Breast Cancer Survivors Struggle To Find Work Years After Defeating The Disease
Breast Cancer Survivors Struggle To Find Work Years After Defeating The Disease
The Huffington Post UK
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As if battling breast cancer wasn't enough already, recent research has revealed that unemployment among survivors is rife years after defeating the disease.
Nearly one-third of breast cancer survivors who were working when they began treatment have not been able to return to the work field four years later.
Researchers surveyed woman in Detroit and Los Angeles who had been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.
They narrowed their sample to the 746 women who reported working at the time they were diagnosed.
Participants were surveyed about nine months after diagnosis, and then given a follow-up survey about four years later.
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Fearless Ladies On Their Biggest Achievements Since Beating Breast Cancer
‘I did a bungee jump!’ - Allison, 36, Scotland(01 of05)
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"I’m currently taking time off work (I work as a Principal at a primary school) and will return to work when I’m ready.
"I’m also the main carer for my father so I have to make sure I get my work/life balance right.
"Earlier this year I decided to bungee jump in Glasgow for Breast Cancer Care and raised £1000!
"I’m so proud I did this as this isn’t something I would have done before my diagnosis.
"The bungee jump itself was terrifying but exhilarating at the same time! It was an experience that showed I was brave on another level…a different kind of scary! I am so pleased I did it.” (credit:Breast Cancer Care)
'I hiked at 14,000ft through Andes!' - Laura, 33, Formby(02 of05)
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"After the 'prison' of cancer treatment, I absolutely loved the freedom of hiking in cloud forests at 14,000ft through the Andes; meeting locals who live in the most remote, extreme conditions I've ever seen.
"Seeing the misty view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate after climbing 3,000 steps in torrential rain was an emotional experience. I felt lucky, overwhelmed, humbled and literally on top of the world.
“Before I was diagnosed I was a party girl - sociable, spontaneous, working too hard, drinking too much, over stressing and under sleeping.
"I was allergic to the gym and not eating healthily and pretty much acting like I was invincible. It is crazy how your whole life can change so suddenly and so dramatically.
"I’m now passionate about healthy eating, juicing and hot yoga and I feel healthier and happier than I ever have in my life. Next stop Kilimanjaro!” (credit:Breast Cancer Care)
‘I ran a marathon for Breast Cancer Care!’ - Barbara, 46, Birmingham(03 of05)
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"I never thought I would run a Marathon. To state the obvious - it's a very long way!
"Training was tough - but I trained with friends. We managed to convince ourselves that we happened to be socialising on the move as the miles stacked up.
"The day of the Brighton Marathon 2012 came and I was very nervous - but I reminded myself that I had trained for it and nerves were normal.
"I was thrilled with achieving a time of 4 hours and 43 minutes.Breast Cancer Care helped me when I felt desperately scared and isolated.
"The services that I used were funded by the charitable donations of people before me. So I ran and raised £1000 for the women who were yet to be diagnosed. I am proud that I was able to do this.” (credit:Breast Cancer Care)
'I model at Lingerie Evenings for people with breast cancer!' - Berenice, 58, Cheshire(04 of05)
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"After I finished my treatment I decided I wanted to volunteer with the charity so I could help others.
"I model at Breast Cancer Care’s Lingerie Evenings which are held at John Lewis where I work.
"These evenings are designed to give women more confidence when choosing a bra after breast surgery. We offer a practical guide of what to look for in a bra.
"There’s an opportunity to be fitted and then me and the other volunteer models, who have all had breast cancer, model the underwear to show how it looks on.
"Getting used to your body post surgery can be really difficult so these Lingerie Evenings are vital in showing women with breast cancer that you can look fabulous post surgery. It really helps to give them confidence!" (credit:Breast Cancer Care)
‘I am modelling at Breast Cancer Care’s annual fashion show in front of 2,000 guests’ - Nadiya, 39, London(05 of05)
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"Shortly after my diagnosis my mum and I were found to have the BRCA1 gene that increases our chance of getting cancer.
"My mum, my best friend and role model, had already had breast cancer three times and two weeks after my diagnosis she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
"We went through chemotherapy together and we were able to stay strong for each other and keep our sense of humour, if not our hair!
"Earlier this year I was really proud to be picked to model at Breast Cancer Care’s annual fashion show.
"The Show takes place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in October in front of 2,000 guests. The event aims to show that you can look great and feel glamorous following a breast cancer diagnosis.
"Sadly my mum passed away in May and didn’t get to see me on the catwalk. She was my rock, my best friend and mentor and I still feel very lost without her.
"Losing her has been devastating but I know she’d be as proud of me as I am of her.
"Appearing on the catwalk was fantastic and I am so proud I was brave enough to do it!” (credit:Breast Cancer Care)
Overall, 30 percent of these working women said they were no longer working at the time of the four-year follow-up survey.
Women who received chemotherapy were more likely to report that they were not working four years later.
Many of these women reported that they want to work: 55 percent of those not working said it was important for them to work and 39 percent said they were actively looking for work.
Those who were not working were significantly more likely to report they were worse off financially. Results of the study appear in the journal Cancer.
"Many doctors believe that even though patients may miss work during treatment, they will 'bounce back' in the longer term.
"The results of this study suggest otherwise. Loss of employment is a possible long-term negative consequence of chemotherapy that may not have been fully appreciated to date," says lead study author Reshma Jagsi, M.D., D.Phil., associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Many patients take time off of work during chemotherapy treatment to deal with the immediate side effects of the therapy.
The researchers say it's possible this may lead to long-term employment problems. In addition, chemotherapy treatments can cause long-term side effects such as neuropathy or cognitive issues, which might also affect job prospects.
The findings point to the need to reduce the burden of breast cancer treatment, and reinforce current efforts to develop better strategies for identifying patients less likely to benefit from chemotherapy.