Drivers of Job Loss Among Chinese Breast Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Analysis

Authors

Susan Chimonas, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterFollow
Yashasvini Sampathkumar, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterFollow
Xiaoxiao Huang, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Christina Tran, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterFollow
Zhenlan Wang, Bryn Mawr CollegeFollow
Kuo Ting-Ting, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Shoshana M. Rosenberg, Weill Cornell Medical CollegeFollow
Javier González, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Francesca Gany, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Victoria Blinder, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Document Type

Article

Version

Author's Final Manuscript

Publication Title

Psycho-Oncology

Volume

34

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the reasons for the high risk of job loss previously identified among foreign-born Chinese breast cancer survivors in the US. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore challenges leading to job loss during/after treatment and to help identify potential interventions to promote job retention and re-employment.

Patients and Methods: The research team conducted semi-structured interviews with foreign-born Chinese breast cancer survivors in New York City. A total of twelve participants, previously enrolled in the Breast Cancer and the Workforce study, were interviewed between February and November 2018. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants diverse across job type and work history. Thematic content analysis was conducted on translated interview transcripts.

Results: Since diagnosis, 8/12 participants had experienced job loss (6/6 in service/production, 1/5 retail/administrative, and 1/1 professional/managerial). Many described being unable to work due to treatment side-effects, inflexible schedules, and a perception that work accommodations were unavailable. Only one participant who had lost her job went on to secure stable re-employment.

Conclusions: Job type, language barriers, and cultural attitudes towards work accommodations contributed to a high job-loss rate in this population. Those who remained employed had received work accommodations. Lack of awareness or belief in obtaining accommodations was a critical factor in job loss.

Implications for Cancer Survivors: These findings highlight the necessity of advocacy for work accommodations for cancer patients and culturally competent care. Addressing these issues could improve job retention and financial stability for breast cancer survivors, particularly among immigrant and minority groups.

Citation

Chimonas, Susan, Yashasvini Sampathkumar, Xiaoxiao Huang, Christina Tran, Zhenlan Wang, Ting-Ting Kuo, Shoshana M. Rosenberg, Javier González, Francesca Gany, and Victoria Blinder. 2025. “Drivers of Job Loss Among Chinese Breast Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Analysis.” Psycho-Oncology 34 (3): e70122. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70122.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70122