The associations between late effects of cancer treatment, work ability and job resources: a systematic review

Abstract Objective The aim of this review is to evaluate associations between possible late effects of cancer treatment (i.e. physical complaints, fatigue, or cognitive complaints) and work ability among workers beyond 2 years after cancer diagnosis who returned to work. The role of job resources (social support, autonomy, leadership style, coaching, and organizational culture) is also evaluated. Methods The search for studies was conducted in PsycINFO, Medline, Business Source Premier, ABI/Inform, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. A quality assessment was used to clarify the quality across studies. Results The searches included 2303 records. Finally, 36 studies were included. Work ability seemed to decline shortly after cancer treatment and recover in the first 2 years after diagnosis, although it might still be lower than among healthy workers. No data were available on the course of work ability beyond the first 2 years. Late physical complaints, fatigue and cognitive complaints were negatively related with work ability across all relevant studies. Furthermore, social support and autonomy were associated with higher work ability, but no data were available on a possible buffering effect of these job resources on the relationship between late effects and work ability. As far as reported, most research was carried out among salaried workers. Conclusion It is unknown if late effects of cancer treatment diminish work ability beyond two years after being diagnosed with cancer. Therefore, more longitudinal research into the associations between possible late effects of cancer treatment and work ability needs to be carried out. Moreover, research is needed on the buffering effect of job resources, both for salaried and self-employed workers.

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Late effects of cancer (treatment) and work ability: guidance by managers and professionals

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11261-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ingrid G. Boelhouwer ◽

Willemijn Vermeer ◽

Tinka van Vuuren

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Work Ability ◽

Late Effects ◽

Cancer Recurrence ◽

Organisational Culture ◽

Job Resources ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Starting Point ◽

Cognitive Problems

Abstract Background The prevalence of the group of workers that had a cancer diagnosis in the past is growing. These workers may still be confronted with late effects of cancer (treatment) possibly affecting their work ability. As little is known about the guidance of this group, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences and ideas of managers and professionals about the guidance of these workers in the case of late effects of cancer (treatment). Given the positive associations with work ability of the job resources autonomy, social support by colleagues and an open organisational culture found in several quantitative studies, these job resources were also discussed. Further ideas about the influences of other factors and points of attention in the guidance of this group of workers were explored. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers (n = 11) and professionals (n = 47). Data-collection was from November 2019 to June 2020. The data were coded and analysed using directed content analyses. Results The late effects of cancer or cancer treatment discussed were physical problems, fatigue, cognitive problems, anxiety for cancer recurrence, and a different view of life. The self-employed have less options for guidance but may struggle with late effects affecting work ability in the same way as the salaried. Late effects may affect work ability and various approaches have been described. Autonomy, social support of colleagues and an open organisational culture were regarded as beneficial. It was indicated that interventions need to be tailor-made and created in dialogue with the worker. Conclusions Especially with respect to cognitive problems and fatigue, guidance sometimes turned out to be complicated. In general, the importance of psychological safety to be open about late effects that affect work ability was emphasized. Moreover, it is important to take the perspective of the worker as the starting point and explore the possibilities together with the worker. Autonomy is an important factor in general, and a factor that must always be monitored when adjustments in work are considered. There is a lot of experience, but there are still gaps in knowledge and opportunities for more knowledge sharing.

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Manager perspectives on workers’ return to work after cancer treatment

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.316 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

S Torp ◽

Å Valle-Olsen ◽

B Brusletto

Keyword(s):

Return To Work ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Cancer Survivor ◽

Work Ability ◽

Working Life ◽

Good Care ◽

Need Support ◽

After Cancer ◽

Depth Interviews

Abstract Background Due to improved cancer treatment, the survival rate of cancer is increasing Unfortunately, many cancer survivors suffer from serious late effects because of this treatment. Therefore, more and more cancer survivors with reduced work ability are, and will in the future be, in work. To include this group of workers in working life is a challenge for the society in general and for the enterprises in particular. The aim of this study was to investigate managers’ experiences regarding cancer survivors’ return to work (RTW). Methods We performed qualitative individual in-depth interviews with nine managers who had experience with workers who needed adaptations at work after cancer treatment. The interviews were transcribed in verbatim and thematically analyzed in accordance with guidelines for stepwise deductive-inductive analysis (Tjora, 2016). Results All managers emphasized the importance of taking good care of workers with serious diseases and to adapt work according to their work ability. The managers tried to follow the Work Environment Act and guidelines given by the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration but they experienced that the guidelines did not fit well with the needs of the cancer survivor and/or the enterprise. A good RTW process was dependent on an open dialog that was initiated early in the RTW trajectory to establish a sense of safe situation for both the cancer survivor and the company. A good RTW process could only be established if the colleagues of the survivor gave their support to both the survivor and the manager. In addition, it was of great importance that the needs of the cancer survivor had to be balanced by the production needs of the enterprise. Conclusions Managers need support from health personnel and social security agencies to support cancer survivors to retain work. Key messages Cancer survivors need adaptations at work. Managers are crucial in securing a successful vocational rehabilitation of cancer survivors.

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Social Support, Insomnia, and Adherence to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia After Cancer Treatment

Behavioral Sleep Medicine ◽

10.1080/15402002.2016.1276019 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 70-80 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Charles Kamen ◽

Sheila N. Garland ◽

Charles E. Heckler ◽

Anita R. Peoples ◽

Ian R. Kleckner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

After Cancer

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Interaction effect of coping self-efficacy and received support in daily life of hematopoietic cell transplant patient-caregiver dyads

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0260128 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. e0260128

Author(s):

Aleksandra Kroemeke ◽

Małgorzata Sobczyk-Kruszelnicka

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Hematopoietic Cell ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Received Social Support ◽

Daily Affect ◽

After Cancer

Objectives According to the social cognitive theory, social support and self-efficacy may interact with each other i.e. compete or account jointly for better adaptation. This study examined the nature of the interaction between coping self-efficacy and received social support in daily lives of patient-caregiver dyads after cancer treatment. We tested whether the effect of daily fluctuations in coping self-efficacy and received support on daily affect was synergistic (positive jointed effect), compensatory (positive competing effect), or interference (negative competing effect). Design A dyadic daily-diary study conducted for 28 days after hospital discharge following hematopoietic cell transplantation. Methods Coping self-efficacy, received support, and positive and negative affect were measured in 200 patient-caregiver dyads. The analysis was based on the actor-partner interdependence moderation model using multilevel structural equation modeling. Results Statistically significant effect of interaction between daily coping self-efficacy and received support on negative affect was found, although only in the caregivers. In that group, higher daily received support compensated for lower daily coping self-efficacy but had a negative effect when coping self-efficacy was significantly higher than typical. Also, direct beneficial effects of higher daily coping self-efficacy and received support on caregiver positive affect were found. In the patients, higher daily coping self-efficacy was directly associated with better daily affect. Conclusions Diverse effects of daily coping self-efficacy and received social support were found—the interference effect in the caregivers and the main effect of coping self-efficacy in the patients. Higher daily coping self-efficacy and optimal received social support may provide resilience against affect disturbance after cancer treatment.

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