New Delhi: Cancer is on the rise across the country with a notable number of young adults being diagnosed with cancer. Prevention and early detection are about combating cancer before the disease becomes difficult to treat. Cancer is just not about fighting the disease individually but it has a huge impact on families, workplaces, and people around. As the battle requires a lot of physical, emotional, and financial support, organizations can play an important role in the cancer prevention, diagnosis, and reintegration of patients into the workforce.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director, International SOS (Indian Subcontinent), spoke about a few ways to fight cancer through early detection, followed by treatment to have positive results in combating cancer.
Here’s how workplaces can contribute significantly to this:
- Awareness needs to be created of the importance of routine health check-ups and medical examinations to detect the potential risks of common cancers, such as skin, breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
- Implementation of voluntary cancer screening tests, such as mammograms, pap tests colonoscopies, and PSA tests, to encourage early diagnosis. Provide regular guidance on self-examination, especially for breast cancer.
- Offer employee assistance programs to provide counseling, support, and resources for employees suffering from cancer. Highlight the importance of early detection.
- New-age communication channels or apps can be used to remind employees about periodic screenings and vaccinations, such as the HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines. Organizations can provide access to teleconsultations, second-opinion service providers and oncologists support to cancer patients.
- Offering health insurance policies that would address the needs of employees at every stage of cancer care – prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
- Those suffering from cancer often undergo long-term physical and mental challenges. For such survivors/patients’ organizations can offer flexible work arrangements to accommodate the employees undergoing treatment, train managers to provide emotional support, establish cancer support groups, and ensure confidentiality and privacy for employees. Infrastructure for improved accessibility including reserved parking spaces and designed-for-purpose workstations is desirable.
- Employers can support employees’ mental well-being by offering free or subsidized counseling sessions, and by making mental health resources, mindfulness programs, and peer support groups available.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is a cornerstone of cancer prevention organizations can inspire healthier habits in several ways such as:
- By launching campaigns to discourage and stop tobacco usage and offer expert resources to help employees quit smoking
- Ensure workplace cafeterias serve balanced meals, including options rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while minimizing or eliminating processed or ultra-processed foods.
- Provide on-site gyms, fitness challenges, or subsidized gym memberships to encourage physical activity, a proven protective factor against many cancers.
- Include yoga, meditation, or mindfulness sessions to help employees cope with chronic stress, which is linked to a weakened immune system.
- A supportive workplace culture ensures that employees feel valued and safe, regardless of their health status. Some of the enablements that employers can make are celebrating survivors and encouraging affected (and willing) employees to inspire others and reduce the stigma around cancer. As we navigate an increasingly demanding world, health and well-being challenges will only grow. Employers have a unique opportunity to lead the charge in creating healthier workplaces by addressing cancer prevention, early detection, and survivor support. By fostering conscious choices, promoting screenings, and supporting those on their health journey, we can work together to build a future that is healthier, more inclusive, and filled with hope.
World Cancer Day 2025: Working professionals can also make the most of early diagnosis tools and boost their life expectancy by detecting a tumour timely. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
