February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and you have a role to play in encouraging your employees to get screened for cancer, particularly as cancer rates among women under 50 are rising faster than among men, with breast, gastrointestinal, and uterine cancers showing the biggest increases.
Early detection can create less downtime for employees and more options for treatment. There are specific steps you can take today to support your employees with cancer prevention and diagnosis. Below are some tips from our Care Coaches:
What can employers do to assist their employees with cancer prevention and cancer prevention awareness?
- Encourage employees to have frequent conversations with their doctors about prevention and early detection measures that are appropriate for them.
- Make employees aware of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other benefits available to them. What preventative tests are available through your company’s insurance? Most preventative screenings are free through insurance; let your employees know that. They may be more willing to get screenings.
- Incentivize screenings by bringing a mobile mammogram unit into the office once a year, or offering employees an extra PTO day to make time for screening or a gift card.
An employee or a loved one of an employee has been diagnosed with cancer. How can I support them as a member of the HR team?
- If you know someone is on a journey with cancer, step into it. Don’t just say “Call me if you need something.” Send a note, reach out, or send a card. Don’t force them to be the ones to reach out. Be specific in how you can help.
- Be accommodating. Offer a flexible schedule or remote work around the demands of their cancer diagnosis. An employee may need long-term or permanent accommodations.
- A work environment may make it difficult for some employees to feel comfortable about sharing a diagnosis. Create a safe space and encourage employees to reach out to someone they are comfortable with, especially if they need to request accommodations.
- Provide caregiver support resources. Caring for a loved one with cancer can take its toll. If you know one of your employees is in this position, share resources such as this Caregiver Resource Guide provided by the American Cancer Society.
Support with cancer prevention and diagnosis is just one of the ways we help caregivers. If you’re ready to learn more, schedule a demo today.