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Work and Health in Cancer Survivors
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Work and Health in Cancer Survivors

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Occupational Safety and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2023) | Viewed by 12355

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Atsuhiko Ota

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Public Health, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
Interests: occupational health; epidemiology; psychosocial job characteristics; cancer survivorship and work; work-related musculoskeletal disorders; smoking; food addiction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Work and health in cancer survivors is an emerging topic within the fields of public health and occupational health. Recent progress in cancer prevention/treatment has allowed for increased opportunities for cancer survivors to work. Working, which is a means of social participation, is expected to improve the health statuses of working-age cancer survivors.

In the meantime, supportive evidence is insufficient regarding work and health in cancer survivors. For example, what reduces the adverse effects of cancer treatment so that cancer survivors can return to work? Do working cancer survivors feel healthy physically, mentally, and psychologically? Does working improve the health of cancer survivors? Does working reduce the incidence/prevalence of cancer-related comorbidities? What are the optimal working conditions for cancer survivors? What kind of health policy is necessary to support cancer survivors who are willing to work?

More evidence is necessary regarding work and health in cancer survivors. I look forward to receiving your research papers.

Prof. Dr. Atsuhiko Ota
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • cancer survivorship
  • prevention (primary, secondary, and tertiary)
  • work
  • working condition
  • adverse effect
  • physical health status
  • mental health status
  • psychological health status
  • comorbidity
  • health policy

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 330 KiB  
Article
Characterizing Cancer and Work Disparities Using Electronic Health Records
by Jaimi L. Allen, Ruofei Du, Thomas Powell, Khariana L. Hobbs and Benjamin C. Amick III
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15887; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315887 - 29 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1427
Abstract
Advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment have resulted in improvements in survivor outcomes; however, cancer survivors are more likely to experience adverse employment outcomes such as job loss, reduced working hours, and early retirement. The purpose of this study was to examine employment [...] Read more.
Advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment have resulted in improvements in survivor outcomes; however, cancer survivors are more likely to experience adverse employment outcomes such as job loss, reduced working hours, and early retirement. The purpose of this study was to examine employment disparities among cancer survivors. Our study collected data from 29,136 cancer survivors (ages 18–65) between 2015 and 2021 using electronic health records (EHR) and linked to cancer registry data. Of those with employment information (n = 7296), differences in employment status were explored by race, ethnicity, sex, geography, marital status, education, age, and cancer site. Of the patients with employment status available, 61% were employed, 28% were not employed, 9% were disabled, 2% were retired. Logistic regression results revealed adjusted effects: a positive association between employment and marriage, while racial and ethnic minority adults, rurality, and certain age categories were less likely to be employed. Unadjusted results showed a positive association between employment and education. These results contribute to an emerging body of literature showing adverse employment outcomes for cancer survivors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work and Health in Cancer Survivors)
13 pages, 731 KiB  
Article
Return to Work and Mortality in Breast Cancer Survivors: A 11-Year Longitudinal Study
by Zhe-Yu Yang, Wei-Liang Chen, Wei-Te Wu, Ching-Huang Lai, Ching-Liang Ho and Chung-Ching Wang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14418; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114418 - 3 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2226
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women, and it is a major cause of cancer death around the world. With the development of diagnostic methods and improvements in treatment methods, the incidence rate of breast cancer and the number of [...] Read more.
Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women, and it is a major cause of cancer death around the world. With the development of diagnostic methods and improvements in treatment methods, the incidence rate of breast cancer and the number of breast cancer survivors continue to simultaneously increase. We used national registry database to analyze the features that affect employment and return to work among breast cancer survivors. A total of 23,220 employees, who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer were recruited based on the Labor Insurance Database (LID), the Taiwan Cancer Registry (TCR), and National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) during the period 2004–2015. The correlations between return to work (RTW) and independent confounding factors were examined using Cox proportional hazards model. Survival probability was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meir method. After adjusting for confounding variables, cancer stage, chemotherapy and higher income were significantly negatively correlated with RTW. Among breast cancer survivors, RTW was found to be related to a lower risk of all-cause mortality in both the unadjusted and fully adjusted model. Patients who had RTW exhibited better survival in all stages. Work-, disease- and treatment-related factors influenced RTW among employees with breast cancer. RTW was associated with better breast cancer survival. Our study demonstrates the impact of RTW and the associated factors on breast cancer survivorship. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work and Health in Cancer Survivors)
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12 pages, 324 KiB  
Article
“The Last Thing You Have to Worry About”: A Thematic Analysis of Employment Challenges Faced by Cancer Survivors
by Kathleen Doyle Lyons, Rachel C. Forcino, Sivan Rotenberg, Jenna E. Schiffelbein, Kali J. Morrissette, Cassandra M. Godzik and Jonathan D. Lichtenstein
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11214; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811214 - 7 Sep 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1801
Abstract
The evidence base for interventions that support the employment goals of cancer survivors is growing but inconclusive. As the first step in initiating a community-engaged program of research aimed at developing and testing interventions to support the employment goals of cancer survivors, 23 [...] Read more.
The evidence base for interventions that support the employment goals of cancer survivors is growing but inconclusive. As the first step in initiating a community-engaged program of research aimed at developing and testing interventions to support the employment goals of cancer survivors, 23 cancer survivors, 17 healthcare providers, and 5 employers participated in individual interviews to elicit perceptions regarding local challenges and resources related to work maintenance and optimization within the context of cancer treatment. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify cross-cutting experiences that were voiced by all three types of participants. Three themes were found in the data: (1) the onus for identifying and articulating work-related issues is upon the cancer survivor; (2) the main support offered to cancer survivors involved time away from work and flexibility with scheduling work and treatment activities; and (3) participants voiced a lack of information regarding one or more aspects related to supporting employment goals of cancer survivors. Supportive resources designed for cancer survivors, employers, and/or healthcare providers are needed to help cancer survivors optimize their employment situations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work and Health in Cancer Survivors)
13 pages, 337 KiB  
Article
Post-Traumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer: Intensity and Predictors
by Justyna Michalczyk, Joanna Dmochowska, Anna Aftyka and Joanna Milanowska
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6509; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116509 - 27 May 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2840
Abstract
Experiencing a traumatic situation such as breast cancer can, beside negative consequences, have a positive impact, described as post-traumatic growth (PTG). A factor that facilitates psychological recovery when coping with stressful events is psychological resilience. The aim of the present study was to [...] Read more.
Experiencing a traumatic situation such as breast cancer can, beside negative consequences, have a positive impact, described as post-traumatic growth (PTG). A factor that facilitates psychological recovery when coping with stressful events is psychological resilience. The aim of the present study was to assess whether PTG occurs in a group of women with breast cancer and whether resilience is a personal trait contributing to its occurrence. The study group comprised 100 women with breast cancer, aged 31–80 years, almost half of whom were aged 61–70 years (n = 46, 46%). The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (KOP) were used for the study. All women manifested PTG, with a mean intensity of 76.61 ± 13.45 points. The greatest changes were observed in the subjects’ appreciation of life, and the smallest in their relations with others, self-perception, and spiritual changes. The KOP scale measured a mean resilience of 103.80 ± 16.57. The results obtained confirm the co-occurrence of psychological resilience and PTG, especially personal resilience and social competences. Additionally, women subjected to additional traumatic events other than cancer manifested a higher level of PTG. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work and Health in Cancer Survivors)

Other

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13 pages, 758 KiB  
Opinion
Supporting the Return to Work of Breast Cancer Survivors: From a Theoretical to a Clinical Perspective
by Bertrand Porro, Mario Campone, Philippe Moreau and Yves Roquelaure
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095124 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3091
Abstract
Promoting the return to work of breast cancer survivors is of major interest to patients, healthcare and occupational health professionals, companies, governments, and researchers worldwide. We previously conducted a French consensus study resulting in a model describing the multifactorial process of the return [...] Read more.
Promoting the return to work of breast cancer survivors is of major interest to patients, healthcare and occupational health professionals, companies, governments, and researchers worldwide. We previously conducted a French consensus study resulting in a model describing the multifactorial process of the return to work of breast cancer survivors (the REWORK-BC model). Other work has identified the transtheoretical model as a relevant theoretical framework for interventions to promote the return to work of cancer survivors. In this opinion paper, we provide a theoretically-based clinical framework describing how to support breast cancer survivors at each stage of the return-to-work process. This clinical framework considers several essential aspects of supportive care for breast cancer survivors returning to work, such as: (i) helping the patient actively self-manage, by considering her to be the main decision-maker; (ii) respecting and adapting to the patient’s choice of professional project; (iii) respecting the temporality of the patient’s choices; (iv) proposing tailored interventions; (v) implementing simple tools to promote the return to work, shared representation between the patient and a multidisciplinary team, and improvement of working conditions and the knowledge of health and occupational professionals, and managers or employers; and (vi) maintaining certain flexibility aimed at proposing, but never imposing, changes in practices. This clinical framework, specific to breast cancer survivors, could be extrapolated to other tumor types, offering a practical guide for healthcare and occupational health professionals to better understand the return-to-work process of cancer survivors. This clinical framework aims to be a usable tool for any hospital or cancer care center wishing to implement a patient-centered intervention that promotes returning to work, regardless of the country. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work and Health in Cancer Survivors)
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