Coping With Cervical Cancer and What Benefits Are Available

If you were diagnosed with cervical cancer, it can be a difficult time for you. Here’s how to cope and what benefits you may be able to access while you are undergoing treatment for cervical cancer. 

How to Cope with Your Cervical Cancer Diagnosis

Cervical cancer may sound serious but it is treatable and as long as you try to take the stress out of the diagnosis you are more likely to have a positive outcome. Some action you can take could include the following:

• maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
• stress management; 
• regular exercise;
• understanding your treatment plan such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy as knowing what to expect can help you feel more in control;
• seeking financial help through the Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition;
• contact CancerCare, which provides support services such as counseling.

What Benefits Are Available After a Cervical Cancer Diagnosis?

There are various benefits available for those with a cancer diagnosis.

One of which is housing assistance, especially if you need to travel for treatment. Another choice for adults with cervical cancer is the Healthcare Hospitality Network which is a group of about 200 non-profit organizations around the U.S. which provides free or low-cost family-centered lodging to families getting medical treatment far from home. 

A second benefit is caregiver expenses which may be available for caregivers and some states have cash and counseling programs that can directly pay some caregivers.

You can find out if your state has a program by contacting your local Medicaid office, social services, or health department. 

Transportation help through various non-profit organizations like The American Cancer Society Road To Recovery program may be available to you depending on where you live Trained volunteers drive patients and their families to hospitals and clinics for treatment.

 You will need to contact the American Cancer Society office at 1-800-227-2345 to find out more information on whether this program is available in your area. Sometimes local public transportation networks offer services for those who need to access cancer treatment 

Food help may be available too through local food banks and non-profit organizations such as SNAP which allows people to shop for food in grocery stores using a special Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which resembles a bank card.

 There are the Meals on Wheels programs too which provides ready-to-eat meals delivered by volunteers to your home.

If your cervical cancer diagnosis prevents you from earning a living for at least 12 months you may be entitled to disability benefits with cervical cancer.  

These benefits may be accessed following an application to the Social Security Administration (SSA). You need to provide evidence of your diagnosis and treatment plan and a doctor’s report which describes your diagnosis with diagnostic test results and your likely recovery time.

 If your cancer diagnosis is likely to be life threatening then you may qualify for the SSA’s compassionate allowance scheme which fast tracks disability benefits.