Factors affecting return to work in breast cancer survivors in Korea: a cross-sectional study
2024

Factors Affecting Return to Work in Breast Cancer Survivors in Korea

Sample size: 135 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sohn Kate J., Kim Sung Hae, Lee Hyojin, Kim Sue

Primary Institution: Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

Hypothesis

This study examined the associations of return to work among Korean breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue, quality of sleep, mental adjustment, and psychosocial factors.

Conclusion

It is critical to address return to work-related difficulties in Korean breast cancer survivors, and future interventions should target cancer-related fatigue, anxious preoccupation, and quality of working life.

Supporting Evidence

  • 57% of participants returned to work after their diagnosis.
  • Marital status and time since diagnosis were significant predictors of return to work.
  • Participants who returned to work reported lower levels of fatigue and better sleep quality.

Takeaway

This study found that many women in Korea who survived breast cancer have a hard time going back to work, and things like feeling tired and worried can make it even harder.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study recruited breast cancer survivors from a hospital, a support group, and an online community, collecting data on fatigue, sleep quality, mental adjustment, and quality of working life.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from self-reported data and the convenience sampling method.

Limitations

The study's cross-sectional design limits the ability to infer causality, and the sample size may limit generalizability.

Participant Demographics

Participants were primarily married women aged 20 to 70 years, with a majority having at least a college education.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=.027, p=.028, p=.021, p=.010

Confidence Interval

95% CI for ORs provided in the results

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.4069/whn.2024.12.10

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