Workplace accommodations during and after prostate cancer treatment

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to examine the modifications and accommodations African-American and White prostate cancer survivors experience at their workplaces during and following radiation therapy or a prostatectomy. Approximately 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although the average age at time of prostate cancer diagnosis is 66, the substantial number of younger men diagnosed results in large number of men facing treatment during their working years. African-American men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer;understanding their experiences is therefore particularly vital. Forty-five prostate cancer survivors who had undergone radiation therapy or a prostatectomy within the past 6-36 months, had worked within one month prior to treatment initiation, and had expected to be working six months in six months participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews about their experiences at work prior to, during, and after treatment. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and systematically analyzed. Twenty of the participants were African-American men and 25 were White men, and their mean age was 61. Most men were able to receive accommodations to address their needs in addition to time off for treatment and recovery if needed. These accommodations included temporarily changing their jobs duties so that they could focus on tasks that eliminated or reduced the most physically demanding aspects of their jobs such lifting heavy objects, performing tasks that could be conducted while seated, and reducing work-related travel. Working from home, reducing their work hours, and taking breaks during the work day also benefited some survivors. Although rare, a man who experienced difficulty meeting the physical demands of his job lacked accommodations and was afraid to request any due to his concern that he would lose his job. Men who lacked access to conveniently placed bathrooms used creative strategies. The move to have employees working at home and eliminating or reducing work-related travel due to the COVID-19 enabled some workers to forgo some accommodations they would have otherwise required. Variation in experience by race will be addressed. The needs of and workplace accommodations provided to prostate cancer survivors undergoing and recovering from prostate cancer treatment vary widely. Increased attention to their needs and strategies to address them could enable prostate cancer survivors to be better prepared for work-related challenges.