Work ability among employees 2–10 years beyond breast cancer diagnosis: Late treatment effects and job resources - A longitudinal study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The number of workers who have previously undergone a cancer treatment is increasing, and possible late treatment effects (fatigue, physical and cognitive complaints) may affect work ability. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of late treatment effects and of job resources (autonomy, supportive leadership style, and colleagues’ social support) on the future work ability of employees living 2–10 years beyond a breast cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Data at T1 (baseline questionnaire) and at T2 (9 months later) were collected in 2018 and 2019 (N = 287) among Dutch-speaking workers with a breast cancer diagnosis 2–10 years ago. Longitudinal regression analyses, controlling for years since diagnosis, living with cancer (recurrence or metastasis), other chronic or severe diseases, and work ability at baseline were executed. RESULTS: Higher levels of fatigue and cognitive complaints at baseline predicted lower future work ability. The three job resources did not predict higher future work ability, but did relate cross-sectionally with higher work ability at baseline. Autonomy negatively moderated the association between physical complaints and future work ability. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue and cognitive complaints among employees 2–10 years past breast cancer diagnosis need awareness and interventions to prevent lower future work ability. Among participants with average or high levels of physical complaints, there was no difference in future work ability between medium and high autonomy. However, future work ability was remarkably lower when autonomy was low.

Work Ability, Anxiety, and Depression among Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors of Northern Kerala, India; A Historical Cohort Study

“…Lymphoedema [ 28 ] was not significantly associated with work ability in our study. Treatment induced menopause was associated with reduced work ability in our study, menopause related bodily changes was reported to reduce work ability even in general population [ 38 ], and is described as cause of poor emotional functioning in younger survivors [ 39 ].…”

Werkvermogen, burn-outklachten en werkbevlogenheid bij zzp’ers twee tot tien jaar na een kankerdiagnose

“…Het ging daarbij om betaald werk, maar er waren geen aanvullende eisen aangaande diagnose, behandeling, of het aantal werkuren per week. De minimale (Boelhouwer et al, 2022a(Boelhouwer et al, , 2022b.…”

“…In twee recente studies onder werkenden in loondienst die twee tot tien jaar geleden geconfronteerd werden met borstkanker (Boelhouwer et al, 2022a(Boelhouwer et al, , 2022b, is gebruik gemaakt van het Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007Demerouti et al, 2001;Schaufeli et al, 2009). Dit model biedt een solide basis voor de onderbouwing van de huidige studie.…”

“…Studies naar het mogelijke verband tussen late effecten van kankerbehandelingen en werkvermogen, burn-outklachten of werkbevlogenheid onder zzp'ers, zijn vooralsnog onbekend. Echter, onder werkenden die volledig in loondienst werken zowel tijdens de diagnose als twee tot tien jaar later, is vastgesteld dat de genoemde klachten samengaan met lager werkvermogen en hogere burn-outklachten, en dat vermoeidheid en cognitieve klachten zelfs een lager werkvermogen en hogere burn-outklachten in de toekomst (negen maanden later) voorspelden (Boelhouwer et al, 2022a(Boelhouwer et al, , 2022b. Over de verbanden van klachten die als late effecten worden gezien met werkbevlogenheid, is niet eerder gerapporteerd.…”

The mediating role of depressive, anxiety, and physical symptoms on work ability index in employed women with breast cancer: a prospective study from Croatia

“…Work ability is a strong predictor of return to work ( 9 ) and a critical factor for successful workplace reintegration in the cancer population ( 10 , 11 ). Work ability in breast cancer patients is lower upon diagnosis ( 12 , 13 ), and although it gradually improves over time ( 13 - 15 ), it remains lower years later ( 16 , 17 ) and compared with cancer-free controls ( 18 , 19 ). Work ability was previously mostly assessed with a single item from the Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire, the Work Ability Score (WAS).…”