To explain the term 'Cancer' would be huge. In short, cancer indicates a diseases that is an outcome when certain cellular changes cause unrestricted growth and splitting of cells all over the body. While certain types of cancer lead to rapid cell growth, others help cells to build up and divide at a slow rate.
Considering this concept, certain cancers show considerable growth that is visible. Generally, such lumps are known as tumours. However, other cancer cells that do not show visible growth include leukaemia.
The human body is made up of cells. Each cell has a certain set of functions. Alongside, it has its lifespan. While this might sound weird, cell death is natural. With time, the cells in the human body due to a beneficial event known as apoptosis.
In simpler terms, cells receive specific instructions to die. This is to create space for newer cells so that the body functions better. Here, cells that are cancerous lack the power and components that command them to die.
Eventually, they keep building inside the body thus snatching nutrients and oxygen that generally nourishes other cells. Typically, such cells appear in a particular area. Consequently, it starts spreading in the body through lymph nodes which are a cluster of immunity cells present throughout the body. At times, cancer cells form tumours, damage the immune system, and prevent the body from functioning efficiently.
Generally, maximum cancers contain 4 stages. Each of these stages is determined by several factors including the location and size of the tumour/cancer cell.
Generally, the I-IV state is quite common. However, besides these, there is another stage known as stage zero. This is the earliest phase that denotes that the cancer is still present in an area where it started. Cancers that are in stage zero are highly treatable. Most healthcare professionals consider the zero stage precancerous.
Ideally, there are 5 chief types of cancer. They are listed below:
Predominantly, there is a range of factors that play a part in developing cancer cells in your body. As a general rule, some of the main causes of lung cancer, oral cancer, Esophageal cancer, and Laryngeal cancer include the consumption of tobacco products and smoking.
Apart from this, some of the considerable causes of cancer are
Based on the nature of cancer, the symptoms usually vary from person to person. Although symptoms come at a later stage, there are a few early signs that help predict the stages of this disease. In such a case, seek an immediate appointment with your healthcare provider. Some early signs of cancer include
With time, you might notice other symptoms like
Note: These symptoms are similar to those that happen in other conditions as well. Hence, having these symptoms does not always mean you have cancer. However, it is safe to see your doctor to be sure and safe. Undergoing an early treatment when tumours are small and have not spread is always better.
There are a variety of conflicting reports regarding cancer prevention. Because this disease comes with over 200 types, every tip might not work for certain types of cancer. However, as a preventive measure, it is good to improve lifestyle choices and habits to prevent the development of cancer cells.
Cancer is a disease that brings along physical, mental as well as financial strain. The effects of the disease are not just felt by the patient but by the entire family. Cancer insurance, therefore, is an ideal way to keep yourself and your family protected against the hardships that this fatal disease may bring.
| Name of the Plan | Best Features |
|---|---|
| Aditya Birla Activ Cancer Secure |
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| HDFC Life Cancer Care |
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| Star Cancer Care Gold |
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| Care Cancer Insurance |
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| Bharti AXA Critical Illness Insurance |
|
Cancer is one of the most deadly diseases in the world today. Its treatment is quite expensive and it is often a disease people are least prepared for. To balance these costs, you will need a health insurance plan that will provide you with the benefits that a traditional insurance policy may fail to provide - a lump sum payout on detection of cancer. Many health insurance providers in the market offer special health insurance plans designed for cancers of all types. Let us look at the benefits of such health insurance plans:
The inclusions under a health insurance policy for Cancer depend on the plan you have opted for. Some inclusions may vary from policy to policy, however, the most common inclusions are-
The following are some of the common exclusions under the Cancer policy. However, it is recommended that you check your policy document for the same.
Cancer leads to the uncontrolled division of cells. Usually, genetic factors and lifestyle habits like smoking can develop the disease. After skin cancer, breast cancer is turning out to be the most common type of cancer globally. However, lung cancer stays at the top causing uncountable deaths for ages.
On a good note, cancer treatment is improving rapidly. Currently, some cancer treating approaches include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Some patients can greatly benefit from advanced options like precise medicines and stem cell transplantation. Consequently, the death rate and diagnosis of cancer disease are dropping considerably each day.
Cancer is caused due to uncontrollable and usual changes to the DNA. It is caused when cancer cells start developing and spreading around the rest of the tissues.
Cancer refers to a certain type of disease that is distinguished by the growth of abnormal cells that keep dividing and spreading at an unprecedented rate. Cancer holds the ability to destroy all the normal body tissue and infiltrate it. With time, It spreads all over the human body.
Tropic of Cancer is the parallel of latitude at 23 ½ degrees, that lies in the northern hemisphere.
Several warning signs of cancer that you should pay attention to immediately:
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that attacks the prostate gland in males. It begins in the prostate gland which holds the size of a tiny walnut. It produces the seminal fluid that helps in nourishing and transporting sperms.
Breast cancer is described as a malignant tumour that grows from the cells in the breast. It originates from the breast tissue. It takes place when the breast cells undergo sudden change and start developing incorrectly and uncontrollably. Eventually, it creates a mass of tissue known as the tumour. Generally, breast cancers are visible in the form of lumps on breasts.
No. Cancer is not a communicable disease and hence is not contagious. The cells from a cancer patient cannot live in the body of a healthy person. This is because the immune system studies foreign cells and destroys them immediately.
To an extent, yes. With advanced treatments today, certain types of blood cancers can be cured. However, the treatment will depend on a range of factors including your age, the nature of blood cancer, the progress, and the age of cancer.
The colon is the end part of the digestive tract. Colon cancer occurs when the cancer cells start building their house in the large intestine (colon).
Blood cancer is a certain type of cancer that attacks the blood cells. Some of the most common types of blood cancer are Leukaemia, lymphoma and Myeloma.
Cervical cancer is also known as cancer in the cervix. It starts building itself on the surface of your cervix. Initially, when these cells start changing their state, they turn into cancerous cells causing cervical cancer in women.
To check throat cancer at home, you can look for unusual lumps on your neck, look at your lips, cheeks, and gums using a mirror and a flashlight. Open your mouth wide and check the top, side, and bottom of your tongue. In addition, check the roof of your mouth, back of your throat, and see if you find anything unusual. (colour, lumps, spots).
While the initial causes of pancreatic cancer are highly unknown currently, cancers are generally caused by mutations in the DNA. However, some of the causes of Pancreatic cancer include smoking, obesity, diabetes, and chronic inflammation in the pancreas.
Screening lung cancer at an early stage can save lives. Lung cancer is treatable and curable at any stage with chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments.
Those cancer cells that form in the skin tissue are known as skin cancer. There are several types of skin cancer. It is the abnormal growth of skin cells.
Lung cancer is a common type of cancer that occurs in the tissues of the lungs. It occurs in those cells that line the air passages in humans. Typically, lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in men and women.
Oral cancer is also known as mouth cancer. It is the most common type of neck and head cancer. Oral cancer generally impacts the parts of your lips, mouth root, and tongue.
This occurs when a huge mass of unusual, unseen, and abnormal cells starts growing in the bone in the form of tumours. However, most of these tumours are non-cancerous.
Generally, every type of cancer that reaches the fourth stage can turn out to be deadly. Similarly, skin cancer can be deadly only if left untreated and if it spreads all over. As per studies, death from skin cancer is uncommon.
Although cancer keeps spreading all over the body at every stage, the good part is, all types of cancer including skin cancer is curable if diagnosed at early stages.
This depends on the intensity of cancer. While for some patients bone cancer can be fatal, some bone cancers are curable. Patients experience a full recovery with a proper diagnosis. Generally, 70% of people can lead normal lives up to 5 years after a bone cancer diagnosis.
Generally, smoking and tobacco consumption is the main cause of lung cancer. Both smokers and people who are exposed to extreme secondhand smoking are victims of lung cancer.
Pancreatic cancer occurs due to the inflammation of the pancreas. Usually, this type of cancer takes place when the cells present in the pancreas change their form. With time, these cells start multiplying uncontrollably forming a mass of tissue known as the tumour. Eventually, tumours cause cancer.
Maximum thyroid cancers are curable provided that they don't spread to different parts of the body. These cancers are treatable at any stage due to the advanced stage ineffective treatment options.
Overexposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. Alongside, certain habits including cosmetic surgeries, injecting used needles, and harmful colours of tattoos can cause skin cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the abnormal development of cancer cells that begin growing in the rectum or the colon (large intestine). Such cancers can also be termed rectal cancer or colon cancer depending on their origin.
Thyroid cancer takes place in the thyroid cells which are located right below Adam's apple. This type of cancer begins building itself uncontrollably in the thyroid gland.
Some uterine cancers may show symptoms of bleeding or vaginal discharge that are usually not normal. It might be abnormal. Uterine cancers cause extreme pain and pressure in the pelvis region with unusual bleedings even after periods.
Bone marrow cancer comes in the form of blood-forming stem cells present inside the bone marrow. Typically, some of the types of bone marrow include multiple myeloma and leukaemias.
Holding high levels of oestrogen causes higher chances of catching uterine/womb cancer. If you are overweight, you may have high levels of the hormone (oestrogen).
Endometrial cancer is another typical type of uterine cancer that begins in the inner lining (endometrium) of the uterus. The endometrium is a special tissue that lines up the uterus. Such cancers create an impact on the uterus thus reducing the conceiving power.
Some of the early symptoms and signs of thyroid cancer include fatigue, Hoarseness, cough that is not a result of cold, and swollen glands. Individuals might also face difficulties swallowing.
Apart from skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer found in both men and women globally.
Generally, most osteosarcomas do not occur by inherited gene mutations. However, in some, they are caused due to genetic mutations occurring in the lifestyle and lifetime of an individual. At times, these gene changes are a result of radiation therapy that is used to treat a different form of cancer. Radiations generally damage the DNA present inside the cells.
