Health- and Work-Related Outcomes in Partners of Cancer Survivors: A Prospective Cohort Study

To (1) examine health- and work-related outcomes among partners of cancer survivors and (2) explore associated factors of these outcomes.

In the STEPS prospective cohort study 225 employed partners of cancer survivors in the Netherlands completed questionnaires at baseline, and after 6 and 12 months, on work participation, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and medical, lifestyle, health, and work factors. Generalized estimating equations and time-lagged regression analyses were used to examine changes over time and associations with measured factors.

Partners worked on average 31.1 h/week at baseline, which remained stable over the 12-month follow-up. Employment status (i.e., whether participants were employed versus not) slightly declined from 91 to 86%. Around 30% were sick listed at least once during the 6 months prior to baseline, which did not change over time. Physical HRQoL declined over time (beta [95% confidence interval]: - 1.65 [- 2.96 to - 0.35]). Mental HRQoL remained below population norms (e.g., on average 45.4 (12.6) at baseline), but did not statistically change over time. Multivariate analyses revealed that factors such as income, educational level, financial necessity to work, breadwinner status, work tasks, work ability, need for recovery and survivors' disease and treatment characteristics were associated with partners' work and health outcomes.

Although work participation remained stable during our study period, partners of cancer survivors experienced a substantial burden regarding their work and health. Interventions should focus on supporting partners at risk, addressing financial strain, helping them balance work and caregiving demands to sustain health and work participation.