How can employers address colorectal cancer and its productivity impact?
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an opportune time for employers to encourage preventive care.
With many competing priorities this year, it’s important that employers continue efforts to educate their workforce about the importance of preventive care. As March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, this presents an opportune time to encourage preventive actions that can help mitigate the risk to their employees. After all, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S., affecting approximately 140,000 people and causing 50,000 deaths each year. Fortunately, it is also one of the most preventable cancers; and regular screenings and early detection are associated with a decreased rate of colorectal cancer illness and death in recent years.
We already know the benefits of catching cancer early – both for individuals and employers. The earlier the disease is caught, the more likely it is confined to small defined areas that are treatable. This results in better patient outcomes and quicker return to work. Conversely, delays could result in extended and greater severity of illness for individuals. Such illnesses also have an impact on companies, causing absences that create productivity deficits.
Related: Cancer medical costs to balloon to $245B by 2030, study finds
Last year, the Integrated Benefits Institute reported on the value of preventive screenings for four chronic conditions and three cancers, including colorectal cancer. Our findings showed that more than one in three employees was missing out on recommended colorectal screenings, and while the prevalence of colorectal cancer in the workforce is relatively low compared to other diseases, the productivity cost is high when an incidence does occur. In fact, the average cost per claim was over $8,000 and took the employee off the job for an average of 100 days. And when aggregated to an organization, these claims cost employers about $2.50 per employee per year. Our disability benchmarking database can offer further insight into colorectal cancer and other diseases from our 2019 benchmarking data.
A lot has changed since we began research for that study. We have been contending with the wide-ranging effects of a pandemic now for over a year, and over this time, we’ve seen dramatic reductions in screenings for colorectal cancer—reaching as much as a 90% decrease compared to 2019. Our research found that employees who take leave for colorectal cancer at a younger age take less time off from work than those who enter the disability system at a later age, suggesting the potential for lower disability leave costs and better health outcomes when cancer is detected early.
Whether employees are working from home or on site, employers still have a role to play in the health of their workforce. Along with implementing workplace safety protocols to reduce the spread of COVID-19, employers can provide options for employees to ensure they maintain routine preventive screening and care so they can continue performing at their best. Matching up offered benefits with the health needs of your employees and ensuring that your employees have easy access to preventive care programs are a good start.
Make it easy for employees recommended for colorectal cancer screening to be tested. Those at higher risk include adults older than 45, with a family history of colorectal cancer, who are male or Black. Some tests are less invasive than others and can even be done at home. Consider providing paid time off to further encourage your employees to get the care they need.
Employers are in a powerful position to manage the impact of cancer and preventive care overall. Throughout the year, closing the gap on preventive care can significantly reduce lost productivity and make a real difference for your employees, their families, and the workplace.
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