It's Social Work Month, a month in which we celebrate the amazing tenacity and talent of our nation's more than 600,000 social workers. For many young women affected by breast cancer, the question of using a Social Worker may come up.
Sure, you may be just great at handling the whopping amount of details that accompany your cancer journey, but why do so when help may be right at your fingertips?
Here are FOUR reasons to consider working with a Social Worker:
1. A Social Worker can be your advocate on your healthcare team, particularly when it comes to communication.
2. A Social Worker can help you access financial resources that are available to you while you're in treatment and possibly up to one year retroactively (e.g. co-pays for prescriptions). Even if you find yourself unable to pay for prescriptions, a Social Worker can help you seek drug assistance through pharmaceutical companies.
3. Social workers are often licensed clinical therapists. Mental health services are often offered for free. Take advantage of that!
4. A Social Worker, by training, is a natural born problem solver. Whatever you're facing in terms of difficulty during your cancer journey, use this valuable resource to help you find your way.
YSC has a number of useful resources offering more information on Social Workers and the work they do with young women affected by breast cancer:
Communicating with Healthcare Providers
Breast Cancer in Young Women: Insurance
Breast Cancer in Young Women: Specialists
Social Workers are there for you, so don't be afraid to ask for help!
