Bradley CJ et al. (2005) Employment outcomes of men treated for prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 97: 958–965

Screening for prostate cancer is now recommended in men younger than 65 years of age. The number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer while still in full-time employment is, therefore, expected to increase. Bradley et al. examined the impact that diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer can have on a patient's ability to work.

Men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer between June 2001 and May 2002 were identified from Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System records. A total of 267 eligible patients who were in employment 3 months before their diagnosis participated in the study. Patients were asked about their employment status 3 months before, and 6 and 12 months after diagnosis. Results were compared with two population-based control groups of men without prostate cancer.

The results showed that patients diagnosed with prostate cancer were 10 percentage points less likely to be in employment 6 months after diagnosis, compared with men in the control groups. Among the different treatment options, surgical intervention was most strongly associated with reduced employment. By 12 months after diagnosis, however, the likelihood of employment was not statistically significantly different from control subjects, although up to a third of prostate cancer patients reported that they were unable to perform specific tasks; in particular, those requiring physical effort.

The authors conclude that prostate cancer treatment can affect a patient's ability to work, and that the impact of cancer on employment should be considered when patients and physicians make treatment-related decisions.