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Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship 2/2015

01-06-2015

Influence of radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer on work status and working life 3 years after surgery

Authors: Sigrun Dahl, Jon Håvard Loge, Viktor Berge, Alv Andreas Dahl, Milada Cvancarova, Sophie Dorothea Fosså

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 2/2015

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to study the influence of radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer on work status and working life in men 3 years after surgery.

Methods

In a prospective, questionnaire-based study on adverse effects after RP, 330 prostate cancer (PCa) patients who had been active in the workforce before RP described their work status 3 years after having surgery. We dichotomized their postoperative work status into “unchanged or increased” versus “reduced.” The participants also reported whether their working life was influenced by the PCa trajectory to no, some, or a great extent. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were established with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as independent variables and “work status” or “influence of PCa trajectory on working life” as dependent variables.

Results

Twenty-five percent of the participants had retired. Of the remaining participants, approximately 20 % had a reduced work status, which in the multivariate analyses was significantly associated with increasing age. One third of the men still active in the workforce considered the PCa to negatively influence their working life. This was independently associated with bother related to urinary leakage, fatigue, and having undergone additional oncological therapy (pelvic radiotherapy and/or hormone treatment).

Conclusion

Though RP does not affect work status in most men, approximately one third of them experience problems in their working life due to adverse effects related to RP and/or additional post-RP anti-cancer therapy.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Most PCa survivors can expect to remain in the workforce for at least 3 years after RP, but for some, persistent adverse effects after RP and /or additional anti-cancer treatment negatively affect their working life. Pre-RP counseling of men within the workforce should cover possible post-RP changes concerning work status and working life.
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Metadata
Title
Influence of radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer on work status and working life 3 years after surgery
Authors
Sigrun Dahl
Jon Håvard Loge
Viktor Berge
Alv Andreas Dahl
Milada Cvancarova
Sophie Dorothea Fosså
Publication date
01-06-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-014-0399-6

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