Businesses now have access to a tool estimating financial savings from early cancer detection.
- The Cancer Impact Calculator aids firms in assessing the cost-effectiveness of cancer screenings.
- Developed by Check4Cancer and Health At Work Wellness Actuaries, the tool is based on current cancer risk data.
- With cancer affecting half the UK population, workplace screenings could significantly reduce absence costs.
- Companies like BDO see a £1.66 return for every £1.00 spent on such health initiatives.
In an important development for workplace health strategies, a new tool has been introduced to help organisations evaluate the potential financial benefits of offering company-funded early cancer detection. The Cancer Impact Calculator, a collaborative creation by Check4Cancer and Health At Work Wellness Actuaries, enables businesses to gain insights into the cost-effectiveness of implementing cancer screening programs within their teams.
This initiative emerges against a backdrop where Cancer Research UK highlights that nearly half of the UK population may face a cancer diagnosis at some stage in their lives. Additionally, over 100,000 UK workers are diagnosed with cancer annually, a figure that is expected to grow. Hence, the Cancer Impact Calculator uses contemporary data on cancer risks among the working-age population and examines undiagnosed cases across various types of cancer to guide financial decision-making for employers.
By integrating expert analysis from cancer specialists on tumour growth stages and post-diagnosis treatments, the tool considers costs related to treatment, workplace absences, and survival rates. It utilises average data on absence durations, presenteeism, mortality rates, private medical costs, and turnover rates to estimate future scenarios over a decade for individuals tested versus those not tested, aiding strategic planning for increased cancer incidences.
For instance, BDO, a firm that piloted this tool, reported financial savings calculated at £1.66 for every £1 invested in proactive cancer checks. Debbie Thomson of BDO remarked on the dual benefits of offering health peace of mind to employees and demonstrating clear commercial advantages through early detection and screening initiatives.
Additionally, Professor Gordon Wishart of Anglian Ruskin University and Check4Cancer underscored the significance of early cancer detection in enhancing survival chances and minimising treatment requirements. He noted that the Cancer Impact Calculator provides a straightforward method for organisations to understand the financial implications of cancer screening investments, thereby benefitting both the organisation and its employees.
The tool is accessible at Check4Cancer’s website, supplemented by bespoke services that consider factors such as company size, demographics, and medical benefits. This aligns with Check4Cancer’s role as a leading provider of cancer awareness and early detection services across the UK, significantly impacting employee health outcomes and reducing undetected cancer cases.
The introduction of the Cancer Impact Calculator marks a critical step forward in managing workplace health costs due to cancer.
