Tailored Functional Activities for Self-Reported Barriers to Return-to-Work in Cancer Survivors: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Purpose: Working-aged cancer survivors (18-64 years) are on average 1.4 times more likely to be unemployed after completing cancer treatments than are similar aged healthy cohorts. Given the personal and financial burdens on working-aged cancer survivors, improving return-to-work outcomes is necessary. There is sparse cancer-specific research in work-related functional interventions with self-reported measurable outcomes. Research of cancer-specific exercise programs targeting stamina and endurance show promise in improving return-to-work, though these programs do not specifically address work-related activities. A foundation of successful work outcomes is self-efficacy, which has not yet been researched as a primary endpoint in cancer-specific studies examining work-related interventions. This pilot study explored 1. the feasibility of adding tailored work-related functional activities to a cancer-specific exercise program, and 2. the value of using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)'s productivity section as an outcome to measure performance and satisfaction as aspects of work self-efficacy.