to cancer and its therapy (e.g. fatigue and depression) were associated with presenteeism. A multifaceted intervention for the various factors identified in this review would contribute towards improved work performance among employed cancer survivors.

Psychoticism and employment status in breast cancer survivors

“…Impairments in work-related issues in cancer survivors are frequent. In our study, the data obtained are in line with previous research, 3,4 as we found that most breast cancer survivors were unemployed or retired.…”

“…1,2 However, in this group of patients, changes frequently appear in relevant domains such as work engagement in extended time off, part-time jobs, and absenteeism and presenteeism, probably due to the presence of side effects of treatments. 3,4 Previous research has shown that cancer survivors can have impairments related to reduced physical and mental work ability and high levels in personality dimensions when compared with the general population; extraversion has been shown to have a positive influence on better work engagement, and neuroticism has been strongly related to work changes in survivors. 5,6 Despite the relevance of these previous researches, those studies included a wide variety of cancer types.…”

Factors influencing job loss and early retirement in working men with prostate cancer—findings from the population-based Life After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis (LAPCD) study

“…Work can be important for men recovering from cancer as it allows them support themselves and their families, socialise with colleagues and regain a sense of normality which can help them to ‘move on’ [ 7 , 8 ]. Studies of risk factors for job loss in PCa survivors have involved small numbers of PCa survivors and usually been part of larger cancer cohorts from Nordic countries, the USA or Australia [ 9 ]. Although previous studies describe demographic, clinical and work-related characteristics associated with work ability, employment status and return to work for cancer survivors across a range of tumour sites, variable findings have been reported and few focus specifically on PCa survivors [ 9 ].…”

“…Studies of risk factors for job loss in PCa survivors have involved small numbers of PCa survivors and usually been part of larger cancer cohorts from Nordic countries, the USA or Australia [ 9 ]. Although previous studies describe demographic, clinical and work-related characteristics associated with work ability, employment status and return to work for cancer survivors across a range of tumour sites, variable findings have been reported and few focus specifically on PCa survivors [ 9 ]. A study which reported on 100 PCa survivors in Ireland 6–24 months post-diagnosis found those who were self-employed had lower household income and did not have surgery were more likely to continue working following diagnosis, while those with lower educational level, medical card entitlement (providing free access to public health services) and not receiving sick pay were more likely not to resume work following diagnosis [ 10 ].…”

Do childhood cancer and physical late effects increase worries about future employment in adulthood?

“…Some adult survivors of childhood cancer experience long‐term physical late effects related to their disease and its treatment, such as endocrine, bone and muscle, hepatic, and skin dysfunctions . Physical late effects are likely to negatively influence occupational outcomes such as employment status and worries about employment among childhood cancer survivors …”