Mesothelioma
Time is an intangible item that we all want more of. According to Miriam Webster’s definition, “time is the measured or measurable period during which an action, process or condition exists or continues.” As Americans we are all very busy and would love more time. When one is diagnosed with…
As we close 2019 and welcome 2020, we reflect on some of the progress that has been made in 2019 with advancing the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. One therapy that has garnered attention is immunotherapy. Many scientists believe that by unlocking the role of the immune system they will then…
Having met many patients from all walks of life who are dealing with malignant mesothelioma, the patients are very open with us as to how their journey with mesothelioma began. As we know, each individual’s disease is as unique as one’s fingerprint. How people come to find out that they…
When we are living and planning our lives we assume we will be here to complete our plans, to reach our goals, to live a life as we want. But what happens when plans are interrupted by a health challenge? Suddenly all of our plans, goals, and dreams are in…
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…