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Predictors of post-cancer diagnosis resignation among Japanese cancer survivors

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Abstract

Purpose

In Japan, due to the increased incidence of cancer among the working population, it has become more important to support employees to achieve a balance between cancer treatment and work. This study aimed to clarify the predictors of resigning from employment after being diagnosed with cancer (post-cancer diagnosis [PCD] resignation) among Japanese employees.

Methods

As part of a Japanese national research project (Endo-Han), the investigators conducted a web-based survey of cancer survivors (CSs) in 2017. The investigators analyzed the risk factors for PCD resignation using a logistic regression model, including age at diagnosis, sex, cancer type, cancer stage, year of diagnosis, whether the patient held a managerial role, type of employment, and company size.

Results

Of 750 employed Japanese CSs, 93 (12.4%) resigned from their jobs. The non-managers resigned more often (14.6%) than the managers (7.6%) (p = 0.007). The temporary workers exhibited the highest PCD resignation rates (22.2%), while the PCD resignation rates of the self-employed workers and permanent workers were 15.2% and 7.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). As the result of multivariate analysis, being female (odds ratio [OR], 3.67; 95%CI, 1.71–7.87), having hematological cancer (OR, 4.23; 95%CI, 1.37–13.04), having advanced cancer (OR, 2.48; 95%CI, 1.52–4.03), and being a temporary worker (OR, 2.51; 95%CI, 1.40–4.50) were identified as predictors of PCD resignation.

Conclusions

In total, 12.4% of Japanese employees quit their jobs after being diagnosed with cancer. Being female or a temporary worker and having advanced cancer were identified as predictors of PCD resignation. Regarding cancer type, hematological cancer was most strongly associated with PCD resignation.

Implication of Cancer Survivors

CSs who are females and temporary workers and have advanced cancer should be followed-up more carefully after cancer diagnosis for their work sustainability, by medical professionals, companies, and society.

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Funding

This study was funded by grants from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Research Grant: Gan-taisaku-ippan-012) to Motoki Endo. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan

    Motoki Endo & Yuya Imai

  2. Department of Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    Go Muto

  3. Department of Hygiene, Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan

    Kiyomi Mitsui

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Women’s Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    Katsuji Nishimura

  5. Department of Chemotherapy and Palliative Care, Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Kazuhiko Hayashi

Authors
  1. Motoki Endo
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  2. Go Muto
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  3. Yuya Imai
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  4. Kiyomi Mitsui
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  5. Katsuji Nishimura
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  6. Kazuhiko Hayashi
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Correspondence to Motoki Endo.

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Endo, M., Muto, G., Imai, Y. et al. Predictors of post-cancer diagnosis resignation among Japanese cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 14, 106–113 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-019-00827-0

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