Factors influencing work functioning after cancer diagnosis: a focus group study with cancer survivors and occupational health professionals

Abstract Background: To compare change in level of physical activitybetween pre-and post- diagnosis of breast cancer in Chinese women.Methods:Based on an on-going prospective study consisting of 1462 Chinese women with early-stage breast cancer, a validated modified Chinese Baecke questionnaire was used to measure physical activity at baseline (12 months before cancer diagnosis), 18-, 36- and 60-months after diagnosis (over the previous 12 months before each interview). Results:The overall physical activity level at post-diagnosis was 5.8 MET-hours/week, which was significantly higher than that at pre-diagnosis at a median level of 0.6 MET-hours/week (P <0.001).The median levels of physical activity at 18-, 36- and 60-months follow-up were5.3, 4.4 and 3.9 MET-hours/week, respectively. There was no significant difference between any two of the three follow-ups at post-diagnosis. The proportions of participant who met WCRF/AICR recommendation before and after cancer diagnosis were both low, being 20.7% and 35.1%, respectively.Compared to pre-diagnosis, most of the patients improved or had no change on level of physical activity at post-diagnosis, with the respective proportion being 48.2% and 43.8%. Conclusions:Adherence to current lifestyle recommendation for cancer survivors, Chinese women with breast cancer significantly increasedlevel of physical activity level after cancer diagnosis, and such improvement was sustained to five years post-diagnosis. The proportion of patients who met the exercise recommendation for cancer survivors was still low. Encouraging patients on the importance of durable high level of physical activity in breast cancer survivorship is warranted.

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Meaning Making in Cancer Survivors: A Focus Group Study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0076089 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. e76089 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Nadia van der Spek ◽

Joel Vos ◽

Cornelia F. van Uden-Kraan ◽

William Breitbart ◽

Rob A. E. M. Tollenaar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Meaning Making ◽

Focus Group Study

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Divorce after breast cancer diagnosis and its impact on quality of life

Palliative & Supportive Care ◽

10.1017/s1478951521001711 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Danbee Kang ◽

Nayeon Kim ◽

Gayeon Han ◽

Sooyeon Kim ◽

Hoyoung Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Factors Associated ◽

After Cancer ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objective This study aims to identify factors associated with divorce following breast cancer diagnosis and measures the impact of divorce on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Methods We used cross-sectional survey data collected at breast cancer outpatient clinics in South Korea from November 2018 to April 2019. Adult breast cancer survivors who completed active treatment without any cancer recurrence at the time of the survey (N = 4,366) were included. The participants were classified into two groups: “maintaining marriage” and “being divorced,” between at the survey and at the cancer diagnosis. We performed logistic regression and linear regression to identify the factors associated with divorce after cancer diagnosis and to compare the QoL of divorced and nondivorced survivors. Results Approximately 11.1/1,000 of married breast cancer survivors experienced divorce after cancer diagnosis. Younger age, lower education, and being employed at diagnosis were associated with divorce. Being divorced survivors had significantly lower QoL (Coefficient [Coef] = −7.50; 95% CI = −13.63, −1.36), social functioning (Coef = −9.47; 95% CI = −16.36, −2.57), and body image (Coef = −8.34; 95% CI = −6.29, −0.39) than survivors who remained married. They also experienced more symptoms including pain, insomnia, financial difficulties, and distress due to hair loss. Conclusion Identifying risk factors of divorce will ultimately help ascertain the resources necessary for early intervention.

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Long-term employment status and quality of life after cancer: A longitudinal prospective cohort study from diagnosis up to and including 5 years post diagnosis

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-203234 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (4) ◽

pp. 901-907

Author(s):

Sietske J. Tamminga ◽

Lyanne P. Jansen ◽

Monique H.W. Frings-Dresen ◽

Angela G.E.M. de Boer

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Employment Status ◽

Life Outcomes ◽

Quality Of Life Outcomes ◽

Multi Level ◽

After Cancer ◽

Level Analysis

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence suggests that cancer survivors are able to return to work. However, little is known about their work situation 5 years after diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To explore fluctuations in employment status and its association with quality of life 2, 3, and 5 years after cancer diagnosis of 65 cancer survivors employed at diagnosis. METHODS: In association with a randomised controlled trial (RCT), questionnaires were administrated to eligible cancer survivors at diagnosis, 2, 3, and 5 years thereafter comprising of validated questionnaires related to work (i.e. Work Ability Index (WAI), cancer, and quality of life (QOL) (i.e. SF-36, VAS QOL). The RCT studied a hospital-based work support intervention in female breast and gynaecological cancer survivors who were treated with curative intent and had paid work at diagnosis. Descriptive statistics and longitudinal multi-level analysis were employed. RESULTS: Sixty-five of the 102 eligible cancer survivors participated, who were primarily diagnosed with breast cancer (63%). Two and 5 years after cancer diagnosis respectively 63 (97%) and 48 (81%) participants were employed. Reasons for not being employed after 5 years included receiving unemployment benefits (7%), voluntary unemployment (3%), receiving disability benefits (3%), and early retirement (3%). Longitudinal multi-level analysis showed that employed cancer survivors reported in general statistically significant better quality of life outcomes at 5 years follow-up compared to those not being employed. CONCLUSIONS: We found high employment rates and few fluctuations in employment status. The steepest decline in employment rate occurs after the first two years of diagnosis. Employed participants reported better quality of life outcomes. Survivorship care should therefore focus on the population at risk possibly within the first two years after diagnosis.

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Identification of Korean cancer survivors’ unmet needs and desired psychosocial assistance: A focus group study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0228054 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. e0228054 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joo Young Kim ◽

Mison Chun ◽

Sang-Won Kim ◽

Joonsup Song

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Unmet Needs ◽

Focus Group Study

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Genitourinary disease risks among 5-year ovarian cancer survivors in a population-based cohort study.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.10073 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 10073-10073

Author(s):

Mia Hashibe ◽

Yuji Chen ◽

Brenna Blackburn ◽

Yuan Wan ◽

Kerry G. Rowe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Renal Failure ◽

Acute Renal Failure ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Population Based ◽

General Population Cohort ◽

Disease Risks ◽

After Cancer

10073 Background: In the US, there are approximately 235,200 ovarian cancer survivors today. Five-year survival for ovarian cancer has increased from 36% for women who were diagnosed in 1975-1977 to 46% for women diagnosed between 2005-2011. Long term follow-up studies among ovarian cancer survivors are uncommon and late effects have not been well characterized in a population-based cohort. Although genitourinary complications during treatment are well known, long term impacts need to be investigated. Methods: A total of 602 first primary invasive ovarian cancer cases diagnosed between 1996-2012 who survived for > 5 years were identified in the Utah Population Database and compared to a general population cohort of women. Genitourinary disease diagnoses were identified through ICD codes from hospital electronic medical records and statewide ambulatory surgery and inpatient data. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios for disease risks by time since cancer diagnosis with adjustments on matching factors, baseline BMI, baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and race. Results: The overall risk of genitourinary diseases for ovarian cancer patients in comparison to the general population cohort was 1.51 (95%CI = 1.30-1.74) 5-10 years after cancer diagnosis. Approximately 54.6% of ovarian cancer survivors were diagnosed with a genitourinary disease 5-10 years after cancer diagnosis. The most common genitourinary diseases among the ovarian cancer survivors were urinary tract infections (10.1%), acute renal failure (5.5%), and chronic kidney disease (4.4%). The greatest risks were observed for hydronephrosis (HR = 10.65, 95%CI = 3.68-30.80), pelvic peritoneal adhesions (HR = 5.81, 95%CI = 1.11-30.39), cystitis and urethritis (HR = 2.67, 95%CI = 1.21-6.38), and acute renal failure (HR = 2.30, 95%CI = 1.36-3.88). Conclusions: Ovarian cancer survivors experience increased risks of various genitourinary diseases in the 5-10 year period following cancer diagnosis. Understanding the multimorbidity trajectory among ovarian cancer survivors is of vital importance to improve their clinical care after cancer diagnosis and allow for increased attention to these potential late effects.

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