by Life Credit Company | Nov 16, 2017 | Quality of Life & Emotional Support
According to CBS News, more than half of Americans have had an immediate family member who has battled cancer. Despite that staggering statistic, the mental and emotional toll of cancer may seem insurmountable for loved ones, who struggle to find the right words and actions to provide a solid support system for the cancer patient in their lives. Here are a few ways you can support a loved one through his or her diagnosis: Be aware: Even if the individual hasn’t confided in you that he or she is struggling, educate yourself about the logistical side effects of cancer, such as financial toxicity. Research has found that cancer more than doubles the risk for bankruptcy, so financial help for cancer patients can go a long way. Companies like LifeCredit provide lifesaving loans to help patients navigate their care. Make yourself aware of such resources so you can share them with the loved in your life. Be practical: Whether it’s finances or housework, think of simple ways you can help. Drop off a gift card to a place you know your loved one likes to food shop, or even stock up on groceries yourself and deliver them to their door. Grab your vacuum cleaner and head over to help them spruce up their home. Cook and deliver some meals that can be frozen. Think about the tasks that you do on a daily basis around your home and figure out ways to assist your loved one with those responsibilities. Importantly, don’t wait to be asked: Just show up and get to work. Be a good listener: Sometimes a person facing...
by Life Credit Company | Nov 9, 2017 | Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients
When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, his or her first thought is likely about how to beat the odds. Unfortunately, that path toward success is often riddled with costs, a burdensome side effect of cancer. Fortunately, financial assistance for cancer patients is available to help increase those odds. From treatment bills to medications, the cost of cancer can really add up; when you factor in lifestyle changes like reduced ability to work, the need for more childcare hours and changes to one’s diet, the expenses continue to mount. The more those financial needs are met, the better able cancer patients are to focus on their health. Our company, Life Credit, focuses exclusively on providing financial assistance in the form of loans for cancer patients (link to /about-us/) and others who are facing serious illness. Additionally, health organizations and nonprofits nationwide are recognizing that cancer patients need assistance with financial resources so they can face the disease as prepared as possible. Here are a few of the leading resources cancer patients can consult for financial assistance: Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition: This organization is a coalition of some of the nation’s leading cancer-care and research agencies. On its website, cancer patients can input specific details, like their diagnosis and location, to find resources tailored to their situation. They can also specify a certain need, such as assistance with purchasing a wig, home care or education scholarships. This is a one-stop shop that collects the best information on financial assistance for cancer patients and presents it in a reader-friendly guide. American Cancer Society: This site has a good roundup of ACS’ extensive...
by Life Credit Company | Oct 29, 2017 | Cancer Research & News
Promising research suggests a new method for attacking cancer cells, which scientists hope can ultimately lead to even more breakthroughs to prevent the spread of the disease. Researchers recently found that blocking the enzyme NOX4 can slow or halt the progress of cancer. Though many more studies are needed on the subject — pointing to the overall need for financial help for cancer patients and the research community — the recent report identifies a potential way forward. What does the science say? Scientists at University of Southampton focused their study on fibroblasts, which help hold together organs. However, when a person develops cancer, fibroblasts transform into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which have been known to speed up the spread of tumor growth. NOX4 is vital to the development of CAFs — meaning that if that enzyme could be stopped, the cancer itself may be as well. What happens next? There are several potential impacts of the study, among them the development of new drug therapies. If a pharmaceutical regimen can be developed that specifically attacks NOX4, that could be a lifesaving intervention for cancer patients, researchers say. Cancer Research UK is also using the results of the study to examine current chemotherapy and immunotherapy practices. Researchers will explore if there are ways to enhance modern techniques to specifically target NOX4, ultimately making them more effective. Life Credit CompanyWe are a licensed consumer lender that is dedicated to providing financial assistance for patients who are facing serious illness. With a Living Benefit Loan, from Life Credit Company, you can receive up to 50% of your life insurance policy’s death benefit today....
by Life Credit Company | Oct 19, 2017 | Cancer Research & News
Everyone has heard that exposure to the sun can increase your chances of developing skin cancer. But now researchers are exploring the possibility that something else many people encounter frequently could also be compromising their health. Significant alcohol consumption is widely accepted to be a health hazard, and could be putting people at increased risk for skin cancer. The link between alcohol and skin cancer has been a source for study for some time, and a team from Brown University and Harvard Medical School recently delved deeper into the topic. Researchers undertook a review of several-hundred studies focused on the link between alcohol consumption and the development of basal and squamous-cell carcinomas — the two primary forms of skin cancer — which included about 95,000 cases. According to the study, an increase of 10 grams a day in alcohol consumption can up a person’s risk for skin cancer. Specifically, that amount increases basal-cell risk by 7 percent and squamous-cell risk by 11 percent. To put those numbers in context, 10 grams of alcohol is less than just one standard beer or glass of wine. So, what does the research mean for cancer prevention? The study highlights the need for increased awareness about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. Unlike some genetic predispositions for cancer, alcohol consumption is behavior-related; the more people understand the link between drinking and skin cancer, the greater the likelihood they’ll avoid dangerous behaviors. While prevention is often targeted to populations who have never had a diagnosis, skin cancer is often a very survivable disease, and those who have beat it in the past should be...
by Life Credit Company | Oct 12, 2017 | Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients
The side effects of cancer treatments are well-known: Some people may experience nausea, changes in weight and loss of hair from chemotherapy. Others may face loss of appetite, pain and fatigue from their pill regimens. Side effects can often be severe and can make a patient’s road to recovery seem blocked with obstacles and challenges. One roadblock that the cancer community is starting to consider as equally damaging as the physical side effects of treatment are the financial ones. The term “financial toxicity” is gaining increasing prominence among researchers and patients alike, as it describes the phenomenon of economic hardship caused by a cancer diagnosis. As more and more patients face financial struggles, however, programs are being developed to provide money for cancer patients — so they can focus on getting physically and financially health. Risk factors Like with physical side effects, some patients may be more vulnerable to financial struggles than others, including those who are: Uninsured Under-insured Unemployed Sole breadwinner for a family Lacking a savings The medical impact While financial toxicity can weigh on the wallet, what can it do to a patient’s health? Increase stress, which has been linked to poorer treatment outcomes Cause the patient to alter a medication regimen or skip treatments in an attempt to save money, which can hinder recovery Create an overall poorer quality of life, which can put a patient at increased risk for mortality Combatting financial toxicity What can be done to fend off financial toxicity? To help patients close the financial gap caused by their diagnosis, services have been developed that provide money for cancer patients. Life...
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