Perceived discrimination at work: examining social, health and work-related factors as determinants among breast cancer survivors – evidence from the prospective CANTO cohort

BACKGROUND: We assessed the prevalence of self-reported perceived discrimination in the workplace after the end of treatment among breast cancer (BC) survivors and studied its association with social, health-related and work-related factors. METHODS: We used data from a French prospective cohort (CANcer TOxicities) including women diagnosed with stage I-III BC. Our analysis included 2130 women who were employed, <57 years old at BC diagnosis and were working 2 years afterwards. We assessed the association between social, health-related and work-related factors and perceived discrimination in the workplace using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Overall, 26% of women reported perceived discrimination in the workplace after the end of treatment. Women working for a small company, in the public sector or with better overall health status were less likely to report perceived discrimination. Women who benefited from easing dispositions at their workplace, who did not feel supported by their colleagues and those who returned to work because of fear of job loss were more likely to report perceived discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: One in four BC survivors perceives discrimination in the workplace. Health and work-related factors are associated with increased likelihood of reporting perceived discrimination. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01993498.