Starting from the postulate that “behaviors at work and in private life are different between women and men”, the researchers wanted to compare the return to work after cancer between the two sexes. Anne-Gaëlle Le Corroller-Soriano, co-author of the work, observed with her colleagues a clear difference between the sexes in terms of returning to work: six months after the diagnosis of cancer, more than a third of men and only a quarter of women have returned to work. After two years women become more numerous with 72% of them returning to work against 65% of men.
Men subject to a certain social constraint
This masculine “speed” in getting back to work is even clearer among married men. “Married men return to work earlier while marital status has no impact for women, illustrates the researcher. This could reflect a social constraint which is strongly exerted on men considered to be breadwinners”, analyzes the researcher.
The difference in pay between men and women could also explain why women take longer to return to work after cancer: “For equivalent work, lower remuneration induces a financial loss associated with less sick leave. does not encourage returning to work earlier “, speculates the researcher.
To widen the gaps between men and women a little better, other studies will be carried out. The conclusions should make it possible to determine the best way to improve the conditions for returning to work.
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