Variation over time of the factors influencing return to work and work capacities after a diagnosis of breast cancer: a study on the behalf of the Seintinelles research network

Purpose To evaluate the dynamics of the determinants of returning to work (RTW) in a population of patients treated for breast cancer (BC) in a real-world setting. Method We conducted a retrospective study including 1278 BC patients working or looking for work at the time of diagnosis. We performed a focused principal component analysis to highlight the dimensions of a persistent decline in work capacity. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify correlates of non-RTW 1 and 2 years after treatment. Results One-third (31%, n = 389) of patients continued working during treatment. At study inclusion, 1100 patients had returned to work (89%). Three-quarters ( n = 508, 75%) of the women reported a decline in work capacity 1 year after RTW and 22% ( n = 148) presented a persistent decline in work capacity 2 years after the diagnosis. The odds ratio for non-RTW at 1 year was significantly higher for patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and trastuzumab (OR = 1.72, 95% CI [1.07–2.76]), manual workers (OR = 3.99, 95% CI [1.54–10.81]), patients with lower incomes (OR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.29–4.19]), and patients experiencing fatigue (OR = 1.81, 95% CI [1.34–2.48]). The odds ratio for non-RTW at 2 years was higher for various occupational categories (OR = 3.49, 95% CI [1.89–6.74] for clerks, OR = 4.58, 95% CI [1.48–12.82] for self-employed workers, OR = 8.98, 95% CI [2.69–27.89] for manual workers), patients with comorbidities (OR = 2.80, 95% CI [1.61–4.93]), and patients experiencing anxiety symptoms (OR = 2.54, 95% CI [1.18–5.76]), while the impact of the type of treatment was no longer significantly associated with RTW. Conclusion The determinants of RTW change over time. Patients should be offered supportive interventions tailored to risk factors and time from diagnosis.