Many cancer patients who fight back against the disease and win later find themselves unable to win the struggle of returning to the workforce, a new review finds.
Researchers in the Netherlands reviewed unemployment levels of adult cancer survivors and healthy people around the globe. They found that overall, cancer survivors were 1.37 times more likely to be unemployed than those who hadn't had to face the disease.
The researchers analyzed 36 studies from Europe and six other countries, including two studies from Canada. They found an increased risk of unemployment among survivors of:
- breast cancer (35.6 per cent vs. 31.7 per cent)
- gastrointestinal cancers (48.8 per cent vs. 33.4 per cent)
- cancers of the female reproductive organs (49.1 per cent vs. 38.3 per cent).
Higher risks of unemployment were not found in survivors of prostate, testicular, and blood cancers.
The results are published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The study authors think there are many factors that might explain the higher unemployment rates in those who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Patients may have physical or mental limitations because of their illness or treatment. They may have difficulty combining treatment with full-time work. Or, they may face discrimination from current of prospective employers.
The authors note it's unlikely many of the patients chose to remain unemployed, since most cancer survivors do not have other sources of income, they say.
The findings are important because almost half of all cancer survivors are younger than 65 years. As well, advances in treatment mean that the number of people who survive a cancer diagnosis is on the rise.
"Many cancer survivors want and are able to return to work after diagnosis and treatment," the authors write.
In order to better help them do just that, the authors call for improved supportive services aimed at better management of symptoms and rehabilitation for patients, as well as accommodation for disabilities.
Paid sick leaves during treatment would help offset financial losses of cancer survivors and improve their quality of life, they suggest. As well, employers should become more accommodating to cancer survivors, like offering additional breaks and flexibility in work hours and tasks.
