Disability Benefits Expanded for Cancer Patients

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is expanding the list of "Compassionate Allowances" providing expedited disability decisions, and therefore, benefits to Americans with the most seriously disabling medical conditions.

The Compassionate Allowances program provides for patients with specific medical conditions to receive disability decisions within days instead of waiting months or years.

Fifty two (52) new Compassionate Allowances conditions have been added to the previous list of covered conditions. The newly added diagnoses include cancers, neurological disorders, and rare diseases.

The Compassionate Allowances program focuses on medical diagnoses that clearly meet the statutory standard for disability. When individuals with those diagnoses apply for disability assistance, they receive expedited reviews of their claim, resulting in notification of the final decision within days.

The 52 new Compassionate Allowances conditions become effective in August 2012, bringing the total to 165. The updated list of eligible medical conditions is posted on SSA's website with the 52 newly added conditions are highlighted in red.

Expedited application process

Beginning April 21, 2012, adults who file for SSA benefits online have the option to electronically sign and submit their medical records authorization forms, enabling them complete their disability application in a single online session rather than printing, signing and mailing paper forms.

Among the many cancers and rare diseases included under this program are:

Bladder Cancer - with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable 
Gallbladder Cancer
Kidney Cancer - inoperable or unresectable
Large Intestine Cancer - with metastasis,inoperable, unresectable recurrent
Liver Cancer
Ovarian Cancer - with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable
Pancreatic Cancer
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma
Small Intestine Cancer - with metastases or inoperable, unresectable or recurrent
Stomach Cancer - with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable or recurrent
Ureter Cancer - with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable or recurrent

For more information visit the Financial Aid page on www.pmppals.org


Copyright © 2012 by PMP Pals’ Publishing/All rights reserved

Dr Paul H Sugarbaker and his colleagues will present a workshop on the Management of PeritonealMetastases,June 21-22, 2012, at the Washington Cancer Institute, located at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington DC

The workshop will feature:

Live surgery broadcast from WHC

Expert panel discussion

Case presentations

Featured topics will include:

CRS Technology, HIPEC and Post Op Patient Care

Management of Peritoneal Metastases from Colon and Ovarian Cancers

Laparoscopic and Radiologic Management of PSMs

Perioperative Chemotherapy

Appendiceal Malignancy & Peritoneal Mesothelioma Management

In an interview with PMP Pals earlier this month, Dr Sugarbaker explained,

“The emphasis of this year's workshop is on "proactive management".  If we can get patients with appendix malignancy, peritoneal mesothelioma, and colorectal cancer treated early with a small volume of disease, the long term results are superior and the quality of life issue less prominent. 

“If these treatments become more accepted for colorectal cancer patients with peritoneal metastases we are expecting approximately 15,000 new patients per year in the United States.  Certainly, that will require many additional centers of excellence for CRS plus HIPEC."

>>>Click here for additional details and to register for the workshop


Copyright 2012 by the PMP Pals' Network

The Fourth International HIPEC Treatment Workshop for the Treatment of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis will be held in Tlaplan, Mexico, April 26 and 27.

This event will be hosted by the National Cancer Institute of Mexico.

Treatment for the diagnoses of colon, gastric (stomach) cancer, and ovarian cancer, as well as Pseudomyxoma Peritonei, will be discussed including presentations by the following surgical oncologists:

El Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia le invitan a participar en el IV Curso Taller de Peritoneal Carcinomatosis & HIPEC, en Tlaplan, Mexico, 26 y 27 de Abril, con presentaciones de este profesores (y mas!)

For more information:

Por mas informacion:

Dr Juan Manuel Medina Castro, Mexico: criteria for patient selection for HIPEC treatment

Dr Juan Manuel Medina Castro, Mexico, en procedimiento selectivo seleccion del paciente de HIPEC

Dr Marcello Deraco, Italy: 1) HIPEC treatment for ovarian cancer 2) state of the art HIPEC treatment

Dr Marcello Deraco, Italy, en HIPEC en ovario y historia y estado del arte de HIPEC

Dr Jesus Esquivel, USA: HIPEC for the treatment of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

Dr Jesus Esquivel, USA, en HIPEC in Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

Dr Horacio Noe Lopez Basave, Mexico: coordinator of HIPEC procedure reviews

Dr Horacio Noe Lopez Basave, Mexico, coordinador de HIPEC procedimiento selectivo

Dr Paul Sugarbaker, USA: HIPEC for the treatment of colon cancer carcinomatosis

Dr Paul Sugarbaker, USA, en HIPEC en carcinomatosis de colon

For more information see the CONFERENCES and EVENTS page at www.pmppals.org



Articles posted in PMP Pals and on www.pmppals.org are written from the perspective of patients and family caregivers and are not intended to substitute for professional, licensed legal and/or healthcare advice. Patients should seek the counsel of their licensed professional consultants regarding their specific needs. Copyright © 2012 by PMP Pals’ Network/All rights reserved

PMP Pals' Network Celebrates 14th Year of Service: 1998-2012

This month marks the beginning of the fourteenth year of service for the PMP Pals' Network!

Our volunteer "grass roots" program serves patients and their families in 49 countries and in more than a dozen languages!

Developed by a cadre of ten dedicated patients and family caregivers in Holland, the United Kingdom and the United States in 1998, our goals have remained consistent and proven to be successful for more than a decade.

Our mission has been to assist patients in obtaining the best possible medical care/treatment for rare cancers/diseases affecting the digestive system,

To educate the public about our rare disease, treatments for our disease and the need to support research for treatment,

To provide practical resources and support (financial, health insurance, transportation, etc.)

To provide pre screened, trained and vetted "Pal Mentors" to share helpful suggestions for pre and post treatment recuperation, 

And, in conjunction with our first goal, to interview, vet and publicize responsible healthcare providers who demonstrate expertise in the treatment of our disease.

Of the Founding Members of the PMP Pals' Network, including Pal Family Caregivers Bernard Goldberg, Sara Shatford Layne PhD, Tom Panek and Audrey Ragan, three remain living today, with octogenarian Mr. Panek having passed away due heart disease three years ago.

The Founding Members of the PMP Pals' Network, included Pal Patients, Elizabeth Collins, Henry den Hartog PhD, Gabriella Graham, Charlotte Lindon, Edie McCall and Joan Panek, two remain living today, with Mrs. Collins, Dr den Hartog, Mrs. McCall and Mrs. Panek having passed away due to complications from cancer.

Surviving Pal Patients, Mrs. Lindon and Mrs. Graham, share the same diagnosis of metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei. Neither of these patients have ever been cancer free. Both are veterans of numerous surgeries for palliative care, and remain active participants in the PMP Pals' Network today, in spite of their original poor prognoses. Mrs. Lindon recently celebrated her 91st birthday!

The PMP Pals' Network is proud to provide patients and their families with the most comprehensive source of practical information regarding Appendiceal Cancer,Pseudomyxoma Peritonei and all Peritoneal Surface Malignancies via www.pmppals.org, a site so popular that it has been copied by other "support groups" and healthcare industry companies.

The "Pals" pride themselves in providing "real time" and face-to-face support and resources for patients and their families. In spite of the rarity of our various diagnoses, we are able to personally match liked minded patients and their families, in a manner that provides true comfort and assistance at a time when it is needed the most.

PMP Pals puts the "CAN DO!" in Cancer! ®

We CAN outlive our prognosis!

We CAN live well in spite of a challenging and rare diagnosis!

We CAN find a cure for our rare disease!

Thank you for your participation in the PMP Pals' Network!


Articles posted in PMP Pals and on www.pmppals.org are written from the perspective of patients and family caregivers and are not intended to substitute for professional, licensed legal and/or healthcare advice. Patients should seek the counsel of their licensed professional consultants regarding their specific needs. Copyright © 2012 by PMP Pals’ Network/All rights reserved