One-Third of Cancer Patients With Fatal Condition Continue to Work: Study

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Each year, more than 500,000 lose their lives to different types of cancer, which is the second leading cause of death in the United States, the CDC reports. Heart disease is the first leading cause.

A new study coming from the University of Wisconsin and published in the journal "Cancer" shows that patients who have incurable cancer continue to work despite their fatal diagnosis. Additionally, researchers found that these patients were more likely to keep their jobs until they become too sick to work, HealthDay reports.

According to US News & World Report, the study background notes claim that there is an estimated 4.8 million Americans who are of working age that have been diagnosed with cancer, many of which are incurable.

For the study, the research team led by Dr. Amye Tevaarwerk, an oncologist with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, analyzed data from a cancer research project that tracked more than 3,000 patients in treatment for either breast, prostate, colon, or lung tumors, which are the four most common types.

Counsel & Heal reports that the researchers found 668 people of working age with cancer that had spread to other parts of their body and that among this group, 236 individuals, or 35 percent of the study group, were working full- or part-time.

"That is a fairly high number," Dr. Tevaarwerk commented. "These patients, who might have a life expectancy between a year and five years, continue to be gainfully employed."

She also explained, "Patients are probably working for a number of reasons. Some might need the income or the access to health insurance. But, for others work provides a source of social support, a distraction from their health problems, and a sense of normalcy in their lives. It's going to be a complicated mix."

Researchers also found that the severity of a cancer patient's symptoms is the most important factor in whether or not they would continue to pursue work.

"The factor that associated most strongly with no longer working was a high symptom burden," Dr. Tevaarwerk explained. "It wasn't any of these other things, like where your cancer is located or your gender or the treatment you are receiving."

American Cancer Society's director of cancer and aging research Corinne Leach commented on the study, saying, "Working can be a good thing for people. It can be helpful financially, but also in terms of identity and remaining active. Some people may stop working so they can spend more time with their family or travel, but others may have renewed energy to tackle some issue at work that they want to complete while they still can."