Correlates of Return to Work for Breast Cancer Survivors

Bouknight, Reynard R.; Bradley, Cathy J.; Luo, Zhehui

doi:10.1200/jco.2004.00.4929

Cited by 309 publications

(384 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…There must be a good reasonable range to accommodate individual differences, but with coverage for most workers. Overall, employers have a pivotal role in breast cancer patients' (n=416 employed women; odds ratio=2.2; 95%CI, 1.03-4.8) successful return to work (Bouknight, 2006) This is the first multiethnic study on return to work with participants from two large public hospitals in Kuala Lumpur. Rigorous procedure was ensured to obtain a better representation of the three large ethnic groups during recruitment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Return to Work in Multi-ethnic Breast Cancer Survivors - A Qualitative Inquiry

Tan

Loh²,

Su³

et al. 2012

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

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Introduction: Return-to-work (RTW) can be a problematic occupational issue with detrimental impact on the quality of life of previously-employed breast cancer survivors. This study explored barriers and facilitators encountered during the RTW process in the area of cancer survivorship. Materials and Methods: Six focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide on 40 informants (employed multiethnic survivors). Survivors were stratified into three groups for successfully RTW, and another three groups of survivors who were unable to return to work. Each of the three groups was ethnically homogeneous. Thematic analysis using a constant comparative approach was aided by in vivo software. Results: Participants shared numerous barriers and facilitators which directly or interactively affect RTW. Key barriers were physical-psychological after-effects of treatment, fear of potential environment hazards, high physical job demand, intrusive negative thoughts and overprotective family. Key facilitators were social support, employer support, and regard for financial independence. Across ethnic groups, the main facilitators were financial-independence (for Chinese), and socialisation opportunity (for Malay). A key barrier was after-effects of treatment, expressed across all ethnic groups. Conclusions: Numerous barriers were identified in the non-RTW survivors. Health professionals and especially occupational therapists should be consulted to assist the increasing survivors by providing occupational rehabilitation to enhance RTW amongst employed survivors. Future research to identify prognostic factors can guide clinical efforts to restore cancer survivors to their desired level/type of occupational functioning for productivity and wellbeing.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Return to Work in Multi-ethnic Breast Cancer Survivors - A Qualitative Inquiry

Tan

Loh²,

Su³

et al. 2012

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

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“…Participants were identified from Cancer Registry Systems or support groups, and approval was obtained from an ethical committee. Maunsell et al [10] assessed whether there was evidence of work discrimination associated with breast cancer diagnosis; Bouknight et al [9] examined the impact of demographic, clinical, and employment characteristics on returning to work; and Stewart et al [11] examined the experiences of breast cancer survivors and determined how cancer affected confidentiality, work, and insurance. All quantitative studies also used self-reported data: an anonymous questionnaire in the case of the Stewart et al [11] study and telephone interviews in the Maunsell et al [10] and Bouknight et al [9] studies.…”

Section: Appraisalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ages of the women in the six studies varied from 20 to 88 years. Three studies were completed in Canada [8,10,11]; two in the United States of America (USA) [6,9]; and one in the United Kingdom (UK) [7]. Data for these studies were collected by using individual, focus group, or telephone interviews, except for Stewart et al [11], who used a questionnaire.…”

Section: Search Outcomementioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences and concerns about ‘returning to work’ for women breast cancer survivors: a literature review

et al. 2010

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Objective: To explore how female breast cancer patients experience work incapacity during the treatment and return-to-work phases and how interactions between patients and stakeholders affect this experience.Method: Database search for full text articles published between January 1995 and January 2008 that focused on employed female breast cancer patients, factors related to work incapacity, and returning to work. Only results based on self-report data were included. Studies focusing on treatment, financial factors, rate of return, or absence were excluded.Results: Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Women with breast cancer receive varied reactions but little advice about returning to work. Women were primarily concerned with disclosing the diagnosis to their employer and to relatives. Uncertainties about physical appearance, ability to work, and possible job loss affected the women's decisions about working during the treatment phase. After treatment, most women wanted to regain their 'normal life', but concentration and arm or fatigue problems potentially interfered. Although supportive work environments were helpful, the individual needs of women differed. Employers and employees need to find a balance in defining accommodating work. Many women received favourable support, but some reported feeling discriminated against. Many women re-evaluated the role of work in their lives after being confronted with breast cancer.Conclusion: Work adjustments could help women to keep their jobs during illness and recovery. To resolve women's concerns about returning to work, employers, physicians, and insurance institutions should consider increasing and improving communication with breast cancer patients and playing a more active and supportive role.

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“…Many studies have assessed the employment status of cancer survivors (Maunsell et al, 2004;Yabroff et al, 2004;Bednarek and Bradley, 2005;Bradley et al, 2005;Drolet et al, 2005;Short et al, 2005;Bouknight et al, 2006), but only four of them included comparison groups (Maunsell et al, 2004;Yabroff et al, 2004;Bradley et al, 2005;Drolet et al, 2005), which are crucial to detecting cancer-specific effects. Furthermore, the majority of studies focused on breast (Maunsell et al 2004;Drolet et al, 2005;Bouknight et al, 2006) or heterogeneous types of cancer (Bradley and Bednarek, 2002a;Yabroff et al, 2004;Bednarek and Bradley, 2005;Short et al, 2005) and did not consider the survivors' ability to do housework. Little is known about the employment status and work-related difficulties associated with stomach cancer.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Employment status and work-related difficulties in stomach cancer survivors compared with the general population

Lee

Bae

et al. 2008

Br J Cancer

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Little was known about work situation and work-related difficulties, including housework after stomach cancer diagnosis. We aimed to compare employment status and work-related difficulties between stomach cancer survivors and the general population. We enrolled 408 stomach cancer survivors from two hospitals 28 months after diagnosis and 994 representative volunteers from the general population from 15 geographic districts. Working was defined as being employed (including self-employed) and nonworking as being retired or a homemaker. Nonworking was significantly higher among stomach cancer survivors (46.6%) than in the general population (36.5%). Compared with the general population, the survivors had more fatigue in performing both housework (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) ¼ 2.08; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) ¼ 1.01 -4.29) and gainful work (aOR ¼ 4.02; 2.55 -6.33). More cancer survivors had reduced working hours (aOR ¼ 1.42; 95% CI ¼ 4.60 -28.35) and reduced work-related ability (aOR ¼ 6.11; 95% CI ¼ 3.64 -10.27) than did the general population. The association of nonworking with older age and being female was significantly more positive for survivors than for the general population. Among survivors, poorer Eastern Cooperation Oncology Group Performance Status and receiving total gastrectomy were positively associated with nonworking. Stomach cancer survivors experienced more difficulties in both housework and gainful employment than did the general population. Our findings on stomach cancer survivors' work-related difficulties and the predictors of nonworking will help physicians guide patients towards more realistic postsurgical employment plans.

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Correlates of Return to Work for Breast Cancer Survivors

Cited by 309 publications

References 37 publications

Return to Work in Multi-ethnic Breast Cancer Survivors - A Qualitative Inquiry

Return to Work in Multi-ethnic Breast Cancer Survivors - A Qualitative Inquiry

Experiences and concerns about ‘returning to work’ for women breast cancer survivors: a literature review

Employment status and work-related difficulties in stomach cancer survivors compared with the general population

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