Empower Employees to Fight Cancer with Personalized Plans of Action

Kristen Gipper, BSN, RN, OCN, ACS LION™, Oncology Nurse Navigator, Transcarent

As Cancer Prevention Month draws to a close, it’s important to remember that early detection and risk reduction must go beyond recognition and general approaches. They require personalized plans that account for each person’s unique risks, goals, and life circumstances.

In a recent blog post, I shared how employers can build a workplace that helps employees act early on cancer risk. Now, let’s go deeper into what personalized plans of action look like in practice. At Transcarent, we’re dedicated to empowering Members with individualized care plans that address changeable and unchangeable risk factors, while providing support throughout the journey.

As an ACS LION™-certified Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN), I walk with Members along every step of their cancer journey from screening through survivorship, offering them expert guidance and compassion. I work closely with Members to create a personalized care plan, and every day I get to see how these plans of action help them follow through and achieve better outcomes.

Customize care for the individual

Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, ONNs at Transcarent also guide Members through a personalized cancer risk assessment, resulting in a tailored screening and risk-reduction plan based on their unique profile and goals. Assessments cover a comprehensive range of risks, including:

• Modifiable factors such as smoking, weight, physical activity, and nutrition.

• Non-modifiable factors, including age, genetics, and family history.

ONNs, like myself, help Members understand their risks and act on their care plan, which may include recommended screenings, lifestyle changes, and follow-ups, along with timing for each. We also help Members select one realistic, actionable goal to focus on first, often a modifiable risk factor. To support their efforts, we help them take action by making appointments, arranging reminders for upcoming screenings, and normalizing preventive care by reinforcing that making time for screenings is both acceptable and essential.

This approach prevents Members from feeling overwhelmed by a long to‑do list and makes it easier to engage in meaningful risk‑reduction efforts. For example, if a Member smokes, is inactive, and has weight-related risks, we might encourage them to focus on one small step at a time, such as reducing the number of cigarettes smoked per day, adding a short daily walk, or meeting with a dietitian. We can also connect Members to benefits they already have, such as nutrition counseling, weight management support, or mental health resources.

Address barriers to risk reduction and screening

Transcarent’s commitment to staying engaged with Members throughout their lifetime—rather than limiting support to a single phone call—extends to actively removing barriers in the healthcare system. This ongoing approach helps ensure that Members receive guidance and assistance tailored to their evolving needs. Members often encounter obstacles to prevention and screening, including:

• Gaps in knowledge about risk and screening guidelines

• Language and health literacy barriers

• Logistical issues such as transportation, time away from work, or childcare

• Emotional challenges such as fear, anxiety, guilt, or avoidance

When barriers persist, employees are more likely to delay care, leading to later diagnoses and higher costs. Employers can help ease barriers by offering paid time off for screenings, ensuring that navigation support is easily accessible, and normalizing conversations about cancer risks in the workplace.

Make a strategic investment in health and cost control

With cancer being the number one driver of employer health care costs,¹ taking proactive steps to reduce risk is a smart investment in employee health and a strategic way to manage future healthcare costs. By making cancer screenings more approachable through manageable actions, personalized guidance, and ongoing support, employers can empower their teams to start small and build lasting habits.

Encouraging regular screenings, providing access to trusted educational resources, and fostering a culture of risk reduction can make a measurable difference in workplace wellness and productivity. With the right partner, including solutions like Transcarent Cancer Care, employers can lead by example and show how even small, consistent actions can create positive, long‑term change for their people and their business.

Sources

1. The Cost of Cancer: A Guide for Employers. American Cancer Society.