September is Ovarian Cancer awareness month, thus now would be a good time to talk about applying for disability benefits with ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer which develops in the ovaries, a pair of female reproductive glands in which eggs are formed. Most ovarian cancer either forms on the surface of the ovary or inside the egg cells. Ovarian cancer is part of a larger group of cancers known as gynecologic cancers, affecting approximately 82,000 women annually in the United States and resulting in more than 14,000 deaths last year alone.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer can include abdominal pain, bloating, frequent urination, and difficulty eating, and can often be very subtle at first. This is why it is important to see a physician as soon as these types of symptoms occur. Early diagnosis means a higher rate of successful treatment.
Heredity is thought to play a large part in one’s chances of contracting ovarian cancer, so if you have a family history of these types of cancers, it is a good idea to get tested early on and maintain regular checkups, especially since this type of cancer is particularly hard to detect until it has progressed.
Surgery is the most common and preferred treatment for ovarian cancers in earlier stages, and may be followed up with chemotherapy to destroy any residual traces of the cancer.
Although ovarian cancer is easily treated if detected early, it is not easily detected. More than 60% of woman who are diagnosed with it are already in Stage III and Stage IV, which make this cancer unusually deadly, as it spreads to other organs around the ovaries.
If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and are unable to work because of the severity of your symptoms, your recovery from surgery, or your response to chemotherapy and other treatments, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits which will help you deal with the financial burden.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) lists ovarian cancer among the medical conditions that may qualify someone to receive benefits. They require that in addition to meeting the basic requirements, you provide extensive medical records documenting your ovarian cancer diagnosis, including your symptoms and treatments you are undergoing. You will also have to provide information showing that your ovarian cancer has significantly affected your ability to keep working.
Since you are probably greatly in need of financial assistance, it is important that your application be accepted. Employ a Social Security Disability lawyer to help you through the disability application process and ensure you receive the benefits you need and deserve. Even if your initial application is denied, have a lawyer help you determine how to improve your case and request a reconsideration.
Ovarian cancer is a deadly killer that affects thousands of women every year. The National Cancer Institute provides information about the diagnosis, treatment, and issues related to ovarian cancer in the hope of educating woman about the disease and reducing the rate of deaths by this dreaded cancer.
Knowing the symptoms, treatment options, and Social Security Disability benefits available to you will help ensure that you will be a survivor and an inspiration to those around you.
