Mesothelioma

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Mesothelioma – The Facts Figures and Statistics

Mesothelioma – The Facts Figures and Statistics

MesotheliomaHelp.org is a comprehensive resource for those affected by asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. A diagnosis of these cancers can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. On this site, you can find solutions and connect with others in our community.

MesotheliomaHelp.org is a comprehensive resource for those affected by asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. A diagnosis of these cancers can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. On this site, you can find solutions and connect with others in our community.

MesotheliomaHelp.org is a comprehensive resource for those affected by asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. A diagnosis of these cancers can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. On this site, you can find solutions and connect with others in our community.

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Mesothelioma – what are the signs and symptoms of this cancer?

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body’s organs. It’s usually linked to asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma mainly affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), although it can also affect the lining of the tummy (peritoneal mesothelioma), heart or testicles.

More than 2,600 people are diagnosed with the condition each year in the UK. Most cases are diagnosed in people aged 60-80 and men are affected more commonly than women.

Unfortunately it’s rarely possible to cure mesothelioma, although treatment can help control the symptoms.

 

Symptoms of mesothelioma

The symptoms of mesothelioma tend to develop gradually over time. They typically don’t appear until several decades after exposure to asbestos.

Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lining of the lungs include:

chest pain

shortness of breath

fatigue (extreme tiredness)

a high temperature (fever) and sweating, particularly at night

a persistent cough

loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss

clubbed (swollen) fingertips

Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lining of the tummy include:

tummy pain or swelling

feeling or being sick

loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss

diarrhoea or constipation

See your GP if you have any persistent or worrying symptoms. Tell them about any exposure to asbestos you may have had in the past.

What causes mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibres that used to be widely used in construction.

These tiny fibres can easily get in the lungs, where they get stuck, damaging the lungs over time. It usually takes a while for this to cause any obvious problems, with mesothelioma typically developing more than 20 years after exposure to asbestos.

The use of asbestos was completely banned in 1999, so the risk of exposure is much lower nowadays. However, materials containing asbestos are still found in many older buildings.

Read more about asbestos and people at risk of exposure and avoiding exposure to asbestos.

How mesothelioma is diagnosed

If your GP suspects mesothelioma, they will refer you to a hospital specialist for some tests.

A number of different tests may need to be carried out, including:

an X-ray of your chest or tummy

a computerised tomography (CT) scan – a number of X-ray images are taken to create a detailed image of the inside of the body

fluid drainage – if there’s a build-up of fluid around the lungs or in the tummy, a sample may be removed using a needle inserted through the skin so the fluid can be analysed

a thoracoscopy or laparoscopy – the inside of your chest or tummy is examined with a long, thin camera that’s inserted through a small cut (incision) under sedation or anaesthetic; a sample of tissue (biopsy) may be removed so it can be analysed

These tests can help diagnose mesothelioma and show how far it has spread.

Treatments for mesothelioma

The best treatment for mesothelioma depends on several factors, including how far the cancer has spread and your general health.

As mesothelioma is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, treatment is usually focused on controlling the symptoms and prolonging life for as long as possible. This is known as palliative or supportive care.

Possible treatments include:

chemotherapy – this is the main treatment for mesothelioma and involves using medicine to help shrink the cancer

radiotherapy – this involves using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and it may be used to slow the cancer down and keep it under control

surgery – an operation to remove the cancerous area can be done if mesothelioma is detected at a very early stage, although it’s not clear whether surgery is helpful

You’ll also probably have treatment for your individual symptoms to help you feel as comfortable as possible. For example, regularly draining fluid from your chest may help your breathing and strong painkillers may help relieve your pain.

Sometimes, a procedure is carried out to stop the fluid coming back again by making the outside of the lungs stick to the inside of your chest (pleurodesis), or a tube is put in your chest to drain the fluid regularly at home. Your doctors should discuss these treatments with you.

Outlook for mesothelioma

Unfortunately the outlook for mesothelioma tends to be poor. This is because it doesn’t usually cause any obvious symptoms until late on and it can progress quite quickly once it reaches this stage.

Overall:

around half (50%) of people with mesothelioma will live at least a year after diagnosis

around one in every 10 people (10%) with mesothelioma will live at least five years after diagnosis

There are currently around 2,500 deaths from mesothelioma each year in the UK.

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Tips for a Healthy Life After Facing a Difficult Diagnosis

Tips for a Healthy Life After Facing a Difficult Diagnosis

Tips for a Healthy Life After Facing a Difficult Diagnosis

When diagnosed with an aggressive and potentially life-threatening disease, like cancer, it’s natural to become overwhelmed with all of the “what if’s and what now’s” and while you’re eager to fight your disease, it’s difficult to know where to begin. Although your diagnosis may be one of the most challenging things you have or will face, your health is now even more important than ever. Here are some tips for adjusting to a difficult diagnosis, taking care of yourself, and making the best of your life:

Educate Yourself

Unless you’re a medical professional, such as an oncologist, you may know very little about your recently diagnosed disease. Take mesothelioma, for example. Mesothelioma is a cancer that typically affects the lungs and is related to asbestos exposure. Since mesothelioma is often diagnosed decades after the exposure occurred, many patients have no idea they have the cancer in their body until they are faced with a late stage diagnosis.


While the initial diagnosis can be daunting, especially if faced with an aggressive and advanced stage, it’s still advantageous for patients to learn as much as they can about mesothelioma and what types of treatment options are available. When your health changes dramatically, you, as a patient, have a right and responsibility to gain as much information as you can about your disease (regardless of the stage). Not only can you help yourself, but you’re raising awareness and helping others around you.

Surround Yourself with Support

Surrounding yourself with family and friends that care about you and having a support system can help you get through some of your roughest times. Whether your neighbor gives you a ride to your chemotherapy treatments, your best friend brings over a week’s worth of food, or a co-worker offers to go on a walk with you, allow these people to help you and be part of your journey. You may want to push people away and you may get tired of talking about your diagnosis, but the people around you want to help and their offers may be the only way they know how to show support. If you don’t have a support system of your own, consider joining a support group of people who are facing the same health challenges as you.

Exercise, Eat Well, & Get Sleep

Whether you exercise regularly or not, exercise is a great way to stay healthy when you body is fighting a disease. Not only does exercise boost your serotonin levels, which can help you overcome depression and fatigue, but even taking a short walk outdoors can give you a much needed dose of Vitamin D. Before you start exercising, always check with your doctor and he or she will help you choose a suitable exercise regime such as walking or swimming.

In addition to making exercise part of your daily routine, a healthy diet and a good night’s sleep of at least 7 to 8 hours per night will benefit you through your recovery.

Stay Positive

When facing a tough diagnosis, it’s natural to be afraid and experience the five stages of loss and grief. You may feel helpless and you may feel depressed, but studies show that if you choose to have a positive attitude about your life and your diagnosis, your recovery may be faster and your health may improve. By having a positive outlook, your physical, emotional, and mental health may experience a significant boost. Positive thinking may come easier for some than others, but by surrounding yourself with support and practicing healthy routines, you may find it easier to be optimistic about your future.

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Legal Options Available to Mesothelioma Victims


Legal Options Available to Mesothelioma Victims

Legal Options Available to Mesothelioma Victims

Mesothelioma, a rare yet toxic illness, is primarily caused by asbestos exposure, and in the majority of cases, asbestos exposure occurred at the workplace. If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma due to asbestos at the workplace or due to any other negligent party, there are legal options available that can help seek compensation to help cover your medical expenses, pain, suffering, and more.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos trust funds are funds set up by courts for companies that have had so many asbestos claims filed against them that they were ordered to set aside funds for pending and future asbestos-related lawsuits. Currently, there is over an estimated $30 billion in these funds, set up for mesothelioma victims and their loved ones.

To qualify for compensation via an asbestos trust fund, you (or a loved one) must have worked for or been contracted to work for a company that currently has an asbestos trust fund in place. Not all businesses have trust funds set up for asbestos cases, and if the company you worked for doesn’t currently have a trust fund, you will not qualify until they do.


Asbestos trust fund amounts will vary according to how much money is put into the fund, the type of disease you have, how long you’ve lived with the disease, and what stage the disease is in.

There are two types of review options for asbestos trust funds: expedited reviews and individual reviews. An expedited review typically has a fixed compensation amount for each claimant, yet it is paid out much quicker than an individual review. To qualify for an expedited review, there must be enough substantial evidence presented for a quick payout.

An individual review takes longer to receive compensation when compared to an expedited, but you’re not limited to a fixed amount. Those who do not qualify for an expedited review (due to additional proof needed) will need to file for an individual review. Compensation for individual reviews may be more or even less that expedited review amount.

Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Another option, especially for companies that don’t have an asbestos trust set up, is to directly sue the party or parties responsible for exposing you to asbestos. In many cases, there were two or more manufacturers that supplies asbestos to job sites, and each of these companies may be responsible for any illnesses the workers develop.

Once you file a mesothelioma lawsuit, your asbestos attorney will help you gather the evidence and proof needed to present your case. In many instances, workers are not aware of which companies supplied asbestos to their workplace, but a knowledgeable attorney has the experience to uncover the details on your behalf.

Mesothelioma lawsuits generally end in settlements before you have to go to trial, with the biggest benefit being a much quicker process, which is especially important if you have mounting medical bills. However, should your mesothelioma lawsuit end up going to trial, you will generally receive more in compensation as opposed to settlement amounts.

What You Can Expect From a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Although each state’s laws will vary, in general, a successful mesothelioma lawsuit will help you obtain compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Transportation and lodging expenses (that pertain to medical appointments)
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium (in certain states)
  • Dependent expenses

Statute of Limitations for Mesothelioma Cases

It’s important to remember that each state allows a certain amount of time for you to file a mesothelioma claim. Known as statute of limitations, the time period ranges anywhere from one to six years after your diagnosis or one to six years from the time your loved one passed away from an asbestos-related illness.

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Mesothelioma Patients Need Every Calorie They Can Get – a guest post on cancer and diet by Deb Slaughter


One of the most challenging aspects of caring for a mesothelioma patient is making certain that the

Cancer and diet

Cancer and diet

y are receiving enough nourishment. Between the disease itself, the patient’s overall depression over their condition and the effects of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, the caregiver is often fighting a losing battle – the patient loses dramatic amounts of weight, and that leaves them in an even more weakened condition.  This weight loss can be due to loss of appetite or nausea, or it can actually be a condition known as cachexia; when cachexia is present the patient is taking in food but the body is not absorbing its nutrients.

The best way to avoid these types of situation is to make certain that the patient is eating well before their mesothelioma treatments actually begin, but because the onset of symptoms is so sudden and the disease progresses so quickly after diagnosis, sometimes the only thing that can be done is to add as many extra calories and as much extra protein as possible to every dish that the patient is eating.


There are a number of ways to add calories and protein without substantively changing what you are preparing for the mesothelioma patient to eat. This means that their favorite foods can be enhanced so that the patient is still eating what is familiar and provides comfort while dramatically increasing their nutritional value. Hard boiling an egg and adding it to a salad will add protein, particularly if you add extra egg yolks.  Adding cheese or cheese sauces to sandwiches, soups, and vegetables enriches calories and builds protein stores. Any product that is normally made with low-fat milk can be boosted calorically by making it with whole milk or cream, and milk drinks can take on extra nutrition with a couple of spoonfuls of instant breakfast powder or instant dry milk.

If the mesothelioma patient is unable to eat hard foods, add substance to soft dishes like applesauce or cooked fruit by combining it with ice cream, whipped cream or creamy Greek yogurt (which is also a great way to add lots of protein).  For savory dishes, add small pieces of cooked beef, fish or poultry to soups and casseroles, and butter can be added to almost anything that is being cooked to increase the caloric load as well.  If the patient is not in the mood to eat at all there are medical interventions that can be requested, including providing liquid nutrition intravenously.

Helping a mesothelioma patient to eat is an important way to boost their overall health and wellbeing, and that is a critically important way of extending survival. Please visit http://mesothelioma.net for more information.