Benefits of Early Integrated and Vocational Rehabilitation in Breast Cancer on Work Ability, Sick Leave Duration, and Disability Rates.

OBJECTIVES

Vocational rehabilitation plays a vital role in helping breast cancer survivors overcome physical, psychological, and occupational challenges, enabling a smoother return to work and improving quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vocational rehabilitation as part of early integrated rehabilitation compared to conventional rehabilitation on sick leave duration, work ability, and disability rates.

METHODS

The study was designed as a prospective, interventional study. We enrolled 435 breast cancer patients, 211 patients in the control group, and 224 in the intervention group. The control group received the conventional rehabilitation as offered to breast cancer patients before the pilot study on individualized, integrated rehabilitation, while patients in the intervention group were referred for additional treatments and vocational rehabilitation.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the control and the intervention group of patients in terms of patient demographics, tumor size, disease stage, or oncologic treatment. However, compared to the control group, the intervention group had 50 days shorter sick leave ( = 0.002), better work ability ( < 0.001), and a lower proportion of patients with disabilities ( < 0.001) and better work ability ( < 0.001) one year after the beginning of cancer treatment. Vocational rehabilitation was likely associated with shorter sick leave ( < 0.069).

CONCLUSIONS

Integrated rehabilitation was associated with shorter sick leave, and vocational rehabilitation was likely associated with shorter sick leave. Integrated rehabilitation was associated with improved work ability and disability rate.