But return-to-work numbers have slipped for those on long term
disability
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
More than twice as many people who have battled breast cancer are
returning to work after short term disability leave, according to
internal data from Unum (NYSE:UNM), the leading provider of disability
benefits through the workplace.
In 2009, nearly 64 percent of people on short term disability leave due
to breast cancer returned to work, a number that has climbed steadily
from 28.8 percent in 2001. The encouraging increase likely signals
improved treatments and outcomes for many people fighting breast cancer,
said Cheryl Greaney, vice president of Medical Operations for Unum.
“The people behind these numbers are facing some of the most difficult
times in their lives, and the ability to return to work offers a sense
of normalcy and routine that can be truly beneficial,” she said.
“Increases in early detection coupled with newer approaches have reduced
severity of treatment for many early stage breast cancers. Many of the
newer chemotherapy agents are more targeted, although not free from side
effects, and can be easier to tolerate than agents typically used 5 to
10 years ago,” Greaney said.
The trend is different, however, for those on long term disability leave
due to breast cancer. After rising gradually for several years, the
percentage who returned to work leveled off and then fell. In 2001, 47
percent returned to work. That number climbed to a high of 54.8 percent
in 2006, then dropped to 50.1 percent by 2009.
“The reasons for this are not entirely clear, but this trend may be
influenced by some of the same factors that have improved success in
returning to work for people on short term disability,” Greaney said.
“As treatments become more effective and outcomes improve for many with
earlier stage disease, the pool of people who eventually move to long
term disability may necessarily be those who have later stage cancer and
as a result require more aggressive, debilitating treatments.”
Through research and education, Unum offers employers guidance on how
they can support workers through cancer diagnosis and treatment, and
help those employees return successfully to the workplace.
“Breast Cancer Awareness Month sheds important light on this battle that
hundreds of thousands of people wage each year,” Greaney said. “As a
leading provider of employee benefits, we see every day the difference
disability and critical illness coverage can make in supporting people
through this fight.”
Cancer is consistently the leading cause of Unum long term disability
claims, accounting for about 15 percent of claims each year. Breast
cancer is leading type, at about 22 percent of long term disability
cancer claims.
Almost 7 percent of Unum short-term disability claims are prompted by
cancer, and breast cancer is the leading type at 17 percent of short
term disability cancer claims.
About Unum
Unum (www.unum.com)
is a leading provider of financial protection benefits through the
workplace. The disability insurance leader in the U.S. for 36 years,
Unum’s portfolio of financial protection products also includes life,
accident and critical illness, which help protect millions of working
people and their families in the event of an illness or injury. In 2011,
Unum paid more than $5 billion in benefits to more than 450,000
individuals and their families.
Unum
Mary Fortune, 423-294-6368
mfortune@unum.com
Source: Unum