The month of December has been declared as Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM). Gynecological cancers affect women of all ages and can be debilitating and even cause death if not detected early. This is the reason why the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) believes how important it is to make women aware of the different types of gynecologic cancers, including cervical, vaginal, ovarian, uterine/endometrial and vulvar cancer.
It has the mammoth target of reaching out to as many women as possible so that they are aware of the causes and symptoms of this potentially deadly affliction. The FWC in Partnership with the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) aim is to completely eradicate all gynecologic cancers.Today a victim of one of these cancers is diagnosed every five minutes, while annually 33,000 deaths are attributed to a gynecologic cancer.
How to Qualify For Disability Benefits With Gynecologic Cancers
First of all, gynecologic cancers are found in 13.00 Cancer in Adults in the Blue Book listing. The criteria listed helps the Social Security Administration (SSA) determine eligibility for disability benefit payments. It considers certain factors when making a decision about an individual’s eligibility. These are:
• the cancer’s origin.
• how much it has spread.
• frequency, duration and response to anticancer treatment.
• the effect of any post-therapeutic residual.
The SSA requires a certain amount of medical evidence when assessing an individual application. This includes a medical report which shows the site, extent, and type of the primary, recurrent, or metastatic lesion. If an operation was required, the SSA will need to see the pathology report and operative note which includes both a biopsy and a needle aspiration.
For anyone applying for disability benefits the law defines a disability as the inability to take part in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) either due to a physical or mental impairment which could be reasonably expected to end in death or which has lasted for or is expected to last for a period of no less than 12 months. If any gynecologic cancer patient has been in remission for 3 years or more, s/he will not be considered eligible for disability benefits at all.
An RFC May Help Your Claim
If your disability benefits claim has been denied or you are not sure if your application will be approved by the SSA you can complete an RFC form. This can be done once your physician has conducted several tests such as mobility and mental tests and has decided your condition fits the criteria for disability benefits. You will need as much evidence as you can so you should ask your physician to provide a medical report with details your treatment and likely recovery time.
Have Your Case Evaluated by an Attorney.
If you are finding it difficult to meet all the requirements for a disability claim you should discuss your case with a disability attorney who can work on your behalf to get your disability benefit entitlements.
