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Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship 4/2010

01-12-2010

Work task disability in employed breast and prostate cancer patients

Authors: Kathleen Oberst, Cathy J. Bradley, Joseph C. Gardiner, Maryjean Schenk, Charles W. Given

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 4/2010

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Abstract

Introduction

Nearly 60% of cancer survivors are of working age, making inquiries into work-related disabilities particularly relevant. This paper describes work-related physical and cognitive disability estimates 12 and 18 months after diagnosis and treatment in a sample of employed breast and prostate cancer patients.

Methods

We recruited employed, newly diagnosed patients (n = 447 breast, n = 267 prostate) from the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System for telephone interviews 12 and 18 months after diagnosis. We defined disability by work task activity limitation. Disability estimates and employment were compared using Pearson chi-square tests. Duration of hours worked was compared by disability status using t-tests.

Results

Approximately 60% of women reported physical disability at 12 months which decreased to 36% at 18 months. Cognitive disability was reported by 34% and 22% of women at 12 and 18 months, respectively. Fewer men reported physical disability, only 29% at 12 months, decreasing to 17% at 18 months. Cognitive disability was reported by 12% and 7% of men at 12 and 18 months, respectively. More individuals with disability left the workforce at each timeframe than those without disability.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of breast and prostate cancer patients experienced work-related disabilities 1 year or more following treatment. Physical disability was more problematic than cognitive disability.
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Metadata
Title
Work task disability in employed breast and prostate cancer patients
Authors
Kathleen Oberst
Cathy J. Bradley
Joseph C. Gardiner
Maryjean Schenk
Charles W. Given
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 4/2010
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-010-0128-8

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