Return to Work Among Cancer Survivors With Treatment-induced Survivorship Syndromes

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators plan to investigate the consequences of late effects (radiation-induced survivorship syndromes) after radiotherapy in Gynecological and Prostate cancer survivors on return to work (Yes/No) and if RTW happened then time to RTW. In addition, whether general health, type of work (occupation), work environment factors, individual factors (lifestyle, socioeconomic status etc.), contribute to the adverse late effects of radiotherapy and these Gynecological cancer survivors have a higher risk for disability pension/long term sickness absence (NOT Return to work).

Detailed Description
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Occurrence of cancer diagnoses are rising, and both disease and treatments are aggressive. Due to advancement in medical technology, improved therapy and/or early detection the overall survival rates are also improving. Some of the most common cancer types, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer have high cure rates when detected early and treated according to best practices. Many of these cancer survivors are of working age and are likely to return to work. Women who survive cervical cancer and men who survive testicular cancer typically have three to four decades left in working life. However, return to work (RTW) among cancer survivors may not be similar to RTW among long-term sickness absentees due to other diagnoses. Cancer is a life threatening disease and cancer diagnose is a life changing event. The emotional shock after the cancer diagnosis may be associated with low psychological well-being even two years after prostate cancer surgery. The successful cancer treatment concludes with the lifelong consequences of surgery, irradiation, cytotoxic chemotherapy, biological anticancer substances or other drugs in the treatment. The ionizing radiation that eliminates malignant cells may trigger long-lasting pathophysiological processes in the normal tissue and affect the health of the survivors with lifelong treatment-induced survivorship diseases. In a recent study, Steineck et al, identified five radiation-induced survivorship syndromes affecting bowel health in a cohort of gynecological cancer; urgency syndrome (30%), leakage syndrome (26%), excessive gas discharge(15%), excessive mucus discharge (16%) and blood discharge (10%). There is a lack of knowledge about how these side effects of cancer treatment affect the degree of work ability and return to work. Clinical experience suggests that many cancer survivors have reduced work ability. There is a need for scientific studies that shed light on the side effects of cancer treatment and their relation to work ability.

Official Title
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Return to Work Among Cancer Survivors With Treatment-induced Survivorship Syndromes

Conditions
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Malignancy, Gynecologic Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Radiation Toxicity, Radiotherapy Side Effect, Radiation Injuries, Cancer Survivors, Radiation Syndrome

Intervention / Treatment
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* Radiation: Radiotherapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age 25 to 60 years (working age) Employed at time of diagnosis Treated for cancer Suffering from at least one of Radiation-induced survivorship syndromes First cancer & first time treatment for cancer, Exclusion Criteria: No other chronic disease Chronic intestinal illness/surgery Stage IV cancer Recurrent cancer/Relapse

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 25 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Gynecological Cases<br>Gynecological Cancer survivors with treatment induced survivorship syndroms treated pelvic radiotherapy at Radiumhemmat, Karolinska University Hospital and Jubileumskliniken at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden. | Radiation: Radiotherapy<br>* Radiotherapy as part of cancer treatment<br>|
| Prostate Cases<br>Prostate Cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden | Radiation: Radiotherapy<br>* Radiotherapy as part of cancer treatment<br>|
| Gynecological Rehab Cases<br>Gynecological Cancer survivors with treatment induced survivorship syndroms treated pelvic radiotherapy | Radiation: Radiotherapy<br>* Radiotherapy as part of cancer treatment<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Return to work (RTW) | Information on Sickness absence for more than 14 days was obtained from the official registries in Sweden. | Five - Ten years after mapping Radiation-induced survivorship syndromes | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time to Return to work | Sickness absence (more than 14 days) until the survivor returned to work. Also obtained from the official registries in Sweden. | Five - Ten years after mapping Radiation-induced survivorship syndromes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Return to work, Disability pension, Sickness Absence, Employability, Fitness to work, Wellbeing, Radiotherapy Side Effect, Cancer Survivors