Chronic neuropathic pain negatively associated with employment retention of cancer survivors: evidence from a national French survey

Purpose Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) is more prevalent among cancer survivors than among the general population. This study aims to investigate the role of CNP on job retention among cancer survivors, 5 years after diagnosis. Methods In 2015, 2009 individuals diagnosed with cancer in 2010 were interviewed in the French national survey VIe après le CANcer. Logistic regression investigated the relationship between CNP—measured using the seven-item Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire—and employment. Results Nine hundred sixty-nine individuals were aged 18–54 and employed at diagnosis and therefore were included. Eighty-two percent were still employed in 2015, 26% had fewer working hours than before diagnosis, and 55% had the same working hours. Thirty percent reported CNP 5 years after diagnosis. These cancer survivors were less likely to be employed in 2015 than those without CNP and, if employed, were more likely to work fewer hours. After adjustment for gender, medical variables (adverse cancer event, prognosis, chemotherapy, and comorbidities) were found to still significantly affect employment retention in cancer survivors, as well as reporting CNP. Conclusion Improving CNP screening and management is necessary to reduce its impact on cancer survivors’ professional lives. Implications for cancer survivors Healthcare policy and medical cancer survivor’s follow-up must take into account the importance of the substantial impact of CNP on cancer survivors’ daily lives. Therefore, in order to ensure greater employment retention for cancer survivors, raising awareness of care providers about diagnosis and management of CNP is needed.