Longer Course of Radiation Treatment for Breast Cancer Patients Means More Need Social Security Disability Insurance

BELLEVILLE, IL--(Marketwired - Dec 16, 2014) - Two-thirds of breast cancer patients who've had surgery endure six to seven weeks of radiation therapy even though studies suggest that a three week course of higher-dose radiation is just as effective, according to a Penn Medicine study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last week. Prolonged treatment means more time away from home and work, making Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits an important resource for breast cancer patients, according to Allsup, a nationwide SSDI representation company.

SSDI is a federal insurance program workers fund with FICA payroll taxes. It provides them with income and other benefits if they are unable to work for at least 12 months or more, or have a terminal condition. Side effects from treatment are often a contributing factor in cancer patients not being able to continue working.

"The side effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be debilitating," said Ed Swierczek, Allsup senior claimant representative. "For example, a cancer patient may have her breast cancer cured but develop a neuropathy from the treatment so severe as to preclude all work."

Filing for SSDI also helps cancer survivors protect their retirement income by "freezing" their Social Security earnings records during their period of disability. Because the years in which they collect SSDI benefits are not counted when computing future benefits, Social Security retirement benefits may be higher than if earnings were averaged over a greater number of years. For Allsup's explanation of the full range of SSDI benefits, click here.

Cancer patients and survivors who have not been able to work or anticipate not being able to work for 12 months or more can receive a complimentary SSDI eligibility evaluation at Expert.Allsup.com or by calling (888) 841-2126.

ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, veterans disability appeal and Medicare services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Allsup professionals deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. Founded in 1984, the company is based in Belleville, Illinois, near St. Louis. For more information, go to Allsup.com or visit Allsup on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Allsupinc.