title: Work ability of survivors of breast, prostate, and testicular cancer in Nordic countries: a NOCWO study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer can cause adverse effects on survivors' work ability. We compared the self-assessed work ability of breast, testicular, and prostate cancer survivors to that of people without cancer. We also investigated the association of disease-related and socio-demographic factors and job-related resources (organizational climate, social support, and avoidance behavior) with work ability and looked at whether these associations were different for the survivors and reference subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Working aged cancer patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2002 were identified from hospital or cancer registries in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway (Nordic Study on Cancer and Work). A cancer-free reference group was selected from population registries. We collected information on work ability and other factors from 1,490 employed survivors and 2,796 reference subjects via a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The adjusted mean value of work ability was slightly lower among the breast and prostate cancer survivors compared to the cancer-free population. Co-morbidity, chemotherapy, low workplace support, and low organizational commitment were associated with reduced work ability. Avoidance behavior from supervisors or colleagues was only related to work ability among the cancer survivors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More attention should be paid to assisting cancer survivors in work life, particularly those who have chronic diseases or have undergone chemotherapy. Although most factors affecting the work ability of the survivors and reference subjects were the same, survivors' work ability seemed to be particularly sensitive to avoidance behavior. The results suggest that there is a need to improve communication at the workplace and develop supportive leadership practices in order to avoid isolating behavior towards cancer survivors.
authors: Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, Helsinki, Finland. marja-liisa.lindbohm@ttl.fi
authors: M-L
authors: ML
authors: Lindbohm
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Taskila
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Kuosma
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Hietanen
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Carlsen
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Gudbergsson
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Gunnarsdottir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012042:Registries; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation