Work task disability in employed breast and prostate cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Nearly 60% of cancer survivors are of working age, making inquiries into work-related disabilities particularly relevant. This paper describes work-related physical and cognitive disability estimates 12 and 18 months after diagnosis and treatment in a sample of employed breast and prostate cancer patients.


METHODS
We recruited employed, newly diagnosed patients (n=447 breast, n=267 prostate) from the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System for telephone interviews 12 and 18 months after diagnosis. We defined disability by work task activity limitation. Disability estimates and employment were compared using Pearson chi-square tests. Duration of hours worked was compared by disability status using t-tests.


RESULTS
Approximately 60% of women reported physical disability at 12 months which decreased to 36% at 18 months. Cognitive disability was reported by 34% and 22% of women at 12 and 18 months, respectively. Fewer men reported physical disability, only 29% at 12 months, decreasing to 17% at 18 months. Cognitive disability was reported by 12% and 7% of men at 12 and 18 months, respectively. More individuals with disability left the workforce at each timeframe than those without disability.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant proportion of breast and prostate cancer patients experienced work-related disabilities 1 year or more following treatment. Physical disability was more problematic than cognitive disability.
Oberst
Kathleen
K
Institute for Health Care Studies, Michigan State University, D132 West Fee Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. kathleen.oberst@hc.msu.edu
Bradley
Cathy J
CJ
Gardiner
Joseph C
JC
Schenk
Maryjean
M
Given
Charles W
CW
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000453:epidemiology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014937:Work / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation