Impact of head and neck cancer on the income of Italian employees

PurposeIn recent decades, survival rates for head-and-neck (H&N) cancers have risen, drawing attention to survivors' working reintegration after treatments. This cohort study aims to evaluate the effect of H&N tumours on the income of employees in the private sector in Italy. MethodsData were extrapolated from the WHIP-Salute archive, which contains work and health information of workers of the private sector in Italy. Incident cases of H&N cancer (between 2004 and 2013) were matched with cancer-free workers using an Optimal Variable Ratio Matching. Linear regression models were used to estimate the effect of H&N tumours on weekly income in the year of diagnosis and in the subsequent two years, overall and stratifying according to sex, job position, and cancer stage. Results592 H&N cancer cases were identified, predominantly male (86%), blue-collar workers (72%), and with localized disease (60%). A significant decline in the average weekly income for workers with cancer compared to their cancer-free counterparts was evident, both in the year of diagnosis (beta=-38.59, p < 0.001) and in the next two years (beta=-35.60, p < 0.001, and beta=-29.95, p < 0.001, respectively). Similar trends were observed in stratified analyses. ConclusionsThis study suggests a short-term disparity in weekly income between workers with H&N cancer and their cancer-free counterparts. Reasons may lie in reduced working capacity of patients following cancer treatments. Implications for cancer survivorsEmployer awareness about survivors' conditions can enhance workplace inclusivity. Furthermore, the implementation of ad-hoc policies may lead to a successful reintegration of H&N cancer survivors into the workforce.