CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
While short term disability claims for breast cancer have increased
nearly 13 percent over the last 10 years, people battling the disease
are able to return to work nearly three weeks sooner on average,
according to internal data from Unum
(NYSE:UNM).
Cancer has been a leading cause of disability claims for over a decade,
but Unum data shows that nearly 70 percent of breast cancer survivors
successfully return to work after short term disability leave. In 2016,
the average length of a short term disability claim due to breast cancer
was 65 days, compared to an average 80-day duration in 2007.
“While early detection is a likely driver of the increase in breast
cancer claims, advances in medical treatment have led to fewer side
effects during treatment and improvements in recovery and long-term
survival rates,” said Heidi Bimrose, director of Workforce Solutions at
Unum.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is recognized each October to raise
awareness of the important battle one
in eight women will face. Products like disability and critical
illness insurance provide financial protection and support for employees
as they recover and return to work.
“For people diagnosed with cancer, returning to work is a big motivator
in their recovery,” said Bimrose, who was diagnosed with breast cancer
in 2014 and quickly returned to work after taking short term disability
leave. “Work provided a sense of normalcy at a time when my life was
starkly interrupted by this diagnosis.”
Unum’s Workforce Solutions Group offers employers best practices and
guidance on how they can support workers through cancer diagnosis and
treatment, and provide necessary support and workplace accommodations
for those returning to work. “We want to help employers lay the
groundwork for a successful and early return to work experience,” said
Bimrose.
Cancer patients often experience a wide range of side effects from
treatment, including fatigue and cognitive issues that are the result of
“chemo-brain,” Bimrose said. Important considerations for helping an
employee transition back to work include:
-
Clearly define work expectations and limitations
-
Create a flexible or reduced work schedule
-
Modify work stations to avoid having to stand or sit for too long
-
Allow extra time for breaks to combat fatigue
-
Communicate regularly to keep the employee engaged
-
Provide feedback and coaching on performance
Unum is a leading provider of disability claims in the workplace. In
2016, the business received more than 419,000 new disability claims and
paid $3.8 billion in disability benefits. Here’s a closer look at cancer
claims:
-
Cancer is the leading cause of long term disability and accounts for
over 16 percent of claims each year.
-
Breast cancer represents 18 percent of long term disability cancer
claims.
-
Over 6 percent of short term disability claims are prompted by cancer,
with breast cancer being the leading type at 18 percent of short term
disability cancer claims.
-
Breast cancer represents nearly a quarter (24 percent) of all short
term disability cancer claims for women.
About Unum
Unum
Group is a leading provider of financial protection benefits in the
United States and the United Kingdom. Its primary businesses are Unum
US, Colonial Life, Starmount and Unum UK. Unum’s portfolio includes
disability, life, accident and critical illness, dental and vision
coverage, which help protect millions of working people and their
families in the event of an illness or injury. Unum also provides
stop-loss coverage to help self-insured employers protect against
unanticipated medical costs. The company reported revenues of $11
billion in 2016, and provided $6.9 billion in benefits.
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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171024006219/en/
Unum Group
Kelly Spencer 423-294-4508
kspencer2@unum.com
Source: Unum Group