Occupational adjustments and work ability of young adult cancer survivors: results from the AYA-Leipzig study
Abstract Purpose Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYA-CS) face a long working life after treatment, yet factors related to a successful return to work remain largely unexplored. We therefore aimed to investigate the use of occupational adjustments and their impact on work ability upon re...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-06050-4 |
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| author | Hannah Brock Katharina Schröter Michael Friedrich Annekathrin Sender Diana Richter Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf Kristina Geue Katja Leuteritz |
| author_facet | Hannah Brock Katharina Schröter Michael Friedrich Annekathrin Sender Diana Richter Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf Kristina Geue Katja Leuteritz |
| author_sort | Hannah Brock |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYA-CS) face a long working life after treatment, yet factors related to a successful return to work remain largely unexplored. We therefore aimed to investigate the use of occupational adjustments and their impact on work ability upon return to work. Methods As part of the AYA-LE study, we surveyed AYA-CS (aged 18–39 at diagnosis) who returned to work and assessed work ability (Work Ability Index) as well as use and benefit of occupational adjustments. We analyzed predictors of use and benefit of occupational adjustments on average 4 years post-diagnosis using multivariate linear and logistic regression. Results Out of 438 AYA-CS, 389 (88.8%) returned to work after cancer diagnosis and were included in analyses. Mean work ability was M = 36.2 (SD = 6.9), 11.4% reported poor, 34.7% moderate, 41.4% good and 12.5% excellent work ability. Following treatment, 82.3% used occupational adjustments, most frequently: flexible working hours, gradual reintegration and reduced working hours. The probability of a reduction in working hours was found to be higher among older AYA-CS (≥ 30), female gender and with a fatigue index ≥ 11 (R2 = 0.073). A fatigue index < 11, elevated levels of pain and the presence of metastases/recurrence were associated with a lower benefit of reduced working hours (R2 = 0.183). Younger age (< 30) and stem cell transplant were associated with a lower benefit of support from colleagues (R2 = 0.077). Conclusion Our results highlight the need for targeted occupational counselling throughout the treatment and even beyond the return-to-work process, considering individual and social factors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1b667b83bc994a68930f774fb2ed68a1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1432-1335 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-1b667b83bc994a68930f774fb2ed68a12025-02-09T12:10:14ZengSpringerJournal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology1432-13352024-12-01151111110.1007/s00432-024-06050-4Occupational adjustments and work ability of young adult cancer survivors: results from the AYA-Leipzig studyHannah Brock0Katharina Schröter1Michael Friedrich2Annekathrin Sender3Diana Richter4Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf5Kristina Geue6Katja Leuteritz7Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), University Medical Center LeipzigDepartment of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), University Medical Center LeipzigDepartment of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), University Medical Center LeipzigDepartment of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), University Medical Center LeipzigDepartment of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), University Medical Center LeipzigDepartment of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), University Medical Center LeipzigDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke-University MagdeburgDepartment of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), University Medical Center LeipzigAbstract Purpose Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYA-CS) face a long working life after treatment, yet factors related to a successful return to work remain largely unexplored. We therefore aimed to investigate the use of occupational adjustments and their impact on work ability upon return to work. Methods As part of the AYA-LE study, we surveyed AYA-CS (aged 18–39 at diagnosis) who returned to work and assessed work ability (Work Ability Index) as well as use and benefit of occupational adjustments. We analyzed predictors of use and benefit of occupational adjustments on average 4 years post-diagnosis using multivariate linear and logistic regression. Results Out of 438 AYA-CS, 389 (88.8%) returned to work after cancer diagnosis and were included in analyses. Mean work ability was M = 36.2 (SD = 6.9), 11.4% reported poor, 34.7% moderate, 41.4% good and 12.5% excellent work ability. Following treatment, 82.3% used occupational adjustments, most frequently: flexible working hours, gradual reintegration and reduced working hours. The probability of a reduction in working hours was found to be higher among older AYA-CS (≥ 30), female gender and with a fatigue index ≥ 11 (R2 = 0.073). A fatigue index < 11, elevated levels of pain and the presence of metastases/recurrence were associated with a lower benefit of reduced working hours (R2 = 0.183). Younger age (< 30) and stem cell transplant were associated with a lower benefit of support from colleagues (R2 = 0.077). Conclusion Our results highlight the need for targeted occupational counselling throughout the treatment and even beyond the return-to-work process, considering individual and social factors.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-06050-4Adolescent and young adultCancerPsychooncologyReturn to workWork abilityOccupational adujustments |
| spellingShingle | Hannah Brock Katharina Schröter Michael Friedrich Annekathrin Sender Diana Richter Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf Kristina Geue Katja Leuteritz Occupational adjustments and work ability of young adult cancer survivors: results from the AYA-Leipzig study Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology Adolescent and young adult Cancer Psychooncology Return to work Work ability Occupational adujustments |
| title | Occupational adjustments and work ability of young adult cancer survivors: results from the AYA-Leipzig study |
| title_full | Occupational adjustments and work ability of young adult cancer survivors: results from the AYA-Leipzig study |
| title_fullStr | Occupational adjustments and work ability of young adult cancer survivors: results from the AYA-Leipzig study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occupational adjustments and work ability of young adult cancer survivors: results from the AYA-Leipzig study |
| title_short | Occupational adjustments and work ability of young adult cancer survivors: results from the AYA-Leipzig study |
| title_sort | occupational adjustments and work ability of young adult cancer survivors results from the aya leipzig study |
| topic | Adolescent and young adult Cancer Psychooncology Return to work Work ability Occupational adujustments |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-06050-4 |
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