Supporting employees with the big 'C' is part of people management

One in two people will develop cancer at some point in their lives, according to Cancer Research UK. This sad reality means that employers must be prepared to support employees from their first symptoms through to diagnosis and treatment.

While the statistics are upsetting, medicine has taken us a long way. The UK’s cancer survival rate has doubled over the last 40 years and around half of patients now survive the disease for more than 10 years. The cancer charity says that as more people benefit from improved healthcare and longer life expectancy, the number of cancer cases is expected to rise. Age is the biggest risk factor for most cancers and the jump from one in two of us likely to suffer from a previous prediction of one in three is due to more people surviving into old age. What is clear is that workforces need to lean into the statistics and build support programmes when the reality of an employee being diagnosed with cancer hits.

Barbara Wilson is the Founder and Director of not-for-profit organisation, Working with Cancer, she says, “Global cancer rates among older and younger generations are rising, but with advancements in treatment, so are survival rates. Meaning that, inevitably, cancer will become ever more prevalent in the workplace. If they haven’t already, HR leaders will soon have to navigate the new challenges that will arise and provide effective support through a thoughtful and empathetic approach.”

What that looks like in reality is different for every organisation, their size and resources but the key tenets remain the same – empathy, kindness and flexibility.

Pledging support to cancer sufferers is part of an inclusive workforce

As with any inclusivity programme, employers that outline how they will support the myriads of situations that an employee may face is key in leaning into all those eventualities.

KPMG, one of the big four accounting organisations signed the ‘Working with Cancer’ pledge in August 2023, reaffirming their commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for those affected with cancer as well as those with long-term conditions.