2nd Edition of Public Health World Conference (PHWC) 2026

Background: Advances in oncology have significantly improved survival rates, leading to a growing population of cancer survivors who wish to remain in or return to the workforce. Consequently, Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQoL) has emerged as a pivotal yet under-addressed dimension of cancer survivorship. Understanding the barriers and facilitators to maintaining professional life is essential for holistic public health interventions.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the current status, interrelationships, and influencing factors of symptom distress, social support, and WRQoL among employed cancer patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional design using convenience sampling was employed. Participants were recruited from a medical center, with inclusion criteria being: (1) aged over 18 years, (2) diagnosed with cancer, and (3) currently employed. Data were collected via a demographic profile, the Symptom Severity Scale, the Social Support Scale, and the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (QWLQ- CS). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and stepwise multiple regression.

Results: A total of 95 cancer patients participated in the study. (1) Symptom distress was significantly and negatively correlated with WRQoL (p < 0.05), whereas social support showed a strong positive correlation with WRQoL (p < 0.01). (2) Socio- Clinical Predictors: Significant differences in WRQoL were observed based on post- treatment employment status and the presence of a primary caregiver. Patients who maintained their original workload or continued working during treatment demonstrated significantly higher WRQoL than those who took leave or resigned. (3) The final regression model explained 29% of the total variance in WRQoL. Social support was the strongest positive predictor, followed by post-treatment employment status and job type. Conversely, symptom severity and certain intensive treatment modalities were significant negative predictors.