Zurich Cancer Support service - employer information

Group Income Protection Cancer Support service

At Zurich Corporate Risk we understand that cancer is a devastating disease and can be a leading cause of workplace absence.

That's why our Cancer Support service is here to make sure your employees receive the right support when they need it most. We know that anyone dealing with cancer may need specialist support, reassurance and care, so they can focus on their treatment, wellbeing and recovery.

Our caring, medically-qualified and vocationally-experienced nurses offer advice, support and guidance. They will take the time to understand what kind of help your employees need, at any stage of their cancer journey, whether that's investigation, treatment, surgery or recovery. We can also help with conditions such as anxiety and depression, which can be common after a cancer diagnosis.

We also understand that an employee's cancer diagnosis can have a big impact on their manager, HR team and other colleagues - we're here to help them too.

Support your employees can rely on

We can help in a number of ways, including discussing treatment plans, answering any questions employees may have, and reviewing other ongoing support. We'll also make sure we take things at their pace.

We can:

Create a tailored support plan
Advocate for them with their treatment providers
Offer psychological support
Help signpost them to sources of financial support
Discuss their health, wellbeing and recovery, including looking at activity and guided exercise
Suggest resources they can share with their family to help them get the support they need
Find out if there are any other needs that have yet to be addressed.

We’ll be there with them every step of the way, keeping in touch with all parties throughout, and we’ll be ready to support a successful return to work when the time is right.

Find out more about our Cancer Support service

Listen to Amanda Ingham, Cancer Support nurse, talk about how Zurich can support you and your employees dealing with cancer.

Zurich Cancer Support case studies

Discover how we've helped people manage their transition back to work, with support from our rehabilitation nurses.

Katherine's story

After being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, Katherine, shares the moment support mattered most. Through the Zurich Cancer Support service, available through her employer’s Group Income Protection cover, Katherine was introduced to Amanda, a dedicated cancer support nurse who became a significant part of her recovery. Read Katherine’s story.

I was told you have breast cancer called triple negative and it's aggressive. It's changed my life and I now have to adapt to a new normal, but it's changed my life in positive ways as well.

Hi, my name's Katherine. I am a mum of two boys. I have been married to my husband for 25 years and we met when we were 18. I have worked in the financial industry for 30 years. I love my career. I have a very happy life.

I regularly had breast checks. I went for my annual appointment and I had the cyst. It wouldn't drain, so biopsies were taken.

About a week later, I went back to see my consultant and on this instance, I was told you have breast cancer and it's aggressive.

Had I walked out of that room that day and not had that cyst drained, I would have been facing a very different diagnosis.

A few months later. Immediately everything kicks off. I was able to have surgery within 4 weeks and then you embark on a real pathway of treatment that you have no idea how it's going to impact you.

I really struggled not feeling like myself, not looking like myself. That's where I really struggled. I couldn't look in the mirror. So, when your treatment comes to an end, it's like falling off a cliff. That's when I realised I needed the Zurich Cancer Support service.

So, when Katherine came to me, she'd actually received her diagnosis about 10 months before.

My role was predominantly to support her with managing the effects that the treatment had had on her body and on her emotionally.

For lots of people, and for Katherine as well, one of the main worries when their treatment finishes is the loss of that security blanket of that regular contact with their clinical team.

Meeting Amanda today, I'm, I'm excited. It's going to be very emotional. I've only spoken to Amanda on the phone, but she's done so much to help me and get me through.

You need somebody who has a level of understanding, has that time to spend talking, really getting to know people because they are about so much more than their cancer diagnosis.

Knowing that Amanda was there if I needed to talk to her was the support that I didn't know I needed.

She's been a significant part of my recovery. As somebody who is happy to speak, that using my voice is really important to raise awareness for triple negative breast cancer.

Without Zurich and meeting Amanda, I would have had no idea the impact that my voice could have.

Caroline's story

Caroline was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer aged 29. Fortunately, her employer had a Group Income Protection policy with Zurich. After a successful clinical trial, Caroline was told there was no longer any evidence of disease, and she was able to return to work. Read Caroline’s story.