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Factors Related to Return to Work by Women with Breast Cancer in Northern France

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Abstract

Introduction Earlier diagnosis and better treatment have increased the survival rates of breast cancer patients. This warrants research on return to work of cancer survivors, especially about subjective factors because they affect the mental desire to return to work. Moreover, knowledge in this issue is very limited in France. Objectives This study aims to explore the objective and subjective factors that affect whether and when women with breast cancer return to work. Methods 379 women with breast cancer aged 18–60 years who were working at the time of diagnosis responded to a 45 item questionnaire. The questionnaire had personal characteristics, disease-related characteristics and work-related ones. Multivariate logistic regressions were run to determine the association of these factors and return to work and time until return to work. Results During a median follow-up of 36 months, 82.1% of the 379 women who had worked before their diagnosis returned to work after a median sick leave of 10.8 months. Older age, lower educational level, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, lymphoedema, psychological or organizational self-perceived constraints related to their former job, and the lack of moral support from work colleagues both limited and delayed return to work. Conclusion The resumption of work by women with breast cancer depends on many factors, not all of them medical. The self-perceived factors must be considered: first to help support these women during their sick leave, while taking into account elements that may hinder early return to work; second to initiate a work resumption support process which takes into account both the person and her environment.

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Acknowledgments

This study was conducted with logistic support from the University of Lille 2, through the H. WAREMBOURG Faculty of Medicine, the Occupational Medicine Laboratory, the Center for Advisory Resources in Occupational Health, the Unit of Occupational and Environmental Disease of the CHRU-ISTNF (Occupational Health Institute of Northern France), and financial support from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Medicine, CHRU Lille, Université Lille 2, 1 Avenue Oscar Lambret, 59037, Lille Cedex, France

    Sophie Quinton Fantoni & Joanna Skrzypczak

  2. Department of Breast Disease, Centre Oscar Lambret, CHRU Lille, 3 rue F. Combemale, 59000, Lille, France

    Charlotte Peugniez

  3. Department of Occupational Medicine, Université Lille Nord de France, UDSL, CHRU Lille, Pôle de Santé Publique, 59037, Lille Cedex, France

    Alain Duhamel, Paul Frimat & Ariane Leroyer

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  1. Sophie Quinton Fantoni
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  2. Charlotte Peugniez
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Correspondence to Sophie Quinton Fantoni.

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Fantoni, S.Q., Peugniez, C., Duhamel, A. et al. Factors Related to Return to Work by Women with Breast Cancer in Northern France. J Occup Rehabil 20, 49–58 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-009-9215-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-009-9215-y

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