ASO Author Reflections: Employment Disruption and Financial Burden Associated with Gastrointestinal Cancers

PASTCancer treatment is complex and often involves a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. 1Surgery is inherently invasive, and both chemotherapy and radiation therapy can lead to significant systemic toxicities. 2 As a result, patients undergoing cancer treatment experience physical challenges such as pain, fatigue, and digestive issues, which severely impact their quality of life. 3Moreover, the emotional toll of battling cancer can result in mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. 3The financial burden including high medical costs and potential loss of income due to an inability to work further exacerbates these challenges for both patients and their families. 4As such, understanding the risk factors for employment disruption can help inform strategies to facilitate a return to work.The current study sought to characterize employment patterns and financial challenges in the year following gastrointestinal (GI) cancer diagnosis.