The study aimed to identify and compare the factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) depending on the occupational status of cancer survivors. This study was a secondary data analysis from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2014 to 2018. Hierarchical multivariate linear regression was used to investigate the factors affecting the HRQoL of each group. Non-working cancer survivors had significantly lower HRQoL than working cancer survivors (p < 0.001). A hierarchical multiple regression model showed that demographic, health-related, and psychological characteristics explained 62.0% of non-working cancer survivors’ HRQoL (F = 4.29, p < 0.001). Among the input variables, health-related characteristics were the most influential factors (ΔR² = 0.274, F = 9.84, p < 0.001). For working cancer survivors, health-related characteristics were the only variable that was statistically associated with HRQoL (F = 5.556, p < 0.001). It is important to enhance physical activities and manage the chronic disease to improve the HRQoL of working cancer survivors. Further, managing health-related characteristics, including depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation, is necessary for non-working cancer survivors. Regarding working survivors, psychological factors such as depressive symptoms and suicidal tendencies did not affect HRQoL. Therefore, an early and effective return to work program should be developed for the improvement of their HRQoL.

To investigate the need for return-to-work (RTW) support among young adult cancer survivors and identify influencing factors. This cross-sectional study included 134 Korean young adult cancer survivors, recruited in two days in April 2022 through an online survey. The study measured the need for RTW support, cancer stigma, cancer fatigue, and social support. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple linear regression. The factors significantly influencing the need for RTW support were cancer type (p < 0.001), occurrence of metastasis or recurrence (p = 0.004), number of cancer treatment types being received (p = 0.007), and cancer fatigue (p = 0.012). These variables explained about 26% of the variance. This study offers important need-oriented information and highlights the need for proactive management of cancer-related fatigue to provide RTW support for young adult cancer survivors.

Kim K, et al. Asian Oncol Nurs. 2024 Sep;24(3):114-124. https://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2024.24.3.114

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