A dyadic study of employment outcomes and quality of life in patients with breast cancer and their support persons.
176 Background: Many women with breast cancer face job loss related to their diagnosis, but little is known about employment outcomes among their partners and other supporters. Moreover, virtually nothing is known about associations between patients’ quality of life and supporters’ employment outcomes. Methods: Breast cancer patients reported to Georgia and LA SEER registries in 2014-15 (N = 2,502, 68% RR) and their key decision support person (DSP) were surveyed separately. 1234 DSPs responded (71% RR). Patients and DSPs were asked about employment impacts of the patient’s breast cancer. Patients’ quality of life (QOL) was measured with the PROMIS scale for global health. Descriptive analyses of employment outcomes (job loss, missed days due to cancer) were generated for patients and DSPs. Associations between patients’ QOL and employment outcomes of patients and their DSPs were assessed using linear mixed model regression analyses stratified by dyad type (partner vs. non-partner DSP). Results: Among DSPs, 43% were partners. 57% were non-partners (daughters, other family, friends). 67% were employed at time of patient’s diagnosis. Among these, 11% were no longer employed at survey completion. 39% missed >30 days work. Non-partner DSPs were as likely as partners to lose their job or miss work because of the patient’s cancer. 65% patients were employed at diagnosis. Compared to patients whose DSP was a partner, patients with non-partner DSP were more likely to lose their job (39% vs. 24%; p<0.01) or miss >30 days work (55% vs. 45%; p<0.01). For patients with partner and non-partner DSPs, having an employed DSP at diagnosis and having an employed DSP who stays employed were associated with improved patient QOL after adjustment for DSP sociodemographic and patient clinical variables. Conclusions: Both non-partner and partner DSPs faced negative employment impacts related to patients’ breast cancer. Job loss and >30 days of missed work were more likely among patients with non-partner DSPs. Having an employed DSP and having an employed DSP who stays employed positively contributed to patients’ QOL.