Career disruption and limitation of financial earnings due to cancer

PURPOSE: This study investigated how cancer diagnosis and treatment lead to career disruption and, consequently, loss of income and depletion of savings. DESIGN: This study followed a qualitative descriptive design that allowed us to understand the characteristics and trends of the participants. METHOD: Patients recruited (n = 20) for this study were part of the University of Kansas Cancer Center patient advocacy research group (Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together). The inclusion criteria were that participants must be cancer survivors or co-survivors, be aged 18 years or older, be either employed or a student at the time of cancer diagnosis, have completed their cancer treatment, and be in remission. The responses were transcribed and coded inductively to identify themes. A thematic network was constructed based on those themes, allowing us to explore and describe the intricacies of the various themes and their impacts. RESULTS: Most patients had to quit their jobs or take extended absences from work to handle treatment challenges. Patients employed by the same employer for longer durations had the most flexibility to balance their time between cancer treatment and work. Essential, actionable items suggested by the cancer survivors included disseminating information about coping with financial burdens and ensuring that a nurse and financial navigator were assigned to every cancer patient. CONCLUSIONS: Career disruption is common among cancer patients, and the financial burden due to their career trajectory is irreparable. The financial burden is more prominent in younger cancer patients and creates a cascading effect that financially affects close family members.