Introduction to special section on: current topics in cancer survivorship and work

Boer, Angela G. E. M. de; Greidanus, M. A.; Dewa, Carolyn S.; Duijts, Saskia F. A.; Tamminga, Sietske J.

doi:10.1007/s11764-020-00868-w

Cited by 15 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…This review combines findings on the effects of cancer treatment with work ability (Ilmarinen et al 2005 ), and with the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model (Demerouti et al 2001 ), which is unique to our knowledge. The goal of sustainable work participation of cancer survivors needs tailored interventions (De Boer et al 2020b ) and the outcome measure of work ability is an important factor in this research area. This review integrates concepts originated in different research disciplines with the intention to be able to focus on targets in the workplace to preserve and enhance work ability among workers experiencing late effects of cancer treatment beyond the first two years after cancer diagnosis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The associations between late effects of cancer treatment, work ability and job resources: a systematic review

Boelhouwer

Vermeer

Vuuren

2020

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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Objective The aim of this review is to evaluate associations between possible late effects of cancer treatment (i.e. physical complaints, fatigue, or cognitive complaints) and work ability among workers beyond 2 years after cancer diagnosis who returned to work. The role of job resources (social support, autonomy, leadership style, coaching, and organizational culture) is also evaluated. Methods The search for studies was conducted in PsycINFO, Medline, Business Source Premier, ABI/Inform, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. A quality assessment was used to clarify the quality across studies. Results The searches included 2303 records. Finally, 36 studies were included. Work ability seemed to decline shortly after cancer treatment and recover in the first 2 years after diagnosis, although it might still be lower than among healthy workers. No data were available on the course of work ability beyond the first 2 years. Late physical complaints, fatigue and cognitive complaints were negatively related with work ability across all relevant studies. Furthermore, social support and autonomy were associated with higher work ability, but no data were available on a possible buffering effect of these job resources on the relationship between late effects and work ability. As far as reported, most research was carried out among salaried workers. Conclusion It is unknown if late effects of cancer treatment diminish work ability beyond two years after being diagnosed with cancer. Therefore, more longitudinal research into the associations between possible late effects of cancer treatment and work ability needs to be carried out. Moreover, research is needed on the buffering effect of job resources, both for salaried and self-employed workers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The associations between late effects of cancer treatment, work ability and job resources: a systematic review

Boelhouwer

Vermeer

Vuuren

2020

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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“…For example, previous research found that cancer-related factors such as adjuvant treatment and work-related factors such as type of employment contract are associated with unemployment among cancer survivors [20]. Work disability research in cancer has predominately focused on breast cancer [21,22], and was thus mainly restricted to women, while sex and cancer diagnosis specific factors may also be of importance. It would, therefore, be worthwhile to study the work-related consequences of a cancer that occurs frequently in both men and women, as this would give insight on the influence of sex and diagnosis specific factors as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loss of Paid Employment up to 4 Years after Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis—A Nationwide Register-Based Study with a Population-Based Reference Group

Wind

Tamminga

Bony

et al. 2021

Cancers

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Cancer survivors consider work as a key aspect of cancer survivorship while previous research indicated that cancer survivors have a higher risk of unemployment. The objectives were to assess: (1) whether colorectal cancer survivors less often have paid employment at diagnosis compared to a population-based reference group, (2) whether colorectal cancer survivors with paid work have a higher risk of loss of employment up to 4 years after diagnosis compared to a population-based reference group and (3) which colorectal cancer survivors are at highest risk of loss of paid employment. In a nationwide register-based study, persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer (N = 12,007) as registered in the Netherlands Cancer Registry, were compared on loss of paid employment with a sex and age-matched population-based reference group (N = 48,028) from Statistics Netherlands. Cox regression analyses were conducted. Colorectal cancer survivors had a higher risk of loss of paid employment (HR 1.56 [1.42, 1.71]). Within the group of colorectal cancer survivors, risk of loss of paid employment was lower for older survivors (>60 vs. 45–55) (HR 0.64 [0.51, 0.81]) and higher for those with a more advanced cancer stage (IV vs. I) (HR 1.89 [1.33, 2.70]) and those receiving radiotherapy (HR 1.37 [1.15, 1.63]). Colorectal cancer survivors at high risk of loss of paid employment may benefit from work support interventions as part of cancer survivorship.

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“…Face-to-face invitations soon after diagnosis, e.g. by medical specialists, specialised oncological nurses, or occupational physicians, may enhance the participation rate, reduce selection bias, and better target cancer survivors at risk of adverse work outcomes as also recommended by previous studies [ 9 , 49 ] and those whose employer may benefit from an employer-based intervention. However, the workload in the clinical setting is high, which may hinder recruitment [ 50 , 51 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 22 ]) and in the development of protocols to evaluate these interventions (e.g. [ 56 ]) has already been recommended and frequently employed [ 49 , 57 ]. Stakeholder involvement in the development of study designs to evaluate interventions is less common, yet recommended or even a prerequisite from subsidising bodies [ 58 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A randomised feasibility trial of an employer-based intervention for enhancing successful return to work of cancer survivors (MiLES intervention)

et al. 2021

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Background Employers express a need for support during sickness absence and return to work (RTW) of cancer survivors. Therefore, a web-based intervention (MiLES) targeted at employers with the objective of enhancing cancer survivors’ successful RTW has been developed. This study aimed to assess feasibility of a future definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) on the effectiveness of the MiLES intervention. Also preliminary results on the effectiveness of the MiLES intervention were obtained. Methods A randomised feasibility trial of 6 months was undertaken with cancer survivors aged 18–63 years, diagnosed with cancer < 2 years earlier, currently in paid employment, and sick-listed < 1 year. Participants were randomised to an intervention group, with their employer receiving the MiLES intervention, or to a waiting-list control group (2:1). Feasibility of a future definitive RCT was determined on the basis of predefined criteria related to method and protocol-related uncertainties (e.g. reach, retention, appropriateness). The primary effect measure (i.e. successful RTW) and secondary effect measures (e.g. quality of working life) were assessed at baseline and 3 and 6 months thereafter. Results Thirty-five cancer survivors were included via medical specialists (4% of the initially invited group) and open invitations, and thereafter randomised to the intervention (n = 24) or control group (n = 11). Most participants were female (97%) with breast cancer (80%) and a permanent employment contract (94%). All predefined criteria for feasibility of a future definitive RCT were achieved, except that concerning the study’s reach (90 participants). After 6 months, 92% of the intervention group and 100% of the control group returned to work (RR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.81–1.03); no difference were found with regard to secondary effect measures. Conclusions With the current design a future definitive RCT on the effectiveness of the MiLES intervention on successful RTW of cancer survivors is not feasible, since recruitment of survivors fell short of the predefined minimum for feasibility. There was selection bias towards survivors at low risk of adverse work outcomes, which reduced generalisability of the outcomes. An alternative study design is needed to study effectiveness of the MiLES intervention. Trial registration The study has been registered in the Dutch Trial Register (NL6758/NTR7627).

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Introduction to special section on: current topics in cancer survivorship and work

Cited by 15 publications

References 34 publications

The associations between late effects of cancer treatment, work ability and job resources: a systematic review

The associations between late effects of cancer treatment, work ability and job resources: a systematic review

Loss of Paid Employment up to 4 Years after Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis—A Nationwide Register-Based Study with a Population-Based Reference Group

A randomised feasibility trial of an employer-based intervention for enhancing successful return to work of cancer survivors (MiLES intervention)

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