Written by CA Pankaj Chhabra – 
& Megha Jain –
A Fight Against Deadly Disease
Do you know how many people die in India due to cancer every year?
In India, approximately 14.61 lakh people were diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and around 8.08 lakh cancer-related deaths were reported in the year 2022.
One in nine people in India are likely to develop cancer in his/her lifetime.
In India, the incidence of cancer is increasing rapidly. And according to the National Cancer Registry Programme Report, it is estimated to increase by 12.8% in 2025 as compared to 2020.
Therefore, it is very important to improve cancer literacy and knowledge amongst the population.
By being mindful of our Lifestyle Choices and getting regular check-ups, we can extend our chances of survival by reducing the risk of developing cancer.
Cancer is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide and is caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the body. It can spread to other parts of the body at a rapid speed. Only a few lucky people get it detected at the early stage.
Once you are diagnosed with cancer, it becomes mentally and financially exhausting for you and your family. Further, the treatment consequences can be unbearable, as it poses a lot of physical challenges to the body.
Most Common Types of Cancers :
- Oral and lung cancers are highest among men and women in the urban as well as rural areas, with tobacco use being the major risk factor.
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst women in India. One in 25 women has a chance of getting breast cancer in India. Due to ignorance, fear and shame, many women only visit the hospitals when it is too late.
If it is detected in the early stage, there are better chances of recovery with less aggressive treatment. - Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India. It is the only preventable cancer and can be detected in pre-cancerous phase and cured.
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
Importance of early diagnosis and lifestyle choices
Early detection and treatment are essential in improving the chances for survival for those diagnosed with any type of cancer. Regular check-ups, including cancer screenings can help detect the disease in its early stage, when it is most treatable.
Experts believe that around one-third of all cancers can be prevented.
Certain lifestyle choices can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer.
- Do not smoke or chew tobacco
- Limited alcohol consumption
- Eating a healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Staying physically active
Treatment options
Treatment options for cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
The choice of treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health.
Cancer diagnosis can have a profound impact on individuals and families, both emotionally and financially. Support from loved ones along with financial assistance, can help those diagnosed with cancer through their journey.
Cancer treatments can be very expensive often costing lakhs of rupees. Therefore, it’s important for individuals to have a plan in place to protect their health and finances in event of cancer diagnosis.
That’s where insurance for cancer comes in.
There are several types of insurance for cancer, including Mediclaim, critical illness insurance, and life insurance. For further details you can refer to our website spainsurance.in .
Mediclaim
Mediclaim policy provides cover for healthcare expenses incurred by insured in a medical emergency like cancer.
This policy provides coverage to individuals and their family members against various expenses such as hospital room, diagnostic and medical test charges, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, organ transplantation etc.
It includes expenses incurred for up to 30-60 days before and till 60-120 days after hospitalization.
Critical Illness Insurance
Critical illness insurance is a type of health insurance where the insured receives the lump sum amount equal to the sum insured in case of a serious ailment like cancer.
The insured receives the entire sum irrespective of the hospitalization costs.
The lump sum payment can cover the hospitalization, treatment and recovery expenses and any other debt as well.
These insurance policies provide for the expenses incurred in the treatment. But there are also some policies which provide coverage in case of death, which tends to affect the family financially apart from the huge emotional loss.
These plans make sure that in case something happens to you, the financial burden is borne by the insurance company and not your loved ones.
Whole Life Insurance
A whole life insurance policy stays in force throughout the life as long as the person insured pays the premium.
Usually, the maturity age is 100 years. If the person assured dies before the age of 100 years, the nominee receives the sum assured along with the bonuses(if any).
Term Plan Insurance
It is the most basic form of life insurance that helps you safeguard your family from financial worries that arise due to unfortunate circumstances.
These pure risk plans cover your life at a nominal cost for a specific period.
It also rewards you for healthy lifestyle with lower premium rates for non-tobacco users.
