As I research treatment options for those suffering from mesothelioma, I find a mixture of hope and hopelessness.There are the articles written by loved ones who have watched their partner, parent or close friend die a painful death; and there are articles filled with the promise of treatment and beating the fatal disease.
According to the National Cancer Institute, mesothelioma is cancer of the tissue that lines your lungs, stomach, heart and other organs.It is a rare but serious type of cancer. It usually starts in the lungs, but can also start in the abdomen or other organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, although can be caused by secondary exposure as well.
Symptoms of the disease can take 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos to develop. Treatmentusually includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or all three.
Recently researchers from the U.S. and Britain have discovered a gene that may play an important part in protecting someone from developing mesothelioma and other forms of cancer.The gene known as the LIMD1 has been found to be missing in patients who are suffering from lung cancer.Researchers believe the gene may act as a tumor suppressor in the body, defending against changes in the cells that lead to cancer.
Sufferers of mesothelioma and their families are hopeful that this breakthrough might help protect people against the disease and provide a way to finding a cure for the illness.
Anita Steiner was diagnosed with mesothelioma two years ago at the young age of 45.Mesothelioma is a rare and often incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.The onset of cancer can take anywhere from 10 to 40 years to develop.Anita seems to be another case of secondary exposure, coming into contact with the deadly mineral as a young child when watching her father pull down a shed. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma die within a year and there are no known cures.After six months of exhausting chemotherapy and drug treatments, Anita had all but given up hope and had set her mind to enjoying the short time left to her life.
Given her circumstances, Anita and her partner, Patrick Lemmens, could hardly believe when they were told that the cancer was in remission in January.They were even more surprised when they were told that Anita was pregnant!Despite worries over the health of the fetus, a healthy baby girl was born on December 4th.A very happy ending to a story that usually ends with sorrow and loss!
The British Lung Foundation (BLF) has developed a survey for people with mesothelioma, their family members and people who have lost a close one to the deadly disease. Malignant mesotheliomais a cancer that affects the lining of the chest. The cause of the cancer is due to inhaling asbestos fibers. Commonly, it takes anywhere from 15-40 years after exposure to develop mesothelioma. According to the BLF, mesothelioma kills one person every five hours in the UK. The high rates of this cancer are believed to be due to the region’s history of shipbuilding and heavy industry.
The survey is being offered in hopes to better understand and meet the needs of people who are currently coping with the disease or anyone who’s life has been affected by the deadly disease. The BLF is also hoping to use information gathered to help form campaigning messages for 2009 Action Mesothelioma Day, which will be held in several regions February 27.
For those in the UK, to complete the survey please visit the BLF website at www.lunguk.org/mesosurvey. The survey only takes 10 minutes to complete.
Registration for the 5th Annual Asbestos Awareness Day Conference is now open.The conference will be held March 27 – 29, 2009 in Manhattan Beach, Calfornia at the Manhattan Beach Marriot Hotel.The conference is held annually to provide the most advanced medical, occupational, and environmental information about asbestos-related diseases for individuals and families, employers, employees, research scientists and medical experts.
Expert speakers will discuss how to prevent asbestos exposure, identify when exposure has occurred, and recognize early warning symptoms of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.This year there will be a special emphasis on prevention and early detection both nationally and globally.
There are still many places internationally, especially developing countries, where exposure rates are rising. The conference hopes to further awareness about the dangers of asbestos and prevention and treatment options.
The results of a new study conducted by scientists in Italy may lead to new and faster methods of diagnosing mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer in the lining of the lung due to asbestos exposure.
Researchers in the department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies at the Institute of Occupational Medicine at Polytechnic University of Marche (Ancona, Italy) released the study, entitled “Assessment of Biomarkers in Asbestos-Exposed Workers as Indicators of Cancer Risk.” It appeared in the June 2008 issue of Mutation Research.
The scientists examined 119 people with a history of asbestos exposure, interviewing them and analyzing their cells for specific biomarkers related to asbestos exposure. They discovered several biomarkers and found that participants who had more cumulative asbestos exposure also had higher levels of ‘biomarkers,’ biological tags that distinguish mesothelioma cells from normal cells. It is a promising new diagnostic technique because it will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can also affect the lining of the heart, abdominal cavity or testicles. It has a long latency period so that early detection is vital for effective mesothelioma treatment.
The conclusion is that people who have been exposed to asbestos could be monitored regularly for signs of the disease so that treatment can begin early.
Mesothelioma Blog of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason
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