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Job loss and reemployment after a cancer diagnosis in Koreans—a prospective cohort study
Author(s) -
Choi Kui Son,
Kim EunJung,
Lim JinHwa,
Kim SungGyeong,
Lim Min Kyung,
Park JaeGahb,
Park EunCheol
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1054
Subject(s) - medicine , cancer , prospective cohort study , disease , cohort , colorectal cancer , cohort study , proportional hazards model , stage (stratigraphy) , multivariate analysis , paleontology , biology
Patients undergoing treatment for cancer have reported a variety of work‐related problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a cancer diagnosis on employment status, and to identify relevant associated factors. This prospective cohort study was conducted at the National Cancer Center in Korea. Male patients newly diagnosed with stomach, liver, or colorectal cancers were recruited. Patients were interviewed and asked to complete an employment questionnaire every 3 months for 24 months. Clinical, sociodemographic and work‐related factors were assessed. There were 305 male patients who had a primary diagnosis of cancer and underwent appropriate treatment. Of the 305 male patients who were employed at the time of diagnosis, 53% lost their job, and of these 23% later reemployed. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, job loss was significantly associated with years of education, job characteristics and disease stage. Reemployment was significantly associated with disease stage and cancer site. Change of employment was common among cancer patients in Korea. With an understanding of the factors involved, it should be possible to reduce unnecessary work cessation, and increase the rate of employment of cancer survivors. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.