February is National Cancer Prevention Month. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be able to qualify for social security disability benefits. This will depend on whether your cancer diagnosis will prevent you from working for at least 12 months. February also helps to build awareness for cancer prevention by suggesting lifestyle changes that my help to minimize your risk of contracting cancer.

How Can I Prevent Cancer?

Some cancers are not preventable, but some can be if you take action which helps you prevent a cancer diagnosis.

There are some ways that could minimize your risk of getting cancer which are:

• maintaining a healthy weight lowers the risk of some types of cancer, for example breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney cancers;
• avoiding tobacco use completely;
• eating a healthy diet and limiting the consumption of processed meats
• engaging in regular exercise as it helps to control weight and may lower the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.
• limiting alcohol consumption;
• avoiding the use of toxic chemicals like bleach;
• protect yourself from the sun by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancer types, but one of the most preventable.

Does Cancer Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Stage IV or terminal cancers usually automatically qualify for disability benefits such as SSDI and SI but you still have to provide the medical evidence to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that shows your diagnosis for this type of cancer. If your cancer is so severe and you will be out of work for 12 months, you can qualify for SSD.

If you are unsure if your cancer diagnosis qualifies you for disability benefits look in the SSA’s Blue Book section 13.00 which explains which cancers qualify for disability benefits. The SSA considers certain factors before approving a cancer victim for disability benefits. This includes the following:

• the cancer’s origin;
• the cancer’s severity;
• the duration, frequency, and response to anticancer therapy;
• the effects of any post-therapeutic residuals.

The SSA requires medical evidence that accurately describes the type, extent, and site of the primary, recurrent, or metastatic lesion. If an operative procedure takes place even a biopsy or a needle aspiration, the SSA will ask for the following:

• an operative note, and
• a pathology report.

In some situations the SSA may also request evidence about recurrence, persistence, or progression of the cancer and its response to therapy.

Speak With a Social Security Disability Attorney

Fill out the Free Case Evaluation to get connected with an independent attorney who subscribes to the website and may be able to answer questions about your social security disability claim. At the very least your chosen attorney can help you compile your application for disability benefits and help you gather all the evidence that the SSA requires which helps ensure you win your eligibility for disability benefits.