Symptom Profiles, Work Productivity and Quality of Life among Chinese Female Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Background: Cervical and breast cancer are very common forms of malignancy among women. With increasingly long survivorship rates, it is essential to explore the impact of cancer survivorship on the work productivity and quality of life (QOL) of cancer survivors. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the symptom prevalence, work productivity and QOL among Chinese breast cancer survivors (BCS) and cervical cancer survivors (CCS), and to explore factors related to their work productivity and QOL. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Chinese women with a history of primary breast or cervical cancer were included. Results: A total of 192 subjects joined the study. Participants reported a mean reduction in work productivity of 16%, although these women reported relatively good QOL compared with EORTC reference values. Significant predictors for work productivity loss included depression symptoms and cognitive limitations. Job stress, disease stage, anxiety symptoms, cognitive limitations, and physical functioning levels were statistically significant predictors of global QOL. These variables accounted for 55.4% of variance of QOL. Conclusion: This study found that cancer survivors reported higher levels of anxiety and cognitive limitations, and lower levels of work productivity and QOL. Cognitive symptoms were significantly related to cancer survivors’ work limitation and QOL. Implications for practice: Nurses and other healthcare professionals should be aware that BCS and CCS reported higher levels of work limitations and lower levels of QOL. Future research should develop relevant interventions to maximize cancer survivors’ work productivity and QOL.