Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changes in employment and household income during the 24 months following a cancer diagnosis

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Goals of work

The purpose of the study was to describe the changes in employment and household income following a cancer diagnosis.

Materials and Methods

Participants were 68 recent cancer survivors (6–24 months since diagnosis) aged 18 years or older who were employed full- or part-time prior to receiving a cancer diagnosis. Data were both quantitative and qualitative. Participants completed a mailed questionnaire about various issues faced by cancer survivors, including 36 questions about work, finances, and income. In addition, space was provided for participants to write optional narrative details about work experiences.

Main Results

Before cancer, all 68 participants were employed, 45 full-time and 23 part-time. After completion of primary cancer treatment, 49 (72%) were employed (29 full-time and 20 part-time). A decrease in household income after cancer diagnosis was reported by 37% of participants. Of those who were the main income earners in their households prior to cancer, 26% were no longer the main earners after cancer. The qualitative data about work difficulties fell broadly into two areas: physical difficulties and attitudes of employers.

Conclusions

Though limited by a comparatively small sample size, this study is the first to focus on employment in the very early survivorship period, using both questionnaire and qualitative data. The findings show that many individuals continue to work during and after treatment, though reduction of work hours or quitting work is not uncommon. The complex factors associated with work decisions are not easily assessed with questionnaires, and in-depth qualitative studies of recent cancer survivors are warranted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Amir Z, Neary D, Luker K (2008) Cancer survivors’ views of work 3 years post diagnosis: A UK perspective. Eur J Oncol Nurs 12:190–197 doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2008.01.006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Amir Z, Moran T, Walsh L, Iddenden R, Luker K (2007) Return to paid work after cancer: a British experience. J Cancer Surviv 1:129–136 doi:10.1007/s11764-007-0021-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bednarek HL, Bradley CJ (2005) Work and retirement after cancer diagnosis. Res Nurs Health 28:126–135 doi:10.1002/nur.20062

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Bouknight RR, Bradley CJ, Luo Z (2006) Correlates of return to work for breast cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol 24:345–353 doi:10.1200/JCO.2004.00.4929

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Luo Z, Bednarek H, Schenk M (2005) Employment outcomes of men treated for prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 97:958–965

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bradley CJ, Bednarek HL (2002) Employment patterns of long-term cancer survivors. Psychooncology 11:188–198 doi:10.1002/pon.544

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Chirikos TN, Russell-Jacobs A, Cantor AB (2002) Indirect economic effects of long-term breast cancer survival. Cancer Pract 10:248–255 doi:10.1046/j.1523-5394.2002.105004.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Drolet M, Maunsell E, Brisson J, Brisson C, Masse B, Deschenes L (2005) Not working 3 years after breast cancer: predictors in a population-based study. J Clin Oncol 23:8305–8312 doi:10.1200/JCO.2005.09.500

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Drolet M, Maunsell E, Mondor M et al (2005) Work absence after breast cancer diagnosis: a population-based study. CMAJ 173:765–771 doi:10.1503/cmaj.050178

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Feuerstein M, Hansen JA, Calvio LC, Johnson L, Ronquillo JG (2007) Work productivity in brain tumor survivors. J Occup Environ Med 49:803–811 doi:10.1097/JOM.0b013e318095a458

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gordon L, Scuffham P, Hayes S, Newman B (2007) Exploring the economic impact of breast cancers during the 18 months following diagnosis. Psychooncology 16:1130–1139 doi:10.1002/pon.1182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hoffman B (2005) Cancer survivors at work: a generation of progress. CA Cancer J Clin 55:271–280

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hounshell J, Tomori C, Newlin R et al (2001) Changes in finances, insurance, employment, and lifestyle among persons diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia. Oncologist 6:435–440 doi:10.1634/theoncologist.6-5-435

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Kennedy F, Haslam C, Munir F, Pryce J (2007) Returning to work following cancer: a qualitative exploratory study into the experience of returning to work following cancer. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 16:17–25 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2354.2007.00729.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Lauzier S, Maunsell E, Drolet M et al (2008) Wage losses in the year after breast cancer: extent and determinants among Canadian women. J Natl Cancer Inst 100:321–332 doi:10.1093/jnci/djn028

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Longo CJ, Fitch M, Deber RB, Williams AP (2006) Financial and family burden associated with cancer treatment in Ontario, Canada. Support Care Cancer 14:1077–1085 doi:10.1007/s00520-006-0088-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Main DS, Nowels CT, Cavender TA, Etschmaier M, Steiner JF (2005) A qualitative study of work and work return in cancer survivors. Psychooncology 14:992–1004 doi:10.1002/pon.913

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Maunsell E, Drolet M, Brisson J, Brisson C, Masse B, Deschenes L (2004) Work situation after breast cancer: results from a population-based study. J Natl Cancer Inst 96:1813–1822

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Park JH, Park EC, Park JH, Kim SG, Lee SY (2008) Job loss and re-employment of cancer patients in Korean employees: a nationwide retrospective cohort study. J Clin Oncol 26:1302–1309 doi:10.1200/JCO.2007.14.2984

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Sack K (2007) Cancer society focuses its ads on the uninsured. The New York Times. August 31

  21. Spelten ER, Verbeek JH, Uitterhoeve AL et al (2003) Cancer, fatigue and the return of patients to work-a prospective cohort study. Eur J Cancer 39:1562–1567 doi:10.1016/S0959-8049(03)00364-2

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Spelten ER, Sprangers MA, Verbeek JH (2002) Factors reported to influence the return to work of cancer survivors: a literature review. Psychooncology 11:124–131 doi:10.1002/pon.585

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Steiner JF, Cavender TA, Nowels CT et al (2008) The impact of physical and psychosocial factors on work characteristics after cancer. Psychooncology 17:138–147 doi:10.1002/pon.1204

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Steiner JF, Cavender TA, Main DS, Bradley CJ (2004) Assessing the impact of cancer on work outcomes: what are the research needs? Cancer 101:1703–1711 doi:10.1002/cncr.20564

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Taskila-Brandt T, Martikainen R, Virtanen SV, Pukkala E, Hietanen P, Lindbohm ML (2004) The impact of education and occupation on the employment status of cancer survivors. Eur J Cancer 40:2488–2493 doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2004.06.031

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Taskila T, Lindbohm ML (2007) Factors affecting cancer survivors’ employment and work ability. Acta Oncol 46:446–451 doi:10.1080/02841860701355048

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Taskila T, Martikainen R, Hietanen P, Lindbohm ML (2007) Comparative study of work ability between cancer survivors and their referents. Eur J Cancer 43:914–920 doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2007.01.012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Taskila T, Martikainen R, Hietanen P, Lindbohm ML (2007) Comparative study of work ability between cancer survivors and their referents. Eur J Cancer 43:914–920 doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2007.01.012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Verbeek J, Spelten E (2007) Work. In: Feuerstein M (ed) Handbook of cancer survivorship. Springer, New York, pp 381–396

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  30. Yabroff KR, Lawrence WF, Clauser S, Davis WW, Brown ML (2004) Burden of illness in cancer survivors: findings from a population-based national sample. J Natl Cancer Inst 96:1322–1330

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

Funded by Genesis Oncology Trust, New Zealand.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand

    Jill A. Bennett, Paul Brown & Linda Cameron

  2. Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Jill A. Bennett

  3. University of Otago Christchurch, P.O. Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Lisa C. Whitehead

  4. Auckland District Health Board, Medical Oncology, Auckland Hospital, Private Bag 92024, Auckland, New Zealand

    David Porter

  5. Auckland University of Technology, Rehabilitation and Occupational Studies, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, New Zealand

    Katherine M. McPherson

  6. School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, MC SNORD, 3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR, 97239-2941, USA

    Jill A. Bennett

Authors
  1. Jill A. Bennett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Linda Cameron
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lisa C. Whitehead
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. David Porter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Katherine M. McPherson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jill A. Bennett.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bennett, J.A., Brown, P., Cameron, L. et al. Changes in employment and household income during the 24 months following a cancer diagnosis. Support Care Cancer 17, 1057–1064 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-008-0540-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-008-0540-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation