Sustainable return to work among breast cancer survivors
Garazi Ruiz de Azua, Isabelle Kousignian, Ines Vaz‐Luis, Antonio Di Meglio, Elsa Caumette, Julie Havas, Elise Martin, Anne‐Laure Martin, Ophelie Querel, Laurence Vanlemmens, Barbara Pistilli, Charles Coutant, Paul Henri Cottu, Asma Dhaini Merimeche, Florence Lerebours, Olivier Tredan, Christelle Jouannaud, Christelle Levy, Agnes Dumas, Gwenn Menvielle- Cancer Research
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Oncology
Abstract
Purpose
This study assessed sustainable return to work (SRTW) of breast cancer survivors (BCS).
Methods
We used data from the prospective French cohort, CANTO. We included 1811 stage I–III BCS who were <57 years old and employed at the moment of diagnosis and working 2 years after diagnosis. Using logistic regression, we investigated the role of clinical, health and socio‐economic factors, and the work environment on SRTW 3 years after diagnosis. We compared having any sick leave with having worked continuously and being unemployed to having worked continuously between 2 and 3 years after diagnosis.
Results
Overall, 77% (n = 1395) worked continuously after return to work (RTW). Out of the other 416 BCS, 66% had any sick leave period, 33% had been unemployed, 4% had an early retirement, 2% a disability and 1% another status (multiple situations possible). Being on sick leave was associated with age > 50 (OR = 0.59; 95%CI = 0.43–0.82), stage III (2.56; 1.70–3.85), tumour subtype HR+/HER2+ (0.61; 0.39–0.95), severe fatigue (1.45; 1.06–1.98), workplace accommodations (1.63; 1.14–2.33) and life priorities (0.71; 0.53–0.95). Unemployment was associated with age > 50 (0.45; 0.29–0.72), working in the public sector (0.31; 0.19–0.51), for a small company (3.00; 1.74–5.20) and having a fixed‐term contract (7.50; 4.74–11.86).
Conclusions
A high number of BCS have periods of sick leave or unemployment after RTW. The determinants differ between sick leave and unemployment.
Implications for cancer survivors
BCS need to be supported even after RTW, which should be regarded as a process.