WeCanWork study: well-being of male cancer survivors working physically demanding jobs

Abstract

Background: Male cancer survivors performing physically demanding work have received less attention in the scientific literature compared to other groups. We hypothesized that men newly diagnosed with cancer have better well-being if they have less physically demanding jobs. Methods: Seventy-six male workers completed the NIOSH Worker Well-being Questionnaire (WellBQ) approximately three months after starting cancer treatment. We used descriptive statistics to describe the demographics and worker well-being of the study sample and pooled t-tests to determine whether there were differences between respondents who had more physically demanding work and those with fewer physical demands. Results: Male cancer survivors with physically demanding jobs reported poorer wage (p < 0.001)and benefit (p = 0.04) satisfaction, less autonomy (p = 0.03) and flexibility (p = 0.004), and greater financial insecurity (p = 0.002). They also experienced more negative job attitudes (p = 0.0003), and workplace safety concerns (p < 0.001) and less sleep (p = 0.05), with less support outside of work (p = 0.03) compared to men with less physically demanding jobs. Conclusions: Our study highlights worker well-being differences approximately three months after initiating cancer treatment between men with and without physically demanding jobs. There are opportunities for employers to support worker well-being, specifically those with physically demanding jobs. Additionally, male cancer survivors with physically demanding jobs may need greater support outside of the workplace. Future research with a larger and longitudinal sample of male cancer survivors could inform how to support survivors from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.