Men would rather their employer gave them flexible working hours to attend cancer tests or treatments, or paid time off for medical appointments over access to private medical insurance (PMI).
This is according to research from Bupa which surveyed 3,000 men across the UK.
When asked which employer support would make the biggest difference in helping them go for cancer tests or manage treatment, 28% wanted flexible working hours while 27% asked for paid time off for a medical appointment.
This ranked above the 20% and 19% that said being given private medical insurance (PMI) or access to cancer screening benefits respectively.
The results were particularly stark for the youngest workers surveyed, where just 16.43% of those aged between 16 and 28 desired PMI – the lowest of any age group. This was also the lowest of all the options given.
When asked what would make the biggest difference, men prioritised practical measures that build trust, including flexible hours for tests or treatment (28%), paid time off for medical appointments (27%) and clear confidentiality assurances (20%) when disclosing a health issue.
Getting time off
Securing time away from work was cited as a key barrier, particularly for younger employees.
Nearly one in five men aged 25–34 (19%) struggled to get short-notice time off, while a fifth of millennials (21%) said their appointments almost always fell within working hours – compared with just 6% of baby boomers.
Faced with these pressures, many admitted it felt easier to delay seeking help than risk being seen as less committed to their job.
But these workplace concerns persisted even after tests were booked.
Almost a third of men (30%) feared a diagnosis could put their job at risk or lead to them being judged as unreliable.
Younger workers felt this most acutely – one in five millennials (20%) worried about missing out on future opportunities or promotions if illness affected their availability.
Telling line managers
Encouragingly, the majority of men (56%) said they would feel comfortable telling their manager about cancer-related tests or a diagnosis.
Some did raise concerns about affects they would feel in the workplace.
Almost one in five (18%) feared they would be treated differently or pitied, while the same proportion were concerned about job security or being viewed as unreliable.
A further 15% were anxious about becoming the subject of office gossip, and 12% were concerned about being handed less important work or overlooked for future opportunities.
The research also highlighted a lack of awareness and clarity around workplace support.
One in five (20%) men were unsure whether their employer had any support in place for those with serious health conditions, rising to 28% among Gen X employees (aged 45-60).
Barrier to accessing vital care
Dr Tim Woodman, medical director for cancer services at Bupa said: “Our research is a clear warning that career anxiety is becoming a growing barrier to men accessing vital care.
“When people worry that a diagnosis could affect their job or future opportunities, it’s understandable they may hesitate to speak up or seek help as early as they should, but when it comes to serious health issues such as cancer, acting on concerns early and starting treatment promptly is crucial and can be lifesaving.
“Employers can make a meaningful difference here.
“Simple steps – like offering time off for health appointments, being flexible around tests and treatment, and giving clear reassurance about confidentiality – can help create an environment where people feel safe to be open about their health.
“When that trust is in place, it protects both the wellbeing of the workforce and the long-term strength of the organisation.”
