Purpose: Survivors of cervical cancer have an increased risk for permanently reduced work ability qualifying for disability pension (DP). Few studies describe the social and health situation of long-term survivors of cervical cancer (LSCCs) on DP as a subgroup among LSCCs. The purpose was to investigate the socio-demographic and health status of LSCCs holding DP in a population-based cohort using LSCCs holding paid work as reference.
Methods: Altogether, 354 LSCCs under 67 years (age of retirement pension in Norway) at survey participated in this study. They responded to a mailed questionnaire containing social, health, and clinical issues.
Results: Among LSCCs 24% held DP at a median of 11 years (range 6-15) after diagnosis versus 12% in the general female population. Compared to LSCCs in paid work, those on DP had significantly higher mean age at survey, short education, more comorbid somatic diseases, poorer self-rated health, higher level of neurotoxic side effects, more chronic fatigue, and higher mean levels of anxiety and depression. Increased age, presence of musculo-skeletal diseases, and increased levels of depression and pain remained significantly associated with DP in multivariate analysis.
Conclusions: One in four LSCCs held DP which was twice the rate of the general female population. Several somatic and psychological conditions amenable to treatment were significantly associated with holding DP.
Implications for cancer survivors: LSCCs holding DP should check their health regularly since conditions that can be treated are common, and health care providers should be aware of this opportunity.
Keywords: Cervical cancer; Disability pension; Long-term cancer survivors; Paid work.