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Published on: March 20, 2020
Not working 3 years after breast cancer: predictors in a population-based study
Mélanie Drolet1, Elizabeth Maunsell, Jacques Brisson
1Unité de Recherche en Santé des Populations, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire du Québec, Canada.
Summary
Breast cancer survivors are slightly more likely to not be working post-treatment compared to women without cancer. Factors like older age, union membership, and lower income influence work cessation in survivors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Breast cancer survivorship presents unique challenges to employment.
- Understanding factors influencing return to work is crucial for patient support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with not working among breast cancer survivors.
- To compare these factors with those in the general female population.
Main Methods:
- Population-based retrospective cohort study in Quebec, Canada.
- Involved 646 breast cancer survivors and 890 comparison women.
- Data collected via telephone interviews 3 years post-diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Survivors had a higher rate of not working (21%) versus controls (15%).
- Older age, union membership, and lower income (<$20,000) increased likelihood of not working.
- New cancer events post-diagnosis predicted work cessation (RR=2.14).
Conclusions:
- Adjuvant treatments did not predict work cessation, offering reassurance.
- Other cancer-related experiences may influence survivors' work decisions.
- Further research needed to explore these influences.
