by Life Credit Company | Aug 3, 2020 | Cancer Treatments & Therapies
Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer likely realized that they needed a crash course in cancer terminology right away. Oncologists, social workers, insurance representatives, and more all commonly throw around unfamiliar words—related to medications, treatments, side effects, and more—and patients often have to struggle to educate themselves about the meaning of all of these new words. In fact, the National Cancer Institute’s dictionary of cancer terminology includes more than 8,700 words. Cancer Terminology You Should Be Familiar With Avoid some of that legwork and review these 10 common terms you should know if you’ve been diagnosed: Orphan drug: This is a medication that aims to treat or prevent an orphan disease, or a rare condition experienced by fewer than 200,000 Americans annually. Drug companies are eligible for certain financial bonuses if they develop a safe orphan drug, particularly because such diseases are often life-threatening. Malignant: If you have been diagnosed with malignant cells, they are cancerous and potentially dangerous, as they have the ability to destroy tissue and spread throughout your body. Metastasis: This is the life-threatening process by which cancerous cells break away from a primary tumor and spread to other parts of the body. Immunotherapy: A type of therapy designed to stimulate or suppress the immune system as a way to kill cancer cells. Ablation: This is cancer terminology related to treatment, as it involves the removal or destruction of tissue. It can be performed through a variety of means, including drugs and surgery. Biopsy: Pathologists use a biopsy to remove cells from the body so they can study them more closely. This is often the...
by Life Credit Company | Jul 20, 2020 | Uncategorized
COVID-19 has taken its toll on the physical, mental, and financial health of our country in the last few months. For those facing other life challenges like a separate medical crisis, all of these stressors have likely been magnified. Cancer, in particular, can bring with it a host of questions for the patient, and when it comes to the possible intersection of COVID-19 and cancer, the unknowns are even greater—which is why it’s essential that anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer or who is a survivor confers with their doctor to ensure they know all of their risks and responsibilities. COVID-19 and Cancer: Ask Your Physician Does cancer increase my risk for contracting COVID-19? Cancer weakens the patient’s immune system, a process that can increase the risk for more severe reactions to illnesses like COVID-19. Research is still in its earlier stages and it’s not yet clear whether having cancer, or previously having had it, make patients more susceptible, but it is evident that COVID-19 and cancer interact in such a way that, if a patient tests positive, he or she may have a more serious case of COVID-19 than a non-cancer patient. What are the precautions those concerned about COVID-19 and cancer should be taking? The CDC and other health organizations advise those at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 to stay home as much as possible, as frequent or prolonged contact with others greatly enhances the risk for contracting the illness. If you do have to go out, wear protective equipment like masks. Speak with your doctor for more information about COVID-19 and cancer...
by Life Credit Company | Jul 20, 2020 | Understanding Your Life Insurance Policy
If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical crisis, like cancer, then you may have considered taking out a loan to cover treatments or medications. For those who have lost wages, cancer financial assistance is vital. Many patients and families consider borrowing against a life insurance policy for some quick cash. Term life insurance policyholders are often ineligible for life insurance loans or a cash value payout because their policies are designed for a set period of time. Even though term holders may have paid a significant amount into their policies, they may not be able to access that money in an emergency. An Alternative to Cash Value Pay Outs Life Credit’s Living Benefit Loan is a loan alternative designed to provide financial assistance to patients with terminal illness and who need it the most. Life Credit Company takes a different approach to life insurance loans. A Living Benefit Loan allows policyholders to draw against their death benefit, regardless of the type of policy, including term and even group plans. If you have a death benefit valued at a minimum of $75,000, you may qualify for a Living Benefit Loan. Policy holders can receive up to half of the value of their benefit, with absolutely no fees or out-of-pocket expenses. Often times getting financial help for cancer or a terminal illness comes with a lot of red tape, which Life Credit seeks to avoid. There is no credit check, and loans are often available in a matter of weeks. Contact a Life Credit representative today to learn more about how we provide financial help to cancer patients. How Does Permanent Life Insurance Pay Out? If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or terminal illness, some life insurance companies—if you have a permanent life insurance policy–will allow you to take out a loan...
by Life Credit Company | Jul 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
Living with cancer during COVID-19 can be a scary prospect. The pandemic is an unprecedented time that has fueled anxiety and fear around the world, as many worry about contracting the illness while dealing with potential loss of income and major disruption to daily life. Couple all of that with the upheaval of fighting a disease like cancer, and cancer patients and survivors may be facing untold amounts of stress. One of the best ways to alleviate some of that burden is to be confident that you’re doing all that you can to protect yourself while living with cancer during COVID-19. Here are a few ways to do that: Practice social distancing: The term is now commonly used in American households, and it should be imperative for those with cancer, who are at an increased risk of falling seriously ill because of the illness. Patients should stay home as much as possible to avoid close contact with anyone who could have COVID-19 or who may be a carrier. Rely on loved ones for grocery shopping and errands and, if patients do need to go out, they should wear a mask and stay at least six feet away from anyone else. Stick to good hygiene: Hand-washing is always important and it’s never been more essential than for those living with cancer during COVID-19. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, especially if you’ve been anywhere in public or touched surfaces like door handles or elevator buttons. Avoid touching the face and take precautions like sneezing or coughing into a tissue or your elbow—and ensure others in your life do...
by Life Credit Company | Jul 6, 2020 | Cancer Treatments & Therapies
The prospect of treating cancer is daunting for any patient—especially so if the person is diagnosed with late-stage cancer. One of the best ways to help catch the disease before it progresses or spreads is through regular cancer screening. What is a cancer screening? A cancer screening is a type of evaluation that looks for potential signs of cancer before a person develops symptoms. This can be particularly effective, as symptom development may not arise until the cancer has progressed and may be harder to treat. By looking for and diagnosing cancer through early screening, patients stand a much better chance at surviving and thriving after a diagnosis. What does a screening look like? Now that you’ve answered what is a cancer screening, you may wonder what it entails. There are many different types of screenings and they can be employed separately or together, based on the patient’s medical history and risk status. A physical exam may be the most common and involves a physician closely examining the patient’s body to look for anything unusual while also taking a history and learning about the patient’s habits or other problem areas. Other screening procedures involve lab tests, imaging, and genetic tests, all of which can flag potential signs of cancer. Should I get a cancer screening? Those who have a risk for cancer should consider regular screening. For instance, patients who have survived cancer or who have close relatives who have been diagnosed are advised to be screened periodically. Similarly, smokers, those with blood clots, patients with genetic mutations, and those who are of advanced age are also prime candidates...
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