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Return to work in European Cancer survivors: a systematic review

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Abstract

Purpose

Return to work (RTW) of cancer survivors (CSs) fluctuates in different contexts. This systematic review searched for recent data on the RTW rate of CSs in Europe, investigating associated factors.

Methods

Bibliographic search covered the period from January 2010 to February 2018, with no language restrictions. European population-based studies assessing RTW rate after cancer diagnosis were included. We excluded studies focusing on a specific cancer diagnosis.

Results

Twelve observational studies were selected. The cohorts investigated included 280 to 46,720 individuals from Northwestern and Central Europe diagnosed with cancer from 1987 to 2010. The median interval between diagnosis and documented RTW was 2 years (0.2–23.4 years). RTW rates of CSs ranged from 39 to 77%. RTW of individuals employed at the time of diagnosis ranged from 60 to 92%, the latter registered in a sample with good prognosis. Personal factors, work-related factors, and cancer-related factors were all associated with RTW. Healthcare team interventions facilitated reintegration to work.

Conclusions

Data from Mediterranean and Central European countries are urgently needed to understand whether RTW is an issue for CSs there as well and whether socio-rehabilitative interventions are required to mitigate the potential negative impact of cancer on individuals and society.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Jacqueline M. Costa for the English language editing.

Funding

This work was supported by the Chamber of Commerce of Reggio Emilia, the Foundation GRADE Onlus of Reggio Emilia, and the Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Sara Paltrinieri, Stefania Fugazzaro, Martina Pellegrini & Stefania Costi

  2. School of Physical Therapy, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via S. Lorenzino 23, 47521, Cesena, Forlì-Cesena, Italy

    Lucia Bertozzi

  3. Medical Library, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Viale Murri 9, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Maria Chiara Bassi

  4. Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Massimo Vicentini

  5. Medical Directorate, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Viale Umberto I 50, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Elisa Mazzini

  6. Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Stefania Costi

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  1. Sara Paltrinieri
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Correspondence to Stefania Costi.

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Conflict of interest

The Chamber of Commerce and the GRADE Onlus of Reggio Emilia, together with the Local Health Authority-Institute of Research, supported one scholarship thanks to which this study was conducted. However, as disclosed, nobody from the Chamber of Commerce nor from the GRADE Onlus participated in the study at any stage nor did they influence any of the authors during the phases of this review. All of the authors have full control of all primary data and they agree to allow the journal to review their data if requested.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Paltrinieri, S., Fugazzaro, S., Bertozzi, L. et al. Return to work in European Cancer survivors: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 26, 2983–2994 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4270-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4270-6

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