Cervical Cancer Insurance

Women's cervix, which joins the uterus with the vagina, is where cervical carcinoma develops when cells in the cervix alter. Your cervix's membrane is where cervical cancer first appears. It occurs when precancerous cells start to develop in the cells of your cervix. The deeper cells of their cervix may be affected by this cancer, and it can potentially metastasise (spread to different areas of the body), most frequently to the liver, rectum, lungs, liver, vagina and bladder.

Although not every precancerous cell will develop into cancer, it is crucial to identify these undesirable cells and remove them to avoid cervical cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), avoidable with a vaccine, is among the principal reasons for cervical cancer.

Since cervical cancer develops slowly, it is typically detectable and treatable before it poses a major threat. Thanks to better screening through Pap tests, it claims fewer and fewer lives of women every year. This disease is most likely to develop in women between 35 and 44.

When it comes to the types of cervical cancer, there are two main categories that this cancer can fall into.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma - The thin, flattened cells (squamous cells) bordering the outer portion of the cervix that extends into the vagina are where this type of cervical cancer develops. Squamous cell carcinomas make up the majority of cervical carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma - The column-shaped gland cell lining the cervical canal is where this kind of cervical cancer develops. This type of cervical cancer is less common than squamous cell carcinoma but can be more fatal as it spreads faster.

A rare kind of cervical cancer is when you have both kinds of cancer mentioned above. This type of cancer is called Adenosquamous Carcinoma.

When healthy cervix-based cells experience DNA changes (mutations), the development of cervical cancer follows. The commands that inform a cell what it must do are encoded in its DNA.

Healthy cells mature and create new cells at a specific rate before dying at the time they are supposed to. The mutations instruct the cells to grow and replicate erratically while remaining alive. A mass of aberrant cells develops as they accumulate (tumour). Cancer cells have the ability to infect the tissues in the immediate area and separate from a tumour to spread (metastasise) to other body parts. Even though we do not know what exactly causes cervical cancer, HPV is recognised as a major contributor to the development of the disease. Many HPV-positive people do not go on to develop cancer. Sometimes a great contributor to cervical carcinoma is the lifestyle you lead and your prior health conditions.

Some risk factors that can be potential cervical cancer causes are:

• Having several sexual partners who, in turn, have many sexual partners can lead to exposure to HPV, which could further lead to cervical cancer.
• Other STDs like Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and HIV/AIDs could lead to the development of HPV, leading to cervical cancer.
• Having sexual liaisons early on in life can lead to HPV and, thus, cervical cancer.
• Having a weak immune system can lead to the development of HPV and cervical cancer.
• Certain drugs like prolonged use of some contraceptive pills and miscarriage control pills like diethylstilbestrol (DES) can sometimes lead to cervical cancer.
• Smoking has been seen to increase the chances of developing cervical cancer.

After looking into some reasons for cervical cancer, let us delve into cervical cancer symptoms.

When we started talking about cervical cancer, we mentioned that it spreads slowly, and if it is caught early on, it can be effectively treated. However, you must remember that it is possible to confuse the symptoms of cervical cancer with a general UTI or some other common disease. However, if you know what to look out for, you can get help sooner.

In the early stages of cervical cancer, your symptoms will likely be

• Bleeding from the vagina, after a pelvic exam, during intercourse, in periods between your menstruation or even after menopause.
• Bloody and watery discharge from the vagina that could have a strong smell
• Pain in the pelvis during intercourse
• If cancer has progressed, your symptoms could include:
• Kidney failure
• Swelling in the legs
• Loss of weight
• Exhaustion
• Pain while passing urine
• Pain in the pelvic region
• Pain in your joints and bones
• Appetite loss

The Papanicolaou testing (Pap smear) and high-risk HPV tests have made the most strides in cervical cancer detection. A Pap smear is a standard component of a woman's pelvic examination. The cells are taken from the edge of your cervix by your doctor, who then examines them underneath a microscope. Your doctor will perform a procedure known as a biopsy on a small sample of cervical cells if they discover anything odd.

Colposcopy resembles pelvic examination. If a Pap smear reveals atypical cells, your doctor might prescribe it. To make the cells easier to see, they dye your cervix using acetic vinegar or a nontoxic dye. Then, they search for abnormal cells for biopsy using a microscope called a colposcope that amplifies your cervix by eight to fifteen times. This treatment is typically performed in your gynaecologist's clinic. If metastatic cancer is detected during the colposcopy, you could require another biopsy in the future.

During the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), a doctor extracts a tissue specimen from the cervix using an electrified loop of wire. This could be found in the gynaecologist's office.

There are some methods your doctor may take to treat your cancer, depending on how severe your cancer is. Some cervical cancer treatment options include:

• Biopsy - If your doctor removed the affected region during a biopsy, you might not need treatment if your lesion is low-grade. Get routine checkups to look out for potential issues later.
• Laser Ablation - A laser beam is used in laser ablation to remove unhealthy cells from layers or regions of cervical tissue and replace them with healthy ones.
• Alternative Treatments - The precancerous region may be eliminated with little harm to the surrounding healthy tissue using cryosurgery (freezing), LEEP conisation, cauterisation (burning, commonly known as diathermy), cold knife conisation, or laser surgery.
• Cryocautery - In cryocautery, tissues on the edge of your cervix are frozen using a steel instrument that has been cooled to subfreezing temperatures. These tissues then freeze and fall off and are replaced with new cells.
• Hysterectomy- A hysterectomy, wherein your gynaecologist removes your uterus, is another option. Your risk of cervical cancer progressing will be reduced. However, you cannot conceive again because the doctors will remove your reproductive organs during the procedure. It is a path taken only if nothing else works and the patient is in great danger.
• Radiation - High-energy rays are used in radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy) to harm cancer cells and halt their growth. Radiation only impacts cancer cells in the targeted region, similar to surgery. Both internal and external treatments are possible for you. The external radiation source is a sizable device that directs a radiation stream at your pelvic region. This is a long-term treatment for more aggressive cancers.
• Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy kills cancer cells by using potent medications. Doctors frequently prescribe it for cervical carcinoma that either spreads topically or internally. Chemotherapy is administered in rounds of intense treatments and restorative time. The majority of patients receive it as outpatient procedures.
• Immunotherapy - Your doctor might go the immunotherapy route if nothing else works. You will receive some drugs that will bolster your immune system that will aid your own body in fighting the disease.

Some ways to reduce your chances of developing cervical cancer include:

• Have Pap exams every year. Pap tests can identify precancerous cervix abnormalities, allowing for their monitoring or treatment to stop cervical cancer. Most medical organisations advise starting regular Pap screenings at age 21 and having them repeated every few years.
• Consult your doctor on the HPV vaccine. Getting vaccinated against HPV may lower your risk of developing cervical carcinoma and other malignancies linked to HPV. Consult your doctor to determine if you should receive the HPV vaccine.
• Be safe while indulging in sexual activities. By avoiding STDs, like using a condom each time you engage in sex and reducing your sexual partners, you can lower your risk of developing cervical cancer.

You may wonder why you need to go the extra mile and buy cancer health insurance. If that is your concern, we will list some benefits of health insurance that will help you decide if you are still on the fence.

Some reasons you should get cervical cancer insurance are;

• Security - You can feel confident about receiving medical care without stressing about the associated financial strain if you have cancer health insurance. When you get sick, you don't have to worry about making arrangements for money or using up your savings. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing you have done all your power to ease your process when you have cervical cancer insurance.
• Cashless Network Hospitals - No matter how well-prepared you believe you are, cancer may catch you off guard. Cancer or the treatments you are receiving for it could cause you to experience severe symptoms. When you have a medical insurance plan, you won't need to worry about making financial arrangements in an emergency. If you choose a cashless network hospital to get treated at, your insurance company will pay for your care, and all you will need to focus on is getting better.
• Cost of Care - Cervical cancer treatment can be highly expensive. Additionally, it may be a protracted process that drains all of your savings. But if you have cancer health insurance, your health insurance will take care of paying for your treatment, so you won't have to stress about that aspect of your care.
• Lifestyle - Today's lifestyles do not support strong physical or psychological health. It is a free pass for various lifestyle disorders to infiltrate our lives. And frequently, simply trying to alter your way of life is challenging. In case something goes wrong with your health, health insurance can help you be prepared to fight the disease right from the onset.

If you want to buy health insurance from Tata AIG, the steps are simple and hassle-free. Even better, you can complete the entire purchase process in a few minutes.

There are two ways in which you can buy our medical insurance plans.

Online - To buy a policy online with us, you need to:

• Go to our website and select for who you want to buy the health insurance. You have the option to buy health insurance for yourself, your spouse, your children, and your parents.
• Once you determine the insured, click on ‘Get Plan’.
• Furnish the required information and Tata AIG will suggest the best plans for you.
• On the next page, select the sum insured from the drop down to see the premium amount.
• You can compare the plans to see what suits you best.
• Select the plan you want to go ahead with, and click on ‘Buy Now’.
• Our experts will reach out to you for further assistance.
• Once the policy is bought, you should get it in your mail or Whatsapp in a few minutes.

Offline - To buy our plans offline, you need to:

• Locate an AIG office closest to you.
• Go to the office, and at the counter, mention that you wish to buy a policy.
• An insurance expert will come to you to explain what your options are.
• Once you have made a choice, fill out the application form.
• Check the details you have filled in and attach the relevant documents.
• Go to the counter and submit your application.
• Pay the application fees.

You can then return home, and your policy will be sent to you once the application has been verified.

The documents you need to submit when you want to buy a medical insurance plan from Tata AIG include:

• ID proof
• Address proof
• Income proof
• Proof of Age
• Coloured photographs
• Any documents relating to your medical history