October is breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer for women, after skin cancer. Every year, 1 in 8 women (13%) develop breast cancer.1 This rate is predicted to continue climbing in coming years, in part driven by a rise in breast cancer diagnoses in women under 50.2
The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the survival rate and the lower the cost of treatment.3 Females of average risk should get mammograms every other year, starting at age 40. Those at higher risk should consult their physician about when to start mammograms.
It’s important to remember that while women are the most common demographic to get breast cancer, any gender can be impacted, including men (although it is far less common).
October presents an opportunity for employers to focus on their benefits, helping to enable employees with easy access to preventive care, early detection, navigation and support specific to breast cancer.
In a recent Business Group on Health survey, 1 in 2 employers identified cancer as the top healthcare cost driver.4 The previously mentioned rise in cancer diagnoses directly correlates to increased costs to employers. Breast cancer has the highest treatment cost of any cancer. In 2020, the treatment cost for breast cancer was three times that of lung cancer, the second most expensive cancer.5 Employers shoulder a large portion of the direct and indirect medical costs, including absenteeism, presentism and disability.
Employers trying to improve outcomes related to breast cancer and address increasing costs may consider these four steps:
Less than 10%1 of breast cancers are entirely genetic, meaning they result directly from gene mutations passed on from a parent. The majority of breast cancers stem from genetics, race, ethnicity, environmental and lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption). Adopting risk-reducing behaviors can lower the potential of developing breast cancer.
Employers can play a role in prevention by:
In addition to better outcomes, early detection decreases the cost of care. The cost of care for a stage I breast cancer diagnosis is an average of $76,000 less than a stage IV diagnosis in the first six months of treatment.6
Employers can help support early detection by:
Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, emotional and confusing. Patients face a complex healthcare system, new medical terms, varying treatment options, medical plan coverages and difficult care decisions. This challenge comes on top of juggling everyday work and life demands.
Employers can enhance breast cancer navigation for employees by:
Employees will likely need additional support and work accommodations during their breast cancer journey, and many other employees may be a caregiver to someone with breast cancer.
Employers can provide holistic support to employees affected by breast cancer by:
October is an opportune time to review current benefits and take action to address breast cancer. Building a broader cancer strategy and programming with a long-term plan to support employees’ needs and manage health care spend requires ongoing effort and evaluation.
Below are some breast cancer resources to share with employees throughout the year:
1. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer.html
2. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/09/researchers-report-dramatic-rise-in-early-onset-cancers/
3. https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/facts-statistics/breast-cancer-statistics/survival-rates/
4.https://www.businessgrouphealth.org/en/newsroom/news%20and%20press%20releases/press%20releases/2024%20lehcss#:~:text=One%20in%20two%20
5. https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/cancer-costs-us-more-156-billion-drugs-leading-expense/
6. McGarvey et al. BMC Health Services Research (2022) 22:1155https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08457-6
Population Health and Well-Being Consultant
National Population Health & Well-Being Consultant
National Clinical Leader