A recent study published online in JAMA Network Open reveals that adult survivors of childhood cancer experience significant declines in employment rates and an increase in health-related unemployment compared to the general population.

Conducted by Neel S. Bhatt, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., and his team from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, the retrospective cohort study analyzed data from individuals diagnosed with cancer at 20 years of age or younger between 1970 and 1986. The aim was to track longitudinal trends in employment status. By comparing employment rates at baseline (2002 to 2004) and follow-up (2014 to 2016) to those of the general population, the researchers sought to understand the challenges faced by childhood cancer survivors.

The findings revealed a concerning trend. At baseline, 71.3 percent of female participants and 85.3 percent of male participants were either employed full-time or part-time. However, at follow-up, these figures dropped to 64.8 percent for females and 77.3 percent for males. This decline was reflected in standardized prevalence ratios, which decreased over time for both genders.

Moreover, the study identified a notable increase in health-related unemployment among childhood cancer survivors. For women, the prevalence rose from 11.6 percent to 17.2 percent, and for men, from 8.1 percent to 17.1 percent. Despite some fluctuations, the standardized prevalence ratio remained elevated compared to the general population, albeit showing a decrease over time.

Of particular concern is the negative employment transition experienced by a significant proportion of survivors who were initially employed full-time at baseline. Approximately 19.2 percent of women and 12.8 percent of men faced this challenge, highlighting the ongoing struggles that childhood cancer survivors encounter in maintaining stable employment.

In light of these findings, the authors emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to address the long-term employment needs of cancer survivors. Collaboration between survivors, healthcare professionals, and employers is deemed crucial in developing strategies to support survivors in their pursuit of sustainable employment opportunities.

This study underscores the need for greater awareness and support systems to mitigate the employment challenges faced by adult survivors of childhood cancer, ensuring their inclusion and well-being in the workforce.