Insurance brokerage and risk management giant Aon has formed a partnership with CancerAid to support employees and their families affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Recent analysis of the CancerAid Coach Program's Australian participants found that 52% of cancer patients want to return to work, but 44% said they lack adequate support to do so. It also found that over 79% of participants were adversely affected by anxiety and fears of recurrence, as well as bring highly impacted by side effects of treatment (44%) and sleep disturbance (37%).
In partnership with CancerAid, Aon will support employees diagnosed with cancer and those providing informal cancer care to a family member via the CancerAid Coach Program.
The program provides evidence-based support for employers via technology and health coaching, along with organisational training and advice on employee communication, team relations, and meaningful return to work.
“COVID-19 has of course been front of mind for all of us this past year, but many other critical illnesses, like cancer, remain as prevalent as ever,” said Shannon Anderson, placement leader for health and benefits at Aon. “And when someone is diagnosed with cancer, the other aspects of a person's life – including their career – don't just stop there. But working during treatment, or returning post-treatment, is understandably challenging.”
Professor Michael Boyer AM, oncologist and chief clinical officer at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, said treatment and hospital care are only a small part of a person's cancer journey.
“The often bigger impact that can be made for someone is four to eight weeks after they leave the hospital setting,” said Boyer. “If done right, you can support people in getting back on their feet, bring them more confidence, resilience, and help them in getting back to life – and that also includes the workforce.”
