Ask CancerCare
February 2007 This Month's Topic: Young Adults Dealing with Cancer Featured Expert:Julie Larson, LMSW |
Q. When I am no longer covered under my parents’ policy, will I be able to get my own health insurance with a past history of cancer?
A. For young adults, many of whom do not have full-time jobs, getting adequate health insurance coverage is an understandable concern. While each state has different guidelines for coverage, young adults can generally be covered under their parent’s insurance until the age of 25, and most universities and graduate schools offer student health benefits.
If you do not have health insurance, seek out a medical social worker with knowledge of the health insurance plans in your state who can help you understand the specifics of these plans and how to apply.
The National Coalition of Survivorship produces a helpful publication, “What Cancer Survivors Need to Know About Health Insurance.” You can download a free copy from its website at www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/pubs/ .
"A Consumer Guide for Getting and Keeping Health Insurance" from the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute is another excellent resource that provides comprehensive outlines of insurance options in each of the 50 states.
The cost of cancer treatment and follow up care can seem overwhelming at times. Work with your medical team to create reasonable, long-term payment plans and continue to seek out financial assistance programs for which you still may be eligible. Thoroughly review the type and cost of health insurance offered by any prospective employer. And seek out a medical or oncology social worker, who can offer practical assistance to help you find adequate health coverage – the first step in your survivorship planning.
Q. My 24 year old son was recently diagnosed with cancer and I think it would be really great for him to join a support group. How do I convince him?
A. When someone you love is diagnosed with cancer, supporting him becomes an important part of your role as a caregiver. This can include helping your son connect to a support group where he can find others who share his feelings and experiences and help him to not feel so alone.
Often, when young adults with cancer are first diagnosed, they are very busy with doctor’s appointments, understanding their treatment and figuring out how these new routines will fit into their already busy young lives. A support group may not be something people first think of, but rather an option they come back to when they are better able to negotiate this new routine.
At a time when your own feelings about your son’s diagnosis are stirred up, meeting his needs can be challenging. Yet, his most important need may be as simple as maintaining a sense of “normalcy.” While it may seem as though you, as his caregiver, aren’t doing much, for a person with cancer, having the ability to do normal, “pre-cancer stuff” can lessen the sense that cancer is taking over his life.
Remaining available and supportive around your son’s unique and changing needs as he continues treatment may include helping him find the right support group. You can provide him with information about when and where a certain group meets and encourage him to talk to the group leader directly about his questions and concerns.
If he is unable to make it to regular support group meetings, he might consider CancerCare’s online support group for young adults. These groups are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and led by a professional oncology social worker.
As his caregiver, it may also be important to seek support for yourself. Feeling overwhelmed, uncertain and scared is only natural when someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer. If your needs are met, you will undoubtedly be a better support to your son.
Q. I am 28 years old, and it seems like I’m the only one my age with cancer. Is there anyone else like me out there?
A. Having cancer in your 20s or 30s can make you feel lonely. Most of the people you probably see in treatment or sitting next to you at the doctor’s office are much older or younger than you. But you are NOT alone!
Connecting with others your age who are also facing cancer – people who “get it” – can be very helpful as you cope with the many complicated feelings that come up. Other young adults can also share information on practical concerns such as managing side effects and navigating the health care system.
There are a number of ways to find other people your age living with cancer. CancerCare offers two face-to-face support groups in our New York office: our Young Adult Patient Group and a Young Adult Post-Treatment Group. In addition, we offer an online support group for young adults with cancer. All our support groups are led by a professional oncology social worker.
If you would like to join any one of our groups, just call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673), ext. 6173, to speak with Julie Larson. Together, we can work to help you get connected!
Additional resources for young adults with cancer include:
- I’m Too Young For This (www.imtooyoungforthis.org), a resource "portal" that offers links to a number of organizations that address the unique concerns of young adults with cancer.
- Planet Cancer (www.planetcancer.org)
- The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (www.ulmanfund.org)
- The Young Survival Coalition (www.youngsurvival.org), which is dedicated to the concerns of young breast cancer survivors.
The questions and answers listed above are from the February 2007 Ask CancerCare feature. New Ask CancerCare topics are introduced every month.
If you have additional questions about young adults dealing with a cancer diagnosis, please contact CancerCare directly for information and guidance. CancerCare provides free professional support services, including counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help. These services are provided by professional oncology social workers. If you have a specific concern or question and would like to speak with an oncology social worker, please contact us at info@cancercare.org or 1-800-813-HOPE (4673).
For questions about medical issues, please visit Cancer.net, the patient information website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
