Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. This post is the fifth in a series for information on breast cancer resources, which can be found at: https://livingwithcancertakemyhand.com/blog. In this post I will focus on stage 3 breast cancer.
What is stage 3 breast cancer?
Stage 3 breast cancer is diagnosed when the cancer has grown in areas beyond the original tumor, usually in lymph nodes and muscle. It is a locally advanced cancer but often curable. The risk for cancer growing back is higher with stage 3 breast cancer, so follow-up after treatment is critical.
How is stage 3 breast cancer treated?
Stage 3 breast cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy (before or after surgery), radiation and/or hormone therapy.
Surgery: Your cancer treatment team will determine if your cancer is operable or inoperable. If your breast surgeon believes that most or all the cancer can be removed with surgery, and your body can recover from a surgical procedure, a mastectomy will be scheduled. Recovery will take a minimum of 4-6 weeks. For more details on what to expect with mastectomy, go to: What to Expect During and After Mastectomy Surgery (breastcancer.org). Treatment is available even if your cancer is inoperable.
Radiation: Radiation treatments usually start 3-8 weeks after surgery unless chemotherapy is recommended. If chemotherapy is planned after surgery, radiation usually starts 3-4 weeks after chemotherapy is completed. Information on radiation therapy and breast cancer can be found at: Radiation therapy for breast cancer – Mayo Clinic
Chemotherapy: Chemo is almost always recommended for stage 3 breast cancer. Chemo for breast cancer can be recommended before and/or after surgery. If before surgery, expect 2-4 months of treatment. If after surgery, chemo typically starts within 4-8 weeks after surgery. If you have advanced breast cancer, chemotherapy may continue for more than 6 months. More details can be found at: Stage 3 Breast Cancer: Types, Treatment, Survival (verywellhealth.com)
Expected Time Off:
Treatment for stage 3 breast cancer will require more time off from work than earlier stage breast cancers. Many women will use paid time off for surgery and recovery time. Flexible work schedules may accommodate daily radiation treatments.
With stage 3 breast cancer, expected time off will depend largely on which chemotherapy is recommended. Often a combination of two or three chemo drugs are used and can vary from once a week to once every 3 weeks. Often the timeframe for chemotherapy in stage 3 breast cancer is longer than earlier stages.
As mentioned before, breast cancer treatment affects everyone differently. Talk with your cancer treatment team on the expected time frame for all your treatment. I’ve talked with many women who have had to use minimal paid time off and continue to work around their treatment schedules. I’ve also talked with many women who planned to do the same, but experienced fatigue and other side effects that required additional time off.
Will I need short or long term resources?
It depends. If your treatment plan includes surgery, radiation, and 3 months of chemo, followed by hormone therapy, short term resources are appropriate. However, if your chemotherapy plan extends 10-12 months or longer, long term resources may be more appropriate. Remember to include all follow up appointments and tests in your estimated time off. Follow up is critical with stage 3 breast cancer.
Short Term Resources:
FMLA: Talk with your manager and/or Human Resource department about FMLA (The Family and Medical Leave Act) benefits. Treatment for stage 3 breast cancer will require more time off from work than earlier stage cancers. FMLA will protect your employment status while you complete treatment. More details can be found at: FMLA -The Family and Medical Leave Act | Living with cancer take my hand
Short term disability: An insurance plan that replaces at least part of your income if you are unable to work for a limited period. Short term disability plans do not cover work related injuries.
California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island require employees to participate in short term disability plans, however there are exceptions. If you live in a state other than the five listed above, your employer may offer a short-term disability insurance plan as part of your benefit package (ie; Aflac, State Farm, MetLife, etc.) For more details go to:
Short Term Disability Leave- The Basics | Living with cancer take my hand
Short-Term Disability: What Every Employee Should Know | The Muse
Long Term Resources:
There is a good possibility that you may need to apply for long term resources with stage 3 breast cancer. Most long-term resources take time for the application and approval process, so talk with your cancer treatment team early in the planning process.
COBRA: If you and your cancer treatment team agree that leaving work permanently is the best option, talk with your Human Resource or Benefit department about continuing your health insurance through COBRA. Currently, if you are eligible, COBRA premiums are deferred until September 30, 2021. For details: COBRA | Living with cancer take my hand
If you are not eligible for COBRA, other options for health insurance coverage include Medicare, Medicaid, and the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Medicare- The Basics- | Living with cancer take my hand
Additional patient assistance resources can be found at: Patient Assistance Programs | Living with cancer take my hand
Resources for chemotherapy can be found at: Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs | Living with cancer take my hand
Ask your cancer treatment team for additional local resources. Often there are funds available from local organizations and charities to keep you stable during this journey.
I hope this information is helpful. If you would like to continue this conversation, please click on the Subscribe button at the top of the Blog page. I would love to hear your comments as well as resources that have worked for you. Please share this information with your family and friends.
Keeping you in my prayers
Jackie
