Mesothelioma Prognosis News

Australia’s 2011 Asbestos Awareness Week to be Held November 21-25

November 11,2011 · awareness

This year during the last week of November, from Monday November 21 until Friday November 25, Asbestos Awareness Week will be held in Melbourne, Australia. The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) organization explains that “The reason the union movement and Asbestos Diseases Support and Advocacy groups allocate a week each year as ‘Asbestos Awareness Week’ is because asbestos is such a huge problem still.”

Despite the nationwide ban on the import and use of asbestos, which went into place on December 31, 2003, the industrialized nation is still recognized as owning “one of the world's highest rate of asbestos related diseases and a legacy of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in many workplaces and buildings - public and private, commercial, domestic and industrial.” Sadly, this widespread Australian asbestos use has created many health risks which continue in the nation today.

According to the OHS organization of Australia, the Asbestos Awareness Week “serves as a potent reminder of the effects of asbestos and provides an opportunity to remember and support the families affected by asbestos-related diseases.” According to the review of this year’s event, the government organization also explains that elected occupational and safety health representatives also often use this week’s events and increased awareness to make sure legal requirements concerning asbestos are being followed by Australian employers.

Exposure to asbestos is extremely dangerous due to its friability. Inhalation or ingestion of these friable particles can lead to several illnesses which can be serious or life threatening. One of the most dangerous of these diseases is mesothelioma, the relatively rare form of cancer which continues to claim thousands of lives each year in this nation. This incurable cancer leaves patients with a short life expectancy and develops after a long latency period of 20 to 50 years, meaning citizens in this nation may continue to develop this cancer for many decades to come.

Activities at this event include guest speakers, seminars, film screenings regarding the dangerous material, and opportunities for participants to discuss the continued risk of this material at many social gatherings. Other details on this event explain that last year a “coalition of unions around Australia,” as well as community organizations, support and advocacy groups, and the Cancer Council “developed a National Declaration: Towards an Asbestos Free Australia.”

The event’s promotional information further explains that this declaration has encouraged the national government to create the Asbestos Management Review, which is a “national inquiry which will make recommendations to government on how to deal with this nationwide problem.” This year’s celebration also marks the consolidation of two Melbourne-based support organizations, ADSVIC and AISS, under a new organization known as Asbestos Wise.

Reference:

OHS Reps: Asbestos Awareness Week, 2011

Supporting Mesothelioma Awareness Day

September 26,2011 · Mesothelioma

The 8^th annual Mesothelioma Awareness Day is taking place today as a major event planned by a combined effort of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, as well as many supporters and volunteers. Through a media and advocacy heavy approach, the awareness day will serve as a reminder of the thousands of Americans who are stricken with this cancer every year.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation noted that the day will be marked by individuals throughout the country who are determined to raise awareness by taking part in runs, walks and other fundraising opportunities. Also, dozens of members of the Meso Foundation have requested official proclamations from their local governments which also serve to increase media coverage to raise awareness.

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that attacks the lining of the protective tissue located in many of our internal organs. According to the American Cancer Society, the disease is usually brought on following an exposure to asbestos fibers and a latency period that usually lasts for decades. With this long period between exposure and diagnoses, mesothelioma has a very sever life expectancy of around four to 18 months.

Asbestos was a widely used material throughout most of the 20^th century. It was widely recognized and used for its ability to stay strong, flexible, and fireproof. This made it a popular option for building and materials such as manufacturing, construction and even clothing. On top of all that, asbestos was also a relatively cheap material in comparison to similar options. The inexpensiveness of asbestos has made users hesitant to replace it over the years.

Even with growing awareness, mesothelioma is still a dangerous and deadly disease throughout the world today. Even though there have been excellent breakthroughs in research, there will continue to be a need for funding in an effort to continue to break new ground.

The awareness day was created back in 2004 by Meso Foundation volunteers and has continued annually though this year. 2011’s Mesothelioma Awareness Day brings on even more meaning than usual as this is the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. This event had a catastrophic effect on all those involved, including a devastating amount of first responders who have developed mesothelioma as a result of being exposed to asbestos in the ground zero area.

References;

The American Cancer Society

Meso Foundation. (September 23, 2011). "This Monday, September 26th is Mesothelioma Awareness Day." Retrieved on September 26, 2011 from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

Canada Considers Reviving World’s Largest Asbestos Mine

February 23,2011 · Asbestos

In Asbestos, Quebec, a multinational corporation has proposed a deal that would ramp up the mining and production of the material the town is named for, AOL News reports. According to Andrew Schneider, the site’s Senior Public Health Correspondent, this is the largest asbestos mine in the world. Balcorp Ltd., a consortium of foreign investors, is asking the Canadian government for $57 million to refurbish the underground portion of the mine, Schneider says, which could supply asbestos to developing Asian countries for the next 25 years.

The painful irony is that, according to AOL News, Canada is already spending millions to safely remove asbestos from schools and federal buildings within its borders. The countries to which the mined asbestos will be shipped – mostly India, but also Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines – all have extraordinarily lax or absent occupational safety laws, explains the article.

Spokespeople for Balcorp insist that chrysotile asbestos, the type mined in Quebec, is not harmful to humans, reports Schneider. The article explains that the Chrysotile Institute, Canada’s asbestos lobby, backs that assertion that this asbestos is safe. Chrysotile fibers are structured in a curly shape, rather than the needle-like shape of other types of asbestos, leading some people to claim it is less harmful. “It is thus quite useless to panic in sight of asbestos chrysotile or products containing this fiber,” says a public statement from the lobbying group, which recently changed its name from the Asbestos Institute, reports the article.

However, all types of asbestos have been proven carcinogenic, and medical experts quoted in the article strongly dispute the claim of safety. Dr. David Egilman, expert in internal and occupational medicine, says, “Based on all the studies that looked at where cancer occurs – the pleural cavity or lining of the lung – the most common fiber is chrysotile.” He is referring to mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer with an average life expectancy of 8 to 14 months after diagnosis. In addition to mesothelioma, the article goes on to explain, asbestos exposure has been known to cause cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovaries, as well as other conditions such as asbestosis and pleural plaques.

Human rights advocates are up in arms over the fact that this hazardous substance, which is no longer used in Canada, will be exported to developing nations, AOL News reports. According to Schneider, the trade in asbestos is still thriving in many of these countries because it is strong, fireproof, and useful in a number of products, from construction materials to brake linings, despite its known tendency to cause cancer. Oncologist Michael Harbut, chief of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Michigan, says in the article that “It is almost beyond belief that a free and democratic nation like Canada is willing to sacrifice human lives in poor and developing nations on the altar of avarice and greed.”

A representative for the Canadian government maintains that it “does not ban naturally occurring substances,” but Schneider implies that the government may be trying to soothe political tensions with Quebec, which has repeatedly threatened to secede from the country. According to the article, residents of Asbestos bemoan the inactivity of the mine in recent years, refusing to link any illness or death in the town with the asbestos industry. Balcorp promises to create at least 500 new jobs, says Schneider, and provide their Canadian workers with the most up-to-date protective equipment. However, the company appears to have made no such provisions for the workers in other countries who will process, shape, and cut the asbestos-containing materials, which releases their deadly fibers into the air.

References:

Schneider, Andrew. (February 17, 2011) “Will Canada export death by rejuvenating its last asbestos mine?” Retrieved February 23, 2011 from AOL News.

New Imaging Technology Helps Identify Mesothelioma

February 17,2011 · Mesothelioma Diagnosis

A type of molecular imaging known as Raman spectroscopy is helping researchers differentiate mesothelioma tumors from those of other types of cancer, says a press release published by MSNBC. Scientists from Cornell Weil Medical School and University of Chicago Medical School will showcase this research at the 100th Annual Meeting of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), which begins on February 26 in San Antonio, Texas, explains the report.

Because mesothelioma is such an aggressive and deadly cancer, early detection is extremely important. This is difficult for two reasons. First, though mesothelioma is nearly always caused by exposure to asbestos, it can take between 20 and 50 years for symptoms to become apparent. And when those symptoms do develop, they include shortness of breath, pain or heaviness in the chest, and fluid around the lungs – very similar to many other, less serious lung problems. By the time mesothelioma is diagnosed, the cancer has usually progressed beyond the scope of standard cancer therapies like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Diagnostic tools like Raman Molecular Imaging (RMI) may be able to improve our ability to detect mesothelioma, says MSNBC. In a preliminary study, the press release explains, RMI was able to distinguish between lung tissue containing epithelioid mesothelioma and tissue containing metastatic-to-pleura bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer among non-smokers.

According to the press release, researchers at ChemImage Corporation use RMI to “generate chemical-specific data imprints of the sample,” and careful statistical analysis of the results yields subtle differences between mesothelioma and lung cancer. While mesothelioma is often erroneously referred to as a type of lung cancer, it is in fact a cancer of the mesothelium, the lining of the chest cavity which also surrounds the lungs. However, there is as of yet no single test that can reliably differentiate mesothelioma from carcinoma of the lung, so this use of diagnostic imaging may represent a significant breakthrough.

The ChemImage Corporation, which is based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has also performed research into kidney tumors, using RMI to distinguish between malignant and benign tumors, reports MSNBC. The scientists from both groups – those who worked with kidney tissue and those who worked with lung tissue – are set to present their findings on Wednesday, March 2, at the Gonzalez Convention Center.

References:

Globe Newswire. (February 15, 2011). “Diagnostic advances in cancer research utilizing Raman Molecular Imaging to be presented at USCAP.” Retrieved February 17, 2011 from MSNBC.

Study Indicates Number Of Mesothelioma Cases To Keep Rising

February 9,2011 · Mesothelioma

A recent study in the United States has discovered that an additional 2,500 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma cancer have been reported for the year 2010. According to the National Cancer Institute, at least one-third of these cases are reported to come from retired personnel in the United States Navy.

Mesothelioma cancer is a form of cancer that begins to develop in the mesothelium, which is a protective coating for the body's internal organs. This form of cancer is thought to be caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos or products that contain asbestos. When this condition begins to form, it is often first formed in the walls of the chest, near the lungs. In some cases, this cancer grows within the abdominal cavity or in the lining near the heart.

Symptoms of mesothelioma cancer can vary between patients but frequently symptoms such as difficulty breathing and fatigue. This may also include coughing that release bloody discharge and chest pain or shortness of breath. In advanced cases, other symptoms may also be experienced as the cancer begins to spread in the body.

Lumps in the chest may felt under the skin and are sometimes a symptom of mesothelioma. Weight loss, nausea and other digestive complaints may accompany other symptoms as the cancer begins to spread into other areas of the body. Testicular mesothelioma patients may also experience lumps under the skin on the testicles that may or may not cause pain.

During the study, many different occupations were noticed for those diagnosed with mesothelioma. The most common occupations were in industrial areas such as oil refineries, mechanics, plumbers, pipe fitters and power plant workers. Other occupations included service personnel from the United States military such as Navy personnel. Construction workers are also among those who have been frequently diagnosed with mesothelioma cases.

The constant exposure in previous years to asbestos and asbestos products is responsible for the formation of this cancer. During the exposure periods, little to no symptoms are experienced. Mesothelioma can sometimes take between 20 and 30 years before symptoms are fully experienced. This makes it difficult to catch the cancer before it begins to take hold in the body. For many, once symptoms are realized and a diagnosis can be made, the cancer may have begun to spread.

At this time, there are no accurate scientific ways to diagnose or predict the cancer formation before it reaches more critical stages. After the cancer has begun to spread, treatment options may turn toward managing symptoms of pain and discomfort. Even aggressive treatment programs may not have an effect at removing the cancer.

Rates of mesothelioma cancer are steadily rising in the United States. Over 131,200 deaths due to asbestos-related mesothelioma cancer were reported between 1985 and 2009. These numbers are expected to continue to rise as more cases are reported by former industry and military workers. As asbestos is still often used, cases are not expected to drop anytime soon unless more serious measures are taken to protect workers.

Mesothelioma Victims Center Announces Free Services

February 9,2011 · Mesothelioma

The Mesothelioma Victims Center in Washington DC has announced that it will provide qualifying United States citizens free service if they have been diagnosed with the disease. This initiative is part of the foundation of the organization's 2011 campaign to raise mesothelioma awareness, especially for veterans who served in the U.S. Navy. This free service includes help with Veteran's Assistance, Social Security disability payments, a special report listing various health care and treatment options, names of reputable law firms, and family counseling.

Every year, roughly 3,000 patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma, with 1/3 having served in the U.S. Navy, and another 1/3 having labored in shipyards, power plants, railroads, mines, oil refineries, municipal water districts, auto mechanic garage and manufacturing plants, plumbing, or construction yards. Symptoms also tend to mimic other respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and the common cold. The most common type of this rare cancer, pleural mesothelioma, often induces symptoms of persistent coughing, chest pain, fatigue, lumps in the chest area, and shortness of breath.

Diagnosing and treating the disease often requires thorough diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. Only by examining the interior of the body and removing tissue samples can doctors confirm the existence of a tumor and whether it is malignant. Treatment can involve intense sessions of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery. Other experimental techniques such as gene and laser therapy are currently in development. The Mesothelioma Victims Center's staff has addressed the difficulty of diagnosing this rare and deadly disease. Patients often don't experience symptoms for decades after their last exposure, with some former veterans having inhaled asbestos particles as far back as World War II.

The Mesothelioma Victims Center is a premiere advocate for sufferers of mesothelioma and a lobbyist for governmental reform in the U.S.

Study Reveals Startling Facts About Mesothelioma Cases in the United States

February 9,2011 · Mesothelioma

The Mesothelioma Victims Center recently released the results of a study regarding new mesothelioma cases. The study reveals the United States may see up to 3,000 people diagnosed with mesothelioma this year. According to the National Cancer Institute, one-third of those cases will occur in people retired from the U.S. Navy. The number will most likely continue to grow due to the heavy usage of asbestos during the middle of the 20th century.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that begins in the protective lining of the body’s internal organs. This lining is known as the mesothelium. Exposure to asbestos fibers is the leading cause of this type of cancer and it is generally found in the chest wall, as well as the outer lining of the lungs. However, the abdominal cavity and the lining surrounding the heart can also be affected.

Mesothelioma often causes symptoms that include shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, and blood in the sputum. The symptoms are similar to other conditions and may mislead a doctor. It is imperative a doctor knows about any previous asbestos exposure a patient may have encountered. The delay in an accurate diagnosis can be critical to a patient’s prognosis.

Information gathered during the study reveals mesothelioma is typically found in those who have worked in specific jobs. Auto mechanics, plumbers, oil refiners, pipe fitters, and shipyard workers are just some of the occupations. The construction field is also identified as having a high number of cases diagnosed.

Prolonged exposure to asbestos is a leading factor in the development of mesothelioma. Unfortunately, the exposure does not produce any immediate symptoms, and workers are unaware of the damage being done to their bodies. Symptoms are generally not noticed until the cancer is in the later stages. It can take several decades for the symptoms to appear. Due to the latency period of the disease, treatment options are limited once the disease has been discovered.

More than 131,300 people died from asbestos-related cancer in the U.S. between 1985 and 2009. The funding necessary to fight mesothelioma is inadequate. Scientists are expected to make significant progress in the fight against mesothelioma over the next 10 years, but more funding is needed.