Work adjustments and employment among breast cancer survivors: a French prospective study

• Published in: Supportive care in cancer 2020-01, Vol.28 (1), p.185-192
• Main Authors: Vayr, Flora, Montastruc, Marion, Savall, Frédéric, Despas, Fabien, Judic, Elodie, Basso, Maud, Dunet, Charlotte, Dalenc, Florence, Laurent, Guy, Soulat, Jean Marc, Herin, Fabrice
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological - physiology; Adjustment; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - epidemiology; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Breast Neoplasms - rehabilitation; Cancer; Cancer Survivors - psychology; Cancer Survivors - statistics & numerical data; Care and treatment; Chemotherapy; Employment; Employment - psychology; Employment - statistics & numerical data; Female; France - epidemiology; Health aspects; Humans; Life Sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Nursing; Nursing Research; Occupational health; Oncology; Oncology, Experimental; Original Article; Pain Medicine; Prevention; Prospective Studies; Rehabilitation Medicine; Return to Work - psychology; Return to Work - statistics & numerical data; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Sick leave; Sick Leave - statistics & numerical data; Social Adjustment; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivor; Women; Work environment; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0941-4355; 1433-7339
• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-04799-w

Purpose The objective of our study was to assess the rate of work adjustments 1 year after the diagnosis in a population of female breast cancer (BC) survivors, in the context of the French system of social protection. We also characterised these adjustments and their influence on the reduction of professional exclusion of patients 1 year after the diagnosis. Methods This observational, prospective study was conducted from February 2015 to April 2016 among female patients with BC. Inclusion criteria were women aged between 18 and 65 years, treated for BC and integrated into the labour market at the time of diagnosis (working or on sick leave). Exclusion criteria were metastatic BC, retired patients and refusal to participate. A 1-year follow-up was scheduled, and data collection was performed with questionnaires. Results In total, 213 patients were included between February 2015 and April 2016. One year after the diagnosis (T1), among 185 BC survivors, 78 (42.2%) patients were working. Among them, 13 patients did not interrupt their occupational activity and 65 returned to work after a period of sick leave. Sixty-four patients returned to work after the end of chemotherapy (after 6 months), and one returned to work before this therapeutic threshold. Sixty-six patients (35.7%) benefited from at least one adjustment of their work conditions to facilitate their return to work (RTW) or maintenance at work: working hours were decreased for 43 patients, and workstation changes were performed for 22 patients. An occupational health physician was involved for some patients; work adjustments were prescribed to 42 patients, 7 patients had medical restrictions for physical reasons and 4 patients had restrictions for psychological reasons. Forty-three patients benefited from part-time work prescribed for therapeutic reasons. Conclusions Referral to occupational health physicians and work adjustments remain limited in the process of RTW or maintenance at work after BC in France, despite their positive impact.