Researcher Mireia Peláez, a professor at the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO), an institution that is part of the Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) network, is participating in an international study that examines the factors associated with employment and quality of working life in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The research, part of the PREFERABLE-EFFECT project, an international clinical trial on exercise in women with MBC, seeks to better understand the barriers and facilitators for these patients to maintain their professional activity.
Although metastatic breast cancer remains an incurable disease, survival rates have improved significantly in recent decades. This progress has made working life more important for patients, who often face the decision of reducing their working hours or leaving their jobs after diagnosis. Previous research suggests that symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive problems, and pain limit the ability to work, while sociodemographic factors such as age, marital status, and educational level also influence the likelihood of remaining in employment. However, most studies to date have focused on the curative stages of the disease, with little evidence on the reality of working in the advanced stages.
The present study, a randomized controlled trial conducted in eight centers in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Poland, and Australia, analyzed the employment status of patients of working age (18-65 years) over a nine-month period. The researchers evaluated the association between employment status and quality of life with various sociodemographic, psychological, and disease-related variables. In addition, the effect of a supervised physical exercise intervention on participants’ workload was examined.
The results revealed that fatigue was the main reason reported by patients for reducing their working hours, while pain was identified as the most significant determinant of unemployment. A paradox was also observed in relation to educational level: although having a higher education was associated with a greater likelihood of employment and longer working hours, it was also linked to a lower quality of working life, possibly due to the mental burden of the jobs performed. On the other hand, longer working hours were associated with higher levels of psychological distress.
These findings underscore the need to develop more flexible work environments that are adapted to the changing needs of patients with MCM. Effective management of symptoms such as pain and fatigue is crucial not only for physical well-being but also for preserving work capacity. The authors suggest that employers should consider offering more flexible schedules and reducing pressure for productivity to help patients remain professionally active, which is a key aspect of their social integration and quality of life.
If you would like to learn more about this fascinating study, click here.
To read more research, consult the UNEATLANTICO repository.
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