Alternative Treatments for Mesothelioma

For individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma his can be a difficult time.  You are often confronted with a confusing array of possible treatment options and hjaving to having to search for a mesothelioma lawyer.  Texas has a number of good attorneys that specialize in mesothelioma cases.  Here is where you can find a good list of questions that will help you identify the best possible mesothelioma lawyer Texas. 

Now on to the treatment options.  Tradional methods for treatment include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. As well, there are a number of alternative and experimental options for mesiothelioma treatment that are being considered and investigated treatments are now being investigated by physicians. Some of these new treatments are already proving to be beneficial in helping to extend the lives of patients.

Gene therapy is a fairly new treatment used along with with chemotherapy.  It is recommended and used to facilitate the possible success of the chemotherapy. This type of therapy is commonly called suicide gene therapy, because it causes cancer cells to turn against themselves. Other types of gene therapies use alternate methods to reduce cell growth and prevent the cancer from spreading.

Another type of new treatment approach is known as photodynamic therapy (PDT). This therapy destroys cancer cells by exposing them to a special laser light. The light activates photosensitive medication within the cells, which is taken by the patient prior to exposure. The cells are destroyed once the light reaches them. Unfortunately, this type of treatment is not always effective. In addition, there are several potential side effects, including skin sensitivity and nausea.

There are also several experimental drugs being used to treat mesothelioma. A category of drug known as anti-angiogenesis medications attempt to destroy cancer cells while leaving other cells unharmed. This is possible due to new knowledge about the manner in which cancer cells differ from normal cells. Using these drugs, the need for chemotherapy is reduced.

A final type of experimental treatment is immunotherapy. This method uses the patient’s own immune system to kill cancer cells. Normally, our immune systems are unable to distinguish between healthy cells and cancerous cells.

Immunotherapy attempts to enhance a patient’s immune system to differentiate between the two, allowing it to fight back against the cancer cells. This is usually accomplished via a vaccine or oral medication. However, this form of treatment is quite new and doctors are still working to determine its viability.

To learn more about this disease and the methods available for treatment, visit the Williams Kherkher mesothelioma attorney at http://mesolawsuit.com/

Author: Joseph Devine

Joseph Devine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine

Pericardial Mesothelioma is a serious heart condition which consists of cancerous cells building up on the lining of the heart. Similarly to pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, this is a terminal illness due to the importance of the area on which it grows.

The asbestos releated disease Pericardial Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen. High Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma cancers. Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral that was widely used in the construction process, building material and many manufacturing units. Asbestos breaks into minute particles that float into the air, can be easily inhaled and settle on the clothes of workmen, leaving them and their family members prone to many health hazards.

An understanding of mesothelioma symptoms can help in the process of mesothelioma cure. Some common symptoms of mesothelioma are difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and chronic cough. However, many times this disease lies in asymptomatic in the body, which makes mesothelioma cure an impossible task.

There are various different treatments for pericardial mesothelioma although none of these have a high success rate. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, dual therapy and surgery are the treatment methods available. Chemotherapy includes using drugs to kill off cancerous cells and radiation therapy uses doses of radiation to kill cancer cells although this is difficult in the case of pericardial mesothelioma due to the surrounding vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Dual therapy is a treatment combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy.

Surgery is used for mesothelioma treatment and cure in the first stage. The doctors remove the tumor and the nearby tissues with a surgical process. However, the doctors use a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy if the tumor has witnessed enormous growth. Fluid collection in the chest and abdomen takes place in the advance stages of mesothelioma.

What Is The Prognosis For a Mesothelioma Cure?

Mesothelioma cure in these stages involves draining of the fluid to reduce discomfort. This process of treatment is known as Thorancentesis or Paracentesis. After this, the doctors use Surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Treatment and efforts for mesothelioma cure can suffer a severe jolt if the disease strikes back. In that case, the treatment depends on the location of recurrence, and the patient’s medical history.

As we have discussed the survival chances of mesothelioma patients are bleak and the possibility of mesothelioma cure are rare. In that case it is necessary to make the patients aware that they are legally entitled to claim compensation for the medical expenses, loss of income, lost earning capacity, pain and the mental trauma they are undergoing. Though the award of compensation cannot bring about mesothelioma cure or compensate for the loss of life, yet it can provide some relief to the mesothelioma victims and their family members.

When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, they may find that they need an attorney to help them with their case. This is a disease that is rare, and there is little to be said about the condition. The rate of this disease is on the increase and there are new mesothelioma attorneys that are trying to settle many cases for different people. They have stepped in for the rights of the people to help them with their case.

Many victims of this disease need to have mesothelioma attorneys help them with their fight. These lawyers and law firms will deal with the victims and their families to help them claim the right compensation that they deserve from the companies that are responsible for their problems. These lawsuits result in a lot of money being won by the families when the right lawyer or firm handles them.

Asbestos cancer mesothelioma is used to describe a cancer tumor, which involves the mesothelial cells of an organ; this is usually the lungs, heart, or the abdominal organs. When a person is diagnosed with this form of disease, a mesothelima lawyer will fight to give them the rights that they so deserve. A person this is diagnosed with this form of cancer will have a long hard struggle in front of them.

For most people, they will not get any better and will have to live with this type of problem for the rest of their life. When someone has to go through that much pain and suffering in their life because their company did not tell them that they were in danger, they will deserve a settlement for their time and their pain.

Mesothelioma attorneys will fight for their patients to have all of their medical bills paid and to have a little extra money to help them with the rest of their life. This is an important procedure that will determine how well you settle out.

You need to be confident in your attorney so that the facts can be presented and the client will have a fair and good case. In some cases the patients will die before the case is settled. In these cases, the families of them will be entitled to the remaining settlement. They will have to live without their family member for the rest of their life due to this terrible form of cancer and they will deserve to be compensated well for that reason. Mesothelioma attorneys will help them fight for what their loved one wanted so much. In the end, the money and the settlement cannot make what is wrong turn right. It is not going to bring back the loved one. However, it will be telling these companies that they did something wrong and that they did not get away with it. You will be fighting for rights of the workers and the responsibilities of the employers.

Asbestos Cancer Mesothelioma, commonly known as Asbestos Cancer, is a rare form of cancer that is most frequently known to occur when the affected person has come in contact with asbestos and inhaled its particles.

It does, however, emerge in some individuals without ever having made contact with asbestos and occurs more in men than women, but can affect both genders.

When cancer cells are active in the mesothelium, that membrane begins to deteriorate and the cancer can continue spreading to other parts of the body.

During the 1940s, millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos, but at that time, the dangers were not known. The symptoms of Mesothelioma many times do not appear for up to 30 to 50 years after exposure. Depending on your age, you may have relatives who have unfortunately, contracted this disease while working with asbestos or simply from being exposed to it in other ways.

If you or someone you know or are related to have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, there are steps you can take to receive compensation.

Asbestos exposure can lead to disease and develops over a long period of time. Asbestos related diseases are asbestosis, pleural plaques and lung cancers. The lung cancer can be either cancer of the lung itself or mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining. These cancers can take between 20 and 50 years to develop.

As Mesothelioma and its details become more widely publicized, lawsuits seem to be becoming more and more prevalent. You see more commercials on TV with Mesothelioma law firms advertising their services in this specialized area. Since years can pass before this asbestos related disease exposes itself and becomes realized, many of the companies responsible for their employees exposure to asbestos may no longer be in business. If you have the need to aquire the services of an specialized asbestos attorney for yourself or someone you know, one can easily be found by searching online for lawyers in your area. Receiving a settlement in your favor through a Mesothelioma suit will enable support in more ways than one. Compensation can be used to assist in relieving some of the medical expenses, especially for those persons that lack medical insurance, furthermore may give a person a opportunity to live in a more comforable environment.

Hopefully, as experts predict, within the next few years asbestos related disease will peak and the annual new cases will drop. If not, could it be a sleeping dragon about to wake up?

Asbestos disease, mesothelioma cancers, lung cancers and asbestosis are the diseases caused because of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos constitutes different naturally occurring fibrous minerals in some rocks and soil. It has found widespread use in industries and building materials such as fireproofing, roofing shingles, electric insulation, furnace, hot pipe covering, and friction products.

Mesothelioma cancers are the cancers affecting these membranes. The names of the cancers depend on the tissue or linings they affect. Peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma are the names of cancers of linings of abdomen, lungs and heart, respectively. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common of all mesothelioma cancers and is found in 70 % of the mesothelioma patients. Peritoneal mesothelioma constitutes 10% to 20% of the mesothelioma patients while third type pericardial mesothelioma, is rare.

Serious Effects Of Asbestos Disease

Mesothelioma is the most serious of several asbestos-related diseases detected so far. This is because of the carcinogenic effect of asbestos particles. Asbestos can cause cancer of the lungs, esophagus, colon, rectum, stomach, vocal chords, and kidneys. About 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases of asbestos disease mesothelioma - a rare type of cancer of the mesothelium, the membrane that covers and protects most of the body internal organs –are the result of asbestos exposure at work. Asbestos disease mesothelioma may not immediately manifest.

The asbestos particles can lie dormant in the body for several years and manifest later, when the prognosis is very grim. It is possible that by the time the disease is diagnosed, the cancer may have already spread significantly. In view of health concerns all new uses of asbestos in the manufacturing industries have been banned in the United States from July 1989 onward. In particular, the use of asbestos in hand-held hair dryers was voluntarily stopped in
1979. Schools are required to test for use of asbestos roofing and it is removed or covered up.

Compensation To Victims Of Asbestos Disease Mesothelioma

The first case of an abestos related disease mesothelioma was filed nearly 70 years ago. Employees in industries with considerable risk of asbestos poisoning are, in principle, eligible for mesothelioma compensation. The compensation is available only for those employees who run the risk of asbestos exposure since the 1940s. Recently, many mesothelioma patients have filed lawsuits for compensation. They have been awarded compensation on the ground that the owners of industries continued to use asbestos despite the information of the health hazards it entails. Currently, help is available to victims of asbestos disease mesothelioma through many specialized legal firms in the United States.

Mesothelioma disease is one of the deadliest diseases known to man; the average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 24 months. It’s a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year; hard working people who have labored for a lifetime to provide for their families, doing the work that keeps this country running and a great place to live.

The Mesothelium is the protective tissue that covers the chest cavity, abdominal cavity and the cavity around the heart and also produces a special lubricating fluid that allows the internal organs of the body to move around. The asbestos related disease Mesothelioma can be defined as the cancer of the mesothelial cells which become abnormal and start dividing without any order. These cells also cover the outer surface of most internal organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium. The mesothelium helps protect the organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. Majority of the mesothelioma patients have a prior history of exposure to asbestos.

The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and the mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity (the “sac-like” space around the heart) is called the pericardium Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma was recognized as a tumor of the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium in the late 1700’s.

The cancer affecting the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) is called the peritoneal mesothelioma and that affecting the “sac like” space around the heart (pericardial cavity) is called the pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma at times also affects the covering layer of the testicles. However, the last two types of cases are quite rare. The tumors of the mesothelium can either be benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). So whenever there are symptoms like shortness of breath, pain in chest/abdomen or swelling in the abdomen, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Diagnosis

After the initial X-rays and scans, the doctor may look inside the chest cavity (in case of pleural tumor) with an instrument called thoracoscope and the test is called thoracoscopy. In case of tumor in peritoneum the doctor may go for peritoneoscopy with the help of a tool called peritoneoscope. Finally, if the abnormal tissue is found then a biopsy is done, whereby a piece of the unnatural tissue is cut out and placed under microscope for examination. After the confirmed diagnosis of Mesothelioma it is also essential to ascertain its stages i.e. whether it is in localized stage or in advanced stage.Depending on the stage of the cancer, its location and the health, age and medical history of the patient, 3 types of treatments are mated out to malignant Mesothelioma patients – surgery (to remove the tumor), radiation therapy (application of high energy rays) and chemotherapy (usage of combination of drugs). This apart, if there is any accumulation of fluid in the chest or abdomen, then the doctor needs to drain it out and the process is regarded as thoracentesis and paracentesis respectively. So be aware of the disease, such that you can prevent it at the very onset.

The noninflammable asbestos threat of danger of previous decades brought forth a lot of new processes in ways family homes and buildings were constructed. Asbestos, which was considered a amenity in the early part of the 20th century was established to be the material that caused a severe and rare type of cancer called Mesothelioma.

Attorneys and determined lawyers soon realized that those people that suffer from Mesothelioma cancer because of careless asbestos use should have special representation and protection to guarantee that their interests are taken seriously.

Mesothelioma may not make an appearance in someone until many years coming after first being exhibited to asbestos. As a result of this, sufferers might believe that a statute of limitations could be placed on cases like these, and that there won’t be a financial or legal recourse for those who are suffering now from Mesothelioma. Of course, attorneys and lawyers, are better savvy and are trained and qualified about the very best methods to receive compensation that is fair and just for victims of this horrible misery. If you, or somebody you know suffers from Mesothelioma, you really should speak to an attorney who specializes in heedless health cases, such as issues that involve undeserved asbestos exposure.

Another reason that it is essential to have somebody, like a Ohio lawyer, or a Mesothelioma lawyer expert in your corner is the fact that diagnosing or identifying this specific cancer is rather difficult. There are times, misdiagnosis occurs, which can delay the onset of the correct treatment that is necessary for Mesothelioma. Legal advisors know the pain and are aware of the life changing outcome caused from errors of diagnosis when representing a client and the family that has agonized and will have to endure this sickness.

Mesothelioma class action lawsuits filed against manufacturers of asbestos are on record as early as 1929. But, several education facilities, homes and habitation that were manufactured following 1929 continued to use asbestos, even though the dangers and health concerns have been plainly documented and confirmed. In reality, while case regarding asbestos were registered since before the 1930s, it was many years earlier, the first recorded mesothelioma case was in 1898. Attorneys and lawyers use this legal precedent to competently and attentively make the case for victims of this type of cancer.

Horribly, people suffering from asbestos cancer usually aren’t expected to make it long after even an initial early prognosis. Emotional and monetary difficulty face victims and their families, as they fight to move forward while dealing with this ungodly message. Rightfully so, loved ones and close friends will be entitled to some compensation as well, because the irresponsible use of fire-resistant asbestos is the cause of the mesothelioma cancer. Trial Attorneys will fight for the rights of their clients in these cases.

If you or a loved one suffers from Mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, you should hire an educated Mesothelioma lawyer who will best represent the interests and necessities of you and your loved ones.

If you are considering using a Texas mesothelioma attorney there are a number of ways that can benefit you.  Here is helpful information you will want to consider.

Asbestos mesothelioma attorneys can assist victims in getting compensation for asbestos-related mesothelioma. Many mesothelioma attorneys with knowledge in this subject have effectively obtained compensation from asbestos manufacturers.

Mesothelioma attorneys can recover medical costs, lost wages, and punitive fees for sufferers and their relatives. A mesothelioma attorney can be introduced to the sufferers to talk about legal responsibility in mesothelioma cases.

A superior mesothelioma attorney will have the legal information and associations to force unwilling parties into admitting liability. A number of mesothelioma attorneys help their clients obtain compensation without ever having to go to trial.

Mesothelioma attorneys can help their clients contact the clients of other mesothelioma attorneys. If both parties consent, the attorneys can work together on their cases.

If a person has been affected by mesothelioma, he should get in touch with a mesothelioma attorney for legal advice. Mesothelioma, like other kinds of cancer comes in two forms - benign and malignant. By far the most frequent mesothelioma is the diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. This kind of tumor is all-encompassing and very destructive. It spreads rapidly over the outside of the lungs, abdominal organs and heart.

Life expectancy for sufferers of this malady generally varies from four to twenty-four months, depending on the point at which the disease is identified, the comparative health and vigor of the patient, and other aspects. The average patient with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma lives between four and twelve months from the commencement of symptoms. With proper medical care, some sufferers have lived for a number of years.

If you would like to know good questions to ask to find a good mesothelioma lawyer in texas take a look here. 

Author: Eddie Tobey

Asbestos Attorneys provides detailed information on Asbestos Attorneys, Asbestos Cancer Attorneys, Asbestos Litigation Attourneys, Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorneys and more. Asbestos Attorneys is affiliated with Asbestos Trial Lawyers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Tobey

This is a very poignant and personal story telling the journey of a mesothelioma patient.  It was written several years ago, but is still  relevant today.  It can be found in a number of places on the Internet.  We are posting it here for you, our readers.  It is both touching and informative.  Out of respect for the author Bill Duckett, there will be advertisements posted on this page to interrupt your reading of this. 

Thoughts from a Mesothelioma Patient

By: Bill Duckett
Original Posting Date: March 26, 1995

I have survived mesothelioma for more than four and a half years. My hope is that my experience may help others. In this letter I will relate in a general way what I have done to survive and enjoy life. Later, I will write several short letters that will detail some of my activities and methods that are only briefly mentioned here.

I think cancer started to grow in my body late in the summer of 1989. The first signs were loss of energy, appetite and weight. At the time, I attributed those difficulties to the fact that I was off work recovering from a cataract operation.

I thought my condition was due to my inactivity and that everything would return to normal after I returned to work. But after returning to work my condition grew worse, so early in April of 1990 I went to the V. A. hospital in Houston. Their X-rays indicated a large amount of fluid in my chest. I was admitted to the hospital where three liters of fluid were drained from the left side of my chest. The fluid was analyzed and a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was made.

I was told that the cancer was inoperable and untreatable (except for the symptoms) and that I could probably expect to live from twelve to eighteen months. They expected that fluid would continue to accumulate in my chest, so they scheduled me to come back into the hospital early in July.

A tube was inserted into my chest and over two liters of fluid from my lung were drained out. I was told that they were going to do a procedure on me that would use that same tube to inject a medicine into my chest area. This medicine would act as a glue, adhering the layers of my pleura together so that no more fluid could accumulate. They said this medicine resembled talcum powder in appearance.

After a couple of days I learned that there was some disagreement among the pathologists as to my diagnosis. One doctor thought it might be mesothelioma, so I was asked if I had a history of exposure to asbestos. I told him that I had been around a lot of it in my work in construction and as a salvager of obsolete chemical and refining facilities.

He explained that mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos. At this point I was told that only a few highly specialized cancer hospitals were able to effectively operate on and treat a case such as mine. M. D. Anderson hospital in Houston was one of these places, so I was admitted there.

At Anderson the doctors opened me up, took a biopsy and ran a culture for two weeks. The test proved positive and an operation was performed to remove as much of the cancer as possible. The operation took about six hours and I was in intensive care for four more days. The pain was intense and my recovery was very slow.

In September, after being in the hospital for fifty-seven straight days, I was discharged. I was in a weakened and very painful condition. Because I was living alone the doctors made arrangements to have a nurse from a home health nursing service visit me on a regular basis.

Within a week I was able to drive to restaurants and to do other very basic tasks. Within two weeks I was able to take an out of town trip to visit friends. My nurse Marcia and I became close friends, began to date and were married in March of 1992.

After the operation an oncologist informed me that there was nothing else he could do except chemotherapy, which would only have a twenty to twenty-five percent chance of helping me. He also said it would be very difficult for me to handle living alone without help.

I decided not to take the chemo and continued to go back to the hospital each three months for blood work, x-rays and a CAT scan. Each test showed just a little more growth of the cancer. It had spread into both lungs. At first the growth was slow but in the summer of 1992, the cancer was growing much faster. I was getting weaker, so in August I decided to take the chemo.

The first round of chemo, which consisted of Cisplatin, Adriamycin and Cytoxan, made me sicker than I could ever remember. I wanted to stop the treatment and die, but the doctor said that once the chemo was started it could not be stopped or the cancer would return faster than ever. He said it would make the chemo seem like child’s play by comparison. I’ve got a really good doctor. He is even a better salesman.

Five weeks later I took my second round of chemo and, because the dosage was reduced, I took it a little better. Four weeks later I took the third round and it was even easier than the second. I did all right with the fourth and fifth rounds also, but when I took my test to see whether I was in condition to take round six, they discovered more fluid in the chest and that my condition had worsened. They informed me that the chemo had worked to help slow the growth in the beginning, but had now stopped working.

I would never be able to take this type of chemo again. In a few days I was scheduled to have the fluid removed and to be tested to see if I was a candidate for some other protocol that they had to offer. In the meantime my appetite picked up, and I started to gain weight and I felt a lot better. When they checked me out on March 5, of 1993, the fluid had disappeared and I was feeling so good, it was decided to do nothing right then and to have me come back in two months.

I continued to gain strength and weight and when they tested me again in two months the x-rays showed no sign of cancer. The doctors then called my condition "stabilized." Each test after that was the same until February of 1994, when the x-rays showed some fluid in the left chest and some nodules on the right lung.

I was given a CAT scan on April 6 and reported to my doctor the next day. He informed me that the cancer was growing again but this time more slowly. He suggested the drug Toxan for me and thought I should start immediately. Marcia and I had a lot of travel plans for the next several months, so I asked him if could safely delay this procedure until the middle of July. He agreed and scheduled me to come back in three months.

In July the test indicated slow growth and I started treatment by a taxol and 10 edam protocol. I had bad side effects from the other chemo and I was worried about this one.

After a few months I am doing really well and have high hopes that the whole procedure will continue to work well. CT and x-ray test indicate that much of the cancer is shrinking, and the rest is stabilized. This protocol is experimental and there are no definite time limits set. My doctor wants to keep me on it as long as it continues to work well.

The side effects have not been too bad with this protocol. The most significant side effects that I have suffered from these chemo treatments is loss of weight. I now weigh about 135 pounds and feel weak a lot of the time. My spirits remain good and I continue to practice prayer and meditation. For the present I have had to neglect my exercise and nutrition programs. I have received and continue to receive the best of medical care.

But that is not the full story. A friend was diagnosed with cancer a few months before I was diagnosed. In order to better understand his problem, I read several books that dealt with cancer. One of these books was "Love, Medicine, and Miracles," by Dr. Bernie Siegel.

In his book, Dr. Siegel outlines some of the attitudes which patients develop who get well from seemingly incurable illnesses. I also read some books on death and dying and discovered that I agree with some of the writers who say that death is not necessarily a failure. My aim is to live each day to the fullest, whether it be one more day or thirty more years.

Another thing I did was to locate a cancer support group that was run along spiritual lines. Little did I realize that all of this was to save my own life later on. I attended the first meeting of this group a few weeks after I was diagnosed, not to find a way of getting well, but because I thought that I would get some comfort from being with others who had been diagnosed with cancer. I did find, and continue to get such comfort; but I have gotten many other things as well.

In our group I met people with a positive attitude and an approach to health that was working for them. We talk about practical matters such as how best to interact with our medical care givers and to take responsibility for our own welfare. This meant that I should begin to question the kind of treatment that I receive and learn as much as possible about those procedures. Other matters that we discuss are proper nutrition, exercise, coping with pain, fear, resentments, and much more.

The founder and original leader of our group is Rosemary Ross. Rosemary had written a workbook, "Creative Living and Health" that serves as a format for our discussions. She also has made a tape with a message of hope and a suggested meditation that has been very beneficial to many of us, both in and out of our group.

I suffered from alcoholism for many years and nearly died from it in 1975. At that time I turned to a spiritual program for help. It was suggested that if I would take certain steps on a daily basis I would be given, by the grace of God, a daily reprieve from the horrors of alcoholism. It was suggested that I begin to live my life one day at a time. This meant that I would seek to live each day to the fullest, shutting out thoughts of the past and the future when those thoughts were inappropriate to the present.

I had wasted a lot of my time and energy in remorse and guilt about things in my past, but had done nothing to amend those misdeeds. Likewise I had spent much time and energy worrying about what might happen to me in the future, yet not taking any action to prevent these things from happening. As a result of practicing these principles in my life, when the doctors gave me the "terminal cancer" diagnosis, I decided to put my uncertain future in God’s hands and concentrate on living fully each day, one day at a time, accepting with gratitude all the help that was offered to me: spiritual as well as medical and physical. Alcoholism is a terminal illness. I consider each day that I have lived since June 20, 1975, to be a day of grace, over and above what I thought I deserved or expected.

I had never known what really good living was until 1975, when I began my new life, but the best and most meaningful days of my entire life have been lived since I was diagnosed with cancer. I have lived some very painful and difficult days since the diagnosis, but they have added meaning and purpose to my life. I was an agnostic prior to 1975, and if I believed in a God, I didn’t like what I believed.

I am not affiliated with any religious organization, but I have benefited by what religion has to offer and I try to see where religious people are right. Many of them prayed for me when I was very sick, and I believe their prayers are being answered.

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma and working for recovery from it has brought into my life many wonderful things. The most important thing is that I have more of an awareness of the presence of God, and his purposes for me in this life. Because of this my fear of death has been greatly diminished.

When I was diagnosed in April of 1990 I was put on disability retirement. I could never have visualized how much I would enjoy doing only those things that I really like to do. Retirement and the opportunities it has given me is wonderful..

I could not place a value on the love I feel for the people that are in my life as a result of being diagnosed with cancer. Being in love and loving someone may be different things, but I am experiencing both of those things with my wife, whom I would not have known except for cancer.

I believe love to be a powerful healer. When I visited my support group for the first time, I discovered that being with people with a common problem removed many barriers that might have separated us before. I could feel closer to them than others I had known for years.

I am a member of Anderson Network, an organization of current and former patients of Anderson cancer center. We try to help cancer patients by answering their questions and providing understanding when and where it is needed most. When I first called the Anderson Network hot-line I was connected with an Anderson networker who was a mesothelioma patient. We immediately became good friends. He put me in touch with others and I found the same camaraderie with some of them and their families.

Being able to share my experience, strength and hope with others has been one of the most important things that I have done to get healthy and to stay healthy. I am now in contact with a few others who are scattered over several states. We write to each other and talk on the phone occasionally. Once in a while I get to visit some of them. Books and tapes have been a big help to me. I would appreciate hearing from you. If you would be interested in corresponding with me or other cancer survivors, or if you would care to hear from others, then just let me know. I would also like to hear any comments you may have about the contents of this letter.

Best wishes for good health,

Bill Duckett

Humble, Texas 77346

MY NUTRITION PROGRAM

I have always known that proper nutrition is important to good health. I learned in our cancer support group that certain foods have proven effective in preventing and reducing cancer. Group members suggested that I develop a plan for a nutritious diet, a plan that included less fats and sweets, and more fibrous foods such as grains, whole wheat and oatmeal. Barely cooked and raw vegetables are also important. I reduced the amount of red meat in my diet and concentrated on eating a wide variety of foods.

In Humble we are fortunate to have a variety of good restaurants, so we eat out often. This makes it entertaining and enjoyable to eat the kind of foods that tend to keep me in good health. The American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Institute both have some good pamphlets on nutrition. I have found good books on nutrition in the book stores also.

I learned that it was difficult to get enough nutrients from raw vegetables no matter how much I ate, and that canned or frozen juices lost their potency. My answer to this was to purchase a juicer. I blend together carrots, apples, celery, spinach, beets, tomatoes and other available vegetables and fruits. Later I located a restaurant that would prepare my juice for me.

I now make a routine of first exercising, and then going by the cafe for my juice. Several of the cancer group members had gone to a nutritionist in order to get his recommendations about what to eat and what not to eat. After doing blood analysis and other tests, he suggested certain vitamin and mineral supplements.

In the beginning I couldn’t afford him, so I read some literature about my diet, and got Marcia (who used to own a health store) to recommend some vitamins and minerals for me to take on a daily basis. I also heard that aloe vera juice was good to help the body get rid of cancer, and I found a supply of it at Walmart for about eight dollars per gallon.

After seeing a special on T.V. about shark cartilage curing cancer in some cases, I read some literature about it and decided to give it a try. I now take it regularly. As with my exercise program and other routines, I must discipline myself to stay in action. I have grown complacent from time to time, but I have always returned to my routine.

After my operation and during the time that I was taking chemotherapy, my appetite was greatly diminished. I then resorted to drinking several cans of a food supplement called Ensure. It can be found in most drug stores, grocery stores, and Walmart. Ensure contains all the nutrients necessary to keep one alive.

During these difficult times there would come to mind certain foods that would sound good to me. Marcia would make an effort to get and prepare those foods for me whether they were supposed to be healthy or not. Improvement rather than perfection is my goal at this time. So that’s my nutrition program in a nutshell. I’m always open to new suggestions and am constantly looking for likely improvements. Any ideas that you have about nutrition would be of interest to me. In the meantime, I’ll continue seeking ways to strengthen the above outlined formula.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE

For several years I had been walking about two miles per day. I found this exercise stimulating physically and mentally. In the fall of 1989 I began to tire easily and started to cut back on the distance I walked each day. I believe that this fatigue, and a loss of appetite and weight, were the first indications that I was getting sick.

After getting out of the hospital and attending a few meetings of my cancer support group, it was suggested that it would be helpful to do some exercises each day. I chose walking as my exercise and would walk as much as my strength would allow. It made me feel better and increased my appetite, thus helping me to keep my weight up.

Later I joined the President and First Lady health club, so I would have a good place to walk even in extreme weather conditions. It has turned out to be much more than that. I now use the stairmaster, bicycle machine and several other machines that help me to exercise my arms, back and the other parts of my body. After a minimum of thirty minutes of this activity I go to the steam room for ten minutes, then to the whirlpool hot tub for fifteen or twenty minutes.

As I mentioned before, I have a good cassette tape selection of talks by Bernie Siegel, Deepak Choppra, Wayne Dyer, Rosemary Ross and many others who talk about gaining and maintaining good health and well being. I listen to these tapes while I am exercising, and meditate on some of the ideas presented in them. I also do this while in the steam room and the hot tub.

When I first started using the exercise machines I was only able to go for two or three minutes on any of them. As I went along I increased the amount of time and the effort level on the machines. Today I can easily go for thirty minutes on the stairmaster at the two or three effort level and accomplish over two-hundred flights of stairs.

When traveling or at times when I cannot get to the gym, I usually find a good place to walk. I walk at a fast pace. It is necessary to stay moving for at least twenty minutes to get my heart rate up to the level that will do my body good. One of the members of our cancer support group is a trained therapist, and has taught me and others in the group some effective exercises that can be done anywhere and without equipment.

I feel so much better when I am doing my exercise routine on a regular basis, but after I have been feeling really good for a long time, I grow complacent and miss days. I must discipline myself daily to do all of those things that keep me alive and in good health. I hope that some of this may be of help to you in developing your own program. I’d like to hear what you are doing for exercise, and perhaps together we can improve the quality of our exercise programs.

HOW I DEAL WITH FEAR

For a lot of my life I was plagued by fear. It brought about circumstances that caused misfortune I felt I did not deserve.

Fear motivated me to make many unwise decisions concerning the course of my life. I was afraid of responsibility. Success increased the scope of my responsibility, therefore I became afraid to succeed. I sabotaged my own efforts to achieve by overindulgence in alcohol. I escaped these fearful situations by means of the bottle, but also by searching always for an easier, softer way in employment, relationships and other commitments I was forced to make.

By 1975 I had reached the stage where fear had led me into terror, bewilderment, frustration and despair. I was unemployed and unemployable, and was incarcerated in the Camden Arkansas city jail. There a kindhearted judge ordered me to an alcohol treatment center in Eldorado, Arkansas. While in the center I began to attend meetings with other alcoholics who had recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. I learned that alcohol was just a symptom of my problem.

My real problem was all of those things that made me need to drink.

Several things were involved and fear was high on the list. It was imperative that I take a good look at myself to see what was causing this destructive fear. I found that self-reliance had failed me. I had once had self confidence, and although it helped, it didn’t fully solve the fear problem.

I learned to trust infinite God rather than my finite self. Today I am in the world to play the role He assigns me. To the extent I do as I think He would have me do and humbly rely on Him, does He enable me to match calamity with serenity. I asked Him to remove my fear and direct my attention to what He would have me be. At once I started to outgrow fear.

When I speak to you of God, I mean your own conception of God. This applies, too, to other spiritual expressions that you may find in my letters or other communications. My own conception, however inadequate, was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a contact with Him. At the start this was all I needed to commence spiritual growth. I did this by praying even before I believed. I asked God to reveal himself to me as he wanted me to see Him. Today I am able to accept many spiritual concepts that seemed entirely out of reach for me in the beginning.

To the extent that I turn my thoughts to the welfare of others, I am free of fear. I have a method of ridding myself of fear when it crops up. First I check myself to see where I have gotten into selfishness and/or dishonesty. Next I ask God to remove the fear, and I immediately discuss the situation with someone. If I have harmed anyone I quickly make amends to them. Then I resolutely turn my thoughts to someone I can help. These simple actions have always worked remarkably well for me.

When the doctor informed me that I probably had cancer and that they wanted to admit me to the hospital, I was stunned. Looking back on those first few minutes I think I was just kind of numbed by fear, but this soon wore off and I was confronted with the question of what to do next.

First I inventoried the situation and asked God to remove my fear. I had recently had a friend who was diagnosed with cancer so I decided to call him, knowing that he would understand my feelings. I was admitted to the hospital that night and I slept well.

The next morning I began my day by praying that I be shown how I could live this day so as to be of maximum service to Him and my fellows. I resolutely turned my thoughts to what I could do for someone else. At this point I looked over to the bed on my left and noticed that this patient only had one leg. I introduced myself, and asked him if he would like for me to get a cup of coffee for him. This started a nice friendship, and I listened to his problems. Soon there were others in the ward who needed someone to run an errand for them, or just needed to talk. The day was a good one and I didn’t have time to experience fear about my diagnosis.

To the extent that I have followed this formula, I have been free of fear.

HOW I DEAL WITH RESENTMENTS

For most of my life I blamed people, places and circumstances for all of my troubles. I even put some of the blame on God. When I sought help with my alcoholism, they explained to me that in order to get over drinking alcohol I would have to get rigidly honest with myself.

This meant that I would have to see where my thinking, my attitudes and my actions had been the cause of all of my problems. When I looked back in my life I discovered that selfishness and self-centeredness were the root of all my troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity I stepped on the toes of others and they retaliated. Sometime they hurt me seemingly without provocation, but I invariably found that sometime in the past I had made decisions based on self that later placed me in a position to be hurt.

When it became apparent to me that I had created my own misery, I found it necessary to take an inventory of my grosser handicaps. The number one offender was resentment. It had brought on spiritual sickness, which in turn had adversely affected me physically as well as emotionally. I listed the people, institutions and principles with whom I was angry. In most cases I found that my self-esteem, my money, my ambitions or my personal relationships (including sex) were hurt or threatened.

As I took a good look at the past it became clear that a life that includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. It had certainly happened to me. To the extent that I permit this, I waste hours that might be worthwhile. When I harbor resentments I shut myself off from the sunlight of the spirit. Resentment may be a dubious luxury for other people, but for me it is poison.

I saw that these resentments must be mastered, but I could not just wish them away. Most of the harm done to me, I brought on myself. When I was harmed without provocation I tried to regard these people as spiritually sick. I ask God to help me show them the same tolerance and understanding that was shown me when I first sought help for my alcoholism. ?God please save me from being angry?, was my persistent prayer in these cases.

Next I try to put out of my mind, the wrongs done to me and look for my own mistakes. Where have I been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened? Though a situation is not entirely my fault, I try to disregard the other person involved entirely. Where am I to blame? I admit my wrongs honestly and try to set these matters straight.

I have not stopped experiencing anger, although I feel it much less now that I understand what it is about me that allows it to happen. By being on guard for fear or anger, I can identify and be rid of it before it becomes a major problem.

When I experience anger or fear I look to see where I am being selfish or dishonest, and ask God at once to remove these defects of my character. I discuss these things with someone immediately, and quickly make amends if I have harmed anyone. Then I turn my thoughts to someone I can help. Love and tolerance of others is my code.

I cannot be helpful to all people, but God does show me how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each person I meet. Following these suggestions has transformed my attitude from one of hate to one of love of this world and the people in it. The more I practice these principles the better they work for me. I believe this formula for peaceful living contributes greatly to my recovery from cancer.

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

I was raised in a Christian family. Throughout my childhood and into adolescence I was a regular attendee of Sunday school and church. I was taught good principles by which to live and I saw this way of life demonstrated in our family.

As I grew older I began to violate these principles more and more. Sometimes it seemed the harder I tried to live right, the more I failed. At some point I made an assessment of my life and concluded that if what I had learned in Sunday school was true then I was to be consigned to an eternity in hell. I seemed to be powerless to change the course of my life and it was becoming more corrupted all the time.

My thinking was that we live this life as a sort of trial to see if we would be fit for eternity in heaven if we were judged good enough, or an eternity in hell if we were not. I was convinced that if this was true I most certainly would end up in hell. Sometimes this scared me very badly. My decision was to hope that what I had been taught was not true, and to reject religion and God. Actually, I was never able to fully believe there was no God, but to the extent that I could believe that, I found some comfort. Much later and after much suffering I found out that it was not God but my concept of Him that frightened me.

When I use the word God, I mean your own conception of whatever power you believe in. This applies, too, to other spiritual expressions that you may find in my letters or other communications. My own conception, however inadequate, was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a contact with Him. At the start, all I needed to commence spiritual growth was to begin praying even before I believed. I asked God to reveal himself to me as He wanted me to see Him. Today I am able to accept many spiritual concepts that seemed entirely out of reach for me in the beginning.

In the beginning it was suggested that I concern myself more with what I was asking for in prayer, than to whom I was praying. If I would pray with an open mind, He would begin to reveal Himself to me as He wanted me to see Him. I am powerless over the disease of alcoholism, so I started out praying for the power and strength to go one day without a drink of alcohol. I still start my day with this prayer and I have not had a drink of alcohol since I began this practice. Never was I to pray for myself or my own selfish ends, except as my request bore on my usefulness to others. Only then might I expect to receive, but that would be in great measure. I ask in my prayers each morning for good health so that I can better do His will for me, which is in part, I believe, to help others achieve good health. This letter is an attempt to carry out what I believe is His will for me.

After God had begun to reveal Himself to me as loving, caring and forgiving, I made a prayer something like this. "God, I offer myself to You to build with me and do with me as You will. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Your will. Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help, of your power, love, and way of life. May I do Your will always."

After taking a moral inventory of myself and discovering the exact nature of my wrongs, I was ready to have God remove these defects from me. I then said something like this; "My creator, I am now willing that You should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that You remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do Your bidding.? When I retire at night I review my day. Have I been selfish, resentful, dishonest or afraid? Do I owe an apology? Is there anything that should be discussed with another person? Was I kind and loving toward all? What could I have done better? Was I thinking of myself most of the time? Or was I thinking of what I could do for others and what I could pack into the stream of life? After making this review I ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.

On awakening I think about the twenty-four hours ahead. I consider my plans for the day, but before I begin I ask God to direct my thinking, especially asking that it be free of self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. When I am faced with indecision I ask for inspiration, an intuitive thought or decision. I relax and take it easy. I don’t struggle, and the right answers do come to me after I have tried this for a while. What used to be an occasional hunch or inspiration gradually has become a working part of my mind.

I usually conclude this period of meditation with a prayer that I be shown all through the day what my next step is to be, that I be given whatever I need to take care of my problems. I ask for freedom from self-will and I’m careful to make no request for myself only. As I go through the day I pause when agitated or doubtful and ask for the right thought or action. A good prayer for me at these times is the serenity prayer that is, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Many times during the day I remind myself that I am no longer running the show. I then say "Your will, not mine, be done."

Prayer is where I communicate with God. Meditation is where He communicates with me. The more I try it, the more effective it is. The methods that I have described have worked well for me and I believe they will work for any one who earnestly tries them.

I have several good books that present a variety of ways to meditate. I think each person will find his own best method. I have also collected a number of good tapes that offer guided meditation techniques. Among these are several by Dr. Bernie Siegel that have helped me. These tapes can be found in many book stores. Rosemary Ross has made a very good meditation tape. My life is always good to the extent that I use prayer and meditation as my guidance.

WHY DID I GET CANCER??????

When I first visited my cancer support group Rosemary Ross, our leader, asked me if I needed to be sick again? Did I like some aspects of being sick? And what did I like about it? I did not know how to answer the first question.

There were some aspects of being diagnosed with cancer that were beneficial to me. In 1982 my mother died and left a small estate that I used to start a small business. The business was unsuccessful and by 1989 I was broke. I closed up the store and went back to work operating a crane on a construction project. I was making some progress financially when in the summer of 1989 I developed cataracts on my eyes and had to be laid off from work so that I could have an operation on my left eye.

It was several months before I located another job. I know now that the cancer began to grow in my body during those months that the future looked so uncertain. Soon after I entered the hospital the doctors informed me that my case was terminal and that it was highly unlikely that I would ever be able to work again. It was then that I applied for and received disability retirement from Social Security.

Previous to the diagnosis I had not felt good about the prospects of spending the next several years working construction while awaiting retirement. So when I was granted retirement, I felt really good about it. I enjoyed being able to do only those things that I wanted to do. I liked this aspect of having cancer.

Another benefit that I became aware of in the beginning was the beauty of having so many new people in my life as a result of being diagnosed with cancer. The people in my cancer support group demonstrated the closeness and love that can develop in that setting. Since then I have met and formed close friendships with dozens of people that I would not have met except for cancer.

My wife came into my life as a nurse. It’s not likely that I would have allowed her into my life as closely as I did if it had not been for my poor health. To explain this, I must go back to 1983, when Jean died. I loved Jean more than I thought I was capable of loving. We had lived together for almost eight years when she died of lung cancer only twenty days after diagnosis. For the first few months after her death, I didn’t date anyone else. But then I decided that I might find the kind of love with someone else that I once had with Jean.

The first relationship was good as far as it went, but fell short of being what I had with Jean. Later I met and fell "in love" with a girl who was not available for me for a permanent relationship. In an attempt to get over the feelings I had for her, I found another girl to go with. This relationship was not right for either of us, and it developed into an emotional storm until we finally agreed to end it. At this point I looked back on my "love" life, realized that I had been very selfish in my approach to women, and decided not to have any more romantic entanglements. This also happened soon after the cataract operation and during the time I was unemployed. This is when cancer began to grow in my body.

Were these turmoils related to my diagnosis? What happened in the last few years that made my immune system quit doing its job properly? This question kept arising in our meetings, and I read similar questions in the books I was reading, including Bernie Siegel. Several others in the group began to answer this question, referring to their own case, in a way that helped me understand what had happened to them. Some of the answers I heard involved failure to achieve life-long goals, thwarted ambitions, or lack of purpose in living. When the same question was asked of me, I continued to maintain that the cancer was caused by exposure to asbestos. After more urging, I agreed to see a counselor.

I was making an effort to determine what, if anything had gone wrong in my life. My counsellor has had much experience in helping others deal with health problems. She gently guided me into an exploration of the past that brought to light the major problems that I have described above. My major difficulty had been brought on by my decision to live alone for the rest of my life. My gloomy outlook for my employment and financial future was another big problem. By the time I found out what the exact nature of these difficulties had been, both of them had already been eliminated.

The love I have for Marcia is beautiful and healing. Our life together is much more than anything I could have dreamed of. We do almost everything together. She has filled a big void that existed in my life. It is my belief that making a decision to turn my will and life over to God as I understand Him will provide all my needs if I keep close to Him and perform His work well.

I have always heard that God works in mysterious ways, and He has certainly channeled my needs to me in ways I would never have guessed. I have prospered much more since diagnosis than ever before. Likewise, I was on guard not to let women into my life. I think God took an angel, disguised her as a nurse, and sent her to me. That’s the only way I would have let Marcia into my heart. This also shows that God knows more than I do what my needs are.

It’s easy for me to see now that I limited the power of God to guide and supply my life. I had made up my mind that the only way that I could make a living was the way I had done it in the past. I decided which women I would go with, and then not to go with any of them. When I was diagnosed as terminal, it was only then that I could surrender these areas of my life to his care and direction.

It seems to me that life is about learning to solve problems through experience. The greatest lessons I have learned in my life time, have come as a result of experiencing alcoholism and cancer. The greater the problem the greater the miracle of its solution.

All these experiences have served to increase my consciousness of the presence of God in my life. I think that is why I was born to this world. Now when the question is asked "Do you know why you got cancer?" I can answer yes, but the reasons no longer exist. When the question is asked "Do you need to be sick again?" I can answer "No I do not need to be sick for the same reasons that I was sick before."

It is necessary for me to keep in touch with my subconscious in order to find out what might be troubling me at a deeper level. The methods I use to accomplish this involve meditation, dream analysis, and journaling. I will write letters on many of these subjects in the coming weeks.

OncoLink, Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

Alternative treatments for mesothelioma are used to supplement the traditional methods of treatment. Even though science does not subscribe to such methods of treatment, the effects of these totally different types of treatment are claimed to be beneficial.

Disclaimer:This information is not meant to take the place of a medical professional.  It is offered for information purposes only.

Mesosothelioma: The Deadly Cancer
For all practical reasons it is said that there is no cancer as deadly and devastating as ‘Mesothelioma’. Once diagnosed, it kills the patient within 12 to 18 months.

Mesothelioma has possibly existed for a very long time, but it is now that the number of those suffering from it are on a steep rise. This trend of persons being diagnosed with mesothelioma could continue for a further 30 to 50 years, even more. Reason for this is that mesothelioma is usually diagnosed 30 to 40 years after initial ‘asbestos inhalation’ (asbestos inhalation is the prime cause of mesothelioma).

Even though banned in the 80s, asbestos was still in use till the 90s. Products that contained asbestos till the 90s are asbestos free today; but this does not mean that we are living in an asbestos free environment.

The effects of all the asbestos used till the 90s is still felt today. Any construction built from the early 1900s to the 80s contain toxic levels of asbestos in their flooring, roofing, and insulation; all of which could easily pollute the air with invisible asbestos fibers while renovating without taking all safety precautions.

Conventional Mesothelioma Treatments
Almost every patient diagnosed with mesothelioma in the past decade have had a very limited choice as far as treatment was concerned. These treatments depended on the stage of cancer, the age and overall health of the patient, and included one or more of the following treatments.

— Surgery
— Radiation Therapy
— Chemotherapy
— Combination Therapy

New Mesothelioma Treatments
Over the years of treating mesothelioma, surgeons have realized that the conventional treatment methods for mesothelioma were not very effective in treating the cancer with a low success rate and survival time.

New Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma
Chemotherapy was one option in the conventional type of treatment. Today several different types of chemotherapy are undergoing trials. Some trials are abandoned due to a lack in cancer improvement and the side-effects, but there are many new chemotherapies that are showing good results with fewer and more manageable side-effects.

Photodynamic Therapy for Mesothelioma
Photodynamic Therapy is another new mesothelioma treatment that is undergoing trial. This therapy is based on the power of light to destroy the cancer cells. A photosensitive drug is injected into the patients body and a laser of specific frequency used to stimulate the photosensitive drug. This laser will detect and kill only the active cancer cells when it reacts with the photosensitive drug.

Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma
Immunotherapy is a recent therapy that makes use of the patients own immune system to create a self defense mechanism against the cancer. The theory here is that the immune system can differentiate between normal healthy cells and cancerous cells, and will naturally destroy the cancer cells. This new therapy is based on a substance known as BRM (biological response modifiers) which is naturally present in the human body.

Today BRM can also be created in a laboratory. Trials for this therapy are underway and the current results are good, making it a possible solution for mesothelioma in the near future.

Gene Therapy for Mesothelioma
Gene Therapy / Replacement Gene Therapy is another new therapy undergoing trial. In this therapy abnormal genes that are responsible for the growth and spread of the cancer are replaced by normal healthy genes. In this therapy the cancer is treated at the DNA level. Once healthy genes replace the abnormal genes, it helps stop any further growth and spread of the cancer.

Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments
Traditional methods of containing and curing mesothelioma are not proving to be very effective, and has lead to a host of alternative treatments for mesothelioma.

These are methods that are not subscribed to by physicians / surgeons because most of them do not have a scientific base. Usually patients use alternative mesothelioma treatment methods in combination with traditional methods to improve the chance of recovery and increase survival time.

Alternative methods for mesothelioma cure include the following.

— Acupuncture
— Herbs
— Massage
— Homoeopathy
— Visual / Guided Imagery
— Yoga
— Meditation
— Breathing techniques
— Specialized diet
— Spiritual Healing

Acupuncture Treatment for Mesothelioma
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese remedy used for curing many ailments. Sterile acupuncture needles are placed on specific energy points on the skin to release positive energy to diseased parts of the body, helping restore a perfect balance in the body. It is a technique that is very helpful in relieving pain associated with mesothelioma.

Herbs Used for Treating Mesothelioma
As with acupuncture, treatment with herbs too has its origins in China. Traditional Chinese doctors have an assortment of herbs that will cure / reduce the intensity of various ailments. These herbs are used in addition to conventional mesothelioma treatment.

Massage for Mesothelioma
Massages are known to increase blood circulation and relieve body stress. Massages are not used for curing mesothelioma, but for stress and pain relief during / after conventional treatments used to cure mesothelioma.

Meditation for Mesothelioma
Meditation techniques are centuries old and practiced worldwide for various spiritual reasons. It is one of the best ways known to relax the mind and body. If done with proper guidance it can destress the mesothelioma patient and help control pain. Meditation is also claimed to strengthen the immune system. The advantages of meditation are many. Meditation can be performed by the patient in the comforting confines of home. At a time when alternative therapies cost a lot monetarily, meditation once learned will not cost anything. Unlike most medication, meditation does not have any negative side-effects.

Don’t Stop Conventional Mesothelioma Treatment
Many of those practicing alternative mesothelioma treatments will make you believe that they can cure you of the dreaded cancer without the need for conventional treatment. Most of these claims are not true and could end in disaster, since time is of essence in any mesothelioma treatment.

Even though not proven scientifically (which will never happen), many alternative treatments (most of which are based on spirituality) have proved to be beneficial when combined with conventional treatment. Whenever you decide to opt for an alternative treatment, try to locate and speak to someone who has undergone the specific treatment. Also speak to the physician / surgeon treating you and let them know of your alternative treatment choice.

As of today, mesothelioma is not curable using conventional methods such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or combination therapy. Keeping this fact in mind, and also the fact that most alternative treatments for mesothelioma do not have any negative side-effects, it is a good option to combine conventional treatment with an alternative treatment to help fight mesothelioma.

Alternative treatments for mesothelioma could cost a lot. Before opting for a particular type of alternative treatment, find out if insurance will cover this treatment. If it does, good. If not, go in for alternative treatments such as meditation, yoga, or specialized breathing techniques that once learned will help you get better, at the same time not burden you financially.

If you are looking for a competent attorney to represent your mesothelioma case here are some good questions that will help you make a selection.

Living with a diagnosis of Mesothelioma can be very emotionally difficult to deal with. Understandably, you may be feeling upset and confused as it is not uncommon for Mesothelioma to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. Here are five tips to help you or anyone else cope with Mesothelioma:

1: Coping with your feelings

Everyone has a different reaction when they learn that they have Mesothelioma. A wide range of feelings and emotions such as confusion, upset , worried, depression, shock, fear, denial, anger, negativity, etc. And it is not uncommon for people to feel relieved on learning they have Mesothelioma as they feel it is better to know than not know at all.

Just because you are having different feelings to others (or to the ones listed above) does not mean that you are not coping. There is no text book way to cope with Mesothelioma. The feelings you experience are naturally right for you so do not compare your feelings with anyone else.

2: Finding others to talk to

Your family and friends may find it hard to talk with each other about Mesothelioma. This is not unusual as they may be scared of frightening you or make it more difficult to talk about in the future. Most Mesothelioma patients feel that a problem shared is a problem halved. In some cases, patients feel it is best just to be listened to and know that someone is there if a ‘good pair of listening ears’ is needed. Get the subject out in the open.

3: How to tell children

It is never easy to tell children about Mesothelioma, even more difficult if they are small. Most patients will have small children, young relatives or the children of friends in their lives.

If the child you need to speak with is very small, start off by explaining that the person in question is very poorly. If the child is a little older, it is a good idea to explain Mesothelioma cancer as good cells and bad cells in the body. It is also a good idea if you know a little about Mesothelioma or cancer but overall, try to keep it simple.

You will also need to listen to the questions of the child and answer them the best you can without trying to upset them too much. Starting off with small bits of information and building up to the bigger picture as time goes on is a good way to go.

But don’t keep any secrets. Children are good at telling when something is not right and it may be harder for them to cope with uncertainty that it would be coping with the truth.

As adults, it can be natural to try and protect children from the truth but children can pick up on unusual comings and goings and will feel left out. Keep them informed, even if it is with just little snippets of information..

If possible, try to have a word with the childs school teacher to let them know that someone close to them is ill. Hopefully, the teacher will keep an eye on the child in case of any changes in the childs behaviour.

4. What can you do

A feeling of helplessness is not unusual when someone is first told that they have Mesothelioma. Try and learn to understand Mesothelioma as this will help you and your family to take action and know what to expect. It is best to talk to a professional such as your doctor if you need more information as they will be able to advise you on your specific case which is always better than getting general information about Mesothelioma from a book or the internet. Be sure to take a list of questions to save time for you and your doctor.

It may be a good idea to see if there are any local support groups you can join. Finding people going through a similar experience as yourself can help you cope. Your doctor or hospital will be able to let you know if there are any support groups near to you.

As you are having treatment, you will find that you may not be able to do as much as you would like on a day to day basis. Once you start to feel a little better, try and do some simple tasks and do a little more each day. This will help with confidence but always remember not to over do things.

A lot of patients try to fight Mesothelioma by planning a healthy diet, learning relaxation techniques and taking regular exercise. You don’t have to do this, only if you would like to try it. The last thing you need are more dramatic changes in your life if you’re not ready for them. But if you do decide to give exercise a go, start slowly and set realistic targets. You will have good days and bad days so always plan your activity on how you feel on the day.

5: Who else can help

More support can come from your GP if needed and hospitals can give advice and support through cancer nurses and specially trained staff will advise you on any worries you may have.

For financial help, check any insurance policies you have to see if you are covered. It is also advisable to seek financial help from your local welfare office if needed.

Sometimes it is nice to talk with someone who has nothing to do with Mesothelioma. You may want to try counselling or if you’re religious, speaking with a local minister or anyone else involved in your faith.

Early Diagnosis Is Critical For Effective Mesothelioma Treatment

By: David Arnold Livingston

Cancer is one of the most fatal diseases nowadays. It doesn’t choose its victims. Mesothelioma is one of the most dangerous and rare  forms of cancer.

Mesothelioma is appropriately named because it affects the mesothelium, specifically the Pleura (membrane that surrounds the lungs) and the Peritoneum (membrane surrounding the abdomen). Both Pleural Mesothelioma and Peritoneum Mesothelioma are primarily caused by the inhalation or exposure to asbestos, an incombustible fibrous mineral of impure magnesium silicate used in various industrial products.

About 30 to 50 per cent of the total Mesothelioma cancer patients had not been exposed to asbestos, yet they have acquired the disease. Cancer specialists continue to study this rare kind of cancer so as to provide the public clear and exact information with regard to its cause, nature and cure.

Like many other forms of cancer, Mesothelioma has different stages. The earliest stage is still curable since only one layer of the pleura is affected. Surgery is the number one option for patients with Stage I Mesothelioma. The doctor removes the part of the lining of the lungs or chest (in case of Pleural Mesothelioma) and the lining of the abdomen (in case of Peritoneal Mesothelioma). In Stage II Mesothelioma, surgery can still be executed although some lymph nodes may have already been infected by the malignant Mesothelioma cancer cells. The diaphragm may also be removed; in severe cases, the Mesothelioma patient has to sacrifice one of his lungs.

Usually, surgery comes with systemic treatments, which include radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Through radiotherapy, Mesothelioma cancer cells are killed; however, only the cells in the treated area die. High energy rays used in radiotherapy or radiation therapy may either come from an external machine or from thin plastic tubes positioned into the tissues where Mesothelioma cancer-stricken cells are found. Inside the plastic tubes are radiation-emitting materials that kill the malignant cells. The use of an external machine is called external radiation therapy while the other is called internal radiation therapy. Also, a radioactive substance such as radiolabeled monoclonal antibody is circulated around the body during radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill the malignant cells. In treating Mesothelioma, the anti-cancer drugs are usually given to the patient through intravenous injection (within the vein). Oncologists are still studying the possibility of treating Mesothelioma through intracavitary chemotherapy (within the chest or abdomen). Some Mesothelioma patients also undergo Photodynamic therapy, a kind of cancer therapy that combines the use of drug (photosensitizer) with a specific kind of light. The photosensitizing agent when exposed to the light produce oxygen that destroys nearby malignant cancer cells. The drug is injected into the bloodstream and is absorbed by the cells.

In order to relieve the symptoms of Mesothelioma such as the pain in the chest or abdomen due to the build up of fluid, a physician drains the fluid by using a needle. The procedure is known as thoracentesis (removal of fluid in the chest) or paracentesis (removal of the fluid in the abdomen). To prevent further accumulation of the lubricating fluid in the membranes of the chest or abdomen, drugs are given through a tube in the affected organ.

Although the said treatments to Mesothelioma have been proven effective, chance of recovery and survival still depends on the size or extent of the cancer. Chances are higher when Mesothelioma is still in its early stages. Surgery is only advisable only up to the second stage of the Mesothelioma cancer wherein only one part or smaller portions of the membranes are affected. A patient diagnosed with stage IV Mesothelioma (diffuse Mesothelioma) has only about 4-24 months to live. Furthermore, the age of the patient and his general health condition is also crucial to his recovery. Older patients do not respond well to certain cancer treatments such as surgery because their tissues, organs and other body parts are more delicate.

Many mesothelioma patients seek legal help to represent them.  However it canbe difficult to know how to shooce a competent mesothelioma attorney.  Here are a list of questions that will help you make a good selection.

About The Author

David Arnold Livingston is passionate about Health and suggests you visit, as a resource: http://www.newmesothelioma.com/.

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$2.25m Awarded To Family Of Naval Shipyard Worker

A jury in New York City recently awarded the family of a man, who was allegedly exposed to asbestos at work, $2.25 million.

The suit claimed that as a result of his exposure, the man developed pleural mesothelioma and wrongfully died.

Asbestos Cancer Exposure in the Workplace

Leonard Schafer, 73, was employed at the New York Naval Shipyard in Brooklyn, New York when he was supposedly exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos is a harmful substance that is linked with a fatal form of cancer known as mesothelioma cancer.

‘Mr. Shafer endured pain and suffering that spanned an eighteen month time period from the time he was diagnosed until the time of the death,’ says attorney for the family, Carmen St. George.

Workers Unaware of Asbestos Cancer Causing Problems

Like many other workers who were employed at shipyards, Shafer was never given protective gear to wear and was unaware of the dangers of asbestos cancer.

In the case, the jury found that Shafer’s illness and untimely death was due to his exposure at work, which was foreseeable to the company.

(Source: PRWEB)

Do you think you have ever been wrongfully exposed to asbestos cancer while at work? If so, you might consider contacting an attorney that specializes in mesothelioma cases.  To find the best one here is a list of good questions you can ask.

By: justice

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

 http://www.mesotheliomatreatmentcenters.org/

Mesothelioma - The most dangerous cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that can attack some parts in the body and causing malignant tumors in those parts, the parts that can develop mesothelioma cancer can be divided to three parts, the first and the most common part is the Pleura or the outer membrane of lungs.

This membrane has some protective functions and it is the reason of the presence pf pleural fluids that help the lungs to move during the breathing process. When mesothelioma cancer develops in the pleura, symptoms like fluid effusion and shortness of breathing will appear.

The second part is the peritoneum or the outer membrane of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity, we can call this cancer "the peritoneal mesothelimoa". It is less common than the cancer in the pleura but it is considered to be more dangerous.

The third type is the pericardial mesothelioma when the cancer develops on the pericardium or the sac of the heart and its arteries; it is the least common type but can be also very dangerous type. The treatment options can be on of three ways, the surgery way which the treatment will be more effective, the chemotherapy way and the radiation therapy way.

Doctors can make a combination between the all three treatment ways to make a powerful treatment strategy and to get rid of all malignant tumors from the pleura, pericardium or peritoneum. If you suffer from this disease, you should start your treatment plan today and we strongly recommend you to consult your doctor to choose the best treatment plan.

Choosing a competent attorney for
To learn much more about the different types of Mesothelioma Disease, visit http://www.mesotheliomaactivists.net where you find this and much more, including mesothelioma treatment options.

Current Mesothelioma Treatments

More new treatments for mesothelioma are being tested and tried daily. In this article we’ll discuss some of them and provide details on each new mesothelioma treatment option.

If you are considering speaking to an attorney for help with your Mesothelioma situation–here is a list of good questions to ask that will help you select the best legal representation.

More new treatments for mesothelioma are being tested and tried daily. Scientists also try the conventional methods of treatment like radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery in combination to try to come up with the fastest and most accurate treatment for mesothelioma. Below are a few of the new treatments that are being tried at this point.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is one new treatment being tested at this time. Immunotherapy uses the patients own immune system to fight the mesothelioma. Immunotherapy consists of using substances found in the immune system to counteract the growth of the tumor. Some substances that have been used in laboratory studies are interferon and interleukin-2. These substances have been found effective in laboratory studies but in those with malignant mesothelioma and there clinical trials the immunotherapy has not been effective.

Heat Therapy

Another new mesothelioma treatment is called heat therapy. Heat therapy works in the way that it heats the chemotherapy agents before they are injected. When these chemicals are heated before injection it seems to kill more of the tumor cells. This new mesothelioma treatment is also known as chemo hyperthermia and has shown good results in those with malignant mesothelioma.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is a new mesothelioma treatment that some believe to be a big key in future studies of mesothelioma. Gene therapy involves manipulating the genes involved in the tumor into a virus, such as the common cold, and then using antiviral drugs or your own immune system to destroy the cells. Studies are still being conducted on this therapy. So far, this treatment has been effective for early stages of malignant mesothelioma and other types of tumors.

Photodynamic Therapy

Another type of new mesothelioma treatment being tested in various studies is called Photodynamic Therapy. Photodynamic Therapy consists of injecting light sensitive molecules in the pleural space before surgery. When the surgery is done light is put directly on the molecules, thus killing the tumor cells. This study has not shown improved survival but studies are still being done to try this treatment.

Other new studies are done daily and many patients try clinical trials. Clinical trials are research studies that are done to collect information for new drugs or devices. Clinical trials can be the best treatment in some instances. Clinical trials are different tests done by physicians who have advanced knowledge. A Clinical trial could very easily prove to be the cure to mesothelioma in the future.

To learn more about Mesothelioma Cancer including the various Mesothelioma Treatment Options, visit www.mesotheliomafaqsite.com/ where we provide all of this and much more!

By Josh Spaulding
Published: 6/9/2008

As you continue along your journey learning more and more about mesothelioma and asbestos cancer it may be helpful to learn about it’s history. 

The production of asbestos became a major industry in a wide range, at the beginning of the 20th century. From countries like England, South Africa, Australia and the United States, asbestos was mined. The knowledge of asbestos exposure occurred in the early period of the development in this industry. During the year 1906, the first medical report of a person dying due to fibrosis of the lungs was published.

Strong evidence has developed relating asbestosis to many various asbestos firms in Britain by the late 1920’s. The government in 1930 showing the drastic effects of the asbestos is funded a survey. It reported that the rate of sickness would be geometric, if the employees work for more than ten years in the presence of asbestos. It also stated that the rate of disease could be reduced if the asbestos dusts are controlled from the atmosphere. The disease has developed mostly in people directly involved in working with asbestos.

During the year 1930, the evidence of malignant mesothelioma started to evolve. Later it was slowly linked with asbestos. There was a common knowledge that most of the deaths in the industry occurred due to lung cancer. Tuberculosis was also widespread at that time. The need of an autopsy developed to know the exact mode of death, analyzing whether the cancerous cells developed in the mesothelium or due to some other ailments.

The major difficulty occurred with the length in the time gap in relating the mesothelium and the exposure of asbestos. Since the symptoms regarding this deadliest disease are similar to other various common diseases, many people were diagnosed later after working among the asbestos and when the disease developed with more severity.

In the year 1959, three researchers developed and presented in a seminar in South Africa some stunning evidence providing a link between mesothelioma and asbestos. The study released major shocking notes against the asbestos industry and its effects. A major cover-up of these facts from the industry owners were developed in order to save the asbestos industry rather than protecting the workers. Various litigations were further developed for the fulfillment of the persons who had developed mesothelioma with asbestos exposure. The lawsuits helped them in claiming a maximum compensation from the major asbestos-abusing companies.

Exposure to asbestos today is still a very real cause for concern.  Every year there are thousands of new cases of mesothelioma detected in people.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos cancer you may want to consider talking to an attorney that specializes in these types of cases.

Finding the right attorney can be a challenging task, however.  To help you we have put together a list of good questions you should ask as you talk to different attorneys.  Asking these questions will help you find the best, most competent mesothelioma lawyer for your situation. 

Author: Kristy Annely

Mesothelioma Litigation provides detailed information on History of Mesothelioma Litigation, Mesothelioma Diagnosis: A Guide, Mesothelioma Laws, Mesothelioma Lawyers: A Guide and more. Mesothelioma Litigation is affiliated with California Contractor License Bond.

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Mesothelioma, cancer of the mesothelium, is caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease can take decades to appear or to develop to the point that it is detectable. Once it forms, it takes time for the disease to be diagnosed and then treated. So why, exactly, is it so deadly?

One of the biggest problems with mesothelioma disease is that it takes what seems like forever, to those who have been exposed to asbestos, to show up in tests. The disease usually takes around 20 years to develop but has been known to wait around 40 years to develop. What this means is that a person who knows he or she has been exposed to asbestos can wait a long time before a test shows anything either abnormal or serious.

This long period of inactivity means that individuals who do not know that they have been exposed to asbestos may ignore early signs and symptoms of the disease and explain them away as bronchitis or something else that will go away with time. This means that by the time they go see a doctor because they feel awful and can’t breathe very well, the disease has progressed to the later stages.

Like all cancer, there is something very important in treatment about catching the disease early and getting treatment started as soon as possible. When a cancer is detected early and then treated early, the chances that it will be cured and the person’s life saved go up drastically. The later cancer is detected in a person, the lower, usually, his or her chances of survival are.

Part of this is due to cancer’s very aggressive nature. The unregulated growth of cancerous cells can quickly take over. Worse, in cancers located near major blood supplies or other fluid systems within the body, these cells can break away from the pack and end up halfway across the body and start a new colony.

Because most mesothelioma patients wait to see a doctor until they are having serious problems, they put themselves at risk and lower the chances that there is any hope for treatment. By the time most people go to see the doctor, the cancer has gotten to the point that it is inoperable. Chemotherapy and radiation can only do so much to kill cancer.

If you think that you might have been exposed to asbestos, it is imperative to tell your doctor so that he or she can monitor the situation and, potentially, detect cancer early. For more information on the disease and where asbestos is commonly found, please visit http://www.mesolawsuit.com.

If you are looking for legal assistance in Texas and want to know what questions to ask to find a good mesothelioma attorney, here is help.

Author: Joseph Devine

Joseph Devine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine

Mesothelioma Cancer Statistics And Information

Although the numbers of mesothelioma cancer cases reported yearly in the U.S. are rare, statistics show that incidences of the illness have increased in the past few decades.

The illness tends to affect men more than women since they are more prone to get jobs in places where they could potentially be exposed to asbestos.

Five-Year Survival Rate

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by asbestos exposure but symptoms can often go undetected for 15-50 years.

Once someone is diagnosed as having mesothelioma cancer, they are typically given a five-year survival rate, depending upon the severity of the case and how soon the illness was caught.

The five-year survival rate refers to the percent of patients who live at least five years after being diagnosed.

However, as more research is being done on mesothelioma cancer, more patients are living much longer than five years and better mesothelioma treatments are providing a promising outlook for the future and this type of cancer.

Mesothelioma Disease Statistics

According to U.S. data, every year between 2, 500 and 4,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer in America.

Since so many were exposed in the past at work, while in school and through other daily activities, experts believe that the illness will continue to increase for at least another 10 years.

While many countries have banned particular forms of asbestos, about 5,000 products exist today that contain the harmful substance.

More than 10,000 people die worldwide from the disease.

(Source: Mesothelioma-Data)

Do you know someone living with mesothelioma cancer? If so, please contact mesothelioma treatment centers to speak with someone about the resources available to you.

By: justice

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

www.mesotheliomatreatmentcenters.org/

Looking for help on how to select a good Texas Mesothelioma Attorney?  Here is a helpful articls that shows you what questions to ask. 

Mesothelioma Symptoms-What To Watch For

Mesothelioma symptoms are common with other less serious medical conditions, making it difficult for diagnosis. It is advised to consult your physician immediately if you have previously been exposed to asbestos and have (or even do not have) any symptom/s of mesothelioma.

What is Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the membrane lining the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It is a rare cancer and the prime cause is almost always asbestos exposure (inhalation / ingestion).

Mesothelioma is usually seen in elderly patients, mostly male. The reason for this is mesothelioma takes approximately 30 to 40 years to develop and show its effects.

Mesothelioma is one of the most aggressive, painful, and fatal of all cancers.

Mesothelioma Types
In a maximum number of cases (over 80%) mesothelioma is restricted to the lining of the lungs (pleura), but can also occur in the lining of the stomach (peritoneum), and in very rare cases the lining of the heart (pericardium). They are known as Pleural Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma, and Pericardial Mesothelioma respectively.

Persons at Risk of Mesothelioma
Since mesothelioma takes approximately 30 to 40 years to develop and show its effects, those being diagnosed with mesothelioma today have probably been exposed to asbestos as far back as the 60s or 70s.

Asbestos safety guidelines never existed until the late 80s, so those diagnosed today could either be directly involved with asbestos, or their relatives / friends who were indirectly exposed to asbestos.

Persons at maximum risk of mesothelioma include the following.

— Construction workers
— Building renovation workers
— Ship building workers
— Ship renovation workers
— Auto clutch and brake manufacturing workers
— Auto clutch and brake mechanics
— Asbestos mine workers
— Relatives and friends of all of the above mentioned persons
— Those living in close proximity to asbestos mines

Mesothelioma Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma are non-specific to the disease. Almost all the symptoms of mesothelioma overlap with the symptoms of certain other minor diseases.

This is further complicated with the fact that the symptoms of mesothelioma occur approximately 30 to 40 years after initial exposure. When a person experiences the symptoms of mesothelioma it is easily mistaken for some other disease such as viral pneumonia.

Mesothelioma affects the linings of the lungs, stomach, or heart. As the cancer progresses, the tumors cause the affected tissues to expand and gather fluid. This excess fluid is the cause of the symptoms to appear. Mesothelioma symptoms will also depend on the location of the cancer. An x-ray will reveal the amount and spread of the fluid.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining / tissue around the lungs with a build-up of fluid (pleural effusion). Pleural mesothelioma symptoms could include one or more of the following.

— Shortness of breath
— Mild to severe constant chest pain
— Constant mild to severe cough
— Sudden weight loss

These symptoms are common with other diseases and could be misdiagnosed for pneumonia.

What is Pleural Effusion
Pleural effusion is one of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. It is the accumulation of fluid in between the pleura covering the chest wall / diaphragm (parietal pleura) and the pleura covering the lungs (visceral pleura). In normal circumstances these membranes are covered with a very small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant between the moving chest wall and lung. When an excess amount of fluid is collected without being able to drain due to the cancer, it results in an effusion.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining / tissue surrounding the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms could include one or more of the following.

— Abdominal swelling
— Tissue mass in the abdomen
— Sudden weight loss
— Nausea
— Anemia
— Mild to severe abdominal pain
— Mild to severe diarrhea
— Mild to severe constipation

These symptoms are accompanied by a constant mild fever in some cases.

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare. It affects the lining / tissue surrounding the heart causing a fluid build-up. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms could include one or more of the following.

— Mild to severe chest pain
— cough
— Irregular heart-beats
— Irregular breathing pattern
— Constant unexplained fatigue

Get Diagnosed for Mesothelioma
If mesothelioma symptoms show, it means just one thing. The cancer has spread to incurable proportions.

If you know that you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, but none of the symptoms of mesothelioma are present, do not wait for the symptoms to show up. It could be very late by then. Get a diagnosis for mesothelioma performed by a surgeon who is trained in handling mesothelioma cases. Detection in the early stages (which is very rare) will help in better treatment, possibly even getting rid of the cancer.

Always remember that all of the above symptoms could be caused by mesothelioma, or could be caused by some less serious condition having nothing to do with mesothelioma. Never come to a conclusion by yourself that you have mesothelioma even if most of the mentioned symptoms are present. Get it checked / diagnosed by a trained physician / surgeon, because only they will be able to make a definitive diagnosis of the symptoms.

If you think you want to speak to an attorney about your mesothelioma, here is a guide on the best questions to ask so you will find a competent attorney that specializes in this area. 

Mesothelioma Causes And Prevention

Mesothelioma cancer is a rapidly increasing threat to the people which has already killed thousands of Americans, and it continues to be diagnosed at an alarming rate. One of the main reason for this rapid increase is because of the lack of awareness among people about this peculiar disease.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma is is best to speak to an attorney that specializes in these types of cases as soon as possible. Here’s a list of good questions that will help you select the most appropriate attorney. 

People often ask how to prevent mesothelioma. Although most Americans are not yet aware of the threat of mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases, the family members and friends of mesothelioma victims are acutely concerned about how to prevent mesothelioma from striking others. This is one of the major reason for me to write this article.

Origin of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is closely related to the term Asbestos, a mineral used in many products that we encounter on a daily basis which is the main cause for this type of cancer. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the use of asbestos was cut back extensively by government regulation. But we must accept the truth that we all use Asbestos on day to day basis in our life. Places like School, Work places and in public building.

Asbestos At Work

If you have (or your loved one has) a job working with asbestos, it’s a good idea to either look for other work or try to ensure that all possible asbestos-related safety precautions are being followed. Some of the jobs that present the highest risk of mesothelioma cancer are:

• Asbestos manufacturing and removal, also known as asbestos abatement

• Insulation manufacturing, installation, and removal

• Factory workers

• Miners

• Construction workers

• Railroad workers

• Ship building and shipyard workers

• Gas mask manufacturers

• Automotive repair (brakes and clutches may contain asbestos)

Asbestos At Home

It’s possible to safely remove asbestos from your home by yourself, older homes may well contain materials with asbestos if you suspect that there is asbestos in your home. Be sure to check the sample of the building material tested in a laboratory. Look in a phone directory under "asbestos removal" for a place to start. The best bet may be to hire a certified asbestos abatement/removal contractor.

Asbestos In Public Buildings

Some theaters, schools, libraries, office buildings and other public buildings that were constructed before the 1980s have asbestos components. Asbestos that is in place and not disturbed is not thought to present a risk of mesothelioma cancer, but if you suspect that any of a building’s components (such as ceiling tiles or plumbing insulation) are becoming friable and dangerous, bring it to the attention of city authorities. Many municipalities have already begun campaigns to rid their aging schools of asbestos.

By: Prakash Balaji

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com