2018 Volume 26 Issue 3 Pages 305-312
Goal: The goal of the present study was to examine the advantages and concerns about on-going patient work support programs derived from the government-led "work-style reform", which was primarily intended to stimulate the economy at a time of decreasing birthrate and of increasing aging population.
Background and Discussion: Approximately 325,000 patients continue to work during cancer treatment period and their working environment is one of the main topics of the cancer control policy in Japan. Supporting such cancer patients has been an important task for cancer information support centers since the 2nd Cancer Control Policy was introduced in 2012, or 4 years ahead of the Council for the Realization of Work Style Reform that started in 2016. The "work-style reform" movement redefines the support programs from their previous focus on "special accommodation for the cancer patients" to a more common interest approach toward working issues. This reform emphasizes encouraging a flexible work style for facilitating women's participation in the labor market and it is also helpful for the qualified cancer patients to keep their job. However, the unstable or unskilled laborers with low economic status may not be changed even after this reform.
Conclusion: The "work-style reform" movement might encourage the social participation of the cancer patients. However, the shift towards "work-style reform" could disproportionately favor advantaged patients while overlooking other less fortunate patients, thereby creating new disparities among cancer patients at working age.
