Early retirement and non‐employment after breast cancer

Abstract

Differences in ill health and functional status between various groups of non-employed cancer survivors need to be considered when planning policy measures for improving the labour market participation of this population and preventing their early withdrawal from working life.

Predictors of early retirement after cancer rehabilitation-a longitudinal study

“…Our findings show that patients with a desire to retire early have higher levels of psychological distress, anxiety and particularly depression, and a lower quality of life along all dimensions. This result is consistent with previous research investigating associated factors of early retirement in cancer patients (Carlsen et al., ; Lindbohm et al., ; Singer et al., ). However, we were not able to determine whether the poorer psychological status of patients with the desire to retire early is a result of the disease and cancer treatments, of difficult living and working conditions or both.…”

“…Our findings are in line with previous studies on cancer patients and orthopaedic patients (Böttcher, Steimann & Ullrich et al., ; Bürger et al., ; Lindbohm et al., ) and populations samples (Lamberg, Virtanen, Vahtera, Luukkaala, & Koskenvuo, ). They are not only relevant for the development and implementation of multi‐professional rehabilitation and occupational therapy programmes (Désiron, Donceel, de Rijk, & van Hoof, ), but also for longer term follow‐up programmes to improve the labour market participation in cancer patients (de Boer, ; Mehnert, Harter, & Koch, ; Mehnert et al., ; Tamminga, de Boer, Verbeek, & Frings‐Dresen, ).…”

Retirement: A concept for nurses to consider

“…Early retirement can be due to many factors, particularly a catastrophic disease. In one study, early retirement was found to be related to a diagnosis of breast cancer with accompanying pain, comorbidities, and lower physical quality of life …”

The impact of employment on cognition and cognitive reserve: implications across diseases and aging

“…18,57 As BCS experience reduced employment, suffer from fatigue and anxiety, and experience varying levels of cognitive impairments associated with treatment, the amount of positive cognitive stimulation (e.g., interactions with coworkers, learning new tasks) and physiological support to the brain (e.g., having a steady/consistent sleep schedule) may be reduced as a result.…”