"Cancer interrupts lives and careers. While early detection is critical, support must extend beyond diagnosis and financial assistance."
- Emma Thomson - Reframe Cancer
New research from Reframe Cancer has found that 73% of employees would use free cancer screening, diagnostic tests or preventative health checks if offered through their workplace.
Women showed particularly strong interest, with 78% saying they would take advantage of free health checks, compared with 69% of men.
Meanwhile, Gen X and Millennials were the most likely generations to take advantage of workplace support, at 77% and 74%, respectively.
The research, conducted by Opinium among 1,220 working adults, found that 52% would be very likely to take up these services, which Reframe Cancer says is a significant opportunity for employers, advisers, and insurers to support earlier cancer detection and improve workforce health outcomes.
However, while appetite for workplace cancer screening is strong, the findings suggest that awareness, accessibility, and confidentiality could limit engagement unless addressed through wider workplace education.
49% of employees said free appointments would encourage them to participate in workplace cancer screening and health checks, while 45% cited easy access to appointments and 32% said paid time off to attend would make a difference.
A quarter of employees said that access to home-based testing options would also encourage them, followed by 23% who said better information on how to access screening and health checks or recommendations from healthcare professionals.
Meanwhile, 22% cited education around cancer symptoms or reassurance that their health information would remain confidential.
Despite strong employee demand, a lack of time during working hours was identified as the biggest barrier to accessing cancer screening and preventative health services, cited by 21% of respondents.
This was followed by 16% who gave uncertainty about which screenings are available or how to access them as a barrier, 15% who cited concerns about results, and 13% who cited privacy concerns.
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The research also highlighted the areas of support employees said would be most important to them if they were to receive a cancer diagnosis in the future. Time off work and access to treatment were deemed the most important forms of support, both cited by 36% of employees.
Flexible working arrangements was second at 32%, while one in four employees said access to cancer navigation support would be the most important to them.
25% also selected personalised treatment and recovery plans or financial support, for example through critical illness cover, as the most important form of support.
According to Reframe Cancer, the findings suggest that while there is a clear demand for workplace support, simply making services available is not enough. It recommends that employers, insurers and benefit providers prioritise education and awareness as well as ensuring support is visible and easy to navigate.
"The findings show that employees are highly receptive to workplace cancer screening and preventative health services," Emma Thomson, head of commercial partnerships at Reframe Cancer, said.
"However, the gap between women and men, with 78% of women saying they would take advantage of free cancer screening, diagnostic tests, or preventative health checks compared with 69% of men, highlights the possible need to do more to engage men with preventative healthcare as well.
"There is a clear opportunity for employers, advisers and insurers to play a greater role in helping people access earlier diagnoses and ultimately achieve better health outcomes.
"However, demand alone does not guarantee engagement. Employees told us they want services that are easy to access, clearly communicated and supported by practical measures such as paid time off and flexibility. Concerns around privacy and uncertainty about what support is available remain barriers that organisations need to address.
"Cancer interrupts lives and careers. While early detection is critical, support must extend beyond diagnosis and financial assistance. Employees want access to treatment, flexibility, and personalised guidance throughout their cancer journey.
"The fact that one in four specifically highlighted cancer navigation support would be the most important to them demonstrates the importance of helping people understand their options, access the right care and navigate what can be an overwhelming experience."
