Thanks to increased awareness, screenings, and the adoption of healthy habits, rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been steadily on the decline for decades. But while this may bring a sigh of relief for those deemed ‘most at risk’ of the disease—those aged 55 and older—younger generations cannot share in this peace of mind just yet. As it happens, rates of early-onset CRC are rising at a pace faster than overall rates are declining.  

Don’t be mislead: Older adults still comprise the vast majority of cases, but the rise in CRC among 40-, 30-, even 20-year-olds is concerning for a number of reasons—least of all because researchers still don’t know why it’s happening. To start, each successive generation appears to be at greater risk of the disease than its predecessors—with 20 to 24-year-olds observing a marked 185 percent increase in cases since the turn of the century, compared to 71 percent among those aged 30 to 34, and 37 percent among 40- to 44-year-olds.  

Even more alarmingly, research finds that younger adults are more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease compared to their older counterparts—rendering many early-onset cases harder to treat, and thus harder to survive. In fact, CRC is now the leading cause of cancer death among men and the second leading cause of cancer death among women (behind only breast cancer)—a grim milestone reached more than five years sooner than researchers had predicted. What makes this all particularly concerning is that it is occurring among a population still years, if not decades, away from receiving their first screening—making such cases harder to detect and harder to mobilize people to do anything about.  

At this time, the recommended age to begin CRC screening is still 45 years old. However, it is clear that more must be done to educate younger generations about their heightened risk of CRC—especially in light of persistent stigma that cancer is an older person’s battle. As experts are quick to point out, no one should lose their life to a disease that is largely preventable, detectable, and treatable. 50 percent of all CRC cases are preventable, and if caught early, carry a 5-year survival rate of 94 percent. 

With all this in mind, it’s time for employers to turn their attention to how they can promote CRC awareness and prevention among their workforce, and how they can best support the growing number of younger employees returning to work after cancer. 

CRC Awareness at Work: 3 Easy Steps for Employers 

1. Educate employees about their risk of CRC.

Just a few years back, “Hot Girls With IBS” started a movement across social media where women were encouraged to share their experiences of living with irritable bowel syndrome—a condition that affects up to 15 percent of the population, women especially. Since then, social media users have grown more accustomed to sharing their most intimate life experiences to the masses online—warts and all. Article headlines reading, “Why does everyone seem to have IBS now?” reflect the blunt conversations happening among most young people today about their bathroom excursions—or rather, ‘challenges’—and most of us today know several people who claim to suffer from the disorder. 

But to answer Time Magazine’s question, part of the reason why it seems everyone has IBS now is because other, far more serious gut issues are so often mistaken for the comparatively harmless disorder, especially among young people. New research reveals that one in 10 people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—are initially misdiagnosed with IBS—a number that jumps to one in every three people with microscopic colitis (a type of IBD that poses a small yet non-microscopic risk of cancer). 

Why this matters to employers is twofold: As a breeding ground for many such conversations, the workplace serves as a favorable—if not essential—arena for correcting misinformation and misconceptions about bowel issues, their causes, and what they might portend. With cancer-inducing diseases like Crohn’s and UC being so often mistaken for IBS—by doctors and patients alike—spreading awareness about the decisive difference between a loose stool and a bloody stool, for example, could mean the difference between an advanced- stage or early-stage diagnosis, potentially saving lives. 

Furthermore, with younger adults—who comprise the majority of today’s workforce—so generally unaware of their risk of cancer—especially CRC—taking advantage of their openness to start a dialogue about this historically stigmatized disease could help ensure that those with no other outlet for these conversations receive the information they need to successfully appraise their risk and monitor for signs of trouble—which brings us to step two. 

2. Encourage healthy living.

Central to any effective efforts to educate employees about their risk of CRC is a focus on prevention and risk management. Employees not only need to know what to look out for—they also need to know what to do. Especially for a cancer as preventable as CRC, raising awareness about the tangible, preventative action employees can take to reduce their risk is key to reversing recent trends and minimizing the accuracy of new projections estimating that rates of early onset CRC will rise 140 percent by the end of the decade. 

Fortunately, there is a tried-and-true list of steps individuals can take to help minimize their risk of CRC, which includes: 

• Attending routine screenings – By increasing screening prevalence to 80 percent, organizations can help reduce the number of people diagnosed with CRC by 22 percent by 2030—the number of deaths, a third 

• Eating a balanced diet – Limiting consumption of red meat, avoiding ultra-processed foods, and adjusting fiber intake by consuming more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes can reduce a person’s risk by 40 percent 

• Getting enough exercise – Higher levels of physical activity have been linked to a 20 percent reduction in CRC risk 

• Maintaining a healthy weight – Achieving weight loss has been associated with a 46 percent reduction in CRC risk, while maintaining a healthy BMI can lower risk by 20 percent 

• Quitting or abstaining from tobacco and alcohol use – Nonsmoking individuals are 60 percent less likely to develop CRC than their smoking counterparts, while people who refrain from drinking have a 1.5x lower risk.  

• Considering family history – Up to 30 percent of CRC patients have a family history of the disease, which can be mitigated through earlier screenings at a more frequent rate 

Given the considerable influence the workplace has on employees’ health behaviors—from what they eat to how well they sleep; how much exercise they get during the day, and how they manage stress—it’s employers’ responsibility to educate and encourage employees to lead healthy, balanced lives.  

They can do so in a number of ways, such as by: 

• Organizing on-site health and wellness events, connecting employees with local providers who can deliver ongoing guidance and support to help them achieve healthier lives 

• Offering training, educating employees on a number of core health topics like the importance of sleep, healthy eating, movement, and effective stress management 

• Providing access to wellness coaching, connecting employees with certified coaches who can help them develop personalized plans for adopting healthier habits and improving their overall lifestyle 

By not only educating but empowering employees to adopt healthy lifestyle habits to reduce their risk of cancer, employers can strive to contain a phenomenon some researchers speculate may be tied to a rise in heavy drinking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles. 

Which brings us to step three… 

3. Create an environment conducive for healthy living.

Educating employees about what they can do to improve their health and reduce their cancer risk is only half the battle—employers must also ensure theirs is a safe, supportive environment that enables healthy behaviors.  

Chronic or severe stress, effort-reward imbalance, high demands, low control, and low support are among the many psychosocial hazards that undermine employees’ health and wellbeing and discourage healthy living. Research shows that when these hazards are present at work, employees are less likely to consume a healthy diet or participate in leisure-time physical activity and are more likely to engage in heavy drinking or smoking to (ineffectively) combat stress. 

Moreover, if employees observe possible repercussions for prioritizing their health at work—or fail to perceive any support or encouragement to do so—they may be inadvertently discouraged from adopting the very behaviors they’ve been educated about out of fear of being perceived negatively by their peers and superiors. 

By embracing flexibility in the workplace, allowing employees to tend to their health needs throughout the workday and beyond, employers can create an environment that motivates employees to adopt healthy habits, stay up to date on medical appointments and screenings, and take prompt action as soon as they perceive that something may be wrong. 

Supporting CRC Survivors at Work: Facilitate Survivors’ Triumphant Return to Work with Return to Work: Cancer Care Compass 

Given the already considerable and rising rate of CRC among today’s working population, it’s inevitable that many employers will, at some point, be confronted with its presence in the workplace. But thanks to advancements in treatment and preventive screenings, more than two-thirds of CRC survivors will return to work within 2 years of commencing sick leave. 

As these individuals embark on their return and recovery journeys, it’s on employers to ensure they have the support they need not only to survive but to thrive at work—regaining their psychological, physical, and professional wellbeing. To that end, employers can turn to the Cancer Care Compass program for support.  

Fulfilling the growing demand for specialized, holistic support for cancer survivors in the workplace, Return to Work: Cancer Care Compass is the first global, inclusive program designed to provide unparalleled support to survivors and their managers as, together, they navigate the transition back to work. Tailored to address the practical, physical, and emotional challenges that arise throughout the return-to-work process, the program ensures survivors’ seamless reintegration while facilitating their holistic recovery. 

At the heart of the program, the Coordinators of Occupational Reintegration and Adaption (CORAT) provide ongoing reintegration coaching and emotional support to help employees set and achieve realistic goals related to their return and recovery, while conducting ongoing manager consultations to oversee the development of collaborative and effective transition plans. 

All told, key features of the Cancer Care Compass program include:  

• Personalized recovery plans: The CORAT collaborates with employees to create a customized program tailored to their individual return and recovery, providing holistic support for their physical, psychological, and professional wellbeing.   

• Fortified emotional and professional resilience for employees: Emotional support fosters stress resilience, positive coping strategies, and adaptability in returning employees.   

• Comprehensive resources and support for managers: Managers receive a specialized toolkit and expert consultations offering guidance and best practices for return-to-work processes such as reaching a team agreement, adapting a job position, and creating an effective reintegration plan.   

• Enhanced organizational commitment to employee wellbeing: Program participation reflects employers’ dedication to supporting employees’ holistic wellbeing and promoting an inclusive workplace.     

At WPO, we understand that the effects of cancer extend far beyond the acute phase of illness. A loss of self-identity, self-esteem, and self-efficacy; lingering anxiety, fear, and uncertainty; and persistent fatigue, pain, and cognitive difficulties are just some of the challenges that permeate life after cancer. For survivors of stigmatized diseases like CRC, feelings of shame and isolation can further erode self-efficacy and undermine both their return to daily life and long-term recovery. 

But with the right support and a steadfast commitment from employers to help survivors reclaim their personal and professional lives, these battles, too, may be overcome. Over 90 percent of survivors say the support they receive at work is integral to their health and recovery. By investing in their seamless return—in addition to prioritizing preventative measures—employers can strive to create a safe and nurturing environment where survivors are enabled to truly thrive, unburdened by the enduring effects of cancer. 

Ready to bolster your workplace against the growing threat of colorectal cancer? Contact us today to learn more about our scope of services and how Return to Work: Cancer Care Compass facilitates survivors’ seamless return to work and puts them on the path to healing and balance, so they can thrive.