Abstract
BackgroundThe present study aimed to first describe the work‐related outcomes of cancer survivors and to then identify those characteristics that influenced the decision to stop working in rural China.MethodsWe assessed 752 cancer survivors (residents of rural areas, working at the time of diagnosis, >1 year since completing treatment) from the cross‐sectional study “China Survey of Experiences with Cancer”. Participants reported changes in employment status, income, and the ability to perform physical jobs due to cancer, as well as the work‐related outcomes of their informal caregivers. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between sociodemographic characteristics, cancer characteristics, and changes in work (ie, continue to work vs not working).ResultsThe participants were largely farmers (96%), women (56%), younger than 65 years old (69%), and diagnosed with colorectal (31%) and breast cancer (31%). Thirty‐nine percent reported reducing working hours, and 40% reported stopping work altogether. Approximately 7% of informal caregivers also stopped working in order to take care of those diagnosed with cancer. Thirty‐three percent of cancer survivors and 5% of their informal caregivers had no source of income following treatment. Controlling for other variables, lower educational attainment, physical limitations in work, and different cancer sites were significantly associated with ending employment in both men and women, while among men specifically, we observed that older age, being unmarried, and being diagnosed at later stages were significantly associated with an end to working.ConclusionRural cancer survivors are at a high risk for stopping work after completing treatment, and many survivors and their caregivers experience poor work‐related outcomes and economic hardship. These results highlight the importance of paying attention to the work experiences of cancer survivors in rural China.
Highlights
The present study aimed to first describe the work‐related outcomes of cancer survivors and to identify those characteristics that influenced the decision to stop working in rural China
The results of our study provide evidence of occupational problems among cancer survivors who reside in rural China
Our study showed that 39% of rural cancer survivors reduced their work hours; again, this proportion is higher than that of another study conducted in America (31%).[24]
Summary
Conclusion: Rural cancer survivors are at a high risk for stopping work after completing treatment, and many survivors and their caregivers experience poor work‐ related outcomes and economic hardship. These results highlight the importance of paying attention to the work experiences of cancer survivors in rural China. A previous study on employment issues showed that most cancer patients, while more likely than the general population to experience unemployment, are able to return to work after treatment, and it revealed certain risk factors, such as patients' characteristics and work environment.[6]. There is a pressing need for research of this kind since of the over 4.29 million new cancer cases in China in 2015, nearly half of them occurred in rural areas.[2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
