DEFINITION:
A tumour characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of malignant cells and the invasion of tissue. This includes Leukemia and Hodgkin's disease. The following cancers are excluded from coverage:

• Carcinoma in situ;
• Stage 1A malignant melanoma (melanoma less than or equal to 1.0 mm in thickness, not ulcerated and without level IV or V invasion) ;
• Stage A (T1a or T1b) prostate cancer;
• Any non-melanoma skin cancer that has not become metastatic (spread to distant organs

Moratorium Period Exclusion: No benefit under this condition will be available if the earlier of

(a) the date of diagnosis or

(b) the date of symptoms and/or medical consultations or tests that led to diagnosis of any covered or excluded cancer, is within the first 90 days following the effective date of the policy or 90 days from the effective date of last reinstatement.

INTERPRETATION:
There are well over 300 different known types of Cancer and this definition covers the vast majority of them, including all types of Leukemia and stages of Hodgkin's disease. Exclusions are for superficial types, such as skin cancer, which are not generally looked upon as Life-Threatening and are readily treatable.