Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42440880›Full record

SynthesisOncology reviews2026

Risk factors for return to work in workers who experienced cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

M Franco, F Buscema, A Catalano, L Dansero, L Milani, G W Gilcrease, F Ricceri

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Oncology reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

M Franco *Centre for Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
F Buscema *Centre for Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
A CatalanoCentre for Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
L DanseroCentre for Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
L MilaniCentre for Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
G W GilcreaseCentre for Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
F RicceriCentre for Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The number of people who have experienced cancer is increasing, and by 2040 cases are expected to rise by 40%, with a high prevalence among working-age individuals. Many people who experienced cancer (pwEC) face reduced work ability due to health, personal, and occupational factors. Therefore, this study aims to identify the main factors that hinder RTW among pwEC. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted via PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, covering studies published between January 2012 and June 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on studies analysing RTW and Time to RTW in relation to sociodemographic, clinical, and occupational factors. Meta-analysis grouped studies by design, exposure, and effect measures. Fixed or random effects models were applied based on heterogeneity. Risk of bias was assessed using NOS and RoB2 tools. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE tool and STROBE checklist. Results: Among 2,151 screened articles, 43 met the inclusion criteria. Chemotherapy (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.52-0.60) and radiotherapy were associated with a reduced likelihood of RTW. Women were more likely than men to RTW. Manual labour was linked to a lower likelihood of re-employment than white-collar jobs (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.78-0.89). In terms of timing, male sex and chemotherapy delayed the process, whereas radiotherapy accelerated it (HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.06). Conclusion: Identifying barriers to RTW after cancer is essential for improving quality of life and social reintegration in people who have experienced cancer. These findings highlight the complexity of RTW and the need for a personalized approach. However, the evidence is limited by heterogeneity and differences in study design. Trial registration: The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42022384364).

Indexed as

cancermeta-analysismeta-regressionneoplasmreturn to workrisk factorsRTWworkers

Identifiers

PMID42440880
PMCPMC13334481

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.