Research shows heightened awareness seems to be paying off, with a sharp decline in breast cancer deaths since 1990, thanks to better screening, advances in treatment options and more women doing self-examinations and having mammograms (though those practices have endured some controversy in recent years).
Still, the disease continues to afflict one out of every eight women during their lifetimes and is the second-leading cause of death among females. From an HR perspective, consider some recent cancer-related statistics:
- One study finds more than a third of employees nationwide don't return to work following treatment for some form of cancer.
- The American Cancer Society reports that cancer accounts for 10% of a typical employer's health-care costs (while about 1% of health-care claims).
- Health-related productivity losses are estimated to cost employers up to $225 billion annually.
While the pink ribbons have been put away, cancer awareness as a part of workplace wellness initiatives can surely continue throughout the year.
Read the full post from Higginbotham.net.