Return to work (RTW) after breast cancer is associated with improved quality of life. The link between household characteristics and RTW remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the family situation on women’s RTW two years after breast cancer. We used data of a French prospective cohort of women diagnosed with stage I-III, primary breast cancer (CANTO, NCT01993498). Among women employed at diagnosis and under 57 years old, we assessed the association between household characteristics (living with a partner, marital status, number and age of economically dependent children, support by the partner) and RTW. Logistic regression models were adjusted for age, household income, stage, comorbidities, treatments and their side effects. Analyzes stratified by age and household income were performed to assess the association between household characteristics and RTW in specific subgroups. Among the 3004 patients included, women living with a partner returned less to work (OR = 0.63 [0.47–0.86]) and decreased their working time after RTW. Among the 2305 women living with a partner, being married was associated with decreased RTW among women aged over 50 (OR = 0.57 [0.34–0.95]). Having three or more children (vs. none) was associated with lower RTW among women with low household income (OR = 0.28 [0.10–0.80]). Household characteristics should be considered in addition to clinical information to identify vulnerable women, reduce the social consequence of cancer and improve their quality of life.

Purpose: This study assessed sustainable return to work (SRTW) of breast cancer survivors (BCS).Methods: We used data from the prospective French cohort, CANTO. We included 1811 stage I–III BCS who were 50 (OR = 0.59; 95%CI = 0.43–0.82), stage III (2.56; 1.70–3.85), tumour subtype HR+/HER2+ (0.61; 0.39–0.95), severe fatigue (1.45; 1.06–1.98), workplace accommodations (1.63; 1.14–2.33) and life priorities (0.71; 0.53–0.95). Unemployment was associated with age > 50 (0.45; 0.29–0.72), working in the public sector (0.31; 0.19–0.51), for a small company (3.00; 1.74–5.20) and having a fixed‐term contract (7.50; 4.74–11.86).Conclusions: A high number of BCS have periods of sick leave or unemployment after RTW. The determinants differ between sick leave and unemployment.Implications for cancer survivors: BCS need to be supported even after RTW, which should be regarded as a process.

Background We assessed the prevalence of self-reported perceived discrimination in the workplace after the end of treatment among breast cancer (BC) survivors and studied its association with social, health-related and work-related factors. Methods We used data from a French prospective cohort (CANcer TOxicities) including women diagnosed with stage I–III BC. Our analysis included 2130 women who were employed, <57 years old at BC diagnosis and were working 2 years afterwards. We assessed the association between social, health-related and work-related factors and perceived discrimination in the workplace using logistic regression models. Results Overall, 26% of women reported perceived discrimination in the workplace after the end of treatment. Women working for a small company, in the public sector or with better overall health status were less likely to report perceived discrimination. Women who benefited from easing dispositions at their workplace, who did not feel supported by their colleagues and those who returned to work because of fear of job loss were more likely to report perceived discrimination. Conclusions One in four BC survivors perceives discrimination in the workplace. Health and work-related factors are associated with increased likelihood of reporting perceived discrimination. Trial registration number NCT01993498.