Work ability following breast cancer – the MyHealth randomized controlled trial

Authors

  • Trine A. Horsbøl National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark; Cancer Survivorship, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1278-9198
  • Lena Saltbæk Cancer Survivorship, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2716-9469
  • Caroline Urhammer Cancer Survivorship, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Randi V. Karlsen Cancer Survivorship, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7465-562X
  • Christoffer Johansen Cancer Survivorship, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Oncology, CASTLE, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Psychological Aspects of Cancer, Cancer Survivorship, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4384-206X
  • Pernille E. Bidstrup Psychological Aspects of Cancer, Cancer Survivorship, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9704-6800
  • Beverley L. Høeg Cancer Survivorship, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9946-2429
  • Vibeke Zoffmann Research Unit of Women’s and Children’s Health, the Juliane Marie Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0571-5331
  • Federica Belmonte Statistics and Data Analysis, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2920-5005
  • Ingelise Andersen Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0076-265X
  • Anne S. Friberg Cancer Survivorship, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6421-4679
  • Mads N. Svendsen Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8082-359X
  • Helle G. Christensen Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark
  • Vesna Glavicic Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark
  • Dorte L. Nielsen Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8766-8729
  • Susanne O. Dalton Cancer Survivorship, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5485-2730

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/1651-226X.2025.42221

Keywords:

randomized controlled trial, work ability, breast cancer

Abstract

Background and purpose: We previously demonstrated positive effects on quality of life and mental health following breast cancer when comparing a nurse-led follow-up program without scheduled visits (MyHealth) to regular follow-up. This study aims to examine whether MyHealth also positively impacts self-reported work ability.

Patients/material and methods: A total of 288 patients, potentially active on the labour market, were randomized to MyHealth or control follow-up after primary treatment for early-stage breast cancer (2017–2019). MyHealth included individual self-management sessions, electronic symptom monitoring, and assistance with navigating healthcare services. Control follow-up consisted of biannual outpatient visits with a physician. Linear mixed-effect models were applied to evaluate the effect of MyHealth on self-reported work ability at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after randomization as measured by the Work Ability Score (WAS).

Results: Work ability increased significantly in both groups during the first 6 months (mean WAS increase MyHealth: 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26; 2.02 and control: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.17; 1.97) and continued to increase slightly but non-significantly (p-values > 0.13) until end of follow-up at 36 months. Improvement was especially pronounced among patients reporting poor work ability at baseline. Differences in mean WAS between patients in MyHealth and control follow-up were non-significant and close to zero at all time points (–0.21 to 0.48).

Interpretation: The MyHealth follow-up program had no additional effect on self-reported work ability compared to regular follow-up. Future interventions should target patients with poor work ability and include components specifically designed to enhance work ability.

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Published

2025-01-08

How to Cite

Horsbøl, T. A., Saltbæk, L., Urhammer, C., Karlsen, R. V., Johansen, C., Bidstrup, P. E., … Dalton, S. O. (2025). Work ability following breast cancer – the MyHealth randomized controlled trial. Acta Oncologica, 64, 34–39. https://doi.org/10.2340/1651-226X.2025.42221

Issue

Vol. 64 (2025): Acta Oncologica

Section

Short report

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Copyright (c) 2025 Trine A. Horsbøl, Lena Saltbæk, Caroline Urhammer, Randi V. Karlsen, Christoffer Johansen, Pernille E. Bidstrup, Beverley L. Høeg, Vibeke Zoffmann, Federica Belmonte, Ingelise Andersen, Anne S. Friberg, Mads N. Svendsen, Helle G. Christensen, Vesna Glavicic , Dorte L. Nielsen, Susanne O. Dalton

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.