World Cancer Day is an important chance to remind ourselves of some of the key issues cancer patients are dealing with daily, and whilst we have come far when it comes to treatment and positive patient outcomes, there is still much more that needs to be done to support patients on their cancer pathway.
More than 300,000 cancer patients in the UK won’t start treatment on time over the next five years if the government doesn’t improve cancer waiting times before the next election. These delays in treatment currently mean the UK has one of the worst mortality rates in the world. With cancer rates on the rise, especially with those under 50 and 25-49 year olds growing at twice the rate of any other age group), it’s a real possibility that waiting lists and cancer mortality will get worse before they improve.
We know from speaking with advisers, insurers, clinicians and cancer patients themselves that waiting for a diagnosis and treatment is mentally incredibly hard. This period of uncertainty and the fear of the unknown is very powerful, and it can be hard to know who to tell or where to access help during this early period of waiting for news. The waits are not limited to the NHS – private hospitals and treatment centres are also struggling with the increased demand.
The impact of covid is also still being felt. Generic cancer symptoms, such as ongoing fatigue and pain can be confused with Long Covid. We’ve also have seen growth in certain cancers like bowel in younger people. Face to face GP appointments have largely been replaced with virtual meetings or telephone check ins, so people can fall out of the habit of going to their GP with problems that they think could be small. This means early signs are easily missed or mistaken for something more trivial. This delay in diagnosis can then have a huge impact in the long run. This is why screening, symptom awareness and simply promoting a supportive culture to cancer can make such a difference.
The NHS, private treatment centres, as well as the insurance industry have such an important role to play. We know from our own research in The Employee Experience Report: Living and Working with Cancer that 30% of cancer patients use a combination of NHS and private support when on their cancer journey, and certainly when it comes to getting a diagnosis, insurance can offer a quicker response.
GP apps or phoneline support can help people to seek diagnosis sooner. For many this can feel easier and mean you aren’t put off by the thought of “bothering” your GP or waiting weeks for an appointment. This in itself can really help with early intervention, so these services are really important, especially given almost half (45.5%) of all cancer cases are diagnosed at stage 3 and 4 and not enough at the earlier stages when better outcomes are more likely.
What can employers do to help?
The role of the employer should not be underestimated when it comes to helping educate and spread information and awareness about cancer. Especially, as highlighted, so many more people under 50 are getting cancer, with a huge spike in bowel cancer in particular in much younger people. Talking and educating can help play an important role in prevention and early intervention.
There is still work to be done between employers, insurers and advisers to find the right messages that make a bigger impact with employees. We’ve seen great strides in mental health, but much less progress in cancer awareness and openness in the workplace. Sharing expertise and insights, prioritising clear communication, empathy and flexibility is all really important here.
Our The Employee Experience Report: Living and Working with Cancer also showed us that over half (55%) of workers didn’t tell their employer about their illness until after they had a cancer diagnosis, whilst over a quarter (28%) of employees shy away from talking to colleagues about their illness altogether. In 2025 these numbers are really disappointing as help in the earlier stages pre-treatment can make such a significant difference. This highlights why fostering an open workplace culture is so important. It will also encourage more employees to discuss symptoms and share experiences, all of this is beneficial and can only benefit both employers and employees.
Employee benefits and support is also an important component of supporting cancer patients at work, from both an employer and employee perspective. Seven in ten (70%) employees with cancer who felt well supported by their employee benefits, returned to work feeling like a ‘changed person’ with more empathy, better able to manage stress and had a greater appreciation for life. This in itself highlights the importance of providing the right support. Their resilience aids better decisions. This is another great reason for employers and others to take care of their people – and well beyond private medical insurance which can be very useful but starts and stops too promptly for most.
However, an important point to highlight is that in the workplace where multiple benefits from a range of providers are offered, there can be confusion over what services do and, in some cases, there are duplication of services – there may be several providers offering virtual GP access for example. On the other hand, while access to both is of course preferable, there can be gaps between the private and state process that aren’t being joined up.
Symptom checkers
Simply click below to access free and downloadable symptom checkers and videos.
So this World Cancer Day, whilst it is important to remember we have made great strides in supporting cancer patients on their cancer pathways, there is still so much more to be done in the UK. From employer support and benefits, better communication and understanding more about the journey cancer patients are on and the pressures they face, 2025 is hopefully the year where we can continue to take greater steps to making this happen.
By Mark Stephenson, Reframe Cancer CEO