The impact of a cancer diagnosis on worker productivity: Results from a survey of cancer patients and caregivers

• Published in: Journal of clinical oncology Vol. 38; no. 29_suppl; p. 144
• Main Authors: May, Suepattra Grace, Chiu, Kevin, MacEwan, Joanna P., Bognar, Katalin, Peneva, Desi, Zhao, Lauren, Yong, Candice, Amin, Suvina, Batt, Katharine, Bolinder, Bjorn, Baumgardner, James
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 10.10.2020
• ISSN: 0732-183X; 1527-7755
• DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2020.38.29_suppl.144

Abstract only 144 Background: Traditional approaches to capturing health-related productivity loss--e.g. the human capital method--focus only on the foregone wages of affected patients, overlooking the losses caregivers can incur. Thus, the value of lost productivity is often underestimated. This study comprehensively estimates and describes work-related productivity losses due to a cancer diagnosis among working-age (18-65) breast cancer (BC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and their unpaid caregivers in the United States. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of BC and NSCLC patients and caregivers measured loss associated with time absent from work (absenteeism) and reduced effectiveness (presenteeism). Respondents reported pre- and post-cancer diagnosis income, hours worked, and time to complete tasks. Exploratory multivariable analyses examined correlations between respondents’ clinical and demographic characteristics—including industry of employment—and post-diagnosis productivity. Results: Of 204 patients (104 BC, 100 NSCLC) and 200 caregivers (100 BC, 100 NSCLC) who completed the survey, 319 participants (162 BC, 157 NSCLC) working ≥40 weeks/year pre-diagnosis were included in the analysis. Over a third of the NSCLC (33%) and BC (43%) patients left the workforce post-diagnosis, whereas 15% of caregivers left. Estimated mean annual productivity loss equaled $125,975 ($50,328 using traditional method) for NSCLC patients and $120,404 ($37,445 using traditional method) for BC. For caregivers, estimated mean annual productivity loss was $97,062 ($39,751 using traditional method) for NSCLC and $123,669 ($33,410 using traditional method) for BC. Exploratory analyses found that greater patient age and later stage at diagnosis were correlated with greater absenteeism. Conclusions: Although patients typically experience greater absenteeism, productivity loss incurred by caregivers is also substantial. Our results underscore the importance of holistic approaches to understanding the broad impact of cancer on both patients and their caregivers.