Work

The Fact of Return to Work in Cervical Cancer Survivors and the Impact of Survival Rate: An 11-Year Follow-Up Study

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: The aim of the current cohort study was to explore the relationship between return to work (RTW) after cervical cancer treatment and different medical and occupational covariates. We also investigated the effect of RTW on all-cause mortality and survival outcomes of cervical cancer survivors. Data were collected between 2004 and 2015 from the database of the Taiwan Cancer Registry, Labor Insurance Database, and National Health Insurance Research Database. The associations between independent variables and RTW were analyzed by Cox proportional hazard models. A total of 4945 workers (82.3%) who returned to work within 5 years after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. Patients who underwent surgical treatment were more likely to RTW by the 5th year compared to other groups, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.21 (95% CI: 1.01~1.44). Small company size and a monthly income greater than NT 38,200 were inversely associated with RTW (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84~0.98 and HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.44~0.53). Furthermore, RTW showed a statistically significant decrease in the risk of all-cause mortality in the fully adjusted HR, (HR = 0.42, p < 0.001). Some medical and occupational factors are associated with RTW in cervical cancer survivors. Returning to work may have a beneficial effect on the survival of patients with cervical cancer.

Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010703

Authors: Yu-Shan Sun, Wei-Liang Chen, Wei-Te Wu, Chung-Ching Wang

Institutions: Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, National Health Research Institutes

Language: English

Topic: Cancer survivorship and care

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,484