Albert Grinshpun1, Yakir Rottenberg2. 1. Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. Electronic address: Albertg@hadassah.org.il. 2. Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; The Jerusalem Institute of Aging Research, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center Mount Scopus, and Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The population of breast cancer survivors is growing. In Western societies, many of these women are working age, and therefore, potentially desire to return to the work force. We aimed to evaluate the unemployment risk for up to 8 years following a breast cancer diagnosis and identify contributing socio-economic factors. METHODS: This historical prospective study included baseline measurements from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics 1995 National Census, with follow-up to 2011. We retrieved data on employment from the Israeli Tax Authority database and cancer status from the National Cancer Registry. A control group without cancer was selected to match the patients. Analyses were controlled for socio-economic factors and the baseline employment status 2 years prior to diagnosis. RESULTS: We retrieved data for 2341 patients with breast cancer and 6837 age-matched women without cancer. We found an elevated risk of unemployment during the 8 years after breast cancer diagnosis (2-year OR 1.82, 95%CI: 1.59-2.075; 8-year OR 1.26, 95%CI: 1.07-1.47). Age and all examined socio-economic variables were correlated to increased risk of unemployment. The strongest predictor was pre-diagnosis unemployment (2-year OR 18.95, 95%CI: 16.68-21.52; 8-year OR 4.92, 95%CI: 4.07-5.96). Surprisingly, patients with axillary involvement were associated with less risk of unemployment than other patients. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer survivorship was associated with long-term risk of unemployment. Older patients and patients with lower socio-economic status were at increased risk of unemployment.
OBJECTIVES: The population of breast cancer survivors is growing. In Western societies, many of these women are working age, and therefore, potentially desire to return to the work force. We aimed to evaluate the unemployment risk for up to 8 years following a breast cancer diagnosis and identify contributing socio-economic factors. METHODS: This historical prospective study included baseline measurements from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics 1995 National Census, with follow-up to 2011. We retrieved data on employment from the Israeli Tax Authority database and cancer status from the National Cancer Registry. A control group without cancer was selected to match the patients. Analyses were controlled for socio-economic factors and the baseline employment status 2 years prior to diagnosis. RESULTS: We retrieved data for 2341 patients with breast cancer and 6837 age-matched women without cancer. We found an elevated risk of unemployment during the 8 years after breast cancer diagnosis (2-year OR 1.82, 95%CI: 1.59-2.075; 8-year OR 1.26, 95%CI: 1.07-1.47). Age and all examined socio-economic variables were correlated to increased risk of unemployment. The strongest predictor was pre-diagnosis unemployment (2-year OR 18.95, 95%CI: 16.68-21.52; 8-year OR 4.92, 95%CI: 4.07-5.96). Surprisingly, patients with axillary involvement were associated with less risk of unemployment than other patients. CONCLUSIONS:Breast cancer survivorship was associated with long-term risk of unemployment. Older patients and patients with lower socio-economic status were at increased risk of unemployment.
Authors: Maria Alice Franzoi; Daniela D Rosa; Facundo Zaffaroni; Gustavo Werutsky; Sérgio Simon; José Bines; Carlos Barrios; Eduardo Cronemberger; Geraldo Silva Queiroz; Vladmir Cordeiro de Lima; Ruffo Freitas Júnior; José Couto; Karla Emerenciano; Heloísa Resende; Susanne Crocamo; Tomás Reinert; Brigitte Van Eyli; Yeni Nerón; Vanessa Dybal; Nicolas Lazaretti; Rita de Cassia Costamillan; Diocésio Alves Pinto de Andrade; Clarissa Mathias; Giovana Zerwes Vacaro; Giuliano Borges; Alessandra Morelle; Carlos Alberto Sampaio Filho; Max Mano; Pedro E R Liedke Journal: J Glob Oncol Date: 2019-11