[Return to work after breast cancer: experience of an oncological referral centre in Medellín, Colombia].

Abstract

Introduction: Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer have improved the prognosis for these patients. Consequently, a greater number of survivors are facing the process of returning to work. The objective of the present study was to analyze the frequency, median time and factors related to the return to work of patients with breast cancer, after diagnosis and completion of treatment at a cancer referral center in the city of Medellín, Colombia METHODS: a retrospective cohort study was carried out with registries of patients with breast cancer (n = 141) from a reference cancer center. Sociodemographic, occupational, treatment variables and prevalence of return to work were measured.

Results: The average age at diagnosis was 45.8 ± 9 years, Most of the women were premenopausal,and 45% performed manual labour. Advanced disease stage, manual labour, the presence of lymphedema and a greater number of episodes and days of disability werenegatively related to return to work. A total of 93% of patients returned to work.

Conclusions: This study shows that return to work differs according to disease stage, treatment-related factors and type of work.