Supporting Men’s Health in the Workplace

This article was authored by Dr. Dan Sperling.

It’s great when a company embraces the principle that employee health is good for the corporate bottom line. After all, poor employee health is connected with absenteeism, poor on-the-job performance due to working when unwell, higher insurance premiums and healthcare costs, even a business reputation that this company doesn’t care for its workers. Did you know that the word “corporate” comes from the Latin word corpus, meaning body? Although it has come to have a legal meaning, it’s not a huge stretch to link it to the wellness of employee bodies.

Men’s health is easy to overlook as a separate category when it comes to company health initiatives or policies. Of course, supporting employee self-care by encouraging healthy diet, exercise, a good night’s sleep, a work culture that encourages stress management, etc. applies to everyone. There is, however, one area that is unique to men: prostate health. In particular, prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men. In 2026, it is estimated that there will be roughly 313,780 new cases of this disease diagnosed in the U.S. In fact, population statistics suggest that 1 out of 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.

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It’s also a fact that early prostate cancer has virtually no symptoms. Some men are at greater risk than others. Factors such as family history of prostate or breast cancer (yes, there’s a genetic association between these two cancers), race/ethnicity, exposure to toxic substances, etc. can increase risk. Countless men may be walking around with this disease silently growing in their prostate gland, and they don’t know it. 

But here’s good news: when detected early, prostate cancer is very treatable, with success rates ranging well up into the high 90 percents. And, it’s very easy and economical to screen for prostate cancer by means of a simple annual blood test called the PSA. Statistics show that this test saves lives. True, there’s been controversy over the test, because it actually screens for other noncancerous conditions, so it’s not specific for prostate cancer. In the past, patients have been rushed into needle biopsies to see if prostate cancer is present, which in turn has led to over-detection and over-treatment, in turn causing urinary, sexual or bowel side effects. Now, studies support following a suspicious PSA result with a special type of MRI, like the Sperling Prostate Center’s multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) to rule cancer out—no biopsy needed. 

First, here are the numbers. If a man’s PSA test results in 4.0 or below, about 15% will have prostate cancer if biopsied. However, if PSA is between 4-10, roughly 25% will be have it. Once PSA is over 10, the chance is 50%. The longer prostate cancer is left undetected, the higher the PSA will tend to rise. This is why it’s so important to screen annually, in order to monitor for a rising PSA. But there’s no need to worry if the number is higher than expected, because a special MRI scan following a suspicious blood test can rule prostate cancer in or out. If there’s no cancer seen, there’s no need to biopsy. This means when men start screening and stick with it, 85% of them can start ruling it out and wait for next year’s test. 

How the business world can help

Employers and their HR departments can play a supportive role in men’s health awareness, including prostate cancer. Here are some appropriate ways that the business world can help:

1. Include prostate cancer screening coverage in company health insurance plans
2. Organize health education sessions about preventive screenings
3. Participate in awareness campaigns like “Movember”
4. Provide paid time off specifically for preventive health appointments
5. Share information about screening guidelines in company wellness communications
6. Host on-site health fairs with medical professionals who can dispel myths about topics like prostate cancer, discuss screening options, and share optimism about less invasive treatment choices like focal laser ablation, or active surveillance for the right patient.
7. Create a supportive environment where health discussions aren’t stigmatized.

Obviously, it’s not about rigid enforcement. It’s about providing information and resources while respecting privacy and personal choice. This generates a positive atmosphere. Workers are more motivated to do their best and be loyal to their company when they feel like their health matters to their employers. Performance is optimized, turnover is reduced, and the company is contributing to long and productive lives for their employees.

To return to the corporate body line, analytics reveal a powerful return on investment for workplace wellness programs, which typically show that every dollar invested returns $1.50 to $3 in benefits through reduced healthcare costs and improved productivity. Don’t wait to support the men in your workforce by connecting workplace values and programs with their personal help. The man you help find prostate cancer early can count his lucky stars that he works for you.