Diagnosis of Mesothelioma Cancer and Isolation
About ten years ago, I was diagnosed with a rare, genetic disease that even my treating physician wasn’t aware of until my diagnosis. Due to the rarity of the illness, I felt very much alone in trying to find information on ways of managing it as well as getting support. Mesothelioma, a cancer in the lining of the internal organs of the body caused by exposure to asbestos, used to be just as rare. Although one of the more rare forms of lung cancer, due to increased environmental awareness, many more people worldwide now know about mesothelioma.
Despite this, many diagnosed with a rare disease can feel even more isolation and overwhelm as finding specialists, test and treatment options, and resources can be more challenging. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), the most common type of this aggressive cancer, is usually not diagnosed until it has reached advanced stages and is often therapy resistant. As a result, prognosis is usually poor, with less than a year of average survival time.
Those diagnosed with MPM, as well as family members, often experience frustration about the fact that the cancer could have been prevented, the time to diagnose takes too long, and the lack of effective treatment options. Having a way to share experience, thoughts and feelings is helpful for some.
One way to get this, despite the rarity of this type of cancer, is to join groups where others have been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. There are also many blogs and cancer support websites that offer resources and share strategies that can be helpful.
A study released last year showed that social isolation actually causes gene alteration that negatively affects the biology of cancer growth. Whether socially isolated or overly stressed, gene expression is altered, interfering with the body’s ability to respond to treatment and decreasing the immune system.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, talk with your oncologist or visit the National Cancer Institute to locate local support groups in your area. Feel free to call our asbestos law firm that specializes in handling only mesothelioma lawsuits at 1-888-855-9052.
