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Just one in 12 feel comfortable discussing cancer concerns with their employer, finds Aviva

People were most likely to talk to their partner (46%), a medical professional (43%) or a close friend (35%).

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Just one in 12 feel comfortable discussing cancer concerns with their employer, finds Aviva
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Research from Aviva has found most people are more open to talking about cancer, but many still hold back at work. 

79% of adults said they would talk to someone if worried about a possible cancer symptom. 

One in five (20%) said they would tell someone as soon as they suspected something was wrong. 

Around a third (32%) would wait until after seeing their GP or getting a diagnosis. 

People were most likely to talk to their partner (46%), a medical professional (43%) or a close friend (35%).

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At work, only one in 12 (8%) employees said they would feel comfortable talking to their employer if they had a symptom that could be cancer. 

After diagnosis, just over three in five (61%) said they would tell their employer.

Many employees still had concerns about how they would be treated at work. 

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34% worried about job security, 33% about being treated differently by their manager, and 33% about colleagues reacting differently. 

32% were concerned about being seen as less capable, 21% about loss of privacy, 19% about being pressured to return too soon, 16% were worried about career progression, and another 16% did not want to upset colleagues.

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58% felt responsible for managing other people’s reactions, so much so that 13% said it might stop them from raising concerns. 

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One in five (20%) said they would rather deal with it privately, and 15% would not know how to start the conversation.

87% said they would want to be told if a close friend or family member was diagnosed with cancer, and more than three quarters (77%) would want to know if a close colleague was living with the condition.

When asked what support they would value most if diagnosed, 54% said being treated as normally as possible, 37% wanted others to talk openly, 33% wanted practical help, 31% said emotional support and regular check-ins, 31% wanted to go at their own pace, and 29% valued being distracted with everyday conversation.

Dr Larissa Stevenson, associate medical director at Aviva UK Health, said: “Aviva’s findings underline how individual and personal the experience of a cancer diagnosis is, and the importance of responding to people’s needs with sensitivity and openness.

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“As cancer continues to affect so many lives, there’s a clear opportunity to normalise conversations, not just about diagnosis and treatment, but about the fear and uncertainty people experience from the moment they notice something is wrong.

“For employers, creating space for honest conversations and providing the right signposting and support both at home and at work is a crucial step towards better wellbeing.”

Stevenson added: “When people feel supported early on, they are less likely to struggle alone and are more able to access the help they need.”

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