Early detection has the power to save lives.
When cancers are caught early, before they spread to other parts of the body, they have a higher likelihood of responding to treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy, research shows. Cancers that are not detected until later stages, on the other hand, are more difficult to treat and have limited chances of long-term survival.
Consider pancreatic cancer, which has one of the lowest survival rates among all cancer types. The five-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer is about 44% in localized cancers compared to roughly 3% in distant stages, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Cancer represents an enormous share of U.S. healthcare spending. NCI estimates that over $200 billion is spent annually on cancer-related medical costs. In 2023, cancer claimed more than 600,000 lives in the U.S., and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Eighty percent of employers rate cancer as their top driver of healthcare costs, according to the American Cancer Society.
$100,000 is the average annual list price for many prescriptions used to treat cancer.
The stage at which cancer is diagnosed and treated has a seismic effect on medical costs. The American Cancer Society estimates that the mean cost savings for a stage one lung cancer diagnosis compared to a stage four diagnosis is $262,508 per case. The numbers are similar for other major cancers, such as breast, cervical and colorectal.
Despite the health and financial benefits of early detection, many cancers go undetected until they reach more advanced stages.
Our team understands that taking a thoughtful and strategic approach to cancer can lead to transformative results for employers and members alike. That’s why, in 2023, we became the first insurance brokerage and risk management firm in the country to offer GRAIL’s Galleri® multi-cancer detection test as an employee benefit.
The Galleri® test is designed to screen for certain cancers that do not have recommended screening tests. This innovative solution uses a simple blood test to detect signals across more than 50 types of cancer, including rapidly spreading cancers that do not show symptoms in the early stages.
For employees with a family history of cancer, this test can offer peace of mind by identifying potential cancers in their early stages, allowing members to start treatment when the cancer is most treatable.
69% of individuals with cancer say they missed more than four weeks of work due to their illness.
Early detection can be a game-changer for a member diagnosed with cancer, but not every case is caught in the early stages. Employers must also be prepared for advanced cases. Though many stage four cancers are considered terminal, advancements in medicine, such as targeted therapies, have allowed members to live for many years following a diagnosis.
Our team is here to assist by bringing you tailored solutions that can help improve health outcomes for members while controlling costs. Our partner, Private Health Management (PHM), is a complex care management solution that works with individuals with advanced cancer cases, striving to improve member outcomes while avoiding unnecessary spending.
Each member receives support from a dedicated personal care team, which consists of advanced practice clinicians, researchers, care coordinators and medical records specialists. Our partner’s process guides patients from diagnosis to treatment and monitoring while incorporating the newest developments in precision medicine and clinical insight.
Our partner’s model consistently delivers longer survival and higher value for members and employers.
- Employers saved an average of 20% per case
- Members survived longer with some of the most aggressive forms of cancer compared to NCI benchmarks:
- Prostate cancer: 4+ years longer
- Breast cancer: 3+ years longer
- Colorectal cancer: 2+ years longer
- Pancreatic cancer: 10 months longer
- Lung cancer: 10 months longer
- Glioblastoma: 5 months longer
The World Health Organization estimates that one in every five people will develop cancer during their lifetime. In addition, cancer cases have been increasing among those under the age of 50. This means that one of your employees or their family members will likely be affected by cancer at some point in their lives.
The emotional and financial toll of a cancer diagnosis can be devastating. Deploying innovative solutions can help reduce the impact of cancer through better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.
Whether your organization is looking to take proactive steps to manage cancer in the workplace, or you have an advanced case that may require specialized support, our team is equipped with resources to help you.
*”Cancer Facts & Figures 2025.” American Cancer Society.
*Survivor Views: Missed Work and Paid Leave
