Abstract
Background About half of colorectal patients are diagnosed less than 65 years of age and they have a relatively high cure rate. However, little is known about their employment and related risk factors. The aim of the current study was to clarify the association between colorectal cancer (CRC) and subsequent risk of being unemployed. Methods A historical prospective cohort study included baseline socio-demographic measurements of age, sex, ethnicity, residential socio-economic position and education from the 1995 Israeli National Census, cancer incidence between 2000 and 2007 and employment data between 1998 and 2011. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to assess odds ratios for unemployment, while controlling for socio-economic measurements and employment status at 2 years prior to diagnosis. Results The final study population included 885 colorectal patients and 2646 healthy controls. After controlling for confounders, positive associations were found between stages II (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31–2.76 or III (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.13–2.54) and increased risk for unemployment at 2 years. At 4 years follow-up, stages I (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11–2.19), II (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.09–2.26) and III (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.55–3.37) were associated with increased risk for unemployment. Higher risk was seen among rectal cancer patients and among patients aged ≤50 years old at the time of cancer diagnosis. Conclusions CRC patients are at increased long-term risk for unemployment, especially among rectal cancer and younger patients. The clinical ramifications of our findings emphasise the importance of an accurate evaluation and attention to unemployment status during the care of these patients.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 70-76 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | European Journal of Cancer |
Volume | 69 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Dec 2016 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported by the Israel National Insurance Grant (2012) (YR, NZR) and the Cost Action CANWON IS1211 (YR, MC, AdB).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
- Cancer survivors
- Colorectal cancer
- Employment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research