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.
Sietske J Tamminga, Lyanne P Jansen, Monique H W Frings-Dresen and 1 others
PMID 32925145WHAT IT FOUND
Among cancer survivors employed at diagnosis, 48 of 65 were employed at 5 years.
Those employed reported better overall quality of life, physical functioning, and pain. This is an association, not proof employment caused better quality of life.
Key findings
01During the first two years, 63 participants were employed; this declined to 59 at 3 years and 48 at 5 years.
02Participants employed at 5 years reported better overall quality of life, physical functioning, role-physical, and pain than participants not employed.
03There was no interaction between being employed and time, or on improvement over time.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only 65 of 133 participants from the associated trial entered this cohort; 13 died, 18 ended participation or did not consent to further contact, and 37 declined or did not respond. The sample was mostly female and had a high employment rate at 5 years, so it may not represent all cancer survivors. The authors state that the relationship between employment and quality of life may run both ways: employment may improve quality of life, or better physical functioning may make employment possible. The small sample size limited statistical strength and increased uncertainty. Employment and quality of life were measured with self-report questionnaires. Because the trial groups were combined, the study does not test whether the hospital-based work support intervention affected employment or quality of life. Only three employment patterns were observed, and the authors suggest this may reflect a selective sample.
Declared interests
The authors reported no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that staying employed causes better quality of life. The study compared people who were employed with people who were not employed at 5 years, and the authors note that physical functioning may also influence whether someone remains employed.