Introduction/Background Employed breast cancer survivors may present with residual symptoms that can impact their work ability.

The aim of this study was to assess the work ability reported by patients with breast cancer and to identify factors that affect work productivity.

Methodology Fifty employed patients treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy for breast cancer were included.

After a follow up of 17 months, patients were interviewed using the Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire.

Results The median age was 46.9 years.

Thirty-six percent of patients were treated with conservative surgery, and 64% underwent radical surgery. Almost all patients (96%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, and 82% received locoregional radiotherapy.

In terms of job characteristics, 54% of the patients held temporary positions, while 60% were engaged in physically demanding roles. The participants worked an average of 33 [12–48] hours per week.

The median patients’ current work ability score compared to their previous work ability was 6.38 [0–10]. Fourteen patients (28,6%) did not report limitations in work due to their disease, while 36% reported absenteeism with an average of 150 days in the previous year.

Patients treated with chemotherapy and those receiving locoregional radiotherapy had significantly lower work ability score compared to patients treated with no chemotherapy, and/or local radiotherapy with p-values of 0.041 and 0.027 respectively.

Various comorbidities affecting the WAI score were reported: 38% of patients reported limited mobility in the upper limbs or arm/shoulder pain, 22% reported depression, and 14% reported fatigue.

Conclusion This study showed that breast cancer treatment significantly affected the recovery times of patients and their ability to return to work. These findings support the importance of informing patients about potential changes in work ability during breast cancer treatment.

Future efforts need to focus on helping these women, not only to return to work but also to adjust their work situation if needed.

Disclosures No disclosures.