How Do Women Value Work Shortly After Breast Cancer Surgery and Are Their Valuations Associated With Being on Sick Leave?

Purpose To investigate how working women, in different age and educational groups who have recently had breast cancer surgery, value work (in terms of importance, satisfaction, and dedication), and whether their valuations are associated with sick leave. Method This cross-sectional study investigated the value of work and its relation to sickness absence among women in Sweden who had had breast cancer surgery, were aged 20–63 years, and worked before diagnosis (n = 605). A questionnaire was distributed at inclusion, about 4–8 weeks after surgery. Inferential statistics and logistic regression were used to estimate odds ratio (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Results Two-thirds of the women viewed work as one of the most important things in their lives; 86 % stated that their job provided personal satisfaction; and 54 % rated their vocational situation as satisfying. Older women (≥52 years) were more vocationally satisfied (p = 0.021), as too were those with higher education (p = 0.035). Women with higher education were also more dedicated to their work (p = 0.020). Univariate analyses revealed associations of low vocational satisfaction, younger age and wanting to change profession with sickness absence. Low vocational satisfaction (OR 2.38, 95 % CI 1.66–3.41) and younger age (<52 years) (OR 1.44, 95 % CI 1.02–2.03) remained associated with sick leave in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions Shortly after breast cancer surgery, most women valued work highly, even as one of the most important things in their lives. Accordingly, it is essential to include aspects of work early on in these patients’ treatment and rehabilitation plans.