Unum has partnered with Reframe Cancer to launch a new service to support employees undergoing tests or waiting for a confirmed cancer diagnosis.
The employee benefits provider said there is often a lack of workplace support during this ‘in between’ period despite the uncertainty impacting wellbeing and attendance. It is calling for advisers to help employers put in place more support during this period.
Research from Reframe Cancer found that employees take an average of 12 days off work due to symptoms or concerns before receiving a diagnosis, followed by a further 16 days during testing and diagnosis. One in three employees also said they felt isolated at work during their cancer experience.
Unum said the period before diagnosis is often overlooked by employers, despite around 90 per cent of people referred for suspected cancer ultimately not receiving a cancer diagnosis. However, it said the testing and waiting period can still create significant anxiety and uncertainty for employees.
Unum UK chief operating officer Liz Walker says: “The stage before diagnosis often happens while people are still trying to carry on with work, making decisions without clear direction, or knowing what comes next.
“Even when tests don’t turn into a diagnosis, which happens for around nine in 10 people, the period of testing and waiting can take a real toll. When there’s a gap at the beginning, confusion and anxiety can escalate quickly.”
To address this, Unum has launched a personalised cancer navigation service for employees covered by its group income protection and group life policies.
Delivered in partnership with Reframe Cancer, the gives employees access to specialist cancer navigators while they are awaiting tests or results, helping them understand the process and access appropriate support before treatment begins.
Reframe Cancer chief operations officer Professor Ben Kelly adds: “We’ve worked alongside Unum for nearly a decade, supporting people affected by cancer, and we’ve seen first-hand how challenging the period before diagnosis can be.
“Without the right guidance, this can quickly impact both wellbeing and performance at work. Making the right support available early can help people navigate that stage with more clarity and understanding.”
Walker said this new service will help employers and line managers feel more confident supporting employees during periods of uncertainty. “For employers, this is an opportunity to help employees feel more in control and less distracted, and to give managers the confidence to start the conversation,” she said. “This is about helping people earlier – long before treatment starts – at a stage that gets overlooked but has a real impact on people and work.”