In Cancer Care, challenges aren’t just clinical, they’re behavioral.

People don’t complete screenings. They delay follow-ups. They miss chances to catch cancer earlier, when outcomes and costs are most favorable. 

Color’s model changes that. In year one, our customers see an average of 20% engagement among all employees and dependents. That’s across entire eligible populations, not just those already managing a diagnosis. The results: 

• 77% increase in cancer screening adherence¹
• 100% follow-up on abnormal screening results for our patients¹
• 78% of care gaps closed¹

These are not soft signals. They are business-critical metrics that we work hard to make a difference on, with a very comprehensive engagement system we’ve developed.

What are we doing differently?

We treat engagement as an operational system. That means:

• Multi-modal delivery: Emails, SMS, printed mailers, QR codes in high-traffic areas, on-site events, internal champions, mirror clings in bathrooms
• Co-design with ERGs and HR teams: Messaging that reflects job types, shift schedules, and cultural nuance
• 24/7 dedicated care access: 1:1 guidance, at-home testing, and low-barrier scheduling 
• Timing that matches reality: Hosting on-sites at midnight to meet overnight crews

We also pilot and iterate constantly. What’s working in union-heavy manufacturing might not land in financial services.

“I listened to the webinar and immediately signed up. I’ve been trying to get a colonoscopy for a year but it never rose to the top of the list with young kids. Just to have someone [set it up] for you is what I need.”
— Top 5 global asset manager

What makes someone take the next step?

Most people know screening is important, but many don’t know when they’re eligible, what tests they need, or how to get started. In many workforces, especially those without regular healthcare touchpoints, basic cancer education is missing. People are left to figure it out on their own.

We remove that burden. We design for the moment the decision happens:

• When someone sees a mirror cling on their lunch break and realizes it’s time
• When one of our Care Advocates offers to book the appointment before they hang up
• When a spouse reminds them they got a kit in the mail and can do it after dinner

“It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve had care where I didn’t have to worry about someone respecting me.”
— Employee at a large manufacturer

We focus on the inflection point, where intention becomes action. Not just informing people, but meeting them with the smallest step forward. 

Real campaign: “Give a 💩” mirror clings

One of our most effective colorectal cancer screening campaigns involved nothing more than humor and placement. 

Placed in employee restrooms alongside a QR code, this light-touch tactic helped drive a 14% increase in screenings in one quarter, with no extra incentives needed.

Why it worked:

• Clear message at a relevant moment
• No steps to remember, just scan and act
• Designed with the client’s ERG to feel culturally aligned

The question we get most often:

“Are people actually using it?”

Yes!

Ask your other vendors how they’re driving engagement across the entire workforce. For example: Ask them how they tailor by shift schedule, device access, or health literacy level. Or ask them what percentage of abnormal screening results actually lead to follow-up, or how they reach caregivers to support them (since caregiving is not a claim that hits). Then compare to Color. We always sit with customers and “show our work,” tailoring what they need from us. 

“I signed up for a PSA screening when I saw your promotion for a box of [chocolate]…The test revealed an elevated PSA. So I’m taking the steps to confirm a possible cancer diagnosis, which I would have had no clue about except for the free candy offer and my own sweet tooth.”
— Employee at a large manufacturer

Why it matters

Habits around Cancer Care are hard to change, but the impacts of changing behavior here can be life-saving. Strong population-level engagement in Cancer Care means: 

• Lower treatment costs in earlier-stage cancers—up to $266K in avoided spend per case
• Fewer preventable hospitalizations—$20K saved per avoidable admission
• Reduce absenteeism—Employees with metastatic cancer miss an average of 106 workdays per year; non-metastatic cases miss 46 days
• Improved post-diagnosis impact—Following NCCN treatment guidelines results in ~$8K in cost savings per patient
• Improved mental health and resilience—25% of cancer patients experience mental health conditions; 73% don’t receive needed treatment
• Better outcomes and quality of life for survivors—1 in 3 cancer survivors have not seen a healthcare provider within 5 years of completing therapy

Engagement is a system, not just a campaign

It doesn’t happen just through a single channel, incentive, or emoji. It hinges on design decisions that remove barriers, build trust, and prioritize follow-through. 

Next step: Want to see what this looks like in your workforce? Get in touch: learnmore@color.com 

¹ Color historical Book of Business average