Cancer: If something doesn’t feel right, speak to your GP practice
Early diagnosis can save lives and increase survival
By Eastern EyeJan 30, 2024
CANCER RESEARCH UK analysis shows one in two people will develop cancer in their lifetime, with around 375,400 cases diagnosed each year.
Cancer is when cells divide in an uncontrollable way, and if left untreated, these abnormal cells can spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms can be caused by a wide range of things, and most of the time they won’t be due to cancer.
But if it is cancer, early diagnosis can save lives and increase survival and so it’s worth getting unusual or persistent changes checked out.
Be Body Aware
Signs and symptoms of cancer vary from person to person.
Be body aware – if something doesn’t feel right, contact your GP practice.
It may be nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable and can save lives.
To rule out cancer, your GP may refer you for tests. Whatever the result, the NHS is here for you.
‘I know that my early diagnosis and treatment are the reasons why I’m still here’
Shamilla Mirza, 49, found a pea-shaped lump in her breast, so she booked an appointment with her GP, who referred her to the breast clinic at North Manchester General Hospital for tests.
The mother-of-two was shocked to be diagnosed with breast cancer, but says the support of her family gave her the strength to face the disease.
Shamilla had a mastectomy (an operation where breast tissue is removed) and breast reconstruction, followed by chemotherapy treatment.
On reflection, she says: “I cannot thank the NHS or my family enough for giving me the courage to deal with cancer. I know my early diagnosis and treatment are the reasons why I’m still here for my family, particularly my sons Zakir and Zain.”
In 2019, Shamilla unveiled a special park bench in Manchester, marking her recovery from cancer. It salutes the scientists, doctors and nurses who are making game-changing progress in tackling the disease.
The inscription on her bench reads: ‘Shamilla Mirza loved sitting here… and still does thanks to advances in cancer research.
Shamilla Mirza with her named bench at home in Prestwich, Manchester
Help Us Help You
Contact your GP practice if something in your body doesn’t feel right or you experience any of these symptoms. Some of the symptoms can be harder to notice:
Breathlessness
Frequent infections
Unexplained heavy, drenching night sweats
Unexplained weight loss
An unusual lump anywhere on the body, like in the neck or armpit
Unexpected or unexplained bruising or bleeding
Difficulty swallowing
Mouth ulcers that don’t heal
White or red patches in the mouth and throat
Blood in your pee
Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
For three weeks or more:
A cough or a change to an existing cough
Changes in the voice such as hoarseness
Tummy trouble, such as discomfort or bloating
Feeling tired and unwell and not sure why
Heartburn or indigestion
Changes to your bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation, or unusual, pale or greasy poo
Unexplained pain or discomfort
It may be nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it much more treatable.
If you reach out to your GP and they have concerns about cancer, they may ask you to do some tests, like go for a chest X-ray or complete a home test kit that looks for hidden traces of blood in your poo or refer you to a specialist.
In today's digital age, managing your health insurance shouldn't involve piles of paperwork or long customer service calls. That’s where a health insurance member portal steps in. Designed to provide policyholders with a user-friendly interface, these portals consolidate all relevant features and services into a single, secure platform. Whether you want to understand your mediclaim policy, check the status of a claim, or access wellness programmes, a member portal can be your go-to tool.
Why Use a Health Insurance Member Portal?
It is important to understand the broader benefits of a health insurance portal:
24/7 access to policy-related information
Reduction in paperwork and administrative hassles
Enhanced transparency on claims and coverage
Improved user experience through self-service tools
Key Features of a Health Insurance Member Portal
Here are the core functionalities that make a health insurance portal truly valuable:
1. Policy Overview and Dashboard
A well-designed portal typically offers a central dashboard where you can:
View active and past policies
Check coverage details and inclusions or exclusions
Monitor premium payment due dates
Download your digital health card
This dashboard offers a snapshot of your insurance status, helping you stay informed and updated.
2. Easy Claim Filing and Tracking
You no longer have to chase down agents or paperwork. Member portals let you:
File a claim online by uploading the necessary documents
Track the status of your claim in real-time
Receive notifications at each stage of the claim process
This feature is especially useful for those who need prompt processing, such as in cases of critical illness insurance claims.
3. Cashless Hospital Network Locator
Most insurers provide access to a list of network hospitals where you can avail of cashless treatment. Through the portal, you can:
Search by city, pin code, or hospital name
Filter hospitals based on specialities or services
View contact information and location maps
This helps in quickly identifying the best medical facility in your vicinity.
4. Document Access and Management
A key benefit of digital portals is the easy access to documents, such as:
Policy wordings and brochures
Claim forms and annexures
Premium receipts and renewal notices
These can be downloaded at any time, reducing your dependency on physical documents.
5. Wellness Programmes and Value-Added Services
Some health insurance portals include access to health and wellness services, like:
Information about free or discounted health check-ups
Fitness tracking tools
Nutritional advice and teleconsultation options
Personalised health scores or dashboards
These initiatives promote preventive care, helping you stay healthier and potentially reduce insurance costs in the long run.
6. Premium Payment and Renewal Services
A good member portal allows for:
Online premium payments through various modes
Auto-renewal setups and reminders
Easy premium calculators to estimate costs
It ensures you never miss a renewal and helps you manage your policy more efficiently.
7. Customer Support Integration
Many platforms integrate chatbots or live chat features that allow you to:
Ask policy-related queries
Initiate claim assistance requests
Report errors in policy documents
For more complex queries, the portal may also include ticketing systems or direct contact to support teams.
8. Custom Alerts and Notifications
The portal can keep you in the loop with:
SMS or email alerts for claim updates
Renewal and payment reminders
Health tips and promotional offers
These alerts are tailored to your policy and usage pattern.
9. Dependents and Family Coverage View
If your health insurance policy covers your family too, the portal allows you to:
View family members’ coverage and utilisation
File claims on behalf of dependents
Update dependent information
This holistic view ensures better health management for the entire family.
10. Secure Login and Data Privacy
With sensitive health data stored, member portals employ strong security protocols, such as:
OTP-based login and two-factor authentication
Encrypted data transfer
Regular security audits and compliance with data protection laws
Your personal and medical information remains confidential and safe.
Conclusion
The health insurance portals do more than just display your policy details; they become your digital healthcare assistant. From making claims seamless to providing wellness insights, these help you stay on top of your health and insurance matters.
Whether you are checking the details of your mediclaim policy or seeking coverage for life-threatening conditions through critical illness insurance, a feature-rich portal simplifies everything.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
This article is paid content. It has been reviewed and edited by the Eastern Eye editorial team to meet our content standards.
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