Continuing To Work While Receiving Cancer Treatment: A Financial Or A Symbolic Issue?

6603 Background: As improved cure rates lead to longer life expectancy, occupational concerns during and after cancer treatment become important. The advent of new drugs with fewer side effects will increase the profile of this issue. We carried out a field survey to explore the question. Methods: We questioned 97 oncologists, and a subgroup of 216 patients treated for breast cancer who were working at the time of diagnosis and who wanted to continue to do so during at least part of the treatment period. Results: Data Collected from Patients: In total, 208 patients (96%) were satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs. Only 68 (31%) were able to achieve the goal of working without interruption while being treated (physicians estimated that figure at only 11%). For the remaining women, who did stop working (69%), the median number of days off work was 59. Data Collected from Physicians: A total of 87 physicians (89%) stated that having information regarding working conditions is very important when counse...