Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the United States. Every year, it is one of the leading causes of death. Currently, it ranks just below heart disease.
But when people think about things that are disabilities, other issues often come to mind. They think of someone who endured a spinal cord injury and can no longer walk, for instance, or they think of someone who has a mental disorder that can never be cured.
Conversely, cancer is simply a disease. There are treatment options, and many people are able to recover. Could something like this still count as a disability?
How does it impact your life?
There are cases in which cancer certainly can qualify. But this is not a guarantee that it always will. You have to think about the different ways that it impacts your life, such as keeping you out of work, and you also have to consider the strict definition of disability used by the government. Your condition typically has to be terminal or last for at least a year.
Furthermore, it’s wise to think about treatment. Some people who go through chemotherapy may eventually be cured of their cancer, but chemo can be very hard on the body. Even if you think you could work through the cancer itself, the treatments could be so detrimental to your health that you’re not able to return to work.
Exploring your options
If you have been diagnosed with cancer and you believe that it is a disability, take the time to look into all of your legal options carefully.