title: Quality of Working Life of cancer survivors: associations with health- and work-related variables.
abstract: This study aimed to (1) describe the Quality of Working Life (QWL) of cancer survivors and (2) explore associations between the QWL of cancer survivors and health- and work-related variables.
  
  
  
  Employed and self-employed cancer survivors were recruited through hospitals and patient organizations. They completed the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (QWLQ-CS) and health- and work-related variables in this cross-sectional study. The QWL scores of cancer survivors were described, and associations between QWL and health- and work-related variables were assessed.
  
  
  
  The QWLQ-CS was completed by 302 cancer survivors (28% male) with a mean age of 52 ± 8 years. They were diagnosed between 0 and 10 years ago with various types of cancer, such as breast cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, urological cancers, and haematological cancers. The QWL mean score of cancer survivors was 75 ± 12 (0-100). Cancer survivors had statistically significant lower QWL scores when they had been treated with chemotherapy or when they reported co-morbidity (p ≤ 0.05). Cancer survivors without managerial positions, with low incomes or physically demanding work, and who worked a proportion of their contract hours had statistically significantly lower QWL scores (p ≤ 0.05).
  
  
  
  This study described the QWL of cancer survivors and associations between QWL and health- and work-related variables. Based on these variables, it is possible to indicate groups of cancer survivors who need more attention and support regarding QWL and work continuation.
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Merel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sietske J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tamminga
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Monique H W
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Frings-Dresen
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. a.g.deboer@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Angela G E M
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: de Boer
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Cancer survivors; Cancer survivorship; Patient reported outcomes; Quality of Working Life; Return-to-work; Work continuation