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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 2/2019

01-02-2019 | Original Article

The prevalence and determinants of return to work in head and neck cancer survivors

Authors: Meredith Giuliani, Janet Papadakos, Michaela Broadhurst, Jennifer Jones, Maurene McQuestion, Lisa W. Le, Lydia Beck, John Waldron, Jolie Ringash

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 2/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with the reduction or complete cessation of employment following treatment in head and neck cancer survivors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among head and neck cancer survivors visiting outpatient clinics at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre over a period of 18 months. Participants at any point along their survivorship course completed a survey that included demographic information, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Work Status Questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Head and Neck (FACT-HN), the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory–Head and Neck (MDASI-HN), the Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Needs Measure (CaSUN), and the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L utility scale.

Results

Among 130 participants, 64 were employed at diagnosis. At the time of study, 31 (48%) had reduced their work, among whom, 21 (32.8%) had not returned to work at all following treatment. Pre-treatment employment status, cancer-related symptoms, quality of life, and health utility were associated with employment outcomes.

Conclusion

A high proportion of head and neck cancer survivors reduced their work capacity and many did not return following cancer treatment. Further research is needed to understand the barriers to work return in these survivors and to explore strategies to encourage resumption of employment and employment satisfaction.
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Metadata
Title
The prevalence and determinants of return to work in head and neck cancer survivors
Authors
Meredith Giuliani
Janet Papadakos
Michaela Broadhurst
Jennifer Jones
Maurene McQuestion
Lisa W. Le
Lydia Beck
John Waldron
Jolie Ringash
Publication date
01-02-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4343-6

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