Increasing Access to Supportive Cancer Care for Workers, Families, and Caregivers
Cancer affects nearly 1 in 2 individuals in their lifetime, with 41% of Americans developing cancer in their lifetime and many more becoming primary caregivers to a loved one with cancer. Aside from the devastating personal impact of a cancer diagnosis, cancer negatively affects the workplace as well:
- 45% of people diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. are of working age (between the ages of 20 and 64).
- 42% of cancer patients report their condition reducing their productivity or interfering with physical and mental tasks at work.
- 63% of cancer patients report making changes in their jobs or career, such as taking extended time off, working part-time, or declining a promotion.
- Only 54% of working-age cancer survivors are employed full-time.
The impact of diminished productivity and lost work time for employees with cancer and their caregivers are so significant that Johns Hopkins estimates these indirect costs ($139 billion) exceed the direct medical costs of cancer itself nationwide ($125 billion) annually.
With cancer consistently ranking as a top cost concern for organizations, purchasers are seeking better cancer solutions that ensure consistent access to high quality holistic cancer care for their employees.
Supportive Cancer Care Improves Patient Care, Lowers Costs
Cancer care that is “supportive” is evidence-based and focused on meeting the whole-person needs of patients and caregivers pertaining to cancer. Supportive care meets the clinical, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and caregivers, with consideration for their economic and environmental circumstances. It includes a variety of support services beyond the usual, clinically-oriented approach to cancer treatment.
Purchasers that invest in providing their employees early access to supportive care following a cancer diagnosis can expect:
- Improved patient quality of life and caregiver experience
- Reduced cancer treatment side effects
- Improved medical outcomes
- Greater workforce retention and attendance (among cancer patients / caregivers)
- Decreased costs associated with cancer treatment (due to shorter hospital stays, fewer readmissions, and lowered medical costs)
Purchasers have an opportunity to tackle their high cancer costs while providing a better care experience for employees and dependents over the usual model of cancer treatment. To learn more about the business case for purchasers increasing access to supportive cancer care for workers, families, and caregivers, read our latest issue brief.
