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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
05:44
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema
Published on: January 12, 2017
Breast cancer survivors at work
Jennifer A Hansen1, Michael Feuerstein, Lisseth C Calvio
1Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|July 12, 2008
Summary
Breast cancer survivors experience more work limitations due to fatigue. Managing fatigue is crucial for occupationally active survivors to improve their work abilities and overall well-being.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Cancer survivors often face residual symptoms like fatigue, cognitive issues, and emotional distress.
- These symptoms can significantly impair work capacity.
- The impact of these symptoms on occupationally active breast cancer survivors, a large survivor group, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between residual symptoms and work limitations in breast cancer survivors.
- To compare these associations in breast cancer survivors versus a non-cancer comparison group.
- To identify key symptoms impacting work in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 100 breast cancer survivors and 103 non-cancer controls completed questionnaires on fatigue, depression, anxiety, and cognitive function.
- Data on demographics, job stress, job type, diagnosis stage, treatment, and health behaviors were collected as potential confounders.
- Statistical analyses examined group differences and interactions between symptoms and work limitations.
Main Results:
- Breast cancer survivors reported significantly higher age-adjusted work limitations post-diagnosis.
- Fatigue showed a stronger association with work limitations in breast cancer survivors compared to the non-cancer group.
- Fatigue explained a substantial portion of the symptom burden's impact on work limitations.
Conclusions:
- Fatigue is a primary driver of work limitations among breast cancer survivors, even after controlling for confounders.
- Effective workplace management strategies for fatigue are urgently needed for occupationally active breast cancer survivors.
- Further research should focus on understanding and mitigating fatigue's impact on this population.
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