Employment and work-related issues in cancer survivors
- Study type
- Review article
- Design
- Systematic literature review
- Sample size
- 64 studies
- Source
- Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology · 2011
In plain words
This study brought together the results of 64 studies on work and employment after cancer. About two thirds of cancer survivors went back to work, and the average time off work was about 151 days. However, some patients lost their jobs or retired early. Flexible workplaces, employer support, counselling and rehabilitation services were linked to an easier return to work.
Key results
Study population
Original studies published between January 2000 and November 2009 that met the inclusion criteria and addressed employment in cancer survivors. Exact details of the inclusion criteria are given in the full text of the paper.
Endpoints
The aim of the review was to identify existing knowledge on employment in cancer survivors. It covered return to work, duration of sick leave, factors associated with employment or return to work, unemployment, early retirement, job loss and re-employment, as well as changes in work schedule and hours, wages and work ability.
Safety and side effects
This study is a systematic review and did not examine a treatment intervention; therefore no safety data (adverse events) are reported.
Clinical significance and place in guidelines
The findings of this review show that work-related issues are an important part of survivorship care. Factors such as flexible work arrangements, counselling, training and rehabilitation, and continuity of care were associated with return to work and can be targets of clinical and social support. The abstract does not mention the place of this review in clinical guidelines, and separate sources should be checked for guideline status.
Limitations
The wide range of return-to-work rates (24 to 94%) and the wide ranges of job loss and re-employment indicate large differences between studies. The review includes only papers published between January 2000 and November 2009. Other limitations should be checked in the full text of the paper.
This summary was prepared by the editorial team from the published paper; the original paper is the final reference. Read the original abstract on PubMed.