Patient-Reported Factors Associated With Discontinuing Employment Following Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

Abstract

To evaluate patients' reported reasons for discontinuing employment following treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC). Discontinuing employment is a serious problem for patients with HNC and has an impact on many aspects of their lives.

Long-term workforce participation patterns following head and neck cancer

“…Estimates in this study of workforce participation at 6 months (59%) and 12 months (85%) are consistent with estimates for cancer in general [8], and for HNC specifically [6,5,10]. However, the longer follow-up in this study allowed an examination of workforce participation rates in the longer term following HNC.…”

“…Cancer site and employment status have both been found to influence the likelihood of ceasing to work following HNC [11,7]. While being older has been identified previously as having an impact on workforce participation [6], this was not seen in this study. This may be due to the relatively small proportion of older people in the sample (7% aged over 65 years), most likely due to the high proportion of people in Ireland who retire at age 65 years.…”

“…These may include fatigue [6], speech difficulties [6], oral dysfunction [5], loss of appetite [5] decreased social function [5], high levels of anxiety [5], physical discomfort [7], and changes in appearance [7].…”

“…In cancer generally, the overall rate of returning to work following diagnosis is approximately 62% [8]. In the few studies of HNC, rates of returning to work following diagnosis for those who were working at the time of diagnosis range from 40% [6] at 12 months to over 80% after at least two years [5]. However, some of those who return to work may reduce their hours [9], change jobs, or adapt their role [5,10].…”

“…Demographic, clinical and social factors have all been found to influence an individual's likelihood of returning to work following cancer, in both the short and long term [6,7,11,12,5]. In a model of cancer and work based on the literature, Feuerstein and colleagues identify seven factors which influence an individual's return to work, work ability, work performance and workplace retention [13].…”