Work problems after breast cancer: an exploratory qualitative study

Maunsell, Elizabeth; Brisson, Chantal; Dubois, Lise; Lauzier, Sophie; Fraser, Annie

doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-1611(199911/12)8:6<467::aid-pon400>3.0.co;2-p

Cited by 182 publications

(144 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

130

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Working women might experience more distress due to altered appearance because of an unsupportive social environment towards breast cancer patients in the work place, which potentially worsens their body image as well (Maunsell et al, 1999;Kim et al, 2012a;Cho et al, 2013b). Regardless of highly developed medical science and increased survivorship in Korea, people had negative attitudes towards cancer patients (Cho et al, 2013b), and altered appearance might hinder breast cancer patients' social activities and job performance (Kim et al, 2012a).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Socioeconomic Status and Altered Appearance Distress, Body Image, and Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

Chang¹,

Choi²,

Kim³

et al. 2014

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Breast cancer patients experience a variety of altered appearance -such as loss or disfigurement of breasts, discolored skin, and hair loss -which result in psychological distress that affect their quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status on the altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life among Korean breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at advocacy events held at 16 different hospitals in Korea. Subjects were eligible to participate if they were 18 years of age or older, had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer, had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis, and had no psychological problems at the time of the survey. Employment status, marital status, education, and income were assessed for patient socioeconomic status. Altered appearance distress was measured using the NCI's cancer treatment side effects scale; body image and quality of life were measured by the EORTC QLC-C30 and BR23. Means and standard deviations of each outcome were compared by socioeconomic status and multivariate linear regression models for evaluating the association between socioeconomic status and altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life. Results: A total of 126 breast cancer patients participated in the study; the mean age of participants was 47.7 (SD=8.4). Of the total, 83.2% were married, 85.6% received more than high school education, 35.2% were employed, and 41% had more than $3000 in monthly household income. About 46% had mastectomy, and over 30% were receiving either chemotherapy or radiation therapy at the time of the survey. With fully adjusted models, the employed patients had significantly higher altered appearance distress (1.80 vs 1.48; p<0.05) and poorer body image (36.63 vs 51.69; p<0.05) compared to the patients who were unemployed. Higher education (10.58, standard error (SE)=7.63) and family income (12.88, SE=5.08) was positively associated with better body image after adjusting for age, disease stage at diagnosis, current treatment status, and breast surgery type. Similarly, patients who were married and who had higher education had better quality of life were statistically significant in the multivariate models. Conclusions: Socioeconomic status is significantly associated with altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life in Korean women with breast cancer. Patients who suffer from altered appearance distress or lower body image are much more likely to experience psychosocial, physical, and functional problems than women who do not, therefore health care providers should be aware of the changes and distresses that these breast cancer patients go through and provide specific information and psychosocial support to socioeconomically more vulnerable patients.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Socioeconomic Status and Altered Appearance Distress, Body Image, and Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

Chang¹,

Choi²,

Kim³

et al. 2014

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Some patients commented on hair loss negatively affecting social activities and interactions and as having an influence on willingness to continue working or creating apprehension about returning to work [6,9]. Hair loss was also feared because of the anticipation that it would affect social activities [7].…”

Section: Relative Importance Of Hair Loss Among Chemotherapy-related mentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemotherapy‐induced alopecia and effects on quality of life among women with breast cancer: a literature review

2007

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Alopecia is a common side effect of chemotherapies used in the treatment of breast cancer. The aim of this review is to describe the effects of alopecia on quality of life (QOL) in this population.Methods: We conducted a literature review using Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PsycInfo databases. We searched for studies on the effects of alopecia on various aspects of QOL in breast cancer patients including anxiety and distress, body image, sexuality, self‐esteem, social functioning, global QOL and return to work outcomes.Results: A total of 38 articles were included in the review. Hair loss consistently ranked amongst the most troublesome side effects, was described as distressing, and may affect the body image.Conclusions: We found very little quantitative data on other aspects of QOL. More research is needed to determine the presence and extent of negative effects on chemotherapy‐induced alopecia on various aspects of QOL. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

show abstract

“…In addition, survivors are also at risk of becoming unemployed in the present economic climate and rising unemployment rate Ahn et al, 2009). Employed women with breast cancer face many challenges in their attempts to RTW during the recovery period (Maunsell et al, 1999). Worldwide, there is still a lack of attention and focus on RTW for breast cancer survivors (Tamminga, 2010), especially in resource-limited countries in Asia where the issue of survival takes precedence over all other quality of life issues.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Return to Work in Multi-ethnic Breast Cancer Survivors - A Qualitative Inquiry

Tan

Loh²,

Su³

et al. 2012

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Return-to-work (RTW) can be a problematic occupational issue with detrimental impact on the quality of life of previously-employed breast cancer survivors. This study explored barriers and facilitators encountered during the RTW process in the area of cancer survivorship. Materials and Methods: Six focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide on 40 informants (employed multiethnic survivors). Survivors were stratified into three groups for successfully RTW, and another three groups of survivors who were unable to return to work. Each of the three groups was ethnically homogeneous. Thematic analysis using a constant comparative approach was aided by in vivo software. Results: Participants shared numerous barriers and facilitators which directly or interactively affect RTW. Key barriers were physical-psychological after-effects of treatment, fear of potential environment hazards, high physical job demand, intrusive negative thoughts and overprotective family. Key facilitators were social support, employer support, and regard for financial independence. Across ethnic groups, the main facilitators were financial-independence (for Chinese), and socialisation opportunity (for Malay). A key barrier was after-effects of treatment, expressed across all ethnic groups. Conclusions: Numerous barriers were identified in the non-RTW survivors. Health professionals and especially occupational therapists should be consulted to assist the increasing survivors by providing occupational rehabilitation to enhance RTW amongst employed survivors. Future research to identify prognostic factors can guide clinical efforts to restore cancer survivors to their desired level/type of occupational functioning for productivity and wellbeing.

show abstract

Work problems after breast cancer: an exploratory qualitative study

Cited by 182 publications

References 11 publications

Association between Socioeconomic Status and Altered Appearance Distress, Body Image, and Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

Association between Socioeconomic Status and Altered Appearance Distress, Body Image, and Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

Chemotherapy‐induced alopecia and effects on quality of life among women with breast cancer: a literature review

Return to Work in Multi-ethnic Breast Cancer Survivors - A Qualitative Inquiry

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About