Ruddy, KJ

Abstract Background: Workplace concerns are particularly salient for young women with breast cancer (BC), and a cancer diagnosis (dx) and treatment may affect their careers. We sought to evaluate the perceived impact of dx on employment, describe job changes, and identify factors associated with transition out of the workforce after dx of BC at a young age. Methods: As part of an ongoing, multi-center cohort of young women diagnosed with BC at age ≤ 40, we surveyed women with early-stage BC about their pre- and post-dx employment status. Additional items assessed socio-demographic and treatment information; tumor characteristics were ascertained via pathology and medical record review. We used logistic regression to identify predictors of transitioning from pre-dx employment to unemployment at 1 year after dx. Among women employed 1 year after dx, we evaluated job satisfaction, perceived impact of dx on job performance, accommodations made by employers, and perceived likelihood of employment in the future. Results: 76% of women (555/730) were employed both before dx and at 1 year; 13% were not employed at either time point; 7% were employed pre-dx but unemployed at 1 year; 4% were not employed prior to dx but reported employment at 1 year. Among women employed 1 year after dx, 74% (427/581) were somewhat or completely satisfied with their job. Only 6% said cancer or treatment limited their ability to perform their job quite a bit or very much; 38% said their ability was affected a little bit. Most (63%) said their employers had made accommodations for them, and almost all women (93%) said it was very likely they would be working in 1 year. In multivariable analyses (Table 1), women with stage 3 disease (vs. stage 1), were more likely to transition out of the workforce following dx, while women with a college or graduate degree (vs. no college degree) were less likely to transition out. Conclusion: Most young women with early stage BC remain employed and report a willingness by their employer to make accommodations following a breast cancer dx. While few women reported that their dx or treatment limited their job performance, the finding that women with more advanced disease were more likely to transition out of the workforce suggests an impact of dx/treatment burden on employment. Women without a college degree were also at risk for unemployment post-dx, suggesting that job type, socioeconomic status, and environment affect employment outcomes. Attention to these subgroups of women is warranted to ensure that they are sufficiently supported given the potential adverse psychosocial and financial impacts of unemployment on patients, families, communities, and society. Table 1. Multivariable analysis of factors associated with transition out of workforce 1year post-dx (N=634) OR (95% CI)Stage (ref=1) 04.52 (0.60-33.85)21.11 (0.48-2.58)34.05 (1.53-10.72)*White non-Hispanic (ref=non-WNH)1.47 (0.56-3.81)College graduate (ref=no college degree)0.44 (0.22-0.90)*Married/Living as married (ref=unmarried)0.95 (0.43-2.08)Parous (ref=nulliparous)1.75 (0.83-3.69)Age at diagnosis (years)0.98 (0.90-1.06)Mastectomy (ref=lumpectomy)1.74 (0.75-4.05)Endocrine therapy (ref=none)0.75 (0.41-1.39)Chemotherapy (ref=none)5.20 (0.93-29.22)Radiation (ref=none)1.38 (0.64-2.96)*p<0.05 Citation Format: Partridge AH, Rosenberg SM, Rajagopal PS, Ruddy KJ, Tamimi RM, Schapira L, Come S, Borges V, Gelber S. Employment trends in young women following a breast cancer diagnosis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-10-04.

Abstract Background: Young women with breast cancer need highly effective contraception given the potential implications of unplanned pregnancy for optimal treatment, and the teratogenic risks. We sought to determine the contraceptive methods used by young women after diagnosis (dx) of breast cancer and factors associated with use of less effective methods or no contraceptive method, which confers a 6-90% annual risk of pregnancy in sexually active women in contrast to highly effective methods (risk <1%). Methods: As part of a randomized trial conducted in 54 sites to test an education and support intervention for young women with breast cancer and their oncologists, we surveyed women about their pre-dx, current, and planned contraceptive use, and about communication with their providers regarding contraception. Women enrolled within 3 months of dx; contraception items were included on 3- and 12-month post-enrollment surveys. Intrauterine device (IUD) use, tubal sterilization, hysterectomy or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (hyst/BSO) after dx, or male partner vasectomy were classified as highly effective methods; all other methods and non-use were categorized as less effective. We excluded women not at risk of pregnancy: hyst/BSO prior to dx, or no indication for contraception. We used logistic regression to explore factors associated with use of less effective methods. Results: Of 424 women who completed the 3-month post-enrollment survey, median age at dx was 39 (range 22-45). 312 women at risk of pregnancy were included in this analysis, including 291 reporting sexual activity with a male partner within the last 6 months, and 21 reporting no recent sexual activity but reporting use of birth control. 123 women (39%) used highly effective contraceptive methods prior to dx; after dx, 161 (52%) reported current use of or a plan to use a highly effective method. 19 women (6%) reported use of a hormonal birth control method since dx; 7 (2%) reported withdrawal as their only contraceptive method; 25 (8%) reported no contraception. 30% of women did not recall a discussion of avoiding pregnancy or need for contraception during treatment with their providers. In multivariable analyses (N=310), desire for additional biologic children (OR 7.54, 95% CI 3.88-14.66) and provider discussion of contraception and pregnancy (OR 2.13 95% CI 1.20-3.78) were associated with use of less effective contraception. Age, race/ethnicity, disease stage, and partner status were not significantly associated with use of less effective methods. Conclusion: About half of women who are at risk of pregnancy reported use or planned use of less effective contraceptive methods or no method of contraception following dx of breast cancer. Women with breast cancer and their providers may benefit from targeted education on contraceptive options and method effectiveness. Citation Format: Rosenberg SM, Dutton CR, Ligibel J, Barry W, Ruddy KJ, Sprunck-Harrild K, Emmons KM, Partridge AH. Contraception use in young women with breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-18.