Employers must navigate rising cancer rates, affecting many in the UK workforce.
- Nearly half of the UK population is now expected to encounter cancer, impacting workplaces significantly.
- A free Cancer Impact Calculator assists in financial assessment of employer-provided cancer detection benefits.
- BDO reports significant returns on investment through cancer screening adoption, enhancing employee wellbeing.
- Check4Cancer emerges as a pivotal player in early cancer detection, guiding employers through its innovative tools.
In an evolving landscape where nearly half of the UK population faces the likelihood of cancer, the impact on the workforce is profound. Cancer Research UK underscores the gravity of this situation, signifying a pressing need for organisations to address this impending challenge. The growing incidence of cancer among the working-age population necessitates strategic interventions by employers to ensure workforce stability and productivity.
Central to this initiative is the free Cancer Impact Calculator, a novel tool developed by Check4Cancer in collaboration with Health At Work Wellness Actuaries (HAW). Designed to enable organisations to quantify the financial implications of early cancer detection schemes, this calculator serves as a critical resource for employers. The tool employs current data reflecting cancer risks among working individuals and uses actuarial models to project the economic outcomes of proactive screening measures.
BDO’s application of the Cancer Impact Calculator is illustrative of the potential benefits. For every pound invested in cancer checks, the firm projects a saving of £1.66. This reflects not only a sound financial return but also supports overarching health and wellbeing strategies. Debbie Thomson of BDO articulates this dual benefit, highlighting both the peace of mind provided to employees and the tangible financial advantages realised by the organisation.
Check4Cancer, situated in Cambridge, strengthens its position as a leader in cancer awareness and early detection services through its collaborative endeavours. Partnering with entities such as Cambridge University Hospitals, the organisation leverages academic and medical insights to refine its offerings. Its Cancer Impact Calculator exemplifies how academic partnerships can enhance practical outcomes for employers grappling with cancer-related workplace challenges.
Adrian Lewis from Activ Absence endorses the calculator, acknowledging its value in understanding and mitigating the costs associated with employee absenteeism due to cancer. The tool functions as a strategic asset for businesses, aligning economic objectives with humane considerations. By facilitating early detection, companies can significantly diminish both financial and human costs associated with prolonged illnesses.
The comprehensive service provided by Check4Cancer, which has already assisted close to 25,000 employees, underscores the transformative potential of early detection. By uncovering over 100 cancers that might have otherwise gone unnoticed, the initiative illustrates the effectiveness of integrating health foresight into corporate frameworks.
Employers are increasingly recognising the dual economic and health benefits of investing in early cancer detection, facilitated by tools like the Cancer Impact Calculator.
