Protect Yourself from Lymphoma: Know How?
Every year since 15 September 2004, the Canadian non-profit Lymphoma Coalition's (LC) global campaign has been educating people about lymphatic system cancers on World Lymphoma Awareness Day (WLAD). The initiative endeavours to increase public knowledge of Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in terms of symptom recognition, early diagnosis, and treatment. Lymphoma, or the cancer of the lymphatic system, is a potentially fatal illness with an increasing incidence. Although approximately 1,000 people worldwide receive a diagnosis every day, and one million live with the disease, few are aware of its warning signs and symptoms.
As the world observes WLAD 2022, here's what you must know about the disease, the signs to watch out for to get an early diagnosis, and how health insurance can prepare you for timely and high-quality treatment along with financial backing.
What is Lymphoma?
The human lymphatic system is made up of a sizable network of nodes and vessels that move the lymph fluids into all of our body's tissues. These fluids hold lymphocytes or white blood cells that battle infections. When cancer of the lymph nodes and white blood cells develops in the body, it attacks the lymphocytes, and our immune system has a more challenging time in fighting infections. Besides the lymph nodes, the human body contains these cells in the bone marrow, spleen, thymus and other parts. The malignancy causes the lymphocytes to change and grow abnormally. Even though the two primary subtypes of lymphoma are Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, there are more than 30 different forms of cancer.
Even though it's a cancer of the white blood cells, lymphoma is different from leukaemia in that it starts from the infection-fighting blood cells, and the latter starts in the bone marrow's blood-forming cells.
Signs and Symptoms
Lymphoma symptoms do not present themselves at an early stage, are non-specific and often overlap with other conditions. This makes it imperative for one to consult a doctor if they witness the warning signals for a prolonged time. These symptoms include:
- Enlarged and painful lymph nodes, typically in the neck, armpit, or groin
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Drenching night sweats
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Extreme and unexplained weight loss
- Itching
- Enlarged spleen
- Pain in the bones, upper chest, stomach
- Anaemia
How Lymphoma is Diagnosed?
To identify or rule out lymphoma, the doctor will prescribe a lymph-node biopsy, wherein cells from the enlarged lymph node are excised and tested. Other diagnostics include blood work, a chest X-ray, or examining neighbouring lymph nodes to determine how far cancer has spread. Additionally, you might need to undergo MRI or computed tomography (CT) scans.
Treatment for Lymphoma
While only one specialist can diagnose lymphoma, its treatment requires a team of haematologists (specialists in blood, immunological cells, and bone marrow disorders), oncologists, and pathologists. The treatment for lymphoma depends on what stage the cancer is in — stage one only affects lymph nodes, while stage four requires checking if the disease has spread to other organs. The medical practitioner will recommend the course of treatment based on how quickly the cancer cells are proliferating.
The treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma include:
- Chemotherapy — drugs to kill cancer cells
- Radiation therapy — high-energy rays to kill cancer cells
- Immunotherapy — your body's immune system to fight cancer cells
- Targeted therapy on aspects of lymphoma cells to control their growth
The main treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma include chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. To restore health to immune system cells, bone marrow or stem cell transplantation is occasionally used.
Health Insurance's Role in Treating Lymphoma
Like anyone suffering from cancer, lymphoma patients are now more likely to survive thanks to advanced medical care. They can expect high-quality treatment, as almost every insurer offers critical illness health insurance that includes coverage for cancer to those who have not yet received a diagnosis. Policies for pre-existing diseases and many health insurance riders also provide coverage.
Health Insurance Benefits in Critical Illness Plans
Here's what makes a critical illness plan beneficial for someone living with cancer:
- Lump sum claim amount that you can use for your treatment, to fund additional expenses, make up for financial losses and more.
- Payout on presenting diagnosis reports even without being hospitalised.
- The three-month waiting period to start receiving benefits.
Top Critical Illness Insurance Options
Some of the top serious illnesses are listed below:
- Aditya Birla Cancer Secure
- HDFC Ergo Critical Illness Cover
- Bharti AXA SmartHealth Critical Illness
- Bajaj Allianz Critical Illness Plan
- Star Health Criticare Plus
- IFFCO-Tokio Family Health Protector Policy
- Niva Bupa Criticare Health Insurance Plan
- Care Cancer Insurance Policy
Conclusion
As 15 September is observed as World Lymphoma Awareness Day, it's crucial to know about this cancer of the lymphatic system. Even though its symptoms are non-specific, one may experience enlarged and painful lymph nodes, cough, difficulty breathing, fever, drenching night sweats, enlarged spleen, and pain in the bones, upper chest, and stomach, among others. Cancer patients can begin their road to recovery and look at returning to a normal life if they have appropriate health insurance coverage. Compare health insurance plans for critical illnesses from a reputed insurer and avail of high-quality and modern treatments.
Read more -
Doctors are not clear about what exactly causes lymphoma, but the risk factors include:
- Weakened immune system
- Exposure to radiation
- Infection with HIV or Epstein-Barr Virus
- Cases mainly occur in people over 60 years of age
There's no surefire way to prevent lymphoma as most sufferers do not have risk factors that can be altered. However, you can reduce your risk for lymphomas by lowering your chance of specific infections and keeping your immune system strong.
Typically, a policy will provide you with:
- Lump sum
- In-patient hospitalisation with pre and post-hospitalisation expenses
- Ambulances expenses
- OPD treatment
- Daycare treatment
The tenure of waiting and survival period vary from insurer to insurer. While some have 30 days of waiting, others may have 180 days or even 48 months. Similarly, the survival period can also range from 7 days for some insurers to 30 days for others. It's best to clarify this before you buy health insurance.
Yes, health insurance plans give tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act