Return to Work and its related Factors in Cancer Survivors referred to Tabriz Medical Centers, 2014.

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Cancer is the third leading cause of deaths in the world. Advances in current treatments and innovation of new therapies and early detection have dramatically increases the number of cancer survivors in recent years. Returning to work can improve patients quality of life and is a symbol of recovery and regaining a normal life. Additionally, returning to work help patients to overcome the negating consequences of diseases and treatments, and has positive financial outcome for both cancer survivors and the society. Financial stress and readiness for return to work can be important factors in the return to work in cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to determine return to work in cancer survivors and the effect of financial stress and readiness for return to work factors in return to work in cancer survivors. Materials and methods: this descriptive-correlational study was undertaken among 227 cancer survivors who completed their initial treatments and had no signs of active cancer. This study was conducted in both educational and positional and private hospitals in Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan. The return to work questionnaire and financial distress/financial well-being scale and readiness for return to work scale for daft collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: among the 227cancer survivors,57/7 percent were male and the mean age of the sample was 43/87 years old. Most participants were male, married, a resident of city, a state income less than spend and were suffering from leukemia. Also, most of the wives of the patients with a primary school and were housewives, and their awareness of the disease during an average of 37 months. The highest number of cancer survivors (38/8 percent) return to work in part-time in this study. Statistical analysis indicated that the participants in this study cancer survivors also reported high levels of financial distress. The results of the analysis of the data collected shows that there was a significant relationship between type of return to work, financial stress and readiness for return to work in this study (p=0.001). Conclusion: improved cancer patients tend to return to work. They also feel high financial stress. On the other hand the analysis of the data collected shows that was a significant relationship between type of return to work, financial stress and readiness for return to work in this study. Therefore, it is necessary think about direct and indirect a series to measures to reduce costs and increase return to work in cancer survivors.