Sævar Berg Gudbergsson1, Sophie D Fosså, Alv A Dahl. 1. Department of Clinical Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. bergg@ulrik.uio.no
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study investigated gender differences concerning work ability in working cancer survivors (CSs) and compared them to those of matched population-based controls. METHODS: A mailed questionnaire was completed by 446 Norwegian CSs (226 breast cancer, 166 testicular and 54 prostate cancer) with good prognosis 2-6 years after primary treatment and 588 controls (319 females and 269 males). Overall current work ability (OCWA) was the primary outcome measure, and ten indices of the physical, mental and social skill aspects of work ability (WA) were also studied. RESULTS: The mean OCWA score was higher amongst male CSs compared to females (p = 0.04). The mean OCWA score was similar in male CSs and controls (p = 0.17), whilst female CSs had significantly lower mean OCWA score than controls (p < 0.001). Mental WA neuroticism was higher amongst women in both CSs (p = 0.009) and controls (p = 0.001), and the same pattern was found for physical WA concerning the symptom score (p = 0.003 and <0.001, respectively). Sex had no significant association with OCWA in multivariate analyses. Significant associations were observed for physical and mental WA, but not for social skills. CONCLUSIONS: OCWA was significantly better in male CSs than in female CSs. Male CSs did not differ from their controls, whilst female CSs scored significantly poorer than their controls. CSs with reduced overall work ability should be identified, and their mental and physical work ability should be examined independent of sex.
BACKGROUND: This study investigated gender differences concerning work ability in working cancer survivors (CSs) and compared them to those of matched population-based controls. METHODS: A mailed questionnaire was completed by 446 Norwegian CSs (226 breast cancer, 166 testicular and 54 prostate cancer) with good prognosis 2-6 years after primary treatment and 588 controls (319 females and 269 males). Overall current work ability (OCWA) was the primary outcome measure, and ten indices of the physical, mental and social skill aspects of work ability (WA) were also studied. RESULTS: The mean OCWA score was higher amongst male CSs compared to females (p = 0.04). The mean OCWA score was similar in male CSs and controls (p = 0.17), whilst female CSs had significantly lower mean OCWA score than controls (p < 0.001). Mental WA neuroticism was higher amongst women in both CSs (p = 0.009) and controls (p = 0.001), and the same pattern was found for physical WA concerning the symptom score (p = 0.003 and <0.001, respectively). Sex had no significant association with OCWA in multivariate analyses. Significant associations were observed for physical and mental WA, but not for social skills. CONCLUSIONS: OCWA was significantly better in male CSs than in female CSs. Male CSs did not differ from their controls, whilst female CSs scored significantly poorer than their controls. CSs with reduced overall work ability should be identified, and their mental and physical work ability should be examined independent of sex.
Authors: Tone Skaali; Sophie D Fosså; Roy Bremnes; Olav Dahl; Carl Fredrik Haaland; Erik Rønneberg Hauge; Olbjørn Klepp; Jan Oldenburg; Erik Wist; Alv A Dahl Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2009-06 Impact factor: 3.894
Authors: Allan Ben Smith; Phyllis Butow; Ian Olver; Tim Luckett; Peter Grimison; Guy C Toner; Martin R Stockler; Elizabeth Hovey; John Stubbs; Sandra Turner; George Hruby; Howard Gurney; Mahmood Alam; Keith Cox; Madeleine T King Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2015-07-16 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Beate Hauglann; Jūratė Saltytė Benth; Sophie D Fosså; Kjell M Tveit; Alv A Dahl Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2014-05-13 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: M-L Lindbohm; T Taskila; E Kuosma; P Hietanen; K Carlsen; S Gudbergsson; H Gunnarsdottir Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2011-11-02 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: K Vandraas; R S Falk; S K H Bøhn; C Kiserud; H C Lie; S K Smedsland; M Ewertz; S Dahl; M Brekke; K V Reinertsen Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2022-04-21 Impact factor: 4.624