The rate of cancer continues to rise, with one person being diagnosed every two minutes in the UK. Employers are realizing the impact on business, as well as their responsibility to address the needs of their employees with cancer.

The case can be made for a two-pronged approach to supporting employees with cancer. The first is to provide access to high quality treatment, which includes providing occupational health advice to implement flexible working arrangements, as well as accommodations following a return to work. This allows for a senses of normalcy following a diagnosis, which has a real positive impact when dealing with diagnosis and treatment. The second approach suggested is to make sure that employers are addressing the concerns of colleagues on how to support their coworker as they go through treatment. This includes clearer and more frequent communication and instruction on best practices for supporting colleagues.

For more on suggestions for how employees with cancer can be supported, click here.