Work ability and return-to-work in cancer patients

Abstract

The extent to which self-assessed work ability collected during treatment can predict return-to-work in cancer patients is unknown. In this prospective study, we consecutively included employed cancer patients who underwent treatment with curative intent at 6 months following the first day of sick leave. Work ability data (scores 0 -10), clinical and sociodemographic data were collected at 6 months, while return-to-work was measured at 6, 12 and 18 months. Most of the 195 patients had been diagnosed with breast cancer (26%), cancer of the female genitals (22%) or genitourological cancer (22%). Mean current work ability scores improved significantly over time from 4.6 at 6 months to 6.3 and 6.7 at 12 and 18 months, respectively. Patients with haematological cancers and those who received chemotherapy showed the lowest work ability scores, while patients with cancer of urogenital tract or with gastrointestinal cancer had the highest scores. Work ability at 6 months strongly predicted return-to-work at 18 months, after correction for the influence of age and treatment (hazard ratio ¼ 1.37, CI 1.27 -1.48). We conclude that self-assessed work ability is an important factor in the return-to-work process of cancer patients independent of age and clinical factors.

Predictors of employment among cancer survivors after medical rehabilitation – a prospective study

“…In our study, the employment rate was 76% on average 23 months after diagnosis and considerably higher compared to findings showing that overall, about 63.5% of cancer patients (range 24-94%) manage to return to work (17). However, comparable results (73%, range 64-82%) have been found at 18 months after the cancer diagnosis among breast cancer patients (14) and among samples with mixed tumor entities (1,8,25). Concordant with previous studies showing work changes in 8-17% of cancer survivors, we found similar results (25,30).…”

“…Since an increasing number of patients are likely to return to work after diagnosis and treatment completion, there is an increasing recognition of the short and long-term impact of cancer and both its physical and psychosocial consequences on employment during the last years (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Unfavorable cancer and treatment consequences include a variety of physical and functional disabilities, and psychological distress that may adversely affect a patient's work ability, work satisfaction, as well as employment status (14)(15)(16)(17).…”

Sustained employability and health-related quality of life in cancer survivors up to four years after diagnosis

“…Several preceding studies explored the relationship between work ability and work-related outcomes in cancer survivors. For example, de Boer et al (2008) concluded in a prospective study that self-assessed work ability is an important factor in the RTW process of cancer survivors, independent of age and clinical factors [38]. Also, B€ ottcher et al (2013) found that limited self-assessed work ability increases the probability of not returning to work [39].…”

Breast cancer survivors’ views of factors that influence the return-to-work process – a qualitative study

“…Using regression analysis based on self-report questionnaires or administrative data, many previous studies have shown that several factors can enhance or hinder the return to work (RTW) of cancer survivors (3,(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). However, the difficulties of managing work depend on a complex interaction of individual and environmental factors and the social security system (4,12), and these difficulties may change during the course of the disease.…”