Socio-economic and occupational outcomes of long-term survivors of gynaecological cancer: A French population-based study
Menée en France par enquête auprès de 92 patientes ayant survécu à un cancer gynécologique diagnostiqué entre 2006 et 2013 (col de l’utérus, endomètre, ovaire), cette étude analyse leurs difficultés socioéconomiques et professionnelles (durée moyenne de suivi après le diagnostic : 6 ans)
Objective : To describe socio?economic and professional outcomes in long?term survivors of cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancer, including return to work and problems related to obtaining loans and insurance. Methods : Women with cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancers diagnosed from 2006 to 2013 were selected through the French gynaecological cancer registry of Côte d’Or, in a cross?sectional survey. Using a questionnaire established with the help of sociologists and psychologists, social and cancer?related work issues were collected among women aged less than 60 years at the time of cancer diagnosis. The socio?economic status was also assessed, at the time of the survey using the EPICES questionnaire. Results : A total of 92 gynaecological cancer survivors (CS) participated in this survey. Gynaecological CS reported a decrease in income since cancer diagnosis, difficulties obtaining loans, and a decrease in ability to work, both in the short term after treatment and at the time of survey, on average 6 years after diagnosis. Fatigue, emotional and cognitive difficulties were the reasons cited to explain the decreased ability to work, both immediately after treatment and in the long term. Conclusions : Gynaecological CS experienced many problems, such as decreased work capacity, decreased income and difficulty obtaining loans.