Volker Arndt1, Lena Koch-Gallenkamp2, Heike Bertram3, Andrea Eberle4, Bernd Holleczek5, Ron Pritzkuleit6, Mechthild Waldeyer-Sauerland7, Annika Waldmann7,8, Sylke Ruth Zeissig9, Daniela Doege1, Melissa S Y Thong1, Hermann Brenner2,10,11. 1. a Unit of Cancer Survivorship, Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , Heidelberg , Germany. 2. b Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , Heidelberg , Germany. 3. c Cancer Registry of North Rhine-Westphalia , Münster , Germany. 4. d Bremen Cancer Registry, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS , Bremen , Germany. 5. e Saarland Cancer Registry , Saarbrücken , Germany. 6. f Cancer Registry of Schleswig-Holstein , Lübeck , Germany. 7. g Ministry of Health and Consumer Protection , Hamburg Cancer Registry , Hamburg , Germany. 8. h Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University Lübeck , Lübeck , Germany. 9. i Cancer Registry of Rhineland-Palatinate , Mainz , Germany. 10. j Division of Preventive Oncology , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , Heidelberg , Germany. 11. k German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , Heidelberg , Germany.
Abstract
Background: With improving prognosis, the ability to return to work after cancer has become a realistic goal but only little is known regarding details such as sustainability, financial consequences, and potential determinants of return to work in long-term survivors in Germany. Methods: We studied return to work in a population-based sample of 1558 long-term cancer survivors, diagnosed in 1994-2004 with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer before age 60 (mean 50.1). Information regarding employment status and financial difficulties was obtained via mailed questionnaires from patients who were identified by six population-based cancer registries in Germany. Cumulative incidence of return to work was determined by time-to-event analysis with consideration of competing events. Chi2 tests and multiple logistic regression modeling were employed to identify potential sociodemographic and clinical determinants of return to work. Results: Within a mean period since diagnosis of 8.3 years, 63% of all working-age cancer survivors initially returned to their old job and another 7% took up a new job. Seventeen percent were granted a disability pension, 6% were early retired (not cancer-related), 4% became unemployed, and 1% left the job market for other reasons. Resumption of work occurred within the first 2 years after diagnosis in 90% of all returnees. Cancer-related reduction of working hours was reported by 17% among all returnees and 6% quit their job due to cancer within 5 years past return to work. The probability of return to work was strongly related with age at diagnosis, tumor stage, education, and occupational class but did not differ with respect to the tumor site, gender nor marital status. Conclusions: Most long-term survivors after breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer of working-age are able to return to work. However, financial problems might arise due to a reduction in working hours. An additional provision of targeted interventions for high-risk groups should be discussed.
Background: With improving prognosis, the ability to return to work after cancer has become a realistic goal but only little is known regarding details such as sustainability, financial consequences, and potential determinants of return to work in long-term survivors in Germany. Methods: We studied return to work in a population-based sample of 1558 long-term cancer survivors, diagnosed in 1994-2004 with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer before age 60 (mean 50.1). Information regarding employment status and financial difficulties was obtained via mailed questionnaires from patients who were identified by six population-based cancer registries in Germany. Cumulative incidence of return to work was determined by time-to-event analysis with consideration of competing events. Chi2 tests and multiple logistic regression modeling were employed to identify potential sociodemographic and clinical determinants of return to work. Results: Within a mean period since diagnosis of 8.3 years, 63% of all working-age cancer survivors initially returned to their old job and another 7% took up a new job. Seventeen percent were granted a disability pension, 6% were early retired (not cancer-related), 4% became unemployed, and 1% left the job market for other reasons. Resumption of work occurred within the first 2 years after diagnosis in 90% of all returnees. Cancer-related reduction of working hours was reported by 17% among all returnees and 6% quit their job due to cancer within 5 years past return to work. The probability of return to work was strongly related with age at diagnosis, tumor stage, education, and occupational class but did not differ with respect to the tumor site, gender nor marital status. Conclusions: Most long-term survivors after breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer of working-age are able to return to work. However, financial problems might arise due to a reduction in working hours. An additional provision of targeted interventions for high-risk groups should be discussed.
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