Almost one in three survivors of breast cancer who were working when they were diagnosed with the disease, are unemployed four years later, a new study has found.

Women who received chemotherapy as part of their treatment were more likely to be unemployed after this period.

US scientists surveyed almost 800 women who had jobs when they were diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. These women were followed up around nine months after their diagnosis, and again four years later.

The study found that 30% of the participants were not working four years after their diagnosis. Those who had undergone chemotherapy were the most likely to report they were not working.

The study also noted that many of these women wanted to work. In fact, four in 10 said they were actively looking for jobs, while at least half said that working was important to them.

"Many doctors believe that even though patients may miss work during treatment, they will 'bounce back' in the longer term. The results of this study suggest otherwise. Loss of employment is a possible long-term negative consequence of chemotherapy that may not have been fully appreciated to date," commented the study's lead author, Dr Reshma Jagsi, of the University of Michigan Medical School.

The scientists noted that many cancer patients take time off work while undergoing treatment, but this may lead to long-term unemployment. Furthermore, chemotherapy may cause some long-term effects that could affect future job prospects, such as cognitive problems.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Cancer.