Cancer survivors and adverse work outcomes: associated factors and supportive interventions

Boer, Angela G. E. M. de; Wind, Astrid de; Coenen, Pieter; Ommen, Fenna van; Greidanus, M. A.; Zegers, Amber D.; Duijts, Saskia F. A.; Tamminga, Sietske J.

doi:10.1093/bmb/ldac028

Cited by 20 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…A literature review found that several individual, work-related, and healthcare/society system factors were associated with prolonged sick leave and disability pension post cancer, cancer-related symptoms amongst other aspects. 42 An event of falling, leading to a bone fracture, was described. Patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy have been seen to be overrepresented in accidents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Randomized Sham-Controlled Mixed Methods Pilot Study of the Feasibility of Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Lessons Learned From Patient Experiences in Integrative Cancer Care

Lagerstedt

Anna

2023

Integr Cancer Ther

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Objective Since there is a lack of effective pharmacological therapies for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and many patients ask for integrative cancer therapies such as acupuncture, the objective of this pilot study was to describe patients’ experiences, and to study the feasibility and short-term effects of genuine acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain and unpleasant sensations compared to sham acupuncture. Methods: The pilot study used mixed methods, collecting quantitative and qualitative data. Patients (n = 12) with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy after colorectal cancer were blindly randomized to genuine acupuncture or telescopic sham acupuncture. Individual interviews were conducted, and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The patients registered pain and unpleasant sensations (100 mm Visual Analog Scales) before and after n = 120 sessions, n = 60 genuine and n = 60 sham acupuncture sessions. Results: Five categories of patient experiences were described. The neuropathy negatively affected life. Physical activity was perceived to be important for health, but neuropathy was a barrier. The neuropathy required symptom-managing strategies. Acupuncture was pleasant and valuable, but some patients presented doubts regarding its effect mechanisms. After the genuine acupuncture sessions, pain (mean −2.0 steps relief during each session) and unpleasant sensations (−2.4) in the face was reduced more than after sham acupuncture (+0.1 steps worse pain, P = .018, +0.1 steps worse unpleasant sensations, P = .036). After genuine acupuncture, unpleasant sensations in the hands were reduced less (−0.23) compared to after sham acupuncture (−5.5, P = .002). Pain or unpleasant sensations in the feet did not change. Conclusions: Patients experienced that the neuropathy negatively changed their life and that acupuncture was pleasant and valuable. Patients receiving genuine acupuncture had short-term effects regarding pain and unpleasant sensations in the face compared to patients receiving sham acupuncture, while hands and feet did not improve. The patients were successfully blinded and complied with the acupuncture. We welcome future full-scaled randomized sham-controlled acupuncture studies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Randomized Sham-Controlled Mixed Methods Pilot Study of the Feasibility of Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Lessons Learned From Patient Experiences in Integrative Cancer Care

Lagerstedt

Anna

2023

Integr Cancer Ther

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“…Individuals with cancer who are self-employed, non-regularly employed or employed by small- and medium-sized enterprises may not be able to take sick leave owing to economic circumstances. Sick leave is more common in European countries, and in certain countries, insurance covers wages during sick leave ( 11 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Not taking sick leave for gynecologic cancer treatment is negatively associated with returning to the same workplace

Nakamura,

Matsuoka,

Kubo

et al. 2023

Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology

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Background Gynecologic cancers are one of the most common types of malignancies in working-age women. We aimed to determine the factors that impede women from returning to the same workplace after treatment for such cancers. Methods A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 194 women who underwent treatment for gynecologic cancer at the Okayama University (≥1 year after cancer treatment and <65 years of age). We performed a logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between returning to the same workplace and not taking sick leave. Results The median age at diagnosis was 49.0 years, and the median time from cancer treatment to questionnaire completion was 3.8 years. Not returning to the same workplace was positively associated with not being regularly employed (P = 0.018), short work time per day (P = 0.023), low personal income (P = 0.004), not taking sick leave (P < 0.001), advanced cancer stage (P = 0.018) and long treatment time (P = 0.032). Interestingly, not taking sick leave was strongly associated with not returning to the same workplace in the multivariable analysis (P < 0.001). Conclusions Not taking sick leave likely was negatively associated with returning to the same workplace after the treatment for gynecologic cancer. Therefore, we suggest that steps be taken to formally introduce a sick leave system over and above the paid leave system in Japan.

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“…Similarly, support at work, which was directly linked to stable employment conditions [35], signi cantly in uenced the approach to RTW. There is a consensus in the literature on the importance of the role played by employers and co-workers in facilitating survivors' successful RTW [14]. Open and regular communication between the workplace and the person with cancer, both before and during their RTW, allowed shared understanding of ongoing challenges, including functional, cognitive and psychological implications, as well as recovery timeframes [29].…”

Section: Discusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Survivors also experience multiple long-term work limitations and are less productive than the general population due chronic side effects caused by treatments and the disease itself [13]. Because there is no comprehensive guidance on the RTW or adaptations to survivors' health status on reinsertion in the labor force [14], a signi cant proportion of these individuals are unemployed, retire early, or change jobs more often than their counterparts without cancer [15]. Barriers can also include bureaucracy, emotional needs, and uncertainty.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding return to work after a cancer-related sickness absence. Perceptions of barriers and facilitators among all relevant stakeholders

Ayala-García,

Serra,

Rodriguez-Arjona

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the factors acting as barriers or facilitators, from diagnosis and sickness absence (SA) to RTW and work retention, after a cancer-related SA from the perspectives of all stakeholders in the Spanish setting. Methods: Descriptive qualitative approach with a socio-constructivist perspective. Theoretical sampling was carried out until saturation. Six discussion groups (4-8 people/group) were conducted: three groups of people with a cancer-related SA in Catalonia (Spain), one with oncology care professionals, and two with company representatives. An additional individual interview was conducted with a primary care physician. The sessions were held virtually and were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis and mixed coding. Results: Barriers to RTW and work retention detected by stakeholders included insufficient information and guidance on the impact of cancer on work and SA management, lack of general knowledge and recognition of side effects, lack of consideration of job tasks by medical tribunals, and working in precarious employment. Facilitators included workplace support, psycho-oncologists, patient associations, and working for a public company. Conclusions: Both work interruption due to an SA and RTW, are key moments for determining cancer survivors’ work retention. We found a general perception of lack of involvement of the social security system, companies, and health professionals in Spain in the impact of cancer on work. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Integrating the work sphere in cancer care from the beginning of cancer treatment, and by all stakeholders, could facilitate successful future RTW.

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Cancer survivors and adverse work outcomes: associated factors and supportive interventions

Cited by 20 publications

References 69 publications

A Randomized Sham-Controlled Mixed Methods Pilot Study of the Feasibility of Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Lessons Learned From Patient Experiences in Integrative Cancer Care

A Randomized Sham-Controlled Mixed Methods Pilot Study of the Feasibility of Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Lessons Learned From Patient Experiences in Integrative Cancer Care

Not taking sick leave for gynecologic cancer treatment is negatively associated with returning to the same workplace

Understanding return to work after a cancer-related sickness absence. Perceptions of barriers and facilitators among all relevant stakeholders

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