Stigma and work discrimination among cancer survivors: A scoping review and recommendations

Stergiou-Kita, Mary; Qie, Xueqing; Yau, Hau Ki; Lindsay, Sally

doi:10.1177/0008417417701229

Cited by 28 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Admittedly, perceived personal discrimination is directly associated with a lower physical quality of life [47]. is can be explained by the myth that cancer is contagious and can always lead to death [48]. Univariate analysis of current work suggested that GHS/ QOL was positively associated with occupational status, which is consistent with previous studies [49,50].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

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The Impact of Socioeconomic Determinants on the Quality of Life of Moroccan Breast Cancer Survivors Diagnosed Two Years Earlier at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat

Ismaili

Loukili

Mimouni

et al. 2021

Obstetrics and Gynecology International

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Introduction. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of socioeconomic determinants on the quality of life of Moroccan women with breast cancer two years after their diagnosis who are followed up at the National Institute of Oncology (INO) in Rabat. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted between May 2019 and September 2020. The sample size was 304 women. Data were collected using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR 23 questionnaires in the Moroccan dialect. Results. The mean age of participants was 53.5 ± 12.4 years, where the majority resided in urban areas and more than half were illiterate. Moreover, three-quarters of the survivors were not working, and almost all have basic medical coverage. Nearly one-third of the respondents had experienced discrimination from those around them, and nearly half attributed the decrease in income to their state of health. In addition, 38.2 percent of participants stated that they had great difficulty living on their monthly income after the illness, whereas more than half of the survivors had a good quality of life in terms of overall health (GHS/QOL). Besides, social function obtained the highest score, while emotional function obtained the lowest score. Furthermore, financial difficulty was the most distressing symptom. Indeed, income adjustment after the disease, discrimination, distance between home and treatment center, professional status, and medical coverage were correlated with GHS/QOL. Regression analysis revealed that income adjustment after illness and discrimination were significant predictors of GHS/QOL. Conclusion. The data suggest establishing a financial support program and the development of education and awareness-raising policies to combat discrimination.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…Admittedly, perceived personal discrimination is directly associated with a lower physical quality of life [ 47 ]. This can be explained by the myth that cancer is contagious and can always lead to death [ 48 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Socioeconomic Determinants on the Quality of Life of Moroccan Breast Cancer Survivors Diagnosed Two Years Earlier at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat

Ismaili

Loukili

Mimouni

et al. 2021

Obstetrics and Gynecology International

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“…Everything became meaningless once they thought of death or the impossibility of recovery. This type of stigma would lead survivors to deny access to supports and limit their participation in social and work roles, thus solidifying negative perceptions about working after cancer 27,28 . This vicious cycle may enhance the risk of unemployment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to a nationwide survey in Korea, 44.7% of participants agreed that cancer patients had poor performance due to lack of concentration and memory loss 32 . Employees or coworkers may have negative misconception about cancer patients' work ability, which cause them to reassign job tasks or positions, or even exclude them from team projects 6,27,28 . Discrimination at the workplace might be more problematic for survivors whose jobs are less secure or those who work at small and medium enterprises, including those who are self‐employed 8 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This type of stigma would lead survivors to deny access to supports and limit their participation in social and work roles, thus solidifying negative perceptions about working after cancer. 27,28 This vicious cycle may enhance the risk of unemployment. Therefore, it is important for cancer patients to understand their disease and discuss their plans for work during treatment with health professionals upon being diagnosed with cancer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Association between cancer stigma and job loss among cancer survivors

et al. 2021

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Objective Previous qualitative studies found cancer stigma was associated with work discrimination and job loss among cancer patients. This study aims to quantify the association between cancer stigma and job loss among cancer survivors. Methods For this study, we used the data from a face‐to‐face cross sectional survey conducted at two cancer hospitals in Seoul and Hwasun in South Korea from October 2017 to March 2018. Cancer stigma was assessed using a validated questionnaire which consists of 12 items in three domains: (a) impossibility of recovery; (b) stereotypes; and (c) discrimination. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between cancer stigma and job loss adjusting age, sex, marital status, education, job type, residence area, cancer site, stage, comorbidity, time since diagnosis, and self‐efficacy. Results Among 433 cancer survivors, 24.0% lost their jobs after cancer, and 20.7% experienced discrimination at work. Of total, 21.7% of the survivors agreed that it was difficult to treat cancer regardless of highly developed medical science. Survivors with stigma on impossibility of recovery and stereotypes were 3.10 (95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.76, 5.44]) and 2.10 (95% CI: [1.20, 3.67]) times more likely to lose a job than survivors without cancer stigma. Survivors with discrimination experience at work had 1.98 (95% CI: [1.05, 3.74]) times higher risk of losing a job than survivors without it. Conclusions Survivors with cancer stigma were more likely to lose their jobs than survivors without cancer stigma. Considering its social and economic impact on job loss, comprehensive interventions for working cancer survivors as well as public campaigns against cancer stigma would be necessary.

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Cancer Survivors at the Workplace

Mehnert‐Theuerkauf

2020

Handbook of Disability, Work and Health

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Stigma and work discrimination among cancer survivors: A scoping review and recommendations

Abstract: Occupational therapists can enhance awareness of workplace concerns and advocate on behalf of cancer survivors.

Cited by 28 publications

References 46 publications

The Impact of Socioeconomic Determinants on the Quality of Life of Moroccan Breast Cancer Survivors Diagnosed Two Years Earlier at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat

The Impact of Socioeconomic Determinants on the Quality of Life of Moroccan Breast Cancer Survivors Diagnosed Two Years Earlier at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat

Association between cancer stigma and job loss among cancer survivors

Cancer Survivors at the Workplace

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