BACKGROUND: The number of middle-aged working individuals being diagnosed with @entity5 is increasing and so too will disruptions to their employment. The aim of the Working After Cancer Study is to examine the changes to work participation in the 12 months following a diagnosis of primary @entity14 . The study will identify barriers to work resumption, describe limitations on workforce participation, and evaluate the influence of these factors on health-related quality of life. METHODS/DESIGN: An observational population-based study has been designed involving 260 adults newly-diagnosed with @entity14 between January 2010 and September 2011 and who were in paid employment at the time they were diagnosed. These @entity5 cases will be compared to a nationally representative comparison group of 520 adults with no history of @entity5 from the general population. Eligible cases will have a histologically confirmed diagnosis of @entity14 and will be identified through the Queensland Cancer Registry. Data on the comparison group will be drawn from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. Data collection for the @entity5 group will occur at 6 and 12 months after diagnosis, with work questions also asked about the time of diagnosis, while retrospective data on the comparison group will be come from HILDA Waves 2009 and 2010. Using validated instruments administered via telephone and postal surveys, data will be collected on socio-demographic factors, work status and circumstances, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for both groups while the cases will have additional data collected on @entity5 treatment and symptoms, work productivity and @entity5 . Primary outcomes include @entity1442 at 12 months, time to work re-entry, work limitations and change in HRQoL status. DISCUSSION: This study will address the reasons for work cessation after @entity5 , the mechanisms @entity1 use to remain working and existing workplace support structures and the implications for individuals, families and workplaces. It may also provide key information for governments on productivity losses. STUDY REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry No. ACTRN12611000530921.

The Working After Cancer Study (WACS): a population-based study of middle-aged workers diagnosed with XXXX and their return to work experiences.

@entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['cancer-related HRQoL', 'cancer'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['people'] @entity1442 :: ('MESH:D020178', 'Disease') :: ['change in work participation'] @entity14 :: ('MESH:D015179', 'Disease') :: ['colorectal cancer']
@entity14 :: (MESH:D015179,Disease) :: ['colorectal cancer']
