"National data shows cancer is increasingly affecting people during their working lives, and our own claims experience reflects how this is playing out in the workforce. This warrants attention"
- Paula Coffey - Unum UK
Cancer is increasingly affecting people earlier in their working lives, according to new insight from Unum UK combined with national cancer statistics and policy developments.
The analysis suggests that as more people live and work alongside cancer, employers are managing longer and more complex periods of absence. That trend places greater emphasis on how organisations plan for long-term absence while maintaining workforce performance.
National data supports this shift. Cancer incidence is rising across the population, with the fastest growth in diagnoses among working-age adults, according to Cancer Research UK. At the same time, advances in treatment mean more people are surviving cancer and remaining in employment for longer periods.
Cancer claims rising among younger employees
Unum UK’s Group Income Protection claims data shows cancer becoming a growing driver of long-term absence across insured workforces.
Among employees under 40, admitted cancer claims increased by 36% between 2024 and 2025, according to the insurer’s data. The figures point to a noticeable rise in cancer diagnoses earlier in employees’ careers.
The insurer’s claims experience highlights several trends shaping how employers manage cancer-related absence:
Cancer remains the leading cause of admitted Group Income Protection claims
Cancer-related claims have risen by 20% since 2022, suggesting a sustained upward trend
A larger share of cancer-related absence now occurs earlier in working careers, extending the period employees may need support
Advances in treatment and survival mean recovery journeys are less predictable, with absence often continuing beyond the end of treatment
Employers increasingly manage cancer as a long-term condition within the workforce
Most common cancers among younger workers
Among employees under 40, Unum’s claims data identifies three cancers that account for the majority of claims.
The most common conditions recorded were:
Breast cancer – 28% of claims
Haematological cancers – 23%
Brain cancers – 15%
These patterns illustrate how serious health conditions can affect employees well before later career stages, creating longer-term workforce implications.
What the data means for employers
Changes in diagnosis patterns and survival rates are influencing how organisations approach workforce health and absence management.
“National data shows cancer is increasingly affecting people during their working lives, and our own claims experience reflects how this is playing out in the workforce. This warrants attention," said Paula Coffey, director of claims, rehabilitation and medical services at Unum UK (pictured).
"While outcomes continue to improve, recovery doesn’t always end when treatment ends. Earlier-onset cancer can involve longer and less predictable journeys back to work, changing both the duration and complexity of absence-related costs that employers need to manage.
"That’s why Group Income Protection plays an increasingly important role, and why our in-house claims, clinical and rehabilitation teams work as one from the outset – providing joined-up, long-term support throughout treatment, recovery and return to work.”
Employers are increasingly required to plan for longer recovery periods and varying return-to-work timelines. Support may extend well beyond initial treatment as employees balance recovery, ongoing care and work responsibilities.
Policy focus on living and working with cancer
The changing profile of cancer in the workforce also appears in national policy discussions.
The National Cancer Plan for England prioritises earlier diagnosis, improved long-term outcomes and better support for people living with cancer after treatment. These goals recognise that many individuals now remain active in the workforce during or after their cancer journey.
Unum is using its claims insight to help employers understand how health trends are shaping the workplace. As a participant in the Keep Britain Working review, the insurer is examining how conditions such as cancer influence long-term absence and what that may mean for workforce planning in the years ahead.
