Factors reported to influence the return to work of cancer survivors: a literature review

Abstract

An overview is provided of research into the return to work of cancer survivors, examining both the rate of return to work and factors impacting this return. A series of literature searches was conducted on MEDLINE and PSYCLIT databases for the years 1985-1999. Studies had to focus on the patient's perspective and had to include either the percentage of return to work or factors associated with return to work. Case studies and studies of cancer as an occupational disease were excluded. The search identified 14 studies. The mean rate of return to work was 62% (range 30-93%). The following factors were negatively associated with return to work: a non-supportive work environment, manual labour, and having head and neck cancer. Sociodemographic characteristics were not associated with return to work. For increasing age, associations were mixed. The increased survival rate of cancer patients warrants attention to the problems survivors may encounter upon their return to work. More systematic research is needed to establish more clearly the relative importance of factors associated with return to work of cancer survivors, which, in turn, would contribute to an increase in the labour-participation of cancer survivors.

Long-term workforce participation patterns following head and neck cancer

“…Estimates in this study of workforce participation at 6 months (59%) and 12 months (85%) are consistent with estimates for cancer in general [8], and for HNC specifically [6,5,10]. However, the longer follow-up in this study allowed an examination of workforce participation rates in the longer term following HNC.…”

“…In cancer generally, the overall rate of returning to work following diagnosis is approximately 62% [8]. In the few studies of HNC, rates of returning to work following diagnosis for those who were working at the time of diagnosis range from 40% [6] at 12 months to over 80% after at least two years [5].…”

“…This is supported by research into the patient experience, which identifies insurance status as one of the considerations in an individual's decision to return to work [8,28]. The results in this study suggest that the current medical card and financial support system in Ireland may be acting as a disincentive to return to work, which may be relevant for other countries with universal health care systems, such as the UK and Australia, as well as those public insurance such as Medicaid/Medicare in the US.…”

Work disability associated with cancer survivorship and other chronic conditions

“…Studies of the employment consequences of cancer survivorship have focused more on employment rates than disability rates (Bradley et al, 2002a;Bradley et al, 2002b;Chirikos et al, 2002a;Chirikos et al, 2002b;Spelten et al, 2002;Hewitt et al, 2003;Maunsell et al, 2004;Yabroff et al, 2004;Bradley et al, 2005a;Bradley et al, 2005b;Short et al, 2005). However, disability rates provide a conceptually broader measure of the employment effect of cancer survivorship than employment rates.…”

Occupational status among adult survivors following allo-SCT

“…38,39 Severe long-term effects may have a role in the RTW process, and SCT survivors therefore should undergo screening for functional and psychosocial consequences of treatment at their annual comprehensive physical examination. 11,12,40 However, with an increasing number of SCT survivors, the question of how to find resources for long-term follow-up is yet to be addressed. 41 Today, Table 4.…”