The American Cancer Society reports that cancer deaths are falling. But the number of new cases is on the rise, especially in younger generations. Around 20% of employers cited catastrophic cancer claims as the key driver of cost increases. It’s an alarming trend, and employees may not even know about it.
HR is uniquely positioned to communicate, educate, and motivate people to take action.
Making the Case for Cancer Communications
In 2022, cancer surpassed musculoskeletal conditions as the number one driver of large companies’ health care costs. By 2040, cancer cases will reach 26.1 million, up from 15.5 million in 2016. That’s a 68% increase. Employers can expect to see an increase, too.
So, how can HR help employees be more proactive in cancer care, while also helping employers curb costs (and keep premium increases lower)?
Want to skip ahead to a real-world example?
One HR leader took cancer comms personally. Scroll down for inspiration and impact.
Educate: Pushing Preventive Care and Cancer Screenings
Cancer of the breast, prostate, cervix, lung, and colon…these are often preventable (and detectable early on) through regular screenings. And, depending on age, the screenings are covered 100% by insurance. Frequent reminders, sent in various channels to reach everyone, can bring this type of care to the front of employee minds.
People are busy and often put their own care way down on the to-do list, especially younger people beginning their career and building a family. Now’s the time to educate them about early-onset cancer, which occurs in adults between 18 and 49.
Don’t be afraid to use real statistics:
- Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men younger than 50, and second in women that age (same study as above).
- Overall cancer incidence in younger generations has risen 1% – 2% every year since 1995.
- Globally, early-onset cancer cases have increased 79% since 1990.
- People born in 1990 have an incidence rate three times higher than a person born in 1950.
Keep confidentiality clear
Whenever you’re talking about data, remember to clarify that personal health information is always confidential…that you only see aggregate data.
Motivate: Encouraging and Supporting a Healthier Lifestyle
Evidence points to recent lifestyle change as the leading cause for the increase in many cancers. As a population, many of us are now more sedentary, and we eat more sugar and processed food than ever before. Research by the Journal of Global Health found a direct correlation between an increase in obesity prevalence and a rise in colon, rectum, pancreas, and kidney cancer.
Sleep patterns have also changed over the generations, with many of us exposed to more artificial light and overstimulated by technology. A night of sleep for adolescents and children has been reduced by a full hour since the early 1900’s. Scientists have proposed that poor sleep increases the long-term risk of developing cancer.
Inspiration for communicating your wellness program
See how other companies have used effective communications to get employees engaged in building healthier habits.
These are habits employees can change, and HR can support that change. If you have a wellness program, promote engagement with a campaign that references these cancer statistics as motivation. Most wellness programs have activities that help build healthy habits around eating, exercise, and sleep.
Again, it’s likely that employees are unaware of the rise in cancer rates. So, let this type of public data tell the story of how important these lifestyle changes can be.
Take a Page From This HR Leader’s Playbook
Recently, catastrophic cancer claims took a toll on a client’s medical plan costs. And upended the lives of several employees and their families. The head of global benefits asked us to help her with a personal appeal to employees.
She didn’t want a postcard or an article in the company newsletter. She wanted a personal letter from her…to everyone enrolled in the company medical plan.
We helped her:
- Describe the recent uptick in claims and explain the “catastrophic” nature.
- Relay her own personal experiences with cancer, making a connection and gaining trust.
- Lay out the latest cancer statistics in a matter-of-fact, but urgent, manner.
- Explain the various benefits and programs to help prevent and treat cancer.
The response was immediate and positive, with feedback expressing shock about the statistics but also overwhelming gratitude for the authentic, honest communication. Plus, dozens of employees signed up within three days for the company’s cancer detection program, available to those over 50.
If your claims show similar statistics for cancer — or any other troubling health trend — use the data to urge employees to seek care.
Such trends aren’t just about costs…they’re about lives. And you might just save a few.
