Work - Volume 46, issue 4

Authors: Sesto, Mary E. | Faatin, Mahpara | Wang, Sijian | Tevaarwerk, Amye J. | Wiegmann, Douglas A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The effect of cancer on employment and retirement status in an older work force is not well understood. This study examines whether cancer survivors were less likely to be working than a sibling comparison group. OBJECTIVES: To compare work-related variables between older cancer survivors and a group of non-cancer sibling controls. A secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of cancer site and time since cancer diagnosis on work-related variables. METHODS: …Data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) were used to assess work outcomes in cancer survivors (+CA, n=539, mean age=65.81, SD=4.75 years) and non-cancer sibling controls (-CA, n=539, mean age=63.95, SD=5.31 years). RESULTS: Survivors (+CA group) were more likely to report not working (61.8%) and to be completely retired (55%) than the -CA group (48.3% not employed; 42% retired). Controlling for age, gender and education, this effect persisted with the +CA group more likely to be not working (OR=1.40; 95% CI=1.08 to 1.83) and completely retired (OR=1.36; 95% CI=1.05 to 1.77) than the -CA group. Neither time since diagnosis nor cancer site affected work outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, older +CA survivors were less likely to be working and more likely to be completely retired than -CA sibling controls. Future research should evaluate factors affecting work status among older cancer survivors. Show more

Keywords: Older cancer survivors, survivorship, employment, retirement, work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131680

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 445-453, 2013

Authors: Silver, Julie K. | Baima, Jennifer | Newman, Robin | Galantino, Mary Lou | Shockney, Lillie D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cancer and its treatment may cause physical impairments and psychological distress in survivors. Rehabilitation is a critical component of quality cancer care, returning survivors to their highest functional potential. OBJECTIVE: This overview focuses on the benefits of multidisciplinary cancer rehabilitation – including improving physical function, reducing psychological distress, promoting return to work and, therefore, decreasing the economic burden of cancer and its treatment on individuals and society in general. …METHODS: Relevant literature was identified through a search of the PubMed database and reviewed for its relevance to cancer rehabilitation and the topic of this article. Search terms included, but were not limited to, cancer rehabilitation, cancer prehabilitation, disability, return to work, employment, and unemployment. RESULTS: Cancer survivors are less likely to be employed and take more sick leave than workers without a history of cancer. Pain, musculoskeletal issues, deconditioning, fatigue, balance, psychosocial issues, and lymphedema are most amenable to rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: Overall health and the need for work accommodations must be addressed in order to improve return to work and subsequent productivity in cancer survivors. Survivors are usually best served by a multidisciplinary care team comprising members who can address the myriad impairments affecting survivor function. Show more

Keywords: Return to work, disability, survivorship, cancer-related impairments, prehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131755

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 455-472, 2013

Authors: Silver, Julie K.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131757

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 473-475, 2013

Authors: Tamminga, Sietske J. | Verbeek, Jos H.A.M. | de Boer, Angela G.E.M. | van der Bij, Ria M. | Frings-Dresen, Monique H.W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this case study was to describe how the return-to-work process evolved in an employee with cancer in the Netherlands and how a work-directed intervention supported this process. The patient was a 35-year old female employee diagnosed with cervix carcinoma. After surgery, the patient experienced depression, fatigue, fear of recurrence, and low mental working capacity. Communication with the occupational physician was difficult. A social worker at the hospital provided three counselling sessions aimed to …support return to work and sent letters to the occupational physician to improve the communication. The support by the social worker helped the patient to resume work gradually and the sending of information from the treating physician and social worker improved the communication with the occupational physician. This resulted in the patient being able to achieve lasting return to work. This work-directed intervention was highly valued by the patient and could be an important addition to usual psycho-oncological care for employees with cancer. Show more

Keywords: Oncology, psycho-oncological care, cancer survivorship care, trial registration: NTR

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131681

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 477-485, 2013

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131803

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 487-487, 2013

Article Type: Other

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 489-492, 2013

Article Type: Other

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 493-494, 2013