Cognitive limitations in occupationally active malignant brain tumour survivors.

BACKGROUND: Occupationally active malignant brain tumour survivors (MBTS) are rarely studied. However, cognitive limitations with the potential to impact work are commonly reported in MBTS. AIMS: To obtain a better understanding of factors that are associated with cognitive limitations in employed MBTS. METHODS: The study was performed by means of a web-based survey. Occupationally active MBTS (n = 113) and a non-cancer comparison group (n = 123) were recruited. While accounting for demographics, medical factors, health behaviours and problem-solving orientation, the relationship among measures of symptom burden (fatigue, depression and anxiety) and cognitive limitations were investigated. RESULTS: MBTS (average 4 years post-diagnosis) reported higher levels of physical fatigue (P < 0.001), depression (P < 0.001) and anxiety (P < 0.01). MBTS reported more overall cognitive limitations (P < 0.001), memory (P < 0.001), executive function (P < 0.001) and attention (P < 0.001) deficits. Education (B = -3.4, 95% CI = -6.7 to 0.1), ethnicity (B = 5.2, 95% CI = 0.6-9.8), job stress (B = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.5-6.4), depressive symptoms (B = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.1-1.3) and negative problem solving (B = 4.2, 95% CI = 1.5-7.0) were also associated with higher levels of cognitive limitations in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Occupationally active MBTS report higher levels of cognitive limitations. However, modifiable factors were related to cognitive limitations in both groups and should be considered when developing approaches to improve cognitive limitations in the workplace.

Complex messages regarding a thin ideal appearing in teenage girls' magazines from 1956 to 2005.

Seventeen and YM were assessed from 1956 through 2005 (n=312) to examine changes in the messages about thinness sent to teenage women. Trends were analyzed through an investigation of written, internal content focused on dieting, exercise, or both, while cover models were examined to explore fluctuations in body size. Pearson's Product correlations and weighted-least squares linear regression models were used to demonstrate changes over time. The frequency of written content related to exercise and combined plans increased in Seventeen, while a curvilinear relationship between time and content relating to dieting appeared. YM showed a linear increase in content related to dieting, exercise, and combined plans. Average cover model body size increased over time in YM while demonstrating no significant changes in Seventeen. Overall, more written messages about dieting and exercise appeared in teen's magazines in 2005 than before while the average cover model body size increased.

Pattern of workplace disputes in cancer survivors: a population study of ADA claims.

BACKGROUND: The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) claim patterns can provide information on sources of potential work discrimination faced by employees with various health problems. This study investigated the pattern of ADA disputes among cancer survivors and non-cancer related impairments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for demographics, employees with cancer related claims were compared to employees with other impairment related claims for alleged violations from 2000 to 2005. The impairments were grouped into orthopedic, behavioral, medical, neurological, sensory, cancer, cancer comorbid (cancer and non-cancer impairments), and comorbid "other" (non-cancer comorbid disorders). The dispute categories included: termination, reasonable accommodation, relations, terms, hiring, and a nonspecific "other" category. RESULTS: This study analyzed 59,981 cases over a 6 year period. All comparisons were made in relation to the cancer group. There was a protective effect for any impairment other than cancer (OR = 0.29-0.63, 95% CI = 0.25-0.72) related to discharge from work. Also, orthopedic (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.71-0.93), general medical (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.72-0.94), and neurological (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.71-0.96) impairments were found to be protective for claims related to terms of employment relative to cancer. Cancer survivors who reported a second impairment in addition to cancer were more likely to file disputes that involved relations with others at work (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.16-1.87) in comparison to those with cancer only. Orthopedic (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 2.13-2.76), neurological (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.30-1.72), and sensory (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.29-1.73) groups were more likely to file accommodation related disputes than the cancer group. Sensory (OR = 4.41, 95% CI = 3.45-5.63), other-comorbid (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.85-2.94), medical (OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.51-2.44), and neurological (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.23-2.05) impairment groups filed more disputes related to hiring than the cancer or the cancer-comorbid group. CONCLUSION: Cancer survivors are more likely to file job loss claims and differential treatment related to workplace policies. Those with cancer and another impairment file more claims related to relationship problems at work than cancer only. The factors accounting for these claims need to be explored in future research in order to develop more specific evidence based policy and practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: While the percentage of cancer survivors who file claims are relatively small, job termination and terms of employment are more likely to be concerns for cancer survivors than employees with other types of impairments. If a cancer survivor has another health problem as well relationship disputes are likely to emerge.