title: Reintegrating cancer patients into the workplace.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Germany at present, 64% of women and 59% of men who receive a diagnosis of cancer are still alive five years later. 45% of men and 57% of women with cancer are still of working age. Cancer can markedly harm their ability to work.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed data from selected publications to calculate the percentage of cancer patients in Germany who are now returning to work.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The efficacy of oncological rehabilitation has not been demonstrated by a randomized controlled trial, nor is it clear whether the existing studies have accounted for potentially confounding variables. A combined assessment of reports from various countries reveals that 63% of cancer patients who are of working age go back to work after being unable to work for an average of five months. The situation varies markedly across countries: In Germany, the percentage of women with breast cancer who return to work is only 59%, compared to 80% in the USA and 82% in the United Kingdom. Younger and better educated patients are more likely to return to work, as are those who have received less invasive treatment with fewer complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most cancer patients of working age go back to work, but the percentages vary widely from one country to another, perhaps reflecting differences in social systems.
authors.affiliation: Klinik Reinhardshöhe, Bad Wildungen. oliver.rick@klinik-reinhardshoehe.de
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rick
authors.forename: Eva-Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kalusche
authors.forename: Timm
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dauelsberg
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Korsukéwitz
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Seifart
mesh_terms: D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence