Cancer: the complex world of a life-changing illness
Cancer is a complex, life-changing illness affecting millions of people around the world. Being diagnosed is a devastating blow that signals the start of an extremely challenging journey and the best way to navigate it is to ensure you're well informed.
The word 'cancer' is the term for a group of different diseases - haematological (blood) cancers and solid tumours - which include malignant tumours of different sites in the body. There are over two hundred different kinds of cancer that can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as your lungs, colon, breast, skin, bones or nerve tissue.
Most cancers are named after the organ or type of cell in which they originate and are characterised by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
Main cancer categories
According to CANSA, cancers are classified into six major categories based on tissue types:
- Carcinomas originate from the epithelial layer of cells that form the lining of external parts of your body or the internal linings of organs within your body
- Sarcomas originate in connective and supportive tissues including your muscles, bones, cartilage and fat. Bone cancer or osteosarcoma mostly affects young people
- Myelomas (a form of blood cancers) originate in the plasma cells of bone marrow that produce various antibodies in response to infections
- Leukaemia is a group of cancers that are classified as blood cancers. These cancers affect the bone marrow where blood cells are produced. When cancerous, the bone marrow begins to produce excessive immature white blood cells that fail to perform their usual actions and you’re often prone to infection
- Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system. Lymphomas may be of two types – Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. In Hodgkin’s lymphoma there is characteristic presence of specific cells in the tissue samples which are not present in Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Mixed types have two or more components of the cancer.
All medical information found on this website including content, graphics and images, is for educational and informational objectives only. Discovery Health publishes this content to help to empower cancer patients and their families by promoting a better understanding of a cancer diagnosis. The views expressed by all of the contributing healthcare providers are their independent, professional medical opinions, aimed at supporting patients. These views do not necessarily constitute the views of Discovery Health.
Severe illness can be life-changing. Discovery is here for you
At Discovery, we understand that an illness like cancer affects many aspects of your life. If you're a Discovery Health Medical Scheme member who is diagnosed with cancer, you are covered by a comprehensive Oncology Programme. You'll also have access to a palliative care programme, which offers unlimited cover for approved care at home.
To protect you financially in case of a life-changing event, Discovery Life offers the best severe illness product in the market for cancer cover, as awarded by the Independent Clinical Oncology Network. Our award-winning LifeTime Max 200% Severe Illness Benefit offers coverage across the full spectrum of severities and remission of cancer. Contact us to learn more
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