Key result
Higher cancer-related symptom burden, particularly body image issues, oral dysfunction, fatigue, and depression, was consistently associated with inferior work outcomes such as poorer employment rates and lower work performance among cancer survivors.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to investigate how different cancer-related symptoms influence work outcomes among cancer survivors who have completed primary antineoplastic treatment.
Do specific cancer-related symptoms influence work outcomes among cancer survivors?
Systematic Review (n=38,603)
Do specific cancer-related symptoms influence work outcomes among cancer survivors?
Several cancer-related symptoms, notably body image issues, oral dysfunction, fatigue, and depression, are consistently associated with inferior work outcomes among cancer survivors.
Symptom management may aid work retention in survivors; supports targeted interventions but leaves causal effects and practice change open for trials.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate how different cancer-related symptoms influence work outcomes among cancer survivors. METHODS: A literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus to identify studies published between 1st January 1999 and 30th October 2020 that investigated the impact of specific cancer-related symptoms on work outcomes among cancer survivors who have completed primary antineoplastic treatment. Study findings were extracted and grouped by symptoms and work outcomes, allowing comparison of associations between these outcomes. RESULTS: Seventy-three articles representing 68 studies were eligible for inclusion. From these studies, 27 cancer-related symptoms, 9 work outcomes, and 68 unique associations between specific symptoms and work outcomes were identified. Work status (return to work and employment rates) was most commonly studied, and symptom burden was mainly measured from the patient's perspective. Higher symptom burden was generally associated with trends of poorer work outcomes. Significant associations were reported in most studies evaluating body image issues and work status, oral dysfunction and work status, fatigue and work ability, and depression and work ability. CONCLUSION: Several cancer-related symptoms were consistently associated with inferior work outcomes among cancer survivors. Body image issues and oral dysfunction were shown to be associated with poorer employment rates, while fatigue and depression were linked to lower levels of work performance. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Failure to return to work and decreased productivity post-cancer treatment can have negative consequences for cancer survivors and society at large. Findings from this review will guide the development of work rehabilitation programs for cancer survivors. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO identifier CRD42020187754.
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Tan et al. (2021) conducted a systematic review in Cancer survivors (n=38,603). Cancer-related symptoms vs. Absence or lower burden of cancer-related symptoms was evaluated on Work outcomes (employment status, return to work, work ability, work productivity). Higher cancer-related symptom burden, particularly body image issues, oral dysfunction, fatigue, and depression, was consistently associated with inferior work outcomes such as poorer employment rates and lower work performance among cancer survivors.
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