How Successful Are Conventional Cancer Treatments?

This report is an analysis of the scientific studies conventional treatments are based on, and a lot more!
Read this Report before you have surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Be fully informed before you consent to treatment!

Today, the percentage of Americans dying from cancer is about the same as it was in 1950, even after being adjusted for age. Despite this fact, the medical profession takes much pride in the rigorous scientific research that underpins its approach to cancer treatment.

This Report contains numerous important statements and conclusions regarding cancer treatment today that you must discuss with your doctor. They come from medical and scientific publications and highly qualified experts. I have no doubt these assertions will surprise and unsettle you, but they will be useful to you and your doctor as you search for additional knowledge to beat your cancer. Get your copy here

The best reference books on alternative cancer treatments. What a treasure for cancer patients and caregivers!

While researching natural remedies to a variety of cancers I came across this website on alternative cancer treatments. It's worth a visit. Please let ,me know how you feel by posting comments on this article. Thanks..... Editor.

Unbelievable as it may seem, 18 months of research by a blue-ribbon research team shows there are over 350 existing natural and alternative cancer treatments. People have used these gentle and non-toxic treatments to make themselves cancer-free. They have used them instead of, or alongside, or after conventional treatments with all their harmful side-effects have failed.
What's more, thousands of people are using them RIGHT NOW and beating their cancer!
These findings are described in Natural Cancer Treatments. They include treatments like:

The 3 week curing program with a reported 95% success rate.
The Ph.D. biochemist who developed the program you can do at home says, "The success rate [using this program] for advanced cancer is about 95%. So you can count on this method, not merely hope it will work for you. It is a total approach that not only shrinks tumors, but also normalizes your blood chemistry, lowers your cancer markers, and returns your health." Read all about it on page 251 of Natural Cancer Treatments. Get more details here

Exposure to Asbestos from Rocks Can Cause Malignant Mesothelioma

Californians who live close to naturally occurring asbestos sources and who are exposed to low levels of the mineral are at increased risk for developing malignant mesothelioma, a serious cancer of the membrane covering the lung, according to a new study published in the second issue of the October 2005 American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Marc B. Schenker, M.D., M.P.H., of the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, at the University of California, Davis, along with four associates, investigated 2,908 malignant mesothelioma cases reported over a 10-year period (1988 to 1997). Over 50 percent of the men and 58 percent of the women, all of whom were listed in the California Cancer Registry, either had no or low occupational exposure to asbestos.

“People who lived closer to an asbestos source had a greater chance of having mesothelioma, and the chance decreased steadily as the distance increased,” said Dr. Schenker. More on website

Osteopontin: Marker for Mesothelioma

According to a recent article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the protein osteopontin, which can be found in circulating blood, may help in the early detection of mesothelioma. However, further studies are necessary to confirm osteopontin as a reliable marker as well as to determine if outcomes for patients can be improved through the use of this marker.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the tissue that covers the lungs and lines the interior of the chest. The majority of individuals who develop malignant pleural mesothelioma have a history of chronic exposure to asbestos.

The only curative treatment for mesothelioma is surgery. However, more than 70% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have advanced disease, which places them beyond the benefits of surgery. Therefore, the development of a blood test that would allow early diagnosis in patients at risk of mesothelioma—or that would accurately predict a response to treatment—would be a great advance in the management of this malignancy. More on the website

Possible Blood Test for Early Stage Pleural Mesothelioma

Review
NEW YORK, Oct. 12 - Discovery of a biomarker that reveals pleural mesothelioma at an early stage may lead to a blood test that can detect this asbestos-related lung malignancy for meaningful therapy.

Patients with pleural mesothelioma had significantly higher serum levels of the protein osteopontin, compared with those who had been exposed to asbestos but did not have the disease, according to a study led by Harvey Pass, M.D., of New York University.

The goal is to detect pleural mesothelioma early, because patients with stage IA disease can survive five or more years with prompt surgery to remove the tumor, Dr. Pass and colleagues said in a study reported the Oct. 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Yet the difficulty in detecting this disease means it is diagnosed this early only about 5% of the time, and with advanced disease surgery prolongs life by only about three months, added Dr. Pass, a thoracic surgeon, and colleagues.

The study compared 69 patients with asbestos-related but non-malignant pulmonary disease, 45 disease-free participants without asbestos exposure, and 76 patients with pleural mesothelioma. The researchers compared serum osteopontin levels among these groups.

Mean serum osteopontin levels were significantly lower in those without asbestos exposure than in those with asbestos exposure and non-malignant pulmonary disease (14±6 ng/ml vs. 56±13 ng/ml; P=0.03).

The mean serum osteopontin level in the group with pleural mesothelioma was significantly higher than in the group exposed to asbestos with non-malignant disease (133±10 ng/ml; 95% confidence interval=113-154 vs. 30±3 ng/ml; 95% CI= 23-36; P<0.001).>

Using a cutoff value of 62.4 ng/ml of osteopontin, a blood test to detect stage IA pleural mesothelioma in those with asbestos exposure and non-malignant lung disease had a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 88.4%.

"This finding, if confirmed, would have immediate clinical applications, because the use of therapy could potentially influence survival among patients with stage I pleural mesothelioma," the investigators said.

"Overall, results are better than or rival those of any other available test, of which several have now been described," said Mark. R. Cullen, M.D., of Yale in an accompanying editorial.

"The practical value of this approach as a diagnostic test overall, however, must await the assessment of serum osteopontin levels in other disorders common after extensive exposure to asbestos… from which mesothelioma must commonly be differentiated," Dr. Cullen said.

Once considered rare, the incidence of pleural mesothelioma is increasing worldwide, probably because of asbestos exposure many years ago, and the long latency period between asbestos exposure and the onset of disease, according to a review article in the same issue of NEJM by Bruce W.S. Robinson, M.D., and Richard A. Lake, Ph.D., of the University of Western Australia in Perth.

The incidence of pleural mesothelioma is 15 per million per year in the United States, 18 per million in Europe, and 40 per million in Australia, Drs. Robinson and Lake said.

Exposure to Asbestos-Containing Rock Can Cause Mesothelioma

By Megan Rauscher

NEW YORK OCT 26, 2005 (Reuters Health) - Living in close proximity to naturally occurring asbestos found in rock significantly increases the risk of malignant mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, a study by California researchers shows.

"The importance of this study is that it provides scientific data that mesothelioma occurs from naturally occurring asbestos in California, and by inference in the United States," Dr. Marc B. Schenker from UC-Davis told Reuters Health. "This indicates that public health officials need to shift their focus to addressing this issue and not continuing to debate whether it is an issue at all," he added.

In the October 15th issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Schenker and colleagues point out that California has more naturally occurring asbestos source rocks than any other state in the US, but their distribution is "patchy, with exposed areas separated from unexposed areas."

The researchers matched 2908 Californians who developed malignant mesothelioma over a 10-year period to 2908 "control" Californians with pancreatic cancer.

Logistic regression analysis from a subset of 1133 mesothelioma cases and 890 controls showed that the odds of mesothelioma decreased roughly 6.3% for every 10 kilometers (6 miles) farther they lived from the nearest asbestos source rocks.

"People who lived closer to an asbestos source had a greater chance of having mesothelioma, and the chance decreased steadily as the distance increased," Dr. Schenker and colleagues report.

"These findings were adjusted for occupational exposure to asbestos, age at initial diagnosis, and sex," the authors note.

The study, they conclude, shows an independent and dose-response association between residential proximity to naturally occurring asbestos and mesothelioma risk.

Co-authors of a related editorial call the data important and convincing. Drs. Marcel Goldberg and Daniele Luce from INSERM, Saint Maurice, France, say "additional work is now necessary for an accurate assessment of the levels of cumulative exposure that people experience in areas where an excess risk of pleural mesothelioma was observed."

SOURCE:

• Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005;172:939,1019-1025.

Mesothelioma - The largest Man Made Epidemic

Mesothelioma – The largest Man Made Epidemic according to Lorraine KemberIt. She writes that it is documented that Australia had the highest per capita use of asbestos in the world from the 1950’s until the 1970’s. As a tragic consequence, Australia now has the highest per capita incidence of mesothelioma in the world. With more than 500 Australians contracting mesothelioma per year, it is estimated that up to 18,000 Australians will die from this asbestos related cancer by the year 2020.Despite the growing awareness of the dangers of asbestos, there are many people who have not heard of Mesothelioma. This asbestos related cancer is defined as: a malignant spreading tumor of the mesothelium of the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum, arising form the inhalation of asbestos fibers. One of the most baffling and frightening known facts concerning Mesothelioma is that many years may pass, between inhalation of asbestos dust and its deadly legacy of disease; it is not uncommon for four decades or more to pass before symptoms due to asbestos dust inhalation become apparent. In November 2004, I was an invited speaker at the Global Asbestos Congress 2004, held in Tokyo Japan. Over 800 participants from 40 countries around the world were in attendance. To be a part of such a large gathering of fellow humans, united in a quest to rid the poison of asbestos from our environments was an intensely moving experience. Having lost my husband to mesothelioma I know first hand the suffering this cruel disease places on its innocent victims. There were many speakers and each told a tale, of pain, death and heartache. We listened, we understood and we ached for the past, present and future victims of the killer asbestos and its legacy of mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. We listened and we were shocked and angered to learn that despite the growing awareness of the dangers of asbestos and the increasing incidence of asbestos related disease, there remains some countries who are mining asbestos with little or no regard for their workers or people who will come into contact with asbestos products. Asbestos disease Association member’s world wide are working tirelessly and fighting almost insurmountable odds to ban asbestos from all countries of the world. It is a sobering and frightening fact, that even if we were successful in this quest, the legacy of asbestos related diseases will continue for five decades.Add your voice to the many who want this killer product erased from the worlds environments – Add your voice to the call that pleads for adequate compensation for victims and their families. Sign the online petition at Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization: http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.orgThe Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) continues to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the incurable and often deadly asbestos related diseases. ADAO is quickly expanding and uniting veterans, fire-fighters, shipbuilders, teachers and thousands of other innocent people around the world. Asbestos Awareness leads to education, prevention, new treatments and ultimately a cure.


Article written by: Lorraine Kember – Author of “Lean on Me” Cancer through a Carer’s Eyes. Lorraine’s book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion on: Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life and Dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council. “Lean on Me” is not available in bookstores - For detailed information, Doctor’s recommendations, Reviews, Book Excerpts and Ordering Facility - visit her website www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com

Asbestos Blue

He was only a child when it begun
And he played as children do
In his yard with his toy cars and tip trucks
But his sand was asbestos blue…

In December 1999, my husband and I were walking home from a game of lawn bowls when I became aware of his shortness of breath. I was surprised and concerned when he told me that he had experienced this on several occasions. Believing this to be due to chest a infection, I made a doctor’s appointment for him the next day.Chest X-rays revealed fluid on the lungs, over two litres of which was drained, giving Brian immediate relief, but it was a tense wait for the pathology results. Through the Internet I had become aware of several conditions which may have been responsible for fluid on the lung; these included asbestos- related diseases. Brian had lived in Wittenoom as a child and I was afraid of his diagnosis. Not wanting to worry him unnecessarily, I did not mention my fears to him. I prayed that he had pleurisy or pneumonia but the pathology results revealed that there were cancer cells present.When Brian finally received his diagnosis, my worst nightmare became reality. He had pleural mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lung caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust. We found it inconceivable that the disease was the result of Brian inhaling asbestos dust as a child and that it had lain dormant for forty-five years before become lethal. We were still reeling from the shock when, without preamble, the young doctor gave his prognosis. His exact words were, “Three to nine months, I reckon”. That he could say this so unfeelingly amazed me. His total lack of compassion did not encourage even the small comfort of tears. I felt as if Brian and I had been shot and from that moment on we were waiting to drop. Undoubtedly, were mortally wounded. We suffered shock, disbelief, anger, helplessness and utter despair; in fact all the symptoms of grief one feels when a loved one has actually died. Suddenly, we had no control over our lives; our journey through terminal illness had begun. Throughout the course of our married life my deep love for Brian and my determination to resolve difficulties had seen us through many trials. I found it hard to believe that nothing could be done to save his life and begun surfing the Internet for information regarding mesothelioma, all the time praying for a miracle, hoping against hope to find a doctor who had successfully operated on or cured someone of it.It was a sad realization to discover that for Brian there were no miracles; however, I learned a lot and it helped me to accept that he was dying. With my acceptance came a fierce determination to ease his burden. I continued to seek information regarding mesothelioma and the pain and symptoms Brian would experience, due to the progression of his disease. In this way, I came to understand the importance of pain management and symptom control and realized that although I could not stop Brian from dying – I could help him to live. My acquired knowledge regarding pain and symptom management enabled me to communicate with Brian and to understand the type of pain he was experiencing and the intensity of that pain. I was then able to work hand in hand with his doctors, to bring his pain and symptoms under control. As my efforts resulted in his improved quality of life, I lost my sense of helplessness and gained strength. Together, we achieved for Brian, a quality of life few thought possible, considering the nature of his disease. Testament to this, despite his prognosis of three to nine months, Brian survived for 2 years, remained active and alert, drove his car for eighteen months after diagnosis and was not bed bound until three short days prior to his death. Brian's courageous battle with mesothelioma came to an end on the 24th December 2001; he passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was 54 years old. Article written by: Lorraine Kember – Author of “Lean on Me” Cancer through a Carer’s Eyes. Lorraine’s book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion on: Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life and dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council. “Lean on Me” is not available in bookstores - For detailed information, Doctor’s recommendations, Reviews, Book Excerpts and Ordering Facility - visit her website http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com

Useful cancer sources

Listed below are links to other cancer resources on the Internet that have information about mesothelioma.

American Cancer Society

National Cancer Institute

University of Pennsylvania’s Oncolink

Mayo Clinic

Intellihealth

American Institute for Cancer Research - www.aicr.org

American Thoracic Society - www.thoracic.org

Canadian Cancer Society - www.cancer.ca

ChemoCare - www.chemocare.com

Mesothelioma Aid - www.mesothelioma-aid.org

Sometimes people with serious illnesses would like to speak with others in the same situation. The following organizations attempt to match people with similar situations looking for mutual support.

Anderson Network (cancer)
Phone : 1-800-345-6324 (Toll Free)
Website: www.mdanderson.org/andersonnetwork
The Anderson Network, part of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Center in Houston has a database of 700 cancer survivors.

Cancer Hope Network (cancer)
Phone: 1-877-HOPENET (Toll Free)
Website: www.cancerhopenet.org
Cancer Hope Network has a database of 325 patients representing 45 cancers.

Med Help Int'l Patient Network (all illnesses)
www.medhelp.org/network.htm

Early Detection Of Any Disease Is The Key So What Are The First

Much research work has been dedicated to find out the first
symptoms of lung cancer. Cancer is that painful disease that
needs no introduction and cancer of the lung is one of its most
common forms. It is said that early detection of cancer is the
key to its prevention.

Extensive research works conducted at Mesothelioma research
clinics have uncovered some symptoms of lung cancer closely
linked with the disease.

Lung Cancer Symptoms

People addicted to tobacco and those who are constantly exposed
to the ill effects of asbestos are more susceptible to lung
cancer. Ignorance about the symptoms of lung cancer may lead to
a full-fledged blown up case.

Be on alert if you are having cough most of the time. This is
one of the first symptoms. A related symptom may be a change in
the nature of coughing. Other symptoms may be- being short of
breath and coughing up bloodstained sputum. Mesothelioma
research has established that aches while breathing, loss of
appetite, fatigue and loss of weight can also be the first
symptoms of the cancer of the lung.

These are considered to be the primary symptoms of lung cancer.
There are secondary symptoms too.

Sudden development of a hoarse voice is one of the secondary
lung cancer symptoms. Difficulty in swallowing is considered as
another symptom of cancer of the lung.

Swelling of the face due to blockage of main blood vessel and
swelling of neck due to enlarged lymph nodes may be other
symptoms as well.

Treat pain in the right rib region and shortness of breath due
to accumulation of fluid as warning signals of cancer of the
lung. When you notice any of them, visit your physician for a
thorough check-up.

Let's combat the deadly lung cancer together.

About the author:
Jon Butt publishes www.the-mesothelioma-guide.com

What Radical Mesothelioma Treatments Are Available?

Current radical mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy
treatments, radiation treatments, surgical treatments and
experimental therapies and drugs. Research news reports the
limited success of present treatments for Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma research news indicates that traditional treatments
viz. single or multi-drug chemotherapy has a response rate of
about 20%. Radiation treatments, usually used in conjunction
with surgery or chemotherapy treatments can relieve pain and
shrink tumors, making breathing easier. However, radiation
treatments can also cause severe side effects.

Efforts To Combat Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can take between ten and sixty years to develop
after inhalation of respirable asbestos fibers, but Mesothelioma
progresses fast. Radical surgeries as mesothelioma treatments
have had limited success. Surgical treatments attempted include
extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy.

Treatment news indicates that in EPP over 15% patients die soon
after surgery. EPP involves removal of pleura, diaphragm,
pericardium, part of the phrenic nerve and the entire
tumor-affected lung and has to be supported by chemotherapy or
radiation.

The pleurectomy treatments involve removal of the pleura without
removing the whole lung. These treatments are best in patients
with good lung expansion who tend to accumulate fluid. In
combination with radiation pleurectomy is reported in treatment
news to have given 22-month survival in 50% and 24-month
survival in 41% cases in a 27-patient group with mesothelioma of
the epithelial subtype.

Surgical treatments of mesothelioma have not been shown to offer
significant advantages over the limited non-surgical treatments.
Experimental drugs under evaluation include treatments by
Onconase, Lovastatin and an Endostatin and angiostatin
combination.

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America is funding
research on mesothelioma cure. The USC Norris Comprehensive
Cancer Center in Los Angeles has completed Phase I Clinical
Trials on a new mesothelioma treatment drug called Veglin.

Phase II Clinical trials of Veglin have begun in July 2004,
opening exciting treatment possibilities for mesothelioma
victims.

About the author:
Jon Butt publishes www.the-mesothelioma-guide.com

Lung Cancer Mesothelioma: Slowly Spreading Its Tentacles

Lung cancer mesothelioma is the common name for malignant
mesothelioma, a rare cancer that is not very responsive to
therapy. Lung cancer mesothelioma is the deadliest of all
asbestos related diseases. Medically speaking, lung cancer
mesothelioma is misnomer. Mesothelioma is not a cancer of the
lungs; it generally affects the lining of the lungs.

Mesothelial cells are special cells found in cavities of certain
internal organs. They form a covering tissue surrounding most of
the vital organs. This tissue is known as pleura, peritoneum and
pericardium and surrounds lungs, abdomen and heart respectively.
This tissue produces a lubricant that allows the internal organs
to move effectively. For example, it helps the lungs to move
around in the chest during breathing. Lung cancer mesothelioma
is the name given to cancer of the lining of the lungs. It is
the most common of mesothelioma cancers and is known as pleural
mesothelioma.

Mesothelium tumors can be cancerous as well as non-cancerous.
However, most mesothelial tumors are cancerous. The malignant
mesothelioma referred to as "mesothelioma". About 75%
mesothelioma tumors start in the chest cavity (pleural
mesothelioma). About 10% to 20% occur in the abdomen (peritoneal
mesothelioma). Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare disease and
even rare is the incidence of mesothelioma in the lining
surrounding the testicles.

Mesothelioma cancer was first recognized as a tumor of the
pleura, peritoneum and pericardium in the late 1700s. It was
only in the 1960s that could this tumor be connected to exposure
to asbestos and be described with detail. The first person to do
so was J. C. Wagner, who cited examples from the "Asbestos
Hills" in South Africa and provided sufficient evidences to
establish a link to mesothelioma cancer of the lung cavity to
asbestos exposure. Further studies have confirmed the
relationship between asbestos and the incidences of mesothelioma
cancers.

Mesothelioma cancers were a rarity in the United States. There
were only 14 cases recorded per million people in a year.
However, the number has tripled between 1970 and 1984
particularly among the males working in areas of asbestos
production and shipbuilding facilities. Mesothelioma cancers are
Mostly found in sexagenarian males and in some cases, it has
also been discovered in women and children.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from
Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for
information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and
more.

Mesothelioma Fact - Alarming Truth

Lately many people have been looking for mesothelioma fact and
information. The startling mesothelioma fact is that
Mesothelioma Cancer is a rare cancer but every year about 2,000
new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States and
this number has been continuously increasing for the past 20
years. Initially mesothelioma was recognized as a tumor of the
pleura, peritoneum and pericardium. Later on, the doctors
studied the fact linking mesothelioma cancers to asbestos
exposure. J.C.Wagner wrote the first on mesothelioma by, and
emphasized its linkage to asbestos exposure in about 32 cases of
workers in the "Asbestos Hills" in South Africa.

Thereon the fact about relationship between mesothelioma and
asbestos exposure was confirmed in different research studies
around the world. Mesothelioma is caused because of asbestos
exposure and inhalation of asbestos particles. Asbestos was
widely used in industrial and manufacturing processes and
building materials. Construction materials such as cement,
tiles, roofing shingles, pipes, insulating material and many
more, contained asbestos materials. The shocking mesothelioma
fact is that almost all American buildings constructed before
1970s contain asbestos material that could pose risk for the
occupants.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has released a fact
that, though since 1970s the protections against asbestos
exposure have been in place, the mesothelioma would take 30 to
50 years to be noticed. This is because mesothelioma cancer and
other asbestos diseases have a high latency rate. The asbestos
particles can lie dormant in the human body for 30-50 years
before manifesting as mesothelioma cancers.

Mesothelioma cancers are of two main types. In pleural
mesothelioma, the cancer cells are found in the sac lining the
chest and the peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the lining of
the abdominal cavity. There are rare instances of mesothelioma
of the lining of hearts and testicles. Mesothelioma is more
prevalent in men than in women.

Awareness about mesothelioma facts is also helpful in having
awareness about symptoms of mesothelioma. This information helps
in early detection and timely treatment of disease. Chest pain
that is caused by cancer itself or shortness of breath,
abdominal pain and swelling, cough, fatigue and unexplained
weight loss are some possible symptoms of mesothelioma cancers.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from
Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for
information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and
more.

Mesothelioma And Asbestos - The Killer Connection

Mesothelioma and asbestos are so much linked that many people
call it by the name of mesothelioma asbestos. While mesothelioma
is a serious cancer, asbestos is its main cause. While one may
approve of things that remain of use for a long time, their
effect on the surroundings decides the worthiness of that
product in the end. The same holds true with asbestos. The 1940s
and 1950s saw a surge of 'asbestos' as the next best thing to
happen after cement in the construction industry. Due to it's
high degree of stability and resistance to very high
temperatures, asbestos was applied greatly in insulators and
ceiling tiles in homes, schools and factories.

However, this product is a harmful contaminant. Asbestos has the
tendency to break into small particles and remain suspended in
the air for longer durations. Any individual that comes in
contact or inhales it becomes vulnerable to serious diseases
such as asbestosis, lung cancer or the mesothelioma lung
cancers.

Types of Mesothelioma:

Mesothelioma, asbestos related cancer, acquires it's name from
the mesothelium cells that are responsible for protecting and
enabling easy movement of our vital organs such as lungs, heart
and the abdomen in the body. Mesothelioma is generally of three
types, pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and
pericardial mesothelioma.

If a person is suffering from hoarseness, difficulty in
breathing, loss in weight, coughing, blood in sputum, chest
pain, weak muscles, reduced tactile sensitivity, he may be
suffering from Pleural mesothelioma or the cancer of lining of
the lungs. This is the most common type of mesothelioma and
almost two-thirds of the mesothelioma patients suffer from
pleural mesothelioma. The Peritoneal mesothelioma or cancer of
the lining of the abdomen causes impaired bowel motion,
bloating, swelling in feet, and nausea. This is less common
among mesothelioma patients and it affects one-third of the
mesothelioma patients. Pericardial mesothelioma is of the cancer
of lining of the heart. It is also caused because of asbestos
exposure. However, its prevalence is rare. Pericardial
mesothelioma manifests in the form of chest pain, palpitations,
cough and dyspnea.

Lawsuits Related to Mesothelioma and Asbestos:

The hazardous consequences of long term contact with asbestos
and its linkage to mesothelioma cancers has led to several
lawsuits against its manufacturers. The mesothelioma or asbestos
attorneys claim that the asbestos manufacturers were aware of
the harmful affects of asbestos exposure and yet persisted with
its use for profit motives. This is the reason why juries have
ordered stringent awards in many mesothelioma and asbestos
related lawsuits.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from
Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for
information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and
more.

Understanding The Relation Between Asbestos Exposure And

An understanding of asbestos is necessary before we try to
understand mesothelioma lung cancer. Asbestos, a natural fibrous
mineral, used commonly in construction process and manufacturing
industries is detrimental to human health. Continuous inhalation
of its fibers enhances the susceptibility to respiratory
disorders and can lead to many dangerous diseases. A leading
example of such dangerous disease is Mesothelioma lung cancer.
Actually, mesothelioma lung cancer is misnomer because
mesothelioma cancers affect the lining of lungs (pleura) and
abdomen and not the lungs. Since mesothelioma cancers mostly
affect the lining of the lungs, it is generally called
mesothelioma lung cancer. The workers who had worked in
industries such as shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and asbestos
production are vulnerable to mesothelioma cancers.

Mesothelioma and the Role of Carcinogens:

What is mesothelioma cancer and how does the lining of the lung
become cancerous? Cancer is a tumor that is malignant in nature.
Tumor is formed when there is abnormal cell division and cell
multiplication in the cancerous cells. Exposure to carcinogens
or cancer-causing material like cigarette smoke, asbestos and
silica dust is instrumental in this abnormal cell division and
formation of tumor.

Mesothelioma cancer is directly linked to asbestos exposure.
However, those already exposed to asbestos have a greater chance
of developing lung cancer if they are exposed to other
carcinogens such as cigarette smoke. A study reports that the
workers with a history of asbestos exposure and cigarette smoke
are more prone to lung cancer than the non-smokers and those
with no history of asbestos exposure.

Complications Associated with Mesothelioma Cancer:

Normally, the latency stage for asbestos-related diseases in
general and mesothelioma cancers of the lining of lung in
particular, 20-50 years, which makes detection of Mesothelioma a
complicated issue. This situation is further aggravated
particularly where the worker is also addicted to cigarette
smoking. By the time, the disease shows its symptoms, a
considerable exposure to additional carcinogens linked to
cigarette smoking has already taken place. This makes a worker
more vulnerable to lung cancer besides the vulnerability to
mesothelioma cancers.

Mesothelioma Cancers and Legal Redress:

The Government is conscious of the ill effects of asbestos
exposure and the seriousness of mesothelioma cancer. The
employees working in factories with significant risk of asbestos
exposure are eligible for Mesothelioma compensation, if the
exposure is the cause of Mesothelioma. There has been a spate of
lawsuits for seeking compensation for mesothelioma and lung
cancers. In many cases, the courts have awarded heavy sums as
compensation against the asbestos manufacturing companies.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from
Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for
information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and
more.

Mesothelioma Statistics - An Eye-opener

What are Mesothelioma Statistics?

Mesothelioma statistics are data about mesothelioma - a
dangerous cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and the
abdomen. In some cases, mesothelioma can affect the heart and
reproductive organs too. It is a fatal disease with patients
surviving for only one-two years after the diagnosis.

What have Mesothelioma Statistics Revealed?

Mesothelioma statistics have revealed that nearly seventy to
eighty per cent of all cases of mesothelioma have been directly
traced to prolonged exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was a
frequently used material in construction, railroad, factory,
shipyard and automobile industries. Mesothelioma statistics were
able to highlight the link between asbestos and cancer nearly
sixty years ago. However, unscrupulous industries have chosen to
continue using asbestos for profit motives. Mesothelioma
statistics also portray mesothelioma to be a silent killer. This
is because the disease lies dormant in the body for periods
between ten to fifty years. It is usually diagnosed in patients
when they are between fifty and seventy years of age. Normally
the diagnosis of mesothelioma is only after the case has reached
the last stage and there is very little hope for the survival of
the patient.

Mesothelioma Statistics Related to Mesothelioma Treatment:

The sad reality is that mesothelioma has no cure. According to
mesothelioma statistics, after diagnosis, the average survival
rate is only 12-24 months. Even with early detection and
treatment, the survival rate can be stretched out to five years.
Mesothelioma treatments are very expensive and usually range -
between four hundred thousand and eight hundred thousand
dollars. This is the reason why most of the mesothelioma
patients have to file lawsuits to recover medical and other
costs related to this killer disease.

Is There Anything That Mesothelioma Statistics Is Not Able To
Reveal?

Mesothelioma statistics reveal only the numbers of patients who
have already been diagnosed with mesothelioma. This number is
between two to three thousand new cases every year. However,
mesothelioma statistics is not able to reveal or predict the
numbers of people who continue to slowly develop the cancer
inside them. There is no statistical data to provide the
probable number of mesothelioma patients in the coming future.

How Can Mesothelioma Statistics Be Helpful?

Government regulations make mesothelioma patients eligible for
compensation. Mesothelioma statistics can help in providing
valuable information about the disease for compensation claims
and lawsuits. Moreover, mesothelioma statistics can also help
the mesothelioma victims and attorneys to gather valuable
information for supporting their compensation claims.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from
Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for
information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and
more.