Amye J Tevaarwerk1,2, Kris Kwekkeboom1,3, Kevin A Buhr2, Alexandra Dennee1, William Conkright4, Adedayo A Onitilo5, Emily Robinson6, Harish Ahuja7, Roger W Kwong8, Ranveer Nanad9, Douglas A Wiegmann2, Karen Chen10, Noelle K LoConte1,2, Kari B Wisinski1,2, Mary E Sesto1,2. 1. University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin. 2. Division of Hematology/Oncology & Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. 3. School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. 4. Fox Valley Hematology/Oncology, Appleton, Wisconsin. 5. Marshfield Clinic, Weston, Wisconsin. 6. Mercy Health System, Janesville, Wisconsin. 7. Aspirus Reg Cancer Center, Wausau, Wisconsin. 8. Gundersen Lutheran Med Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. 9. Columbia St. Mary's, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 10. Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postcancer work limitations may affect a substantial proportion of patients and contribute to the "financial toxicity" of cancer treatment. The degree and nature of work limitations and employment outcomes are poorly understood for cancer patients, particularly in the immediate period of transition after active treatment. We prospectively examined employment, work ability, and work limitations during and after treatment. METHODS: A total of 120 patients receiving curative therapy who were employed prior to their cancer diagnosis and who intended to work during or after end of treatment (EOT) completed surveys at baseline (pretreatment), EOT, and 3, 6, and 12 months after EOT. Surveys included measures of employment, work ability, and work limitations. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means with standard deviations) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 111 participants completed the baseline survey. On average, participants were 48 years of age and were mostly white (95%) and female (82%) with a diagnosis of breast cancer (69%). Full-time employment decreased during therapy (from 88% to 50%) and returned to near prediagnosis levels by 12-month follow-up (78%). Work-related productivity loss due to health was high during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to report the effects of curative intent cancer therapy on employment, work ability, and work limitations both during and after treatment. Perceived work ability was generally high overall 12 months after EOT, although a minority reported persistent difficulty. A prospective analysis of factors (eg, job type, education, symptoms) most associated with work limitations is underway to assist in identifying at-risk patients.
BACKGROUND: Postcancer work limitations may affect a substantial proportion of patients and contribute to the "financial toxicity" of cancer treatment. The degree and nature of work limitations and employment outcomes are poorly understood for cancer patients, particularly in the immediate period of transition after active treatment. We prospectively examined employment, work ability, and work limitations during and after treatment. METHODS: A total of 120 patients receiving curative therapy who were employed prior to their cancer diagnosis and who intended to work during or after end of treatment (EOT) completed surveys at baseline (pretreatment), EOT, and 3, 6, and 12 months after EOT. Surveys included measures of employment, work ability, and work limitations. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means with standard deviations) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 111 participants completed the baseline survey. On average, participants were 48 years of age and were mostly white (95%) and female (82%) with a diagnosis of breast cancer (69%). Full-time employment decreased during therapy (from 88% to 50%) and returned to near prediagnosis levels by 12-month follow-up (78%). Work-related productivity loss due to health was high during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to report the effects of curative intent cancer therapy on employment, work ability, and work limitations both during and after treatment. Perceived work ability was generally high overall 12 months after EOT, although a minority reported persistent difficulty. A prospective analysis of factors (eg, job type, education, symptoms) most associated with work limitations is underway to assist in identifying at-risk patients.
Authors: Amye J Tevaarwerk; Ju-Whei Lee; Abigail Terhaar; Mary E Sesto; Mary Lou Smith; Charles S Cleeland; Michael J Fisch Journal: Cancer Date: 2015-12-21 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Paul A Harris; Robert Taylor; Robert Thielke; Jonathon Payne; Nathaniel Gonzalez; Jose G Conde Journal: J Biomed Inform Date: 2008-09-30 Impact factor: 6.317
Authors: Eric A Finkelstein; Florence K Tangka; Justin G Trogdon; Susan A Sabatino; Lisa C Richardson Journal: Am J Manag Care Date: 2009-11 Impact factor: 2.229
Authors: Stephanie B Wheeler; Jennifer C Spencer; Laura C Pinheiro; Lisa A Carey; Andrew F Olshan; Katherine E Reeder-Hayes Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2018-04-18 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Mary E Sesto; Cibele B Carroll; Xiao Zhang; Karen B Chen; Abigail Terhaar; Athena S Wilson; Amye J Tevaarwerk Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2022-01-28 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Melissa A Carlson; Elizabeth A Fradgley; Paula Bridge; Jo Taylor; Sarah Morris; Emily Coutts; Christine Paul Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2021-12-01 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Roni Nitecki; Shuangshuang Fu; Kirsten A Jorgensen; Lauren Gray; Carolyn Lefkowits; Benjamin D Smith; Larissa A Meyer; Alexander Melamed; Sharon H Giordano; Pedro T Ramirez; Jose Alejandro Rauh-Hain Journal: Int J Gynecol Cancer Date: 2021-11-16 Impact factor: 4.661
Authors: Caitlin B Biddell; Stephanie B Wheeler; Rebekah S M Angove; Kathleen D Gallagher; Eric Anderson; Erin E Kent; Lisa P Spees Journal: Front Oncol Date: 2021-07-30 Impact factor: 6.244