Return to work after oropharyngeal cancer treatment—Highlighting a growing working-age population

Abstract

Background: To describe the frequency of patients returning to work after treatment for oropharyngeal cancer and to identify predictors and physical barriers that might interfere with the return to work process. Methods: Cross-sectional study including 295 patients. Data were collected regarding work/sick leave situation at 1 month before diagnosis and 15 months after diagnosis. The situation before diagnosis was retrospectively recalled by the patients. Two subscales and two single items from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-H&N35 were used. Data were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression. Results: Fifteen months after diagnosis, 212 patients (72%) were working. To be working 15 months after diagnosis was associated with working before diagnosis. Swallowing difficulties, problems talking on the telephone, and physical appearance were negatively associated with returning to work. Conclusions: The large number of individuals returning to work is encouraging for patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer.