Modernizing Disability Income for Cancer Survivors

The medical progress in cancer treatment is worthy of celebration, as survivors of many cancers are living longer. This good news, however, comes with challenges for those survivors. Empirical evidence from researchers at cancer centers demonstrates the devastating impact that cancer has on employment, resulting in serious financial stress for survivors and their families. My previous research used this empirical data to recommend changes in employment laws to meet the need of survivors to maintain employment.

This article builds on the prior research by using the empirical evidence of the employment effects of cancer to recommend changes in the disability income system. The recommended changes will reduce the financial stress for cancer survivors by providing more effective income support during disability, while at the same time encouraging continued employment or reemployment, enabling the survivors to focus on their treatment and recovery.