Asbestos
Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of most people that are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, and is linked to the deaths of approximately 40,000 Americans a year. Those deaths are caused by lung cancer, asbestosis, cancer of the larynx, and ovarian cancer. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is…
As we approach the holidays, we often reflect upon what we are thankful for. We also reflect upon loved ones who have lost their battle to an illness. Being diagnosed with cancer is life altering. For some, it seems to paralyze them, for others it gives them a whole different…
Many people who have had cancer describe themselves as survivors, or warriors of cancer. Some people prefer “living with cancer.” A cancer survivor isa person with cancer of any type who is still living. There are more people who are survivors of Mesothelioma than in the past. Some survivors jump…
In May 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved a device for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma under the Humanitarian Use device section of their policy on rare diseases. What is the new treatment? This new therapy is Novacures’s Tumor Treating Fields delivery system, or NovoTTF-100L. Tumor treating fields…
One of the difficulties in diagnosing malignant pleural mesothelioma is the long time between exposure to asbestos and the beginning of symptoms. The average incubation period for malignant pleural mesothelioma is 20-50 years. Are there any tests that can screen for malignant mesothelioma? Screening is testing for a disease when…
The average age of the person diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma is 60 years or older. With advances in technology, many are users of smartphones, technology, and the internet. There was a time when these technologies were mostly for the younger generation, but today we are all using these devices to…
“My husband had a large amount of fluid drained from his chest a couple of times before he was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The other man we were talking to at the meeting never had any fluid drained. What does that mean for the future? Is that bad?” This…
With mesothelioma in the headlines, and important recognitions like Mesothelioma Awareness Day, we have witnessed many tributes to mesothelioma warriors who have fought, and continue to fight, this terrible disease. As tributes poured in via social media it encourages us, as healthcare providers, to evaluate how well we are doing….
One of the common findings that people present with before being diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma is a pleural effusion. It is estimated that 90 percent of patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma present with pleural effusions. Pleural effusions can be present in greater than 50 different pleural, pulmonary, or…
Balancing living with mesothelioma over time and living day to day with mesothelioma is a challenge. Living with Mesothelioma at times can be frustrating. Many people question and critique their progress daily or even sometimes hourly. It is important that you pay strict attention to your overall health and stamina,…