There’s some good news about cancer. According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts and Figure 2024 report, the decline in tobacco use, early detection of some cancers through screenings, and advances in treatment, such as precision-based medicine, have contributed to a decline in US cancer mortality rates. From 1991 to 2021, there were 4.1 million fewer cancer deaths than would have occurred if the death rate had remained at its 1991 peak.
But there’s bad news as well. For the first time, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 2 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed this year, the equivalent of about 5,480 new cases each day. For women, the likelihood of developing cancer has increased over the past decade, with rises in melanoma and breast and endometrial cancers offsetting declines in colorectal and lung cancers. For men, cancer rates have stopped declining and are now stabilizing due to an increase in cases of prostate cancer.
For employers, the challenge is finding ways to better support employees with cancer while also combating the rise in healthcare costs. One approach that employers and health plans should consider? Offering access to mental health support that’s developed by clinicians specifically for people with cancer.
The mental side of cancer
“When it comes to cancer, most people think of the medical side,” said Calm’s Chief Clinical Officer Chris Mosunic, PhD. “They picture sterile offices, exam rooms, and scanning, which can be very scary. But there’s also the mental component, which is often overlooked—the thoughts and feelings that happen when alone or trying to sleep at night.”
Indeed, facing a cancer diagnosis can cause serious emotional distress, whether sadness, depression, anxiety, anger, or even shame when a person believes their lifestyle choices caused their cancer. It can rock their foundation and fill them with worries and questions about their life ahead: Will I die from this? Will I be able to stick to my routine? What once felt safe and predictable may suddenly feel uncertain. They could lose sleep over financial stress or other worries.
These worries may subside over time only for new ones to emerge in their place. Will I always feel tired? Will my life ever return to normal? What if I get sick again? The questions and emotions might be common among people with cancer, but each journey is personal and often marked by social isolation and loneliness.
Mental distress and disease go hand-in-hand, affecting health and healthcare costs
Unfortunately, as bad as the distress associated with cancer can feel, it also can have a negative cascading effect on a person’s physical health. For example:
- Loneliness, depression and other negative emotions can increase inflammation, which can cause serious physical health problems if it becomes chronic.
- Chronic anxiety can weaken the immune system, cause digestive problems, worsen treatment side effects, and lengthen the time of physical recovery.
- Shame can ignite a physiological stress response that reduces immunity and may promote the progression of cancer.
- Depression can aggravate the disease and “intensify pain, fatigue, and the self-doubt that can lead the person to avoid other people.”
The connection between cancer and distress creates a vicious cycle that can take a tremendous toll on a person. It can also lead to escalating healthcare costs for an organization. Research shows that depression is associated with higher total and outpatient healthcare, acute hospitalization, and skilled nursing facility costs. In fact, when a mental health condition is comorbid with a chronic health condition, the total cost of care can increase 2-to-8 times.
Healthcare costs associated with cancer are rising
Employer health care costs associated with cancer were already on the rise. According to the Business Group on Health, one in two large employers say cancer is the number one driver of healthcare costs due to the increased prevalence of late-stage cancer diagnoses resulting from delayed screenings in the time of the pandemic.
In response, employers are pursuing a number of measures, including:
- Covering 100% of the costs for prevention and screening services
- Tracking clinical advancements in cancer treatments
- Using navigation services to guide members to high-quality care
- Offering a cancer-focused center of excellence this year or working towards offering one in the next two years.
Employers are also focused on improving access to mental health services
At the same time, employers continue to focus on improving employee access to mental health services. Nearly 80% of employers (77%) reported an increase in mental health needs this year, with an additional 16% anticipating an increase in the future. According to Business Group on Health, employers are working to lower cost barriers to care and expand employee options for mental health support.
Specialized mental health support belongs in employer strategies
When expanding mental health options, employers should consider solutions that bridge the gap between mental and physical health care. By offering mental health support developed specifically for their experience with cancer, employers can help employees and dependents with cancer feel better and combat rising healthcare costs.
“You need subject matter expertise to accurately treat mental health issues around cancer and other chronic conditions,” says Calm Chief Clinical Officer Chris Mosunic, PhD. Although some health systems like Mayo Clinic offer wrap-around mental health services to cancer patients, many do not.
Calm Health helps employers fill this need by providing digital mental health support for people with specific conditions, including cancer, diabetes, ADHD, infertility, pregnancy, and others. Authored by clinical psychologists with subject matter expertise, Calm Health’s digital clinical programs explore concepts related to a specific condition and quickly give people the tools they need to feel better. Equally important, Calm Health programs are narrated by well-known and trusted narrators to engage people in their mental health and keep them coming back.
Calm Health’s Tools to Cope with Cancer clinical program
Calm Health’s Tools to Cope with Cancer is a 13-session digital program that offers tools and insights from clinical psychology to help support people with the physical and emotional toll of cancer. Authored by clinical health psychologist Jennifer Kilkus, PhD, ABPP, and narrated by mindfulness expert Megan Reitz, the program features the following sessions:
- Understanding Distress During Cancer
- Thinking About How You Think
- Your Mind is Not Always Your Friend
- You Don’t Have to Be Positive
- Navigating Grief During Cancer
- The Slippery Slope of Passive Coping
- Communicating Your Needs
- Taking a Break from Cancer World
- Coping with Loss of Control
- Managing Discomfort
- Scanxiety
- Managing Fear of Recurrence and Progression
- Finding Meaning in Life While Facing Death
When asked, “How helpful was that clinical program for you?” Calm Health users have responded with a 4 out of 5 rating, demonstrating that they’re using the program and getting value from it.
In conjunction with this clinical program, employees can access a wide variety of Calm mindfulness content on Calm Health to help reduce stress and anxiousness, build resilience, and get better sleep.
A better way forward for employees with cancer
Cancer can be an overwhelming experience, causing serious distress and higher healthcare costs. In addition to pursuing separate strategies to combat the rising cost of cancer and improve access to mental health services, employers should consider taking a holistic approach to supporting employees and families. Digital clinical programs from Calm Health are proven to engage employees and help them feel better.
Rewriting Cancer is now live – and Calm Health is part of it!
Many of us will be affected by cancer at some point in our lives. However, there are still many elements that people don’t understand about cancer and cancer care. This series spotlights the incredible people living and working with cancer, breaking down the myths and misconceptions around the disease. It celebrates the determined pursuit of new and exciting treatments and developments in screening and early detection, offering a different perspective on identifying, treating, and living beyond the disease. This is cancer, rewritten.
Discover the series, presented by Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and produced for UICC by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. Tune in at www.rewritingcancer.com
For more information on proactively supporting employee mental health and well-being, check out our pricing or connect with a Calm specialist today.
