Beyond the diagnosis: Fostering a cancer-supportive workplace

Cancer is inherently complex regardless of where someone falls on the oncological spectrum of disease. It pops up when someone is least expecting it, presents with more questions than answers, and its response to treatment in that person won’t be understood until many months to years down the road. Unfortunately, there are concerning trends in cancer cases over the past few years. It’s projected that we’ll see a 75% increase in global cancer cases by 2050, in addition to an alarming increase in early onset cancer. The surge in cancer diagnoses among the working-age population translates to greater costs for employers.

While cancer may be unpredictable, employers aim to provide a dependable cancer-supportive workplace. Many have adopted benefits to support employees, including a Centers of Excellence (COEs) approach and technology that complements in-person care, delivering on modern conveniences like virtual appointments. Now is the time for employers to act to ensure employees get the support they need.

Cancer benefits that deliver on employees’ unique needs

This year, more than half of employers are planning to provide a cancer-focused COE benefit for employees to access high quality care, often encouraging them to travel to the center for treatment. These COEs are large institutions, typically focused on a particular specialty, with the latest and most advanced research and treatments, and can be incredibly advantageous, especially for those with a rare cancer or complex medical needs. But, not everyone needs a COE. Many times employees face concerns about family or personal risk, genetic testing, early detection programs, and how to discern their results.

COEs also come with their own set of hurdles. While COEs often have expertise across a number of cancers, partnering with a single institution means top oncologists and researchers at other institutions are inaccessible to employees. Plus, COEs can pose logistical challenges for employees, including travel during illness, temporary separation from one’s family and support system, and financial stress.

To balance these challenges and employees’ broader cancer needs along with the immense stress that comes with a cancer diagnosis, employers are adding virtual health as a benefit to pave the way for frictionless access to the health care employees need. When combined with a COE approach or on their own, virtual health offers employees fast access to leading physicians for personalized guidance, education, and support throughout the journey.

With virtual health, employees can use their phones or a computer to talk with doctors from the comfort of their home. What’s more, caregivers can join virtual consultations to support the continuity of and compliance with care. In fact, many COEs recognize the travel-related challenges people with cancer face and are offering remote second opinions. This helps those with cancer get the information they need to make informed choices, big or small, and find care in their local community.

Strategies to build a compassionate workplace

Employers play a pivotal role in building a workplace that supports employees with cancer and their caregivers. Fostering a culture of empathy and understanding is key to ensuring that those on a cancer journey feel supported.

Employers should consider the following strategies to ensure an organizational environment that addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by employees on a cancer journey:

• Awareness through education. Proactive and continued employer-provided education is paramount. Through education, employees understand cancer and its profound impact, as well as how to support colleagues on a cancer journey. It also plays a pivotal role in imparting unbiased information, while emphasizing the importance of preventive screenings and early detection.
• Benefits that address employee needs. Understanding employee needs is key for identifying and selecting benefits that will help them on their health journey. For some, this may mean a COE, but for others benefits that deliver fast access to answers about their cancer or risk of cancer and help them obtain the care they need in their community are equally as important.

Related: New research finds more screening is needed as cancer incidence rates are rising in the U.S.

• Navigation, advocacy, and care coordination support. Each cancer journey is unique. Recognizing these differences is fundamental to creating a workplace where employees feel genuinely supported. No matter the journey, employees need and want help navigating their options—whether it’s identifying a care team or determining the best course of treatment. An employer-provided advocate who can help demystify the options, find the most appropriate care—whether that be at a cancer COE or within their own community—signals a supportive workplace.
• Flexible work arrangements. Providing accommodating work arrangements, like remote work, reduced or modified hours, or part-time work can provide the flexibility employees need while they receive treatment and recover. This accommodation also allows employees to continue to work while they manage their health. Working while on a cancer journey can support employees’ mental and emotional health. Offering flexible work arrangements also supports employees who assume caregiving responsibilities for their family members diagnosed with cancer.
• Mental health support and resources. The emotional overwhelm of living with cancer, financial stress, and fear of progression or recurrence can, and often do, loom large. Employees and their loved ones can benefit from mental health support and resources that help them cope and simultaneously cultivate a cancer-supportive workplace.
• Return-to-work programming. Implement programs designed to help ease the transition back to the workplace. These programs help employees reacclimate when they are ready to go back to work, while they regain strength and confidence.

Employers executing these strategies support their employees and demonstrate genuine care, concern, and empathy.

Support in the moments that matter most

When employers provide benefits and employ strategies to support those facing a cancer journey, they alleviate many of the overwhelming challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis and rewrite the narrative around cancer support in the workplace. Inclusive, cancer-supportive workplaces are invaluable to employees, during what is often the most challenging time of their lives.

Mary Mulcare, MD, FACEP, Summus Chief Medical Officer