Work-related barriers, facilitators, and strategies of breast cancer survivors working during curative treatment

Sun, Wenfeng; Chen, Karen; Terhaar, Abigail; Wiegmann, Douglas A.; Heidrich, Susan M.; Tevaarwerk, Amye J.; Sesto, Mary E.

doi:10.3233/wor-162449

Cited by 44 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…One of these problems, the impact of cancer on work, has been identified as a research gap in the scientific literature [2]. However, it is known that work is of importance to cancer survivors [3,4]. Previously, many benefits of paid work have been reported by cancer survivors such as identity, distraction, self-esteem, return to daily activities, social support and provision of a much needed income [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term employment status and quality of life after cancer: A longitudinal prospective cohort study from diagnosis up to and including 5 years post diagnosis

Tamminga

Jansen

Frings‐Dresen

et al. 2020

WOR

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BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence suggests that cancer survivors are able to return to work. However, little is known about their work situation 5 years after diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To explore fluctuations in employment status and its association with quality of life 2, 3, and 5 years after cancer diagnosis of 65 cancer survivors employed at diagnosis. METHODS: In association with a randomised controlled trial (RCT), questionnaires were administrated to eligible cancer survivors at diagnosis, 2, 3, and 5 years thereafter comprising of validated questionnaires related to work (i.e. Work Ability Index (WAI), cancer, and quality of life (QOL) (i.e. SF-36, VAS QOL). The RCT studied a hospital-based work support intervention in female breast and gynaecological cancer survivors who were treated with curative intent and had paid work at diagnosis. Descriptive statistics and longitudinal multi-level analysis were employed. RESULTS: Sixty-five of the 102 eligible cancer survivors participated, who were primarily diagnosed with breast cancer (63%). Two and 5 years after cancer diagnosis respectively 63 (97%) and 48 (81%) participants were employed. Reasons for not being employed after 5 years included receiving unemployment benefits (7%), voluntary unemployment (3%), receiving disability benefits (3%), and early retirement (3%). Longitudinal multi-level analysis showed that employed cancer survivors reported in general statistically significant better quality of life outcomes at 5 years follow-up compared to those not being employed. CONCLUSIONS: We found high employment rates and few fluctuations in employment status. The steepest decline in employment rate occurs after the first two years of diagnosis. Employed participants reported better quality of life outcomes. Survivorship care should therefore focus on the population at risk possibly within the first two years after diagnosis.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term employment status and quality of life after cancer: A longitudinal prospective cohort study from diagnosis up to and including 5 years post diagnosis

Tamminga

Jansen

Frings‐Dresen

et al. 2020

WOR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…iii) A large number of studies have concluded that single women return to work significantly more often than married women, often as a result of financial necessity, whereas married women can often rely on a degree of financial security through their spouse [29, 30]. As a third hypothesis, it can hence be assumed that single women return to work more often.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sociodemographic and disease-related determinants of return to work among women with breast cancer: a German longitudinal cohort study

Heuser

Halbach

Kowalski

et al. 2018

BMC Health Serv Res

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BackgroundReturn to work (RTW) is a key parameter of outcome quality that ensures social participation. Therefore, this study analyses the sociodemographic and disease-related determinants of RTW among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.MethodsIn a prospective, multicentre cohort study, breast cancer patients were surveyed three times: directly after surgery, after 10 weeks, and after 40 weeks. Logistic regression analysis was applied to estimate the association of RTW at 40 weeks following discharge with sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics (n = 577).ResultsThe sociodemographic variables “entrance certificate at a university of applied science” compared to “university entrance certificate” (OR = 3.1, 95%-CI = 1.2–8.1), age group “55–59 years” compared to “18–44 years” (OR = 3.2, 95%-CI = 1.2–8.4) and “having children” (OR = 2.8, 95%-CI = 1.2–6.2) as well as the disease-related variables “rehabilitation” (OR = 0.5, 95%-CI = 0.3–0.9), self-rated health “good” and “excellent” compared to “bad” (OR = 2.7, 95%-CI = 1.4–5.5; OR = 11.6, 95%-CI = 4.2–31.8) and the UICC-classification “stage II” and “stage III/IV” in comparison to “stage 0/I” (OR = 0.5, 95%-CI = 0.3–0.8; OR = 0.2, 95%-CI = 0.1–0.5) significantly affect RTW among breast cancer patients (Nagelkerke’s Pseudo-R2 = 0.275).ConclusionsThe findings show that significant differences in RTW exist between patient groups and suggest that RTW issues must be addressed more effectively before, during and after treatment. For future research on RTW in Germany, longitudinal studies with a follow-up of several years are necessary. Information and support deficits should be tackled by social services or breast care nurses.Trial registrationDatabase Health Services Research, VfD_PIAT_12_001630, registered 01.03.2012Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3768-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Cancer survivor is a person with a history of cancer from the time of diagnosis through the remainder of him/her life . Because of advances in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in recent years, the number of cancer survivors has been increasing and many of them are able to return to work …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer survivors' experiences of return to work: A qualitative study

et al. 2018

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Cancer survivors have different individual perspectives that affect their decision about returning to work. Their perspectives should be assessed before returning to work, and necessary support should be provided for them in returning to work process. In this regard, health care systems and rehabilitation specialists should inform cancer survivors about the disease and return to work. Also, employers should prepare work places for cancer survivors' entrance.

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Work-related barriers, facilitators, and strategies of breast cancer survivors working during curative treatment

Cited by 44 publications

References 45 publications

Long-term employment status and quality of life after cancer: A longitudinal prospective cohort study from diagnosis up to and including 5 years post diagnosis

Long-term employment status and quality of life after cancer: A longitudinal prospective cohort study from diagnosis up to and including 5 years post diagnosis

Sociodemographic and disease-related determinants of return to work among women with breast cancer: a German longitudinal cohort study

Cancer survivors' experiences of return to work: A qualitative study

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