Heart Cancer Insurance

Cancer that begins inside the heart's cells is called heart cancer. Cardiac angiosarcoma is among the most common types of heart cancer. Being diagnosed with cardiac cancer is very rare. In actuality, research papers and autopsy investigations, which are written accounts addressing individuals with this malignancy, provide practically all of the information researchers have about it.

More frequently, cancer travels from another part of the body to the heart leading to heart carcinoma. There are instances of heart tumours which are benign but turn malignant due to cancer in other parts of the body.

The majority of initial heart carcinomas (75%) are sarcomas. This is sometimes referred to as primary cardiac sarcoma. Cancers known as sarcomas usually begin in the body's soft tissue structures, such as the muscles, ligaments, arteries, and nerves. Lymphomas and mesotheliomas make up the majority of the remaining heart carcinomas.

There are a few types of heart cancer. They all present differently and require different types of treatment. Knowing what type of heart cancer a person has can greatly help in the treatment. The different types of heart cancer are;

• Sarcoma

Sarcomas are the most common type of heart cancer found among people. It is not often that a younger person may be diagnosed with sarcoma of the heart.
Some types of sarcomas are;

• Cardiac Angiosarcoma - Approximately 40% of all heart sarcomas are cardiac angiosarcoma tumours formed from aberrant blood vessels. Usually, they start in the heart's right upper compartment (right atrium). These sarcomas develop swiftly and possess a high chance of metastasising (extending to other parts of the body, including the heart). Men experience them more frequently than women.

• Cardiac Rhabdomyosarcoma - People of all ages may develop this rare cardiac tumour. Typically, they begin within the right atrium. However, they can also appear in the heart's left atrium and the heart's lower compartments (ventricles). Your heart's chambers may become invaded by the tumour, which would then prevent blood flow.

Some rarer kinds of sarcomas of the heart include;

• Fibrosarcoma

• Undifferentiated sarcoma

• Liposarcoma

• Pleomorphic sarcoma

• Osteosarcoma

• Pleomorphic sarcoma

• Primary Lymphoma - People with weakened immune systems, such as individuals having HIV or AIDS, are typically affected by this incredibly rare type of cardiac cancer. It has a propensity to spread swiftly and give the patient a host of issues.

• Pericardial Mesothelioma - This type of cancer can limit the movement of your heart and lead to cardiac tamponade, the pooling of blood around your heart. Your brain, adjacent soft tissues, and the spine may all be affected. This type of heart carcinoma is very aggressive and needs focused treatment.

A cancer is categorised according to its stage. The cancer stage describes its location, size, the extent of invasion into neighbouring tissues, and if it has progressed to surrounding lymph nodes or other areas of the body

Like any other kind of cancer, heart cancer stages can be categorised into four broad categories.

Stage I - It is very difficult to diagnose cancer in this stage. A patient may have very slight symptoms, and often when cancer is caught in this stage, it is while diagnosing a different disease. This stage is called early-stage cancer. It is possible to beat the disease when diagnosed and treated in this stage.

Stage II - In this heart cancer stage, cancer has spread to the nearby tissues and has seeped in deeper.

Stage III - Cancer in this stage may spread to the lymph nodes but has not metastasised to other body organs.

Stage IV - In the final stage of cancer, the disease has spread to other body organs. It is also called end or advanced-stage cancer.

Nine out of ten primary cardiac tumours in adults are caused by angiosarcomas, a rare kind of malignant soft tissue tumour. Radiation and several chemicals may be involved in the development of the disease. However, the exact heart cancer cause is undetermined. Additional variants of malignant tumours can also develop in the heart, leading to cancer.

30 to 40 per cent of people are more likely to get secondary heart cancer than primary heart cancer originating from the heart. Skin, lungs, and kidneys are a few diseased organs from which metastatic cancer can migrate to the heart. Additionally, leukaemia, tumours of the lymphatic and blood systems, and cancers of the chest-based thymus gland can lead to the spread of the disease.

Other than the heart cancer causes we have specified here, there are a few risk factors that could lead to the development of heart carcinoma.

• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Prior heart problems
• People between the ages of 20-40 are the most vulnerable to heart cancer
• Prior heart surgery
• Family history of heart cancer
• Exposure to radiation or chemotherapy
• Cancer treatment for other parts of the body

Heart cancer does not exhibit symptoms in its early stages. The signs of the disease start to manifest as a tumour spreads, and the condition worsens. Heart cancer symptoms are analogous to cardiovascular diseases and can develop quickly or appear abruptly. It thus becomes increasingly important to distinguish cardiovascular disease symptoms from heart cancer symptoms.

Some cardiac cancer symptoms to be aware of are;

• Sudden gain or loss of weight
• Fever
• Excessive tiredness
• Arrhythmia
• Bouts of fainting
• Tightness in the chest
• Blood in the cough or sputum
• Sudden onset of extreme back pain
• Decreased urination
• Discolouration of nails and fingers
• Loss of memory and confusion

These symptoms may sometimes be similar to symptoms of other heart-related issues. However, it never hurts to be extra cautious when it comes to the heart. If you feel that something is wrong and you are experiencing several of these symptoms, go to your doctor at once. With heart cancer, early diagnosis can make a world of difference.

Heart cancer is notoriously challenging to diagnose. Heart cancer is uncommon, and its symptoms resemble those of heart disease. Only after thoroughly examining all symptoms, the relevant history, and the results of diagnostic testing can heart cancer be identified, including symptoms such as heart failure, heart murmurs, and aberrant heartbeat rhythms. People with secondary heart tumours who also have cancer in other body areas and exhibit atypical cardiac symptoms are tested.

Some tests undertaken by your physician to diagnose your condition may include;

• Electrocardiogram - This test captures the heart's electric signals, displays irregular heartbeats, and looks for cardiac muscle injury. EKG alterations may indicate other heart issues, even though cardiac sarcoma can alter the heart's rhythm. To accurately diagnose cardiac sarcoma or another type of heart tumour, further diagnostic procedures are therefore required.

• MRI - This diagnostic process creates precise images of the heart's systems and structures using a mix of big magnets, radiofrequency technology, and a computer. The photos are utilised to clarify the tumour's dimensions, position, and other features.

• Echocardiogram - The heart's lobes and valves are studied using sound waves in this noninvasive procedure. As the ultrasound device is moved over the skin covering the heart, echo sound waves produce an impression on the monitor. Due to its ability to show the clinician the precise size and position of the tumour, echocardiography has emerged as the most effective method for diagnosing cardiac sarcoma. A flexible pipe with a sensor at its tip is used to perform a transesophageal echo. This tube is directed via the oesophagus and throat. A transesophageal echo enables more detailed images of the heart because it is situated immediately beneath the oesophagus.

• Cardiac Catheterisation -In this test, a dye is introduced into an artery, and then X-rays are taken. Images are utilised
  to identify artery constriction, occlusions, and other anomalies.

• CT Scan - This diagnostic imaging process creates axial or horizontal images (commonly termed slices) of the body using a blend of X-rays and digital technology. Any region of the anatomy, such as the bones, ligaments, tissues, and organs, can be seen in great detail on a CT scan. CT scans are utilised to identify further the tumour's mass, position, and other features because they are more precise than standard X-rays.

• Biopsy -A small sample of tissue must be removed for this test to be examined underneath a microscope. Other tests may imply that the tumour is malignant, but a biopsy represents the primary way to be certain. A pathologist, a medical professional who specialises in examining cells, tissues, and organs to determine disease, examines the tumour fragment that was removed.

• Blood Tests - Your physician can also recommend certain blood tests to determine whether or not you have cancer.

When it comes to heart cancer treatment, it differs from patient to patient and in which stage cancer has been diagnosed. Heart cancer treatment has to be very structured and detailed because of the importance of the heart as an organ. A person has different heart cancer treatment options based on their prognosis. Some options are;

• Surgery- If the tumour can be removed surgically, it may be an opportunity for complete recovery and has been demonstrated to increase life expectancy. These procedures, which can be fairly difficult, are best carried out at a speciality facility. The doctor might decide that open-heart surgery is necessary to remove the tumour. The tumour's position makes this challenging a lot of the time. However, despite all the complications, if a patient can undergo surgery, their chances of survival increase manifold.

• Radiation and Chemotherapy - Radiation therapy, which employs x-rays to kill or injure cancer cells, is a common additional treatment to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. It may be offered as the first line of treatment if a patient is not well enough to have surgery. Some forms of cardiac cancer are treated with chemotherapy. It allows for both cancer treatment and symptom management. Generally, medicine is injected into a vein to be delivered (intravenously). The doctor will explain the time and direction of the chemotherapy treatment.

• Heart Transplantation - In other instances, the sarcoma has engulfed the heart to the point where it cannot be entirely removed. In such cases, heart transplantation may be the only alternative. Post the transplant; the recipient must take immunosuppressive medications (drugs that assist stop the system from resisting foreign tissue).

Autotransplantation- To more thoroughly and easily excise the tumour from the heart tissue, the individual's heart is removed during this surgical technique. During the procedure, the patient is put onto a heart-lung bypass device. The patient's heart is put back in the body after removing the tumour. Immunosuppressive drugs are not required because the individual has not gotten a heart from a different person.

There is nothing a person can do that will help them keep cancer away forever, however, there are a few tips one can keep in mind to keep cancer at bay.

Some tips to follow are;

• Stay fit
• Eat healthy
• Lose weight if you are obese
• Keep hypertension and diabetes under control
• Do not start smoking if you do not already do. Quit if you do
• Do not overexpose yourself to the sun or radiation
• Quit heavy drinking
• If there is anyone in your family who has had heart cancer before, get regular screenings as your chance of developing the disease is higher
• Get regular blood tests for overall body function

Having health insurance is akin to having a support system you can always count on. You know that no matter what happens and when it happens, your medical insurance plan is there to support you financially. It helps you feel confident to face any situation related to your health. It also helps you feel secure knowing that you have done your bit to prepare yourself and your loved ones to face any health emergencies.

Some reasons why having health insurance is important have been enumerated below.

• Cost of Care - The price of healthcare is high. Treatment can be costly, especially if you require to be admitted or get long-term support. However, you will not have to worry about covering your medical expenses if you have a medical insurance plan. Your medical insurance plan will take care of that aspect of your care for you. You need to worry about getting better or taking care of your loved one who is ailing.

• Lifestyle - The style of living today is very different from how it was in the past. People are frequently under pressure, overworked, and working on almost minimal energy. People are left vulnerable to numerous illnesses due to their inability to care for themselves. Even if you cannot invest the time and effort required to preserve your health, getting health insurance at least gives you peace of mind that the appropriate measures are in order if you need medical aid.

• Tax Bonus - When you buy health insurance, you both safeguard your health and pay less in taxes. If you have purchased a medical insurance plan, you may be eligible for a tax benefit of up to ₹25,000 or ₹50,000 when it relates to senior persons under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act of 1961.

• Emergency- As we've already mentioned, life may be unpredictable, and the same can be said for your health. Even those who consider their health to be good occasionally require emergency medical care. If you have health insurance, you can be prepared for everything in these circumstances. You may remain composed in the face of difficulties if you have confidence that you may afford the care you need.

If you wish to buy Tata AIG’s medical insurance plan, you have the choice to do so online or offline. Both processes are fairly simple and should not take too much time. You can have a look at the outline of both methods to choose the one that you feel comfortable with.

Online- To buy Tata AIG’s health insurance, you need to;

• Visit our website and select who you wish to buy the insurance for. You can buy health insurance for yourself, your parents, spouse or children.
• When you have decided who you are buying the insurance for, click on ‘Get Plan’.
• Fill in the details you are being asked for, and you will be shown the plans that are the best fit for you.
• Now select the assured sum for the insurance policy.
• After making the selection, you will be able to see what the health insurance premium will look like.
• You will also have the opportunity to compare health insurance plans to help you choose the right plan for yourself.
• After seeing what your options are, choose the option you like the best.
• Click on ‘Buy Now’
• You will now receive a call from an official to ask if you require any help.

After this, you will receive your policy via email or Whatsapp in a few minutes.

Offline- To buy your policy offline, you need to;

• Locate a Tata AIG office nearest to you and visit there
• Go to the counter and state that you are there to buy a health insurance plan.
• An official will approach you to explain the different options you have.
• Once you have made a choice, fill out the necessary paperwork.
• Add the appropriate documents being asked for.
• Submit the application and pay the necessary fees at the right counter.

You will receive your policy in the mail post-verification.

To buy a medical insurance plan from Tata AIG, you need to submit the following documents;

• Age proof
• ID proof
• Proof of Residence
• Proof of Income
• Recent coloured pictures
• Any documents relating to your medical history