What is Cancer?

After meeting with your physician and first hearing the words “you have cancer,” your life seems to have changed forever. Cancer can hit anyone at any time and is often announced unexpectedly. Even the most proactive patients who never miss a check-up or exam can be diagnosed with the disease.  “Cancer” is a term used to describe diseases “in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade other tissues.” 

Cancer typically progresses when cells start growing out of control and “crowd out normal cells.”  These fast-growing cells can develop anywhere in the body, making it hard for your body to function as it should.  In some situations, cancer cells can rapidly spread to other parts of the body, sometimes through the blood and lymph systems.

There are many types of cancers (over 100 actually) that can start growing in various places, such as the lungs, colon, bones, breast, or blood.  Some common types of cancers as listed by the Centers for Disease Control include:

• Breast Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Lymphoma
• Myeloma
• Ovarian Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Skin Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer

There are many possible causes of cancer such as genetics, lifestyle habits (such as smoking cigarettes, poor diet and lack of physical activity, sun exposure, etc.), environmental exposures, and carcinogen exposures. 

For more cancer information, see the detailed article from the National Cancer Institute on What is Cancer. 

Will You Qualify for Disability Benefits After Being Diagnosed with Cancer?

Your primary focus needs to be on your health, but you need to think about your financial future. Accordingly, you wonder whether your type of cancer will qualify you for disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has different eligibility criteria for what will qualify a cancer patient for disability. Certain types of cancers will automatically qualify an applicant for disability benefits, while others will depend on certain factors and require the applicant to submit more information to the SSA, such as physician’s notes and biopsy reports. The SSA uses a medical guide called the Blue Book to evaluate whether a cancer applicant should be approved for disability benefits. 

Generally, those cancers that are aggressive and hard to treat (such as brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid cancer) will qualify with just a diagnosis. Other cancers, however, will require the applicant to submit additional documentation for approval. 

The disability application can be stressful, especially after receiving the shocking news of a cancer diagnosis. Baltimore Social Security disability attorney Emmett B. Irwin is here to help take the stress of the disability application process off your plate by guiding you through the process every step of the way from application through appeal.  Our team can help you gather all of the evidence you need to support your disability claim, manage your application paperwork and deadlines, and represent you through the entire process, including before an administrative law judge if your claim is initially denied.  If an appeal is necessary, our Baltimore SSI appeal lawyer is standing by to help appeal your claim. 

Need the Help of a Trusted Washington DC or Baltimore Social Security Disability Attorney? Contact The Law Office of Emmett B. Irwin Today

Were you recently diagnosed with cancer and need help applying for disability benefits? If so, the caring and experienced Baltimore Social Security disability lawyer at the Law Office of Emmett B. Irwin is here to help you with your disability claim every step of the way.  If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We work with clients throughout Maryland and surrounding states, including Washington DC.