Once diagnosed with cancer, many patients encounter challenges related to insurance, employment, financials and scholarship opportunities. Below is a list of resources to help you overcome these types of challenges.
Employment:
Some cancer survivors struggle to reenter the job market. But unless you have physical or mental disabilities that limit the type of work you can do, your experience with cancer shouldn’t affect your ability to get a job.
Under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), an employer can’t ask you about your medical history, and you’re not required to disclose medical information or history to your employer. However, there may be situations where it could be helpful to tell them – like if you need a flexible schedule to accommodate follow-up appointments. Your employer is legally obligated to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure you’re comfortable while attending to your medical needs.
If you have additional questions, here’s a list of great resources:
- American Cancer Society – Americans with Disabilities Act: This website provides basic information about the ADA as it pertains to those with cancer.
- Cancer and Careers: This organization offers a wealth of legal and insurance information, career coaching, resume reviews, professional development grants, events and workshops for people with cancer.
- Cancer Legal Resource Center: A national center for patients, survivors, caregivers and health care professionals to access confidential cancer-related legal information and resources at no cost.
- Job Accommodation Network: This website offers tools and resources to help explain the types of workplace adjustments that may help you continue working during and after cancer treatment.
- National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) Employment: This organization offer valuable information about your employment rights.
- The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC): This organization created a document called Questions and Answers About Cancer in the Workplace and the American Disabilities Act that’s very helpful.
- Triage Center: Provides education on the practical and legal issues that impact people diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers.
Finances:
There are many finance-related education resources available for cancer survivors.
Here are a few of the best:
- Finances from the Lance Armstrong Foundation: Detailed information to help you gain control of your financial situation.
- The National Financial Resources Guidebook for Patients: A state-by-state directory of information to help you find relief with housing, utility, food, transportation and medical expenses.
- Off Treatment: Financial Guidance for Cancer Survivors and Their Families: The American Cancer Society created this guide to help survivors make informed financial decisions.
Insurance:
It will probably more difficult for you to qualify for life insurance after you’re diagnosed with cancer. Coverage will vary by insurance company, and requirements will likely be based on the type of cancer you had, and how long ago you received treatment. It’s important to research different companies, and check with your employer, who may have an accessible plan that’s part of your company benefits package.
Some additional insurance resources:
- Georgetown University Health Policy Institute: This organization created a consumer guide to getting and keeping health insurance in each state
- Healthcare.gov: Created and run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this website explains the Affordable Care Act.
- Lance Armstrong Foundation: This foundation provides advice on things like disability income insurance, individual and group health insurance, life insurance and property and casualty insurance.
- Legal Aid of Nebraska: Part of the National Cancer Legal Services network, this organization focuses on meeting the legal needs of those diagnosed with cancer in Nebraska
- The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS): NCCS provides valuable information about what you need to know about health insurance
- The Patient Advocate Foundation: This is a national nonprofit organization that offers cancer survivors counseling related to health insurance
Scholarships:
There are many scholarship resources available to cancer survivors. Browse the websites below to learn more about each opportunity.
- FinAid Cancer Scholarships: A list of scholarships for cancer patients and survivors, their children, students who have lost a parent to cancer and students pursuing careers in cancer treatment.
- Patient Advocate Foundation: This organization offers scholarships to students who have survived life-threatening, chronic or debilitating disease.
- The SAMFund: The Surviving and Moving Forward Fund grants scholarships to cancer survivors between the ages of 17 and 35, who live in the U.S.
Other helpful resources:
- American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network
- American Society of Clinical Oncology's Cancer.net
- CancerCare.org
- Cancer Support Community
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Survivor Stories
- LIVESTRONG guidebook for survivors
- National Cancer Institute Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment
- National Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Survivorship