3 Impactful Breast Cancer Awareness Ideas for the Workplace

Quick look: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to come together, become more informed about the disease, and raise funds for its prevention, treatment, and cure. Here are several breast cancer awareness activities for the workplace and how employers can support their staff by providing a comprehensive benefits package, a flexible work environment, and more.

Breast cancer impacts hundreds of thousands of Americans each year, and although treatments have advanced, there is still no cure.

As we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, let’s explore how small- and medium-sized business (SMB) employers can raise awareness and how a thoughtfully designed employee benefits package can provide meaningful support to patients, survivors, and their families throughout the year.

About Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month occurs each October and is an international movement to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer and fundraise for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.

Established in 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded by the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical branch of Imperial Chemical Industries (now a part of AstraZeneca, which produces several anti-breast cancer medications). The pink ribbon commonly associated with the campaign was first introduced in 1992 by Estée Lauder cosmetics.

Breast cancer fast facts

Before exploring how employers can promote breast cancer awareness and support employees impacted by the disease, it’s essential to first gain a deeper understanding of the condition.

Consider the following facts, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.:

• In 2024, an estimated 310,000 and 3,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women and men, respectively.
• 1 in 8 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.
• Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women (with skin cancer being the first).
• There are nearly 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.
• Over 42,000 women are expected to pass away from breast cancer this year. However, death rates have declined since 1990 due to increased awareness, screening and early detection improvements, and treatment advancements.

Additionally, the American Cancer Society reports that while the risk of dying from cancer has been decreasing, incidents of breast cancer are on the rise.

Cancer’s impact on healthcare

Cancer is costly. A recent report estimates that by 2030, employers may experience approximately $250 billion in cancer care costs.

Echoing this, the Business Group on Health revealed that cancer is the top driver of healthcare costs for half of employers and one of the top three for 86% of organizations.

Notably, breast cancer has the highest treatment cost of all cancers.

The power of preventive screenings

Breast cancer screening has a powerful positive effect. The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) reports that it can:

• Save lives: Screening every other year reduces breast cancer mortality by 26% in women ages 50-74.
• Decrease late-stage diagnoses: Screening reduces the number of women diagnosed with metastasized breast cancer by 29%.
• Detect cancer sooner: Nearly 99% of those diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest stage live for five or more years.
• Reduce healthcare spending: Treating early-stage cancer is less expensive than later stages.

3 ways employers can foster breast cancer awareness

Breast cancer impacts many employees and their loved ones. Employers can help spread awareness in the workplace and support the unique needs of those facing this disease by providing a comprehensive benefits package and a flexible culture.

1. Organize breast cancer awareness activities for the workplace

There are many ways to highlight Breast Cancer Awareness Month within your organization, whether your company operates in-person, on a hybrid schedule, or remotely:

• Wear pink: Encourage employees to wear pink throughout the month—the color honors survivors, those lost to the disease, and the progress made toward a cure.
• Distribute giveaways: Consider giving out pink bracelets, stickers, buttons, or T-shirts.
• Share ways to give back: Inform your staff about organizations they can reference to learn more, donate, or volunteer (e.g., American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen).
• Educate employees: Communicate information with employees about breast health and early detection, how to support breast cancer patients and survivors, and relevant benefits.
• Fundraise: Raise money to donate to research organizations by selling pink company merchandise, hosting a bake sale, etc.

2. Provide helpful benefits

The right employee benefits can deliver much-needed support. Some key benefits to consider include:

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage: When people face unaffordable medical expenses, they are less likely to get the help they need, further exasperating their condition (and driving overall healthcare costs). Providing employees with competitively priced health insurance plans covering preventive treatment is essential to avoiding potential medical concerns.
• An Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Battling cancer or advocating for a friend or family member who is battling it undoubtedly produces stress and anxiety. An EAP allows employees to access support groups, a network counselor, and other community resources (for free).
• A cancer support program: A voluntary program that cares for workers and their loved ones battling cancer can be a valuable benefit. A program like this can include:
  • Real-time support from oncology nurses
  • Preventive and post-diagnosis DNA testing
  • A portal to house medical records, clinical trial information, expenses, and financial aid opportunities
  • Hereditary risk screening tests
  • Cancer information line
  • Cancer support specialists
  • An expert pathology review
  • An on-site nurse advocate

3. Focus on flexibility

A flexible, understanding work environment is key when battling breast cancer or supporting a loved one who is. Patients will likely have many doctor appointments and need to rest, and even after treatment ends, appointments can be as often as every three months.

Employers can accommodate these needs by offering workers the option to reduce their hours, work from home as needed, or switch to a part-time or flex-time schedule.

A partnership you can count on

Advocating for employees affected by cancer can be complicated for small businesses that may lack access to affordable and wide-ranging benefits. However, a partnership with a professional employer organization (PEO) can enable these organizations to equip their workers with the care they need at a better price.

A PEO, like ExtensisHR, leverages its economies of scale to offer SMBs Fortune 500-level benefits packages at a competitive price. These benefits include robust health plans, a voluntary cancer support program, access to an EAP, and more. ExtensisHR’s dedicated HR Managers can also collaborate with SMB leaders to help them create policies on fundraising, honorable holidays, and more.

ExtensisHR can help you boost your company’s breast cancer support initiatives this October and beyond. Explore our PEO solution, or contact us today to learn more.