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Boulder, CO — Male cancer survivors with physically demanding jobs “report significantly worse well-being than those in less physically intense roles,” according to a study led by University of Colorado researchers.
The team surveyed 76 male workers approximately three months after they began cancer treatment. They found that those with more physically demanding jobs were significantly more likely to experience:
- Worse perceptions of workplace safety and increased concerns about injury.
- Higher levels of negative emotional affect at work.
- Less job autonomy and workplace flexibility.
- Lower satisfaction with wages and benefits.
- Greater financial insecurity and reduced support outside of work.
Along with calling for longitudinal studies and larger sample sizes to further understand the long-term implications and guide workplace interventions, the researchers recommend integrating Total Worker Health strategies across oncology and occupational health systems.
“Worker well-being is an evolving and urgent part of occupational health,” lead study author Natalie Schwatka, an assistant professor at CU, said in a press release. “As cancer survivorship rates increase, we need to ensure that returning to work is not a barrier to recovery – but a support for it. That starts with understanding the risks and redesigning work to support healing.”
The study was published in the journal BMC Public Health.
McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.
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Original article published by Safety+Health an NSC publication