There is not a scarier diagnosis than hearing “We have found cancer.” The diagnosis gets even more frightening when it involves a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer. Although the warning signs should alert someone to the development of prostate cancer, the fact remains that most patients find out about cancer of the prostate long after the cancer started to develop. What does prostate cancer mean for your career? The worst-case scenario is your physician might place one or more permanent restrictions on you in the workplace.
Permanent Restrictions You May Experience with Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer can force you to work fewer hours because of intense pain in the abdomen. However, treating prostate cancer by using radiation produces several negative health consequences that last as long as the cancer remains in your prostate.
Chronic fatigue, intense headaches, and blurred vision can lead to you missing work for an extended period. Your doctor might restrict you to work only from home until your nausea symptoms disappear. However, after the radiation treatments have stopped, the symptoms should subside as well.
This means that dealing with prostate cancer might not prompt your doctor to place permanent restrictions on you in the workplace. You might regain most, if not all of your energy, as well as eventually stop suffering from headaches and blurred vision. Your cancer might go into remission, which means you should return close to normal health.
The bottom line is if detected early and treated aggressively, a prostate cancer patient might be able to return to work and perform every job function.
Work History and Job Skills
If prostate cancer requires you to miss a significant amount of time from work, you should submit a claim for Social Security disability benefits with the Social Security Administration (SSA). A team of medical examiners reviews the medical evidence that you send with your application for disability benefits.
The SSA also takes a look at your work history over the past 15 years to determine what job skills you have acquired. If you have to fight prostate cancer for a prolonger period, the SSA will want to find another job for you that does not require as much time and effort as your current position.
Can I Perform Sedentary Work?
Because the severity of symptoms can diminish over time, you might not qualify for a disabling condition as defined by the SSA. Nonetheless, pain in the abdomen might make it appealing to work at least temporarily in a job that does not require standing throughout the workday. Sedentary work also is recommended for prostate cancer patients that undergo aggressive treatments.
The SSA can complete a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment to determine your stamina level while you receive radiation treatments. Stamina tests can include walking at a medium pace for 30 minutes and/or performing simple aerobic exercises under the guidance of a licensed personal trainer.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation
Dealing with prostate cancer can also take an incredible emotional toll on you. Because of your physical and emotional demands, you should consider hiring a Social Security lawyer to help you submit an accurate and convincing Social Security disability benefits claim. Your attorney can ensure you file paperwork before deadlines, as well as can help you collect and organize the medical evidence you need to get your claim approved by the SSA.
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