Wellness Toolkit – Cancer
Posted August 13, 2021
Cancer is the second-highest cause of death in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). In addition, nearly 2 million people are diagnosed with some form of cancer annually. Though there are more than 100 types of cancer, the three most common types are breast, lung and prostate cancer.
Not only does cancer take a huge toll on the health of patients and survivors—but it also has a massive financial impact. The economic burden of treating cancer in the United States is significant and expected to increase as the population grows and ages. Furthermore, advances in screening, detection and treatment are likely to improve survival following diagnosis. That means an increasing number of cancer survivors will also accumulate additional costs as they shift from the treatment phase to monitoring. Such individuals may also accrue costs related to ongoing treatment or care for recurrences. Moreover, the indirect costs of cancer, which include absenteeism and loss of productivity, are expected to increase as well.
This toolkit serves as an introduction to cancer, including its potential impact on employers, and outlines opportunities and best practices for employers to support employees receiving a cancer diagnosis, undergoing treatment or surviving cancer. It is intended for informational use only and should not be construed as legal or medical advice.
