Cancer is a complex disease that is a physical and psychological journey. While medical advances continue to improve survival rates, the emotional toll is often left unaddressed due to care access, financial barriers and stigma. As a result, many patients struggle with anxiety, depression and stress alongside the demands of treatment. When these challenges are not addressed, they can undermine treatment adherence, diminish quality of life and impact overall outcomes. Employers have a unique opportunity to help close this psychological care gap by ensuring that support for mental well-being is integrated into the cancer care journey.

Yet despite their critical role, many patients do not understand how clinical trials work, contributing to the fact that only about 7% of U.S. adults diagnosed with cancer participate in them. Misconceptions about safety, access and cost continue to discourage patients from exploring trials as a viable option. 

Let’s clear the air by debunking seven of the most persistent myths about clinical trials.

The emotional weight of cancer

Nearly 30% of cancer patients experience anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress, with rates of major depressive disorder almost three times higher than in the general population. Employees often struggle to balance treatment schedules with work, caregiving responsibilities and financial pressures. Fear of recurrence, side effects and cognitive challenges, such as “chemo brain,” can make returning to work even more difficult.

When mental health is overlooked or ignored, employees may face burnout, isolation or disengagement—challenges that ripple across teams and organizations.

Standing beside employees in their hardest moments

Supporting employees with cancer is not only about compassion, it is also about sustainability. Prioritizing mental health improves resilience, treatment adherence and return-to-work outcomes. Employers that understand and respond to the full spectrum of cancer’s impact can reduce absenteeism, improve retention and strengthen their culture of care.

How employers can help

1. Expand access to mental health resources
   Offer benefits that cover psycho-oncology services, counseling and support groups. Integrate mental health into cancer care benefits rather than treating it as a separate add-on.
2. Strengthen navigation and care coordination
   Partner with solutions that connect employees to high-quality cancer care, mental health professionals and financial counseling. Navigation support can reduce stress and help employees find the right care at the right time.
3. Build a culture of empathy and support
   Train managers to recognize the emotional and practical challenges employees face. Encourage open, stigma-free conversations so employees feel supported, not sidelined, during their care journey.
4. Normalize asking for help
   Employees may not always be able to keep up with daily responsibilities during treatment. Encouraging a culture where people feel comfortable leaning on colleagues or using caregiving benefits, such as meal delivery, errand support or flexible schedules, helps them focus on healing.
5. Promote healthy activity and balance
   Encourage employees to stay active and engaged in meaningful activities that work for them. This could include light exercise like walking, yoga or swimming, and creative outlets such as reading, crafts or music that can help build resilience and restore a sense of control. Recognize that each employee’s needs and abilities will differ, and focus on offering flexible options that help them feel supported throughout their cancer journey.
6. Support caregivers, too
   Many employees are also caregivers for loved ones with cancer. Offering caregiver support programs, mental health benefits and flexible schedules helps prevent secondary burnout within your workforce. 

Helping employees stay hopeful

Looking ahead can be an important part of healing. Whether anticipating a family milestone, planning a trip or setting personal goals, having something positive on the horizon provides motivation and perspective. Employers can nurture this outlook by offering benefits and programs that support both immediate needs and long-term well-being.

World Mental Health Day: Embracing whole-person care

On World Mental Health Day, employers have an opportunity to lead with both head and heart. Cancer is not just a physical journey, it is an emotional one that requires understanding, flexibility and comprehensive benefits. By addressing mental health alongside medical care, employers can create a workplace where employees feel supported throughout their cancer journey and empowered to return to work with dignity and resilience.

At AccessHope, we walk alongside employers to extend leading cancer expertise and compassionate support to employees and their families, helping them feel less alone no matter where they live or work.