Purpose. A high rate of workplace problems for young adults (YA) post-cancer diagnosis has been reported (Robert, R., et al., 2025).
Methods. YA (18-39 years) vocational needs were evaluated across 1 year. The YA Cancer Survivor Employment Needs survey & Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System--Global Health, were administered online during initial vocational screening, 6- & 12-mos post.
Numeric/scaled variables were modeled by mixed effect linear models with relation to time point, blocking on patient to control for repeated measures correlation. Binary variables were similarly modeled by mixed-effect logistic regression. Within these models, change from baseline to each subsequent time point was assessed by contrasts with Dunnett-adjusted p-values. For discrete variables with more than two categories the change between baseline & each subsequent time point was assessed by Chi-square test with Hommel-adjusted p-values. All statistical tests assume an alpha of .05.
Results. YAs were largely employed full-time, working 1 job. Degrees of comfort with cancer-related disclosures, satisfaction with work relationships, & expectations regarding career prospects ranged widely, yet remained steady.
At 6 mos, most global health indicators reflected worsening (quality of life; physical/mental health; satisfaction w/social activities/roles), then rebounded to baseline at 12 mos.
Symptom interference with work attenuated significantly from baseline, at both 6 and 12 mos, with a few exceptions. Concentration difficulty/interference w/work remained steady between baseline & 6 mos, then decreased in severity at 12 mos. Mobility impairment/interference with work remained similar across time.
Work productivity trended higher at 12 mos, compared with baseline & 6-mo. Fewer participants were taking unpaid, Family Medical Leave, or short-term disability leave at 6 & 12 mos. Participants were increasingly familiar w/federal policies that support cancer-related accommodations at 6 & 12 mos.
Conclusion. YAs engaged in vocational screening & interventions maintained employment despite fluctuating health & symptom interference.