Breast cancer awareness in the workplace: 6 ways to support employees year-round
Warm coffee fills your favorite mug, pumpkin decorations are piled high at your desk and your favorite cozy sweaters are back in rotation.
Fall is finally here.
Seasons change, sure — but breast cancer awareness, education and support for your employees shouldn’t, especially since breast cancer impacts millions of individuals.
Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month in your workplace
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 321,910 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 42,140 deaths in 2026 alone.
October, the official month for breast cancer awareness, is a great time to educate and communicate with your employees. It's also a great time to rally around and support employees who may be going through treatment or those who are survivors of breast cancer.
Breast cancer fast facts
According to the Susan G. Komen foundation:
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S.
- Every 2 minutes one woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Improvements in early detection and treatment led to a 44 percent decline in deaths from breast cancer in the U.S. between 1989 and 2023.
Powerhouse solutions to support employees with breast cancer
When it comes to facing a breast cancer diagnosis, or fighting through treatment, consider these approaches to help employees feel supported, empowered and productive in their day-to-day routines.
1.
Integrated medical and pharmacy benefit solution
When your workplace combines medical and pharmacy benefits, you can gather constructive insights into care coordination while lowering medical costs without raising pharmacy spending. This holistic approach to employee health care benefits can result in lower emergency room visits, lower hospitalization events and lower medical costs for your employees.
2.
The Wellmark Case Management Program
Wellmark's Case Management Program uses a team of clinically trained professionals to provide personalized support for your employees’ unique health needs. Without adequate support, employees with conditions such as breast cancer may face increased health care-related costs and require more frequent medical visits.
3.
Early detection and prevention
Early detection plays an important role in improving breast cancer outcomes. Encourage employees to stay connected with a primary care provider and keep up with recommended preventive screenings, including screening mammograms. Screening recommendations may vary based on factors such as family history, genetics, breast density, race or other individual risk factors, so employees should talk with their health care provider about the screening schedule that's right for them.
In addition, mammograms are generally covered as a preventive benefit at no cost to members, with no copay or deductible. For questions about coverage, employees can review their Summary of Benefits and Coverage Manual or contact Wellmark Customer Service at the number on the back of their member ID card.
4.
myWellmark®
When your employees use myWellmark, they can make informed decisions by locating in-network doctors and hospitals, estimating costs and care for services and procedures, and keep track of claim details.
When asked about her experience using myWellmark, Marci Chickering said, “myWellmark was always there for when I had questions surrounding breast cancer and health insurance. If I didn’t feel like talking on the phone, I would simply send my questions or concerns securely through the portal and get a response right away. myWellmark also allowed me to look at costs of treatments and review any EOBs with the touch of a button.”
5.
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Providing an employee assistance program can help your employees address issues that affect them at work or home. For example, if an employee is going through treatment for breast cancer, they can get support in reducing planned (or unplanned) absences, facilitated and safe return-to-work aid and solutions for improving productivity or engagement.
6.
Flexible schedules
Between doctor appointments, treatments and not feeling well, employees fighting breast cancer may be absent from work more often. Allowing flexible scheduling — whether it's coming in late or working from home — can take added stress or pressure off employees working through an already difficult time.
How to keep breast cancer awareness at the forefront of your workplace year-round
Breast Cancer Awareness Month may be in October, but it shouldn’t stop there when it comes to educating and informing your employees on the importance of prevention and self-detection.
Consider these simple ideas to get your workplace to ‘think pink’ year-round.
- Educate employees about the importance of preventive care and being proactive about their breast health throughout the year. These articles from BlueSM online are ready to share with your employees. Health plan hero status: achieved.
- What you need to know about breast cancer. All the signs, symptoms and prevention.
- Living through breast cancer. Read Wellmark member, Molly Zaver’s story.
- A woman's guide to preventive care at every age. Use this cheat-sheet designed specifically for women.
- A pharmacist’s role in your overall health. Hint: It’s much more than counting pills.
- Promote healthy habits within your workplace to prevent or reduce the risk of breast cancer.
- Respond appropriately when it comes to an employee who hears unfortunate news. Cancer affects both women and men — regardless of ethnicity. This means it's possible that one of your employees may receive a cancer diagnosis within their lifetime. As an employer, your biggest question should be: How can I provide the support my employee needs to fight cancer?