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Understanding blood cancer

On Behalf of | Apr 26, 2017 | Social Security Disability Benefits For Illnesses

There are three common forms of blood cancer that can affect the body, disrupting the body’s ability to generate normal blood cells and serve their purposes in the body. Although blood cancer may not directly harm a person, its disruption of the tasks of blood could lead to other serious illnesses and even death.

Leukemia is typically formed in both blood and bone marrow, causing an abnormal increase in white blood cells, which disrupts bone marrow’s ability to produce red blood cells and platelets. Myeloma affects plasma cells, which are naturally used to create antibodies to fight infection and disease. Lymphoma affects lymphocytes, a form of white blood cell that fights disease. The lymphocytes become lymphoma cancer cells, crippling a person’s immune system.

Cancer is among the listed diseases which may qualify a victim for Social Security Disability benefits for illness. In order to qualify, a victim must prove that the illness is expected to either end in death or last at least a year, and they must prove that the disability is severe enough that the victim is unable to maintain gainful employment.

The application process may seem overwhelming to some, especially someone who is already disabled while fighting a disease. Knowing that more than half of all applications are initially rejected may also add additional stress to someone who is trying to fill out the necessary paperwork and obtain the necessary documentation needed to apply. It may be in a victim’s best interest to get more information about the Social Security Disability application process.

Source: American Society of Hematology, “Blood Cancers,” Accessed April 24, 2017

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