BACKGROUND: In Germany at present, 64% of women and 59% of men who receive a diagnosis of cancer are still alive five years later. 45% of men and 57% of women with cancer are still of working age. Cancer can markedly harm their ability to work. METHODS: We analyzed data from selected publications to calculate the percentage of cancer patients in Germany who are now returning to work. RESULTS: The efficacy of oncological rehabilitation has not been demonstrated by a randomized controlled trial, nor is it clear whether the existing studies have accounted for potentially confounding variables. A combined assessment of reports from various countries reveals that 63% of cancer patients who are of working age go back to work after being unable to work for an average of five months. The situation varies markedly across countries: In Germany, the percentage of women with breast cancer who return to work is only 59%, compared to 80% in the USA and 82% in the United Kingdom. Younger and better educated patients are more likely to return to work, as are those who have received less invasive treatment with fewer complications. CONCLUSION: Most cancer patients of working age go back to work, but the percentages vary widely from one country to another, perhaps reflecting differences in social systems.
BACKGROUND: In Germany at present, 64% of women and 59% of men who receive a diagnosis of cancer are still alive five years later. 45% of men and 57% of women with cancer are still of working age. Cancer can markedly harm their ability to work. METHODS: We analyzed data from selected publications to calculate the percentage of cancerpatients in Germany who are now returning to work. RESULTS: The efficacy of oncological rehabilitation has not been demonstrated by a randomized controlled trial, nor is it clear whether the existing studies have accounted for potentially confounding variables. A combined assessment of reports from various countries reveals that 63% of cancerpatients who are of working age go back to work after being unable to work for an average of five months. The situation varies markedly across countries: In Germany, the percentage of women with breast cancer who return to work is only 59%, compared to 80% in the USA and 82% in the United Kingdom. Younger and better educated patients are more likely to return to work, as are those who have received less invasive treatment with fewer complications. CONCLUSION: Most cancerpatients of working age go back to work, but the percentages vary widely from one country to another, perhaps reflecting differences in social systems.
Authors: Sophie Lauzier; Elizabeth Maunsell; Mélanie Drolet; Douglas Coyle; Nicole Hébert-Croteau; Jacques Brisson; Benoît Mâsse; Belkacem Abdous; André Robidoux; Jean Robert Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 2008-02-26 Impact factor: 13.506
Authors: Jeffrey A Meyerhardt; Donna Niedzwiecki; Donna Hollis; Leonard B Saltz; Frank B Hu; Robert J Mayer; Heidi Nelson; Renaud Whittom; Alexander Hantel; James Thomas; Charles S Fuchs Journal: JAMA Date: 2007-08-15 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: M K Lee; K M Lee; J-M Bae; S Kim; Y-W Kim; K W Ryu; J H Lee; J-H Noh; T-S Sohn; S-K Hong; Y H Yun Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2008-02-19 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: A G E M de Boer; J H A M Verbeek; E R Spelten; A L J Uitterhoeve; A C Ansink; T M de Reijke; M Kammeijer; M A G Sprangers; F J H van Dijk Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2008-03-18 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: Oliver Rick; J Böckmann; T Dauelsberg; W Hoffmann; W Kämpfer; U Otto; A Rogge; D Zermann Journal: Urologe A Date: 2016-07 Impact factor: 0.639
Authors: Cristiane H Gallasch; Neusa Mc Alexandre; Sergio Cb Esteves; Helena F Gomes; Elaine Cl da Rocha; Patricia Cp Baptista Journal: Ecancermedicalscience Date: 2017-09-18