Breast cancer affects millions of people across Europe, with rising incidence and treatment costs posing significant challenges for employers.
Integrating cancer support into a robust employee benefits strategy, leveraging data and health technology to inform decisions, helps organizations to effectively protect their workforce and their bottom line.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Europe, with the European Cancer Information System (ECIS) estimating that 1 in 11 women will be diagnosed during their lifetime [1] . While less common, male breast cancer is also rising, accounting for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases.
The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) notes that half of the 3.2 million people diagnosed with cancer each year in Europe are of working age, with 62% returning to work within 12 months and 89% within 24 months
According to the European Cancer Inequalities Registry, disparities in cancer care and outcomes persist across the 27 EU Member States, the United Kingdom, Norway and Iceland. The 2025 Country Cancer Profiles show that early detection and access to care vary widely, impacting survival rates and workforce productivity [2].
For employers, the implications are clear:
Prevention is not only a health priority, but also a strategic investment for employers as part of an optimized employee benefits program. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption are among the largest preventable causes of cancer, with the WHO indicating that 30-50% of cancer cases are preventable [4].
Smoking
Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including 250 harmful substances and 69 carcinogens. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of cancer deaths.
Alcohol*
Is a toxic, psychoactive substance and a Group 1 carcinogen linked to seven types of cancer. Worldwide, alcohol accounts for one in twenty breast cancer cases.
Physical inactivity, diet and obesity
Overweight and obesity are associated with various cancers, including esophagus, colorectal, breast, endometrial and kidney. In 2012, excess body mass accounted for 3.4% of cancer cases, such as 110,000 cases of breast cancer annually.
* As classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Socioeconomic and ethnic differences can affect screening rates, disease prevalence and treatment results, creating a further challenge for employers to navigate when it comes to implementing an effective approach to supporting employees.
Employers can play a vital role by:
To increase program effectiveness, employers can tailor education and support specific employee demographics, using organizational health data to identify high-risk groups and personalize interventions. Organizations that target communications to key employee populations within their workforce are likely to see greater levels of engagement and take-up of key prevention programs – something that is borne out in WTW’s 2024 Global Benefit Attitude Survey[5] results for Europe, which shows that effective communications can increase employee health and wellbeing engagement almost six times.
Only 19% of employers in Europe feel they are effectively using data to measure costs and inform strategy[6]. Yet, data is key to understanding workforce health risks and designing targeted and effective support to mitigate health risks and manage costs.
WTW’s advanced analytics capabilities help organizations to:
Employers can use this insight to optimize benefits, reduce costs and improve health outcomes for employees.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cancer care – from early detection to personalized treatment. Machine learning algorithms can analyze imaging data to detect tumors earlier and more accurately. Robotics are enhancing surgical precision and reducing recovery times.
Increasingly, smartphone applications equipped with AI-driven image analysis are helping to identify suspicious skin lesions, potentially flagging early signs of melanoma for further medical review, as well as reducing reliance on over-stretched in-person dermatology services. Portable devices that connect to smartphones, such as handheld ultrasound scanners, now allow clinicians to perform rapid cancer screenings in remote or underserved areas. These technologies make it possible to detect cancer faster, improve access to expert opinions and promote proactive health monitoring.
These innovations are improving outcomes and, in many cases, help to reduce costs through early diagnosis. But new drugs and treatments can also be expensive, driving up employee benefit costs. Employers must stay informed and consider how these technologies impact their benefits strategy, both now and in the future, and balance this against employee expectations.
Cancer treatment costs are escalating due to medical inflation and technological advances. The WHO estimates the EU’s cancer burden at €97 billion annually [7]. Breast cancer accounts for a significant share, with costs compounded by increasing incidence and survivorship.
Employers face:
WTW’s Global Medical Trends data shows that cancer is consistently ranked as a top cost driver, with poor health habits and lack of prevention contributing to rising claims. [4]
While breast cancer predominantly affects women, men are not immune. Male breast cancer is rare but often diagnosed late due to a lack of awareness. Employers must ensure that communications and support programs are inclusive and include information for different employee demographics.
Offer screening and diagnostics
Educate and empower
Create supportive policies
Use digital health tools
Leverage data and AI
Supporting employees with breast cancer and beyond is not just a moral imperative; it’s a strategic necessity. By investing in prevention, leveraging data and creating inclusive policies, employers can protect their workforce, reduce costs and build a reputation as a compassionate and forward-thinking organization.
If you would like a copy of our 2025 Workplace Cancer Guide and to speak with one of our team, please contact us using the form on this page.
Our regional team of clinical, data and wellbeing specialists can support you to identify organizational health risks and to develop and implement an effective and compassionate cancer strategy that supports your employees and your business.
