Tuesday, October 16, 2012

What Is The Latest Mesothelioma Disease Information?

One of the most aggressive cancers of the last century is also the one least known about in the public eye. Mesothelioma disease information was the least talked about, especially when it came to public news about dangers of asbestos. Strides towards ending this cancer were accomplished when the substance that causes it, asbestos, was removed, by law, from many of the same places that workers were exposed to it, like factories and shipyards, and its use in construction became outlawed. It was not until a number of workers in the mines where it was cultivated came down with the cancer than more information was finally released to the public.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Now that the world has learned more Mesothelioma disease information, some basic facts have become known about this very aggressive form of cancer. It is chiefly caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral mined throughout the Southwest, and the victims most likely to develop it were construction workers, miners, and industrial workers that created the insulation used in construction and other industries.

Mesothelioma disease information also revealed that this cancer is primarily found in the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen. Pleural Mesothelioma, where the asbestos fibers have lodged themselves within the very liner that allows the lungs their free movement during breathing, is the most common. Pericardial Mesothelioma is more rare, when asbestos fibers have found their way into the pericardium, the membrane around the heart. Peritoneal Mesothelioma, is also rare, and occurs when the asbestos finds its way to the stomach lining.

Symptoms And Treatment

The symptoms associated with Pleural Mesothelioma, the most common form according to Mesothelioma disease information, begins with shortness of breath, an extraordinary buildup of fluid within the lungs, and chronic hoarseness. By the time this cancer is diagnosed, the victim is also experiencing chronic coughing, with blood, muscle weakness and chest pain. Final stages include sensory loss, paralysis and swelling in the face and arms. All too often companies claimed that their workers were affected by it because they also smoked, causing the fibers to be inhaled in that manner, and ineligible for compensation through attorneys and law firms.

The treatment options available for this common form, according to Mesothelioma disease information, will require several surgeries to complete. The first surgery often performed by doctors at clinics and treatment centers is a pleurectomy decortication, removing part of the lung lining in order to remove any tumors. If the tumors continue to appear, a second surgery, a extrapleural pneumonectomy, removing up to one lung, in order to get all of the tumors out of the body.

Laws And Litigation

According to Mesothelioma disease information, because the symptoms are so similar to a host of other diseases, the fact that it is cancer is often found too late for effective treatment. This has led to many lawsuits filed by lawyers against the companies responsible, and to many states creating laws to limit litigation and compensation as a result.

Slow Asbestos Reform Condemns Mesothelioma Generations

One of the major reasons for the high number of mesothelioma fatalities, currently running at 2,000 every year in England and Wales and forecast to continue for at least another 40 years, was the slow introduction and enforcement of regulations throughout the twentieth century. It was only as recently as January 2005 that the actual use of white asbestos in building materials, previously only banned as an import in 1999, came into force.

The commercial importation of asbestos into the UK began in the 1880s, initially for use in the textile industries mostly established in the north of England. The first asbestos-related death recorded as 'pulmonary asbestosis' was in 1924 and by 1930 a Government-commissioned report had found high levels of asbestosis among asbestos factory workers, which led to the first Asbestos Industry Regulations to be introduced the following year.

However, the regulations only applied to a small minority of workers who were directly exposed to dust in asbestos factories when involved in 'specific scheduled' processes of asbestos manufacture, which excluded a large number of workers, such as those employed in the building trade, insulation engineers and plumbers.

Other exclusions involved factories or workshops where, a 'limited use of asbestos', meant all or any of the Regulations could be suspended or relaxed without apparently any risk to the health of those employed! As a result, the number of both men and women exposed to asbestos grew at a huge rate from the 1940s onwards, the beginning of the 'peak period'.

In addition, companies did little to provide any asbestos awareness or protection against the breathing in of the deadly asbestos fibre dust, especially of the most toxic amphibole forms of amosite (brown asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos). Their needle-like fibres would permanently impale themselves in the lung linings, leading to inflammation and asbestosis diseases or eventually causing tissue cells to form the fatal tumours of incurable mesothelioma cancer.

The timeline for the development of asbestos-related disease is up to 50 years from initial exposure to the first appearance of mesothelioma or asbestosis symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent coughing, sweating, weight-loss or back pain.

Yet evidence for the growing emergence of a link between lung cancers and asbestos exposure only came to light from the mid 1950s and 60s, which eventually led to the first Asbestos Regulations of 1969 to limit exposure to asbestos dust - nearly 40 years after the first Regulations of 1931.

Asbestos regulation was not regarded as an important issue of urgent social reform during the peak period of use simply because the low number of deaths recorded when compared to the many mining fatalities. Some 700,000 were employed in the mining industry compared to 15,000 in asbestos manufacture, which actually meant the actual frequency ratio was similar.

The import of brown and blue asbestos was finally banned in 1985 but the use of crocidolite (white asbestos) was allowed to be continued to be used in the building industry due to its less dangerous curly 'serpentine' fibres. The Control of Asbestos Regulations from 2002 further reduced the risk of exposure to asbestos for those working in property maintenance / construction, asbestos removal and for employees working in buildings containing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

Consequently, entire generations of workers from the 1930s to the 1980s at least, and still alive today, were exposed to asbestos in their workplace right across the UK industrial heartlands of construction, manufacturing, engineering, shipbuilding, vehicle assembly and the railways.

As a result, the number of asbestosis claim cases continues to rise, more than doubling in 2010 and mesothelioma fatality has increased 3 per cent in 2008 with a further 45,000 mesothelioma deaths expected until at least 2050.

Daren Bach is founder of Provoke Online Marketing & Web Design
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Mesothelioma Cancer Lawyer

In case that you're told you have mesothelioma, it's best to try to grasp what you will be struggling with. Generally, mesothelioma patients were never even aware that they had been doing work around the presence of this carcinogen. Despite the fact that there might be certain individuals who could possibly have been advised, many of them are actually clueless regarding how and to precisely what degree they had been exposed. Getting identified as having mesothelioma can place a lot of strain on the involved individual physically, psychologically as well as financially. In case you decide to follow legal recourse, it is advisable to seek the advice of a mesothelioma legal professional so that you need not worry about the legal concerns.

Whenever you are clinically diagnosed with this disease, you ought not squander too much time. While you might believe you do not have time and fortitude to handle legal challenges, you need to act swiftly. The time limit enables people to record a suit for only a fixed time period once the prognosis is made. The statute of limitation differs from state to state. For people diagnosed with this illness, lawyers could be a worthwhile source of advice. The mesothelioma lawyer or attorney could have information regarding physicians and remedies that may turn out to be beneficial to you.

To be aware of Mesothelioma laws, it is important to fully understand Mesothelioma and its reasons. It is a type of cancer that comes from long-term exposure to commercial asbestos. The cancer is generally dangerous and can affect the lining which blankets the system's internal organs, the methoselium. What makes this specific cancer primarily lethal is that in many instances, medical diagnosis will usually happen too late, quite a few. Indicators will not disclose themselves up until the cancer have progressed to levels where it can't get treated.

As the patient, it's not easy to pick out a mesothelioma lawyer or attorney. This can be a significant issue and never something that may be resolved by reviewing newspaper or TV advertisements. Select a mesothelioma legal practitioner founded upon his or her experience. Investigate the law firms review their accomplishments as well as their commitment to mesothelioma cases. Make certain that you realize precisely how and what you are being charged.

Your lawyer needs to be qualified and professional. First and foremost, you have to be ready to have confidence in them. While the mesothelioma lawyer you decide on could have a great effect on the court case, the end result of the case also depends upon the facts of the circumstances.

Harry Hassami is the author and producers of The Mesothelioma Journal. The complete website information about the mesothelioma.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Special Case Plea Made For Mesothelioma Claims Under Legal Aid Bill

Voting for or against amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill has begun in Parliament. Included, are those provisions in personal injury awards, and changes affecting payments for mesothelioma compensation, as part of government measures to save £350 million a year and also speed up legal proceedings.

It can often be a long and challenging process for an asbestosis lawyer to bring a former employer and / or their insurers to court and establish liability for a claimant's mesothelioma or related asbestosis disease. Under the proposed government changes to the 'no-win, no fee' arrangements, it would be the successful mesothelioma claimant who would be required to pay up to a maximum of 25 per cent of the damages awarded and not the losing defendant.

The Review of Civil Litigation Costs 2009, which was set up to provide recommendations to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill also proposed that general damages awards for personal injuries and other civil wrongs should be increased by 10 per cent.

However, a sustained campaign has been mounted in a bid to make justice ministers reconsider their proposals aimed at preventing false or excessive claims, so that an injury payment awarded under an asbestosis or mesothelioma claim would be exempt for the time being from the changes.

Recognition is being sought from ministers of the special case for mesothelioma sufferers. There is an exceptionally long latency period of up to 50 or 50 years from the initial exposure and breathing in of asbestos fibres to the eventual appearance of asbestosis symptoms. Almost invariably, a patient can often have just few months to live from a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma, an incurable and fatal cancer - and at a time when both patient and their families need financial support and security.

Accordingly, while a delay to changes, which would affect an asbestosis claim is being considered, alternative, easier ways to track down former employers' insurers are also being put forward by justice ministers and an announcement is expected in July 2012.

However, the results of the voting in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill have already seen the House of Lords calling for the reinstatement of amendments that had been earlier rejected by the House of Commons. Consequently, members of Parliament will now have to decide whether to accept the results of the peers' vote or seek to overturn the amendment once again.

Asbestos Victim Advice
Expert advice and information on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.
http://www.asbestosvictimadvice.com/

Considering Lung Cancer - Just a Cough or Something Worse?

Lung cancer is a very common disease in the western world, and it is prevalent and well-known globally as well. How do you know if the cough you are experiencing is just that - a cough, and not something more serious, such as lung cancer? Every year, there are over a million deaths due to lung cancer. How can you make sure you are not one of the statistics?

Lung cancer is a difficult disease to diagnose. The actual signs of the disease are not usually visible until it is nearly too late to cure. The disease itself is an attack on the cells of the lungs. It can affect one or both lungs, but no matter where it tends to start, the disease can spread rapidly from the lungs to the lymph nodes (lymphoma), and to other sensitive organs in the body. Cancer may also spread in a reciprocal direction as well. Our spongy lungs cover a vast area of our upper torso and this "sponginess" is what helps to create an ideal environment for the disease. The walls of the lungs that separate the tissue from the blood allowing for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in a complex cycle are very thin. If cells in the lung become cancerous, it is possible that they could enter the bloodstream at some point and be carried to different organs and tissues within the body.

The risk factor of smoking is taught and advertised to most people on a regular basis in an effort to prevent the possibility of getting the disease, as smoking is considered to be the number one cause of lung cancer. While the risk factors can be more easily deduced, the actual symptoms for lung cancer are not as easy to diagnose as the disease. Many of the symptoms are simply indications that can be experienced on any given day, by any number of people, with any number of milder ailments.

So how can you tell the difference? One way is to "know yourself first." If an individual gets the occasional cough or cold, but over a course of time the coughs and/or colds become much more frequent and harder to treat, a consideration should be given to the possibility of disease. If any of the coughs are paired with a loss of appetite or weight loss, any sign of blood being coughed up, or a change in voice that is unexplained, the advice of a medical professional should be sought. In the same fashion that blood appearing in your urine or faeces can be a major symptom of colon or rectal cancer, the presence of blood coming from the chest when breathing or coughing can be a major symptom of lung cancer.

Because many symptoms of lung cancer are difficult to decipher, a thorough radiological examination, along with a healthy diet that does not include smoking, are the best measures to keep that cough as "just a cough" however any concern that you may have should be referred to a doctor as soon as possible.

The Royal Brompton Hospital is one of the world's leading heart and lung centres, renowned for its expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. If you're looking for more information about early lung cancer symptoms visit us today.

Lung Cancer From Asbestos: Important Facts to Know and How to Cope With the Problem

What are asbestos? Asbestos are mineral fibers that can be separated into thin, durable threads. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity. These minerals have been used widely in many industries. Chemically, asbestos are silicate compound of silicon and oxygen atoms in their molecular structure. The building and construction industries use asbestos for strengthening cement and plastics as well as for insulation, roofing, fireproofing, and sound absorption. The shipbuilding industries insulate boilers, steam pipes, and hot water pipes with these minerals. For their vehicle brake shoes and clutch pads, the automotive industry makes use of these fibers. Asbestos materials are also used in ceiling and floor tiles paints, coatings, adhesives, plastics and many others.

In recent years, due to widespread public concern about the health hazards of asbestos, domestic consumption had significantly dropped. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, studies show that constant exposure to asbestos caused an increase in asbestosis syndrome, mesothelioma, gastrointestinal, colorectal cancers and other diseases. Early stage asbestos lung cancer is hard to detect because of lack of apparent symptoms. It usually begins in the bronchial lining or the bronchioles, lung air sacs and trachea. The cancer develops slowly but can spread and invade other parts of the body.

Like any other type of lung cancer, the diagnostic tests include physical exams, x-rays, ct scans, imaging tests, PET scan and biopsies. During the diagnostic procedures, you should provide the medical team with vital and relevant information on the extent of asbestos exposure. Factors such as how long has been the exposure, estimated volume of exposure, source, size, shape and chemical make- up of asbestos fibers, whether you are a smoker or non-smoker and current lung problem are important things your doctors should be aware of. With regards its chemical make-up, studies have suggested that if the exposure is with the amphibole asbestos rather than the chrysotile, the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma lung cancer is greater because of the tendency of the amphibole fibers to lodge in the lungs for a long time.

Asbestosis is a disease in which asbestos fibers can cause scarring, inflammation of tissues and growth of non-malignant tumors in the lungs. They are benign and do not spread to the other organs. On the other hand, with mesothelioma, the growth of tumors that occurs in the serious thin membrane linings are malignant and they grow fast and spread to the other organs. When it occurs in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma. It is a rare type of lung cancer. You can detect it by x-rays and confirm by biopsy test. Traditional treatments recommended by a medical team depending on individual evaluation include radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy.

Prognosticating mesothelioma reveal serious mortality rates. Factors which affect prognosis are area of cancer, stage, histology, patient's general health, age and response to treatment. Survival rate for patients with high level of white cell counts, presence of SV40 virus and certain biochemical markers from date of diagnosis is only a few months. The median life expectancy rate is about a year.

There are still many work environments and trades in which people are constantly exposed to asbestos. You may belong to any of these groups. Some of them are operational engineers, steamfitters, sheet metal workers, pipe fitters, plumbers, metal lathers, merchant marine, firefighters, shipyard workers, industrial plant workers, plumbers, construction workers, asbestos plant workers, boilers, longshoremen, railroad workers, industrial painters, workers in glass factory, schools, power plants, cement plants, military, hotels, telephone companies, oil refinery, loading docks, hospitals, chemical plants, heating and air-conditioning, boiler or engine rooms, etc.

If you happen to believe having a prolonged exposure to asbestos and are experiencing abnormalities, it is to your best interest to undergo a comprehensive physical exam. You should have a complete x-ray of the front, back, side, and oblique views. Other tests are pulmonary function test, blood work, a CT scan, etc. Request your doctors to explain to you what the tests reveal. It you are diagnosed with a lung cancer from asbestos, have the courage to face it frontally and disclose your condition to your loved ones. Ask for their support and prayers. Seek a second opinion. Lastly, pray for supernatural healing!

My name is Jet Jones and I research and write about lung cancer info. Please visit my site at http://lungcancer-stages.com/ to find information about lung cancer stages and treatments that can help you better understand this dreaded disease.

First Therapeutic Vaccine for Advanced Lung Cancer Registered in the World

Between 1980 and 2008, the mortality rate from lung cancer in women has doubled. Each year it is seen a growth of 1.7%, while among men the rate is being reduced by 2%. Today, 28.6% of women aged 18 to 64 years and is estimated that 7.6 million people died just 2008 due to lung cancer, a number that it is expected to increased to eleven million in 2030.

It is quite possible that two of the biggest concerns of health-related the citizens express in any country in the world are AIDS and cancer. Although there are other diseases that have less "press" and charge a huge amount of victims every year, especially in tropical regions, the truth is that getting a vaccine effective against cancer or AIDS are among the main objectives of laboratories around the world.

Fortunately, the battle against lung cancer has won a new step: it is a therapeutic vaccine rather than preventive, developed by recombinant technology advanced lung cancer, CimaVax-EGF, that was created in Cuba by scientists at the Molecular Immunology Center Havana.

This Cuban drug was prepared after 15 years of research and is currently being administered in 65 health centers in Cuba and have taken steps necessary to register in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and several other nations.

According to Cuban experts, the drug can not prevent disease but to control advanced cancer to generate antibodies against proteins that trigger the uncontrolled cell proliferation processes.

It consists of a therapeutic tool that is part of the field of immunotherapy, in which it is intended that the patient's immune system triggers an effective response to control the growth of tumors.

The vaccine is composed of epidermal growth factor protein and P-64 K of the membrane, obtained by recombinant means. The vaccine was successfully applied to more than 1000 patients in Cuba, where his health record was held in June 2008.

The result is that the vaccine extends survival time of patients, but does not prevent or cure lung cancer.
Specialists described the vaccine as "very promising" that soon others will come into being tested in China and will open doors in Asia. Is also expected next clinical trial in countries like Australia, Thailand, Malaysia and Britain.

According to Gonzalez (the proyect leader) they are still workings with the principle of this vaccine with the intent to use in developing therapies against other tumors such as prostate, uterus and breast cancer.

Pablo Rodriguez is a freelance writer and medical researcher. He has written multiples articles about cancer and specifically mesothelioma. He is currently studying a writer career at University of Buenos Aires.

If you want to read more articles about cancer and asbestos please check his blog: [http://mesotheliomatoday.com.ar/]

How Lung Cancer Affects the Rest of the Body

Lung cancer is one of the diseases that do not discriminate any age it affects both the young and the old. It basically involves simultaneous growth of cancerous cells in the lung. You might think that this disease is related only to the smokers but that's not true many non-smokers have also been diagnosed with this deadly disease. Besides affecting the lungs, this cancer also causes havoc to other parts of the body more so when it has gone through metastasis.

In most cases this disease is rarely diagnosed especially when it is in its primary stage. In fact most cases are identified when a doctor orders a chest scan for some other health conditions. The first stage mainly involves the growth of the cell inside the lungs. It then begins to invade the tissues of the lungs. Nearby tissues aren't spared also. It has been realized that the tumor may in fact push against the chest and that's when someone starts experiencing some symptoms which include blunt, persistent cough, constant pain in the chest panting and other health conditions such as pneumonia.

Did you know lung cancer may also affect the brain? Well, this very true research has shown that the brain may be affected to the extent of developing some health issues or symptoms. Patients may have vision issues, feel weak on one part of the body or even experience seizures.

Metastasis of lung cancer to the bones also may also happen. A patient may experience discomfort in the backbone commonly known as the vertebrae. The ribs and the thighs aren't an exceptional either patients suffering from lung cancer may also experience weakness in the thighs or some discomfort in the ribs.

The vocal chords of patients suffering from this disease have also been seen to paralyze with time. Patients may also start feeling pain in the shoulders or the deltoids as well. Swallowing also becomes a problem with lung cancer patients. The worst however may result when it proceeds to the esophagus. If an airway and to be precise a large one becomes obstructed then the lobe of the lung may collapse hence exposing it to an infection.

Generally Lung cancer doesn't just affect the lungs it also metastases to other parts of the body. Nearly all the body systems get affected. It is a killer disease and according to statistics it has killed very many people around the globe. Unfortunately many other patients are continuing to perish from this deadly cancer. It is therefore a wise idea that everyone becomes screened to eradicate any possibilities of the disease. Remember the earlier it is detected the better and the faster it can be treated.

Harry Hassami is the author and producers of The Mesothelioma Report. The complete website information about the mesothelioma.

Smoke Signals And Mesothelioma Symptoms

Despite a three year period allowed for entering a claim for mesothelioma compensation, delay can often occur until a confirmed diagnosis then reveals the disease has spread to an advanced stage. There are a number of reasons for not recognising the appearance of the first signs of mesothelioma or asbestosis symptoms.

Most often there is a long gestation period of up to 50 years from the initial period of exposure and a connection is not readily made, even though the victim may recall the circumstances of working with or surrounded by asbestos material at their place of work.

Lack of asbestos awareness to the deadly health risks was not only prevalent at the workplace during the peak years of asbestos use in UK industry but 'secondary exposure' could occur to wives and close family at home when washing their husband, brother or uncle's work clothes containing the fibre dust.

Another common reason for failure to correctly identify shortness of breath, a chronic cough or chest pain as likely first signs of mesotheliomaor anasbestosis-related condition is because they are strikingly similar to a number of other common types of respiratory disease, such as influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.

Crucially, the difference between mesothelioma and lung cancer can also be confused at first as exposure to asbestos can cause both conditions, even though the two occur in different tissues of the body. While lung cancer is a disease which affects just the lung tissue, mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen, and is only caused by the breathing in of airborne, asbestos dust fibres.

Despite mesothelioma cancer being responsible for less than 1 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in the UK, prevalence of the disease has increased almost four-fold since the 1980s, when the first and most lethal types of asbestos had only just begun to be banned.

Another significant reason for a delay in seeking asbestos advice is often due to attributing the onset of breathing difficulties and bouts of coughing to a lifelong smoking habit. Cigarette/ tobacco smoking was particularly prevalent in the heavy industries of shipbuilding, railway engineering, auto assembly and manufacturing throughout much of the twentieth century, alongside the widespread use of asbestos.

An added complication is the effect smoking and asbestos exposure can have upon the risk of lung cancer mortality for asbestos workers. In 2011, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published a report, which provided figures for the period, 1971 to 2005, the year that white asbestos chrysotile was finally banned from use, despite importation being stopped six years earlier.

The HSE report revealed that " of the 1,878 lung cancer deaths among the 98,912 UK workers surveyed who were exposed to asbestos, just 2 per cent of lung cancer deaths occurred to those individuals who had never smoked".

Further figures show that of those employees who worked with asbestos and who also smoked, an estimated 3 per cent of lung cancer deaths were attributable to asbestos only, 66 per cent to smoking only, and 28 per cent to the interaction of asbestos and smoking.

A separate study of smoking and exposure to chrysotile ( white) asbestos also found that there was a three and a half times risk at least of lung cancer from smoking in those working with high asbestos exposure to asbestos cement, insulation, friction or textile products in contrast to those working with low asbestos exposure.

Generally, survival rates of around five years for lung cancer patients are higher at 15 and 75 percent, while mesothelioma patients are considerably lower at 10 per cent with only a 4 to 18 months prognosis.

Asbestosis Victim Advice

Offering clear information, advice and FAQ's on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.

Visit http://www.asbestosvictimadvice.com/ for more information and advice.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

'Panoramic View' of Lung Cancer Gained From Latest Trials

Results from three recent genome-sequencing trials have provided a revolutionary insight into the deadly disease.

Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths than any other form of the disease. Fewer than 20% of the 1.6 million cases diagnosed across the globe every year are still alive five years later.

The trend in new studies focuses on personalised treatment. Genome-sequencing trials are used to match the best possible treatment to the specific genetic make up of a patient's tumours.

In the latest trials, researchers analysed tumour tissue samples from 183 patients suffering from lung adenocarcinomas, 178 suffering from lung squamous cell carcinomas and drilled-down studies of 17 tumours from smokers and non-smokers.

Author of two of the studies, Ramaswamy Govindan from the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, said:

"For the first time, instead of looking through a keyhole we are getting a penthouse panoramic view,"

He added that previous studies had already looked more closely at personalised treatment but focused on a small number of genes. In contrast, the recent studies gleaned data across an entire genome.

Professor Govindan, who specialises in Medical Oncology believes that these kinds of "cataloguing studies" will revolutionise the way lung cancer clinical trials are designed. Instead of huge, expensive trials that feature a diverse collection of mutations, smaller studies will laser-down into patients' tumours according to their specific mutation. Medical experts are expecting this tailored therapy to be more beneficial for patients suffering from cancer.

The advances of such studies are clear - generic treatments tend to have a far greater number of side-effects as they are simply designed to kill any rapidly dividing cells rather than only attacking the ones spreading the disease. Furthermore, data from the targeted studies not only forms the basis of new treatments, they can cast light on those ones already on the market.

Drugs that treat adenocarcinoma, the strain behind 40 per cent of lung cancer cases, have already been approved. However, there are no approved drugs for treating another very common form of cancer, squamous cell carcinoma. Lung cancer clinical trials based on data from the recent targeted studies could be used to approve existing marketed drugs for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma according to Matthew Meyerson, a researcher from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts who also worked on the trials:

"The data that are really going to be informative is when you combine genomic data with outcomes of targeted therapies."

PSI CRO - Contract Research Organisation

http://www.psi-cro.com/

The Most Common Risk Factors in Lung Cancer

When one thinks of lung cancer, it is thought of as exactly that, however, this deadly disease comes in many shapes and forms, however. The two types of lung cancer that most variations fall under are the non small cell lung carcinoma, or cancer, and the small cell lung cancer (carcinoma), abbreviated as SCLC. The latter has also been called oat cell carcinoma for its "oat cereal like" appearance on the lung. SCLC is the less common of the two types of cancer, but it can be more difficult to treat and cure, as it is a more aggressive type of cancer. Statistics vary, but it is generally agreed that between 15% - 20% of all lung cancer cases are the small cell carcinomas.

So what are the most common risk factors that can lead to the growth of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)?

Smoking - Small cell lung cancer is often associated with a lung cancer that has grown due to an individual's habit of smoking. This may be the most important risk factor. Nicotine is the addictive part of the cigarette, but there are numerous known carcinogens (chemicals that are known to cause cancer) in the tobacco of a cigarette, cigar, or "chew". A carcinogen is a chemical that can alter a cells "make-up" or DNA, in an unhealthy manner. By altering the cells in the body, these abnormal cells change the normal, healthy life of a body cell. The abnormal cells can become cancerous and spread within the organ or to other organs and tissues in the body. If a small cell lung cancer cannot be treated and stopped, death may occur.

Radiation - Radiation can be a useful tool medically, but it can also be a risk factor in the development of this type of cancer. Ionizing radiation, in particular, is the form of radiation to blame. As ionization is the ability of the radiation to alter a cell's make-up by removing an electron from it, this can lead to a death of a cell, or a mutation of the cell that then renders it cancerous and it multiplies. While there is controversy over whether or not any non-ionizing radiation can contribute to cancer, it is generally assumed that it does not. Interestingly, ionizing radiation such as x-rays are used to diagnose and treat cancers of the lung, as they have that same ability to kill cells, in this case, the cancer cells when well-targeted during therapy.

Poor Nutrition - A diet that is lacking in the necessary nutrients to sustain and grow healthy cells throughout the body can contribute to the proliferation of small cell lung cancer. Cells in the lungs rely on the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen in order for us to breathe properly. If the body cells that contribute to this exchange are not healthy, this important function can be hampered. As cells become weaker due to poor food habits, the environment becomes more unstable and prone to the growth of cancer cells.

Asbestos - While asbestos is really a mixture of minerals that are natural to our environment, when inhaled by a human lung it is a potential hazard to one's health, as asbestos is made up of very tiny fibers which can interact with the lung cells and cause irritation. This irritation can stimulate cells to become cancerous and create an environment for small cell cancer to grow.

By educating oneself to the general risk factors of small cell lung cancer, it is always hoped that an individual will avoid the practices that lead to this deadly cancer, while seeking medical treatment if there is any concern about one's own personal risk factors.

The Royal Brompton Hospital is one of the world's leading heart and lung centres, renowned for its expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. If you're looking for more information about early lung cancer symptoms visit us today.

Mesothelioma Cancer: A Brief Introduction

The inhalation of asbestos causes lung and pleural cancer, as it has been demonstrated in animal experiments and epidemiological studies.

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer of mesothelial cells, and affects the pleura and peritoneum in the 80% and 20% of the cases respectively. It usually occurs in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace at least 15 years before the diagnosis, although sometimes the disease has been developed in people with very little to none exposures. In fact, the relationship between malignant mesothelioma and asbestos exposure was first described in 1960 by Wagner and colleagues in South African crocidolite miners.

The incidence of mesothelioma is known in countries where there is a national registry of this disease. Thus, the figure ranges between 14.2 and 2.5 cases per million in men and women, respectively, in the United States, 66 and 7 per million in Australia. In Spain for example there is no record of such occupational diseases. In a study conducted in Catalonia between 1983 and 1990, there was an attributable mortality rate of malignant mesothelioma per 100,000 cases of 0.83 and 0.47 in men and women respectively. In patients living in Barcelona and Cadiz with malignant mesothelioma, 62% of cases could be related to occupational exposure to asbestos, while the remaining 38% could be due to domestic or environmental exposures. The fact that mesothelioma can occur as a result of environmental exposure to asbestos is known, as described in populations living near asbestos mines in areas where the houses were painted with paint containing tremolite or in regions with high amount of the silicate in the soil.

The fiber appears to be associated with this tumor are amphiboles, whereas chrysotile, despite being the most commonly inhaled fibers, seems to be of danger. In Spain, the published series of malignant mesothelioma are concentrated in large cities, since, logically, is where there is a greater industrial exposure to asbestos. Patients usually present with a persistent pleural effusion and a computed tomography is used to reveal pleural lesions that may lead to a correct diagnosis of mesothelioma. This, however, requires pleural biopsy using thoracoscopy that has a yield above 90%.

Malignant mesothelioma invariably progresses to death of patients with a median survival of 7 months. With current evidence, neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy nor surgery have shown any improvement in the prognosis of these patients. Nowadays new treatments are being tested, as the introduction of intrapleural cytokines, photosensitization mesothelioma cell or gene therapy, with no conclusive results to date. The involvement of patients diagnosed in Spain in research studies of new therapies require cooperation between centers to study a sufficient number of patients.

Pablo Rodriguez is a freelance writer and medical researcher. He has written multiples articles about cancer and spefically mesothelioma. He is currently studying to be a writer at University of Buenos Aires.

If you want to read more articles about cancer and asbestos please check his blog:

[http://mesotheliomatoday.com.ar/]

Mesothelioma Survival Rate - Bad!

Mesothelioma Survival Rate is not high and on average people diagnosed live from 4 to 11 months after. This survival rate is just harsh reality and devastating to the patients and their families. Sad is this fact as well that there are around 3,000 new diagnoses a year. However, new experimental treatments are being worked on to increase that number. See, this is good news because you get to spend that much more time with your loved ones. The American Cancer Society has been quoted to say that 40% of the patients now diagnosed with mesothelioma not live longer than a year and an average 10% live longer than 5 years.

The estimating or predicting, or attempt to do so, for anyone is difficult and there are some factors to take into consideration. Plus, the fact that no two patients are alike and what is true for one is not for another. The first factor that affects the individual's mesothelioma survival rate is the latency period.

The latency period is a big factor in the mesothelioma survival rate. This period is the amount of time from the time of exposure to asbestos and the first symptoms of mesothelioma. The time span between the two, or latency period, is anywhere from 20 - 50 years. This is a very long time for any disease to establish and when doctors finally do diagnose the health issues of the patient as mesothelioma, unfortunately it has spread to an advanced stage.

My question I have, that was not answered by any of my research is:

Why not go to your doctor before the symptoms begin, and you are still in the latency period. Talk to them, inform the doctor you worked with asbestos and what can they do to stop mesothelioma from taking your life?

Another factor in the mesotheliom survival rate of the asbestos exposed is the stage it is in when they are diagnosed.

Stage 1 and 2 have a better rate of survival because the disease has been caught early.

Stage 3 and 4 have a lower survival rate due to the advanced cancer growth and fewer treatment options available. Treating a cancer that has spread to other organs is an almost impossible battle to win inside the human body.

So, to recap, we have learned here that our mesothelioma survival rate goes up with the earlier diagnosing of it. I say, go to your doctor if you work with, or have worked with or around asbestos products. Learn the symptoms, educate yourself, this will help you in the end.

Other factors in the survival rate are:

· Age of the patient when diagnosed

· Does the patient smoke

· Health of the patient at diagnosis

· Size of tumor and if it has spread or can be removed

Treatments can improve Mesothelioma Survival Rates among some patients. Some of these treatments being rather aggressive such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation help some people. Remember though this varies from person to person. For some these therapies help, for others it does not.

Some survivors have had success with alternative therapies which aim to strengthen the immune system and boost their well-being. Some of these therapies are acupuncture, massage, yoga, nutritional supplements.

Mesothelioma Survival Rates are not good and that is a sad fact. However we can increase the time we have with out loved ones who have this dreaded disease and more time is always a good thing.

I am sorry that I need to reveal to you the very low Mesothelioma Survival Rate, if it is any consolation, I have been in your shoes of having a loved one diagnosed with this disease.
It makes me hate the material of Asbestos and the destruction Asbestos Poisoning does to the body and our loved ones. I know the hate for a fiber is not healthy and does me no good and I will not hold onto it.

How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?

If lung cancer is suspected in a patient, a series of different tests will be carried out to confirm the diseases presence (diagnosis), and to determine how widespread the disease has become (staging).

What are X-rays, CT Scans, and MRI Scans?

Usually patients are diagnosed with lung cancer when a doctor orders a chest X-ray which is associated with another illness. If lung cancer is detected by the chest X-ray, a CT (computer assisted tomography) scan, or a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan may also be ordered to further confirm both the diseases diagnosis and staging.

CT scans and MRI scans are tests that use computerized imaging to show in greater detail the size, shape, and exact location of a suspected tumour. At the same time the images will show whether the cancer has spread to another part of the body. If the cancer has spread to other organs within the body, further tests will be ordered by the doctor.

What is a Lung Biopsy?

A lung biopsy is where tissue is removed from the tumour and inspected under a microscope to confirm whether cancerous cells are present or not. This may be done via a needle being inserted through the wall of the chest to take a sample from the tumour, or via surgery where the wall of the chest is opened and either part or all the tumour is removed.

Lung biopsies are necessary to determine an accurate diagnosis, and also to identify the specific type of lung cancer present in a patient.

What is a Sputum Cytology?

A sputum cytology is a test used on cells that are coughed up from either the patient's lungs or breathing tubes, and are examined under a microscope to see whether they are cancerous or not. The test may also determine the specific type of cancer a patient has, although it will not show the precise location of the tumour. If the sputum cytology test is found to be positive, further tests will need to be carried out.

What is Staging?

Staging is a scale used by doctors to show how advanced (widespread) the lung cancer is within a patient. Staging also assists doctors to determine an accurate prognosis (a prediction of the likely future outcome of the disease). Once the prognosis has been evaluated by a doctor, an appropriate treatment plan can begin for the patient.

Each different stage of lung cancer is treated differently, and depending on the condition of a patient.

Philip Albert Edmonds-Hunt is from the County of Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. He has travelled most of Europe, and he has lived in Spain on more than one occasion. Philip has also travelled much of the USA and now lives and works as a Freelance Writer and English Teacher in Mexico. He is the owner of The Oxford Quill, a small but reliable business offering a range of services such as Professional Article Writing, Proofreading, and Website Design. If you are interested in reading more about lung cancer, check out: https://sites.google.com/site/theoxfordquill/how-to-treat-lung-cancer-caused-by-melanoma

Understanding Mesothelioma Cancers

Asbestos disease, mesothelioma cancers, lung cancers and asbestosis are the diseases caused because of asbestos exposure. It has found widespread use in industries and building materials such as fireproofing, roofing shingles, electric insulation, furnace, hot pipe covering, and friction products. Asbestos constitutes different naturally occurring fibrous minerals in some rocks and soil. The air, drinking water, and even some consumer products still contain small amounts of asbestos. Asbestos fibers are even released into the air from natural deposits in the earth.

The other causes of the disease are not fully understood. Smoking does not cause mesothelioma. Neither does exposure to modern fire-resistant materials (like fiberglass). Deemed unsafe and dangerous to humans, use of asbestos in manufacturing dropped considerably. In addition, asbestos exposure can occur from contact with individuals working in these trades. Asbestos exposure can occur in many ways including, but not limited to, service on ships in the Navy, work aboard military or commercial ships, work as an insulator, or work in residential or commercial construction.

As long as asbestos in your body, it will be cutting the surface of normal cells, thus allow microbes to get inside of the cells, thus causing cancer. Because asbestos related lung cancers are rare diseases, many patients look for treatment from a team of specialists at a mesothelioma treatment center. Treatment centers for mesothelioma disease may be found within a hospital or operate independently.

Exposure to asbestos - usually form inhalation or ingestion of loosened, airborne particles - is highly dangerous and can lead to severe health conditions. Mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer are a handful of deadly diseases linked to asbestos exposure. White asbestos does increase the risk of mesothelioma, but is not as strong. Another fiber called tremolite may also be a cause. All types of asbestos can cause mesothelioma if you breathe in or swallow the fibers. Blue and brown asbestos are known to be the most dangerous.

The first case of asbestos disease mesothelioma was filed nearly 70 years ago. The compensation is available only for those employees who run the risk of asbestos exposure since the 1940s. Employees in industries with considerable risk of asbestos poisoning are, in principle, eligible for mesothelioma compensation. Recently, many mesothelioma patients have filed lawsuits for compensation. Currently, help is available to victims of asbestos disease mesothelioma through many specialized legal firms in the United States. 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.

Kang Didi is the author and producers of Asbestos And Mesothelioma Information, Best collection of Asbestos and Mesothelioma information's RSS Feed.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

How Long After You Quit Smoking Before You Are Not at Risk For Lung Cancer?

The earlier on in life you stop smoking, the less at risk you are from developing some degree of lung cancer during your lifespan. However, it is difficult to predict exactly when and from what degree of lung cancer you may or may not suffer. Numerous factors need to be considered such as: the age when you began smoking, how long you smoked for, the number of cigarettes you smoked everyday, and how deeply you inhaled while smoking.

Cutting down smoking certainly helps cut the risk of developing lung cancer, but it is not the same as actually giving up all together. An ex-heavy smoker is more at risk of developing lung cancer than an ex-occasional smoker, who is still more at risk of developing the disease than someone who has never smoked before. When smoking is either cut down or stopped all together, the benefits to the body are almost immediate, showing that it is never too late to give-up smoking even after many years.

Statistics show that the risk of developing some degree of lung cancer for an active smoker, is between 10% and 15%. However, this is reduced considerably by between 70% and 80% once the smoker stops. The benefits to the body begin within the first 30 minutes of smoking the last cigarette, as the blood pressure lowers itself to a normal level, together with the carbon monoxide in the lungs.

Within the first 24 hours, the risk of having a heart attack reduces, and within 48 hours, the nerve endings begin to grow again. Both the ability to smell and taste also improve at this time. Between one month and three months, the blood circulation improves, and the lungs begin to function better. The worst of the nicotine symptoms also tend to subside during this period.

Within nine months, there is a noticeable improvement with problems such as: coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath. During the next five years, the bodies recuperation continues to improve at a noticeable rate, and the probability of a relapse is considerably less with time. Between five and ten years, the risk of a heart attack also reduces to nearly that of a non-smoker.

At the five to ten-year period, the risk of developing some degree of lung cancer drops to one-half of that of an active smoker, together with a reduction in the risk of developing cancers such as: mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas. Within 15 years, the risk of suffering a heart attack is about the same as that of a non-smoker, as is the risk of developing lung cancer.

Although the average bodies recuperation period takes up to 15 years before the risk of developing some degree of lung cancer reduces to that of a non-smoker, previous considerations must be take into account. It takes courage and determination to give up smoking, and a 15 year recuperation period really is worth the effort to bring down the risk of developing lung cancer to that of a non-smoker.

Philip Albert Edmonds-Hunt is from the County of Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. He has travelled most of Europe, and he has lived in Spain on more than one occasion. Philip has also travelled much of the USA and now lives and works as a Freelance Writer and English Teacher in Mexico. He is the owner of "The Oxford Quill," a small but reliable business offering a range of services such as, "Professional Article Writing, Proofreading, and Website Design." If you are interested in reading about how to treat lung cancer, check out: https://sites.google.com/site/theoxfordquill/how-to-treat-lung-cancer-caused-by-melanoma

All About Asbestos Cancer (Mesothelioma): Types, Symptoms and Compensation Claims

Of the many injuries and work related diseases, mesothelioma is perhaps the one that draws much attention. Every other day a case is reported or a compensation claim is filed. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is almost always caused by earlier exposure to asbestos, approximately in ninety percent of cases.

People normally working in industries where asbestos was used extensively, such as construction work, plumbing, ship yards, old houses and at power stations, were more likely to have been exposed to breathing in asbestos fibrous materials often over a period of years and thus are more likely to suffer from either asbestosis or mesothelioma among others.

In the United Kingdom alone almost 2300 people a year are diagnosed with mesothelioma. At least 3,500 people in Great Britain die every year from asbestos related lung cancer and mesothelioma as a result of past exposure to asbestos fibers.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that affects the Mesothelium, which is a thin membrane that covers the lungs or the lining of the abdomen. There are two main types of mesothelioma.

1. Peritoneal (if present in abdomen)

2. Pleural (if present in the chest wall)

Pleural Mesothelioma is more common than peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and once swallowed or breathed in tend to stay in human body. With time they undergo changes and start damaging the body. Thus mesothelioma does not appear suddenly but takes several years before the symptoms start becoming evident.

Mesothelioma is often confused with asbestosis. Asbestosis is also a disease of the lungs that is caused by again the presence of deadly asbestos fibres but it is not cancerous and thus can be treated more effectively if diagnosed at an early stage.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to spot as they are very comparable to pneumonia. It is important for a doctor to ask a patient if he has a history of being exposed to asbestos related materials. Early diagnosis can prolong life and improve the chances of survival. The main symptoms of mesothelioma are:

• Shortness of breath, especially during excercise

• Coughing

• Chest pain

• Weakness

• A feeling of tightness in the chest.

Other symptoms that sometimes occur are vomiting, nausea, nail abnormalities, constipation or diarrhea and clubbing of the fingers.

After Diagnosis

The occurrence of mesothelioma is constantly increasing and is expected to surge in the next 15 years. Once the diagnosis is confirm the doctor will decide to start treatment. The main treatment used in asbestosis is oxygen therapy but surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are also used to increase the life span of the patient. The survival from mesothelioma is improving but is still not very promising and varies by area of diagnosis.

Asbestos Compensation Claim

Once a patient has been properly diagnosed and have started treatment he will need specialist care and support. The family should look for the services of a solicitor who specializes in these cases. The matter should be investigated and the responsible party should be held accountable. If needed an asbestos compensation claim should be filed so as to provide monetary help to the suffering family who have to struggle with pain, bills and loss of wages.

Sabeen Nadeem writes about legal and financial matters. She is currently working for Peregrine Claims which offers personal injury compensation services in UK. They have experienced and competent Asbestos Compensation Claims Solicitors and Slips and Trips Experts in UK.

Lung Cancer Awareness: Learn About LCAM and EPA's Awareness Campaigns and How to Participate

November is the international month for lung cancer awareness. Some of the ways people show their support are by wearing a pearl ribbon, wristband, or key magnet chain. The official ribbon color for lung cancer is pearl. Lung Cancer Alliance (LCM) is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to providing patient support and advocacy for people living with or at risk for the disease. Their mission is to win the war against the dreaded disease.

The group has launched an aggressive membership campaign including an educational and information campaign for susceptible people to undergo cancer screening by means of CT scan. A CT scanner can detect early lung disorders and symptoms of cancer which can make it curable. The scanner can take x-ray images which are sliced and reformat in 3-D to visualize the size and shape of lung nodules. This capability can reduce lung cancer fatalities through early detection. Most types of lung cancers are detected during incurable late stages.

The national campaign to increase lung cancer syndrome awareness in the United States is the Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Supporters organize rallies and distribute educational materials. They hold fund-raising events, lobby for a bill for LCAM to be passed in Congress, write press release letters to different newspaper editors, and ask the media for an interview for the public to know more about this leading killer disease. Lung cancer has been responsible for deaths more than prostate, colon and breast cancers combined.

In your area, you can support this campaign in many ways. You can organize an auction or flea market event to encourage people to help raise funds for lung cancer research. Participants pay entrance tickets and buy pearl ribbons. Some hold fun runs like the "Race for Breath" in VA Beach, VA. You can make your voice heard by the media. Many supporters distribute educational pamphlets and LCAM's Public Service Announcement to local media. LCAM has a sample proclamation letter for lung cancer support which you can send to your governor.

One group, the Kozer-Keystone Health System has a range of awareness activities to render health education about lung cancer prevention and treatment. They arrange educational programs by setting up informational tables in many hospitals and alternate places. Free spirometry screenings and lectures are conducted by pulmonologist and oncology experts like Dr. Thomas Prestel, M.D. Chief of Pulmonology at Delaware Country Memorial Hospital, Dr. Rajesh Thirumaran, DCMD medical oncologist, Dr. Daniel DuPont, Taylor Hospital's chief of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Asad Khan, Crozer-Chester Medical Center's pulmonologist, Dr. John Lamond, Dr. Leonard Berkowitz, Dr. John Sprandio, medical director of Delaware County Regional Cancer Center,Dr. Walter Scott, chief of Thoracic Surgery at Fox Chase Cancer, etc. Employees of Kozer-Keystone are also encouraged to support these activities by their active participation.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths next to smoking is radon exposure. Each year, it claims 20,000 American lives. The public is encouraged to learn more about the risk from radon. You can't see, smell, or taste it. Unless you conduct a radon level test in your home, you will not be able to detect it.

In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Radon Video Contest, a public radon awareness campaign for the submission of a 30-60 second video with the theme "Radon: Test, Fix, Save a Life". The winning video entry featured the true story of lung cancer survivor Eddie Metcalfe. EPA is now promoting "The Eddie's Story" Radon Public Service Announcements (PSAs) all over the country to highlight the dangerous health risk radon. Now, they are sponsoring media campaigns like Living Healthy and Green featuring a former professional football player, Fuad Reveiz who builds radon resistant homes and EPA's annual radon poster contest.

To learn more about radon, you should read "A Citizen's Guide to Radon" and visit the websites of the EPA, WHO, National Cancer Institute, American Lung Association, Radon Mitigation System, U.S. Surgeon General, etc. You should also take steps to do your part in encouraging your community to conduct lung cancer awareness activities including radon level testing of homes, schools and buildings in your community. Radon level testing is done by testing kits which are affordable and easy to use. If a high radon level is detected, the problem can be remedied immediately to protect yourself and your family.

My name is Jet Jones and I research and write about alternative cancer cures Please visit my site at http://lungcancer-stages.com/ to find information about lung cancer stages and treatments that can help you better understand this dreaded disease.

Tri Modal Asbestosis Treatments And Improved Mesothelioma Survival

Latest advances in the development of combined surgical, radiotherapy and palliative procedures used in the treatment of mesothelioma have helped to increase individual patient longevity by several months and even 1-2 years are not unknown in specific instances.

However, a complete cure for the deadly asbestosis cancer has yet to be fully realised. Survival rates from confirmed diagnosis tend to be around 4 to 12 months because, invariably, the disease is at an advanced stage and has spread to adjacent tissue cells or 'distant' organs.

A recent case involving a South American woman who was treated in Italy, and according to the Italian doctors "... shows a disease-free survival interval of 4 years for malignant pleural mesothelioma" and thus, is key evidence for an improved prognosis.

With a three year time limit from confirmed diagnosis for an asbestosis lawyer to make a mesothelioma claim on behalf of the patient, it could undoubtedly be of significance in future mesothelioma compensation cases and help towards providing a better quality of life for a surviving patient and their family.

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are established 'tri-modal' asbestosis treatments used in fighting the fatal tumours that form in the linings of the lungs ( pleural mesothelioma) or within the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Chemotherapy is used with the aim of reducing the mesothelioma, surgery to remove the diseased tissue, and radiotherapy to prevent a return of the cancer cells.

There is an exceptionally long gestation period of up to 40 or 50 years from an original exposure and breathing in of the asbestos fibres to the appearance of the first asbestosis symptoms or signs of mesothelioma. Often the victim is elderly or in poor health or has a history of smoking and survival rates are likely to be considerably reduced.

Previous research has confirmed that if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage or if the patient is younger, there is a higher probability of surviving mesothelioma for longer. In the present case, the woman was young and admitted to hospital with the usual, non-specific symptoms including, shortness of breath.

Prior to surgery, two cycles of chemotherapy were administered using the acknowledged treatment standard of pemetrexed and cisplatin. This was followed by an extrapleural pneumonectomy, a procedure to remove not only the cancerous membrane, but also adjacent membranes such as the nearest lung, and often the diaphragm. The patient also received external beam radiation to one side of the chest after a period of six months had elapsed.

Post operation monitoring by a combination of PET and CT scanning has yet to find any signs of a return of the disease some fours later.

With around 2,000 cases of mesothelioma still being diagnosed each year and over 4,000 asbestos disease related fatalities recorded in the UK, it is hoped that tri-modal procedures will help to improve future survival rates.

Asbestos Victim Advice
Expert advice and information on mesothelioma and asbestos related illnesses.
http://www.asbestosvictimadvice.com/

What You Need To Know About Asbestos Poisoning

Asbestos poisoning is considered at cause for a wide range of ailments, specifically several cancers of the lung. People who has been poisoned in this manner may be entitled to legal compensation for the illnesses from which they suffer, is they can prove that prolonged exposure to asbestos is responsible for their health conditions. in this article we'll discuss asbestos, how it poisons people, and what is being done to stop the spread of disease.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that occurs naturally. It is still mined in many parts of the world, including Canada. Before the medical community noted the responsibility of asbestos in causing various health problems, this mineral was used widely in the building industry for fire-proofing and insulation. It was also utilized in the automotive industry in the manufacture of brake pads and other tiles.

When asbestos is left intact, it does not cause any health problem. When it is disturbed, however, people in the vicinity can unknowingly breath in the mineral fibers. This disturbance may be caused by pulling asbestos insulation out of a ceiling, or stripping it from water pipes in a basement of an old house. It is this exposure that has been linked to various health problems.

The most serious consequence of exposure to this mineral is cancer of the lungs, but the cancerous cells may also appear in other body parts. Patients may develop lung conditions such as asbestosis, pleural plaque, or mesothelioma while also experiencing skin lesions due to mineral particles which may be lodged in the epidermis.

The major issue with asbestos poisoning is that it can take several years before its symptoms appear. This makes it difficult to determine when and how a person was exposed. It is straightforward for an asbestos miner to claim that the exposure was occupational, but it more complex for people who work on old buildings to identify where their exposure occurred.

Regardless of where and how people were exposed, the afflictions that result require serious medical treatment. because of the contentious nature of asbestos related disease., most patients who are diagnosed with conditions related to this mineral find themselves dealing with lawyers almost immediately. If you should go this route, choose experienced legal representation.

The construction industry has put asbestos abatement programs in place to remove the mineral from old buildings and vehicles. Medical science continues to take steps to reduce and eliminate infections related to asbestos. Countless law firms are pursuing litigation against companies that exposed people to the mineral.

At present this is as much as we can do to eliminate the asbestos threat, keep society safe from further asbestos poisoning, and care for those that are suffering from illness related to exposure.

Need to find out more about mesothelioma compensation? Visit Andrew Reikes-Tessier's site and learn about asbestos poisoning, treatments, and compensation.

 
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