Although mesothelioma is a relatively rare disease, many forms of cancer are far more common. Indeed, the American Cancer Society reported in 2022 that cancer continued to be the second leading cause of death in the United States. Only heart disease claims more lives each year. While doctors and researcher must treat each unique form of cancer differently, the different cancers feature many similarities. These similarities include an antigen that appears in nearly all forms of cancer. And some researchers have recently developed a vaccine that focuses on that antigen. The UV1 vaccine trials ha ..read more

We have used this blog to explore some of the most common ways and situations in which a person might be exposed to asbestos, from working in construction and automotive repair to serving in the military. While most people are exposed through these sources, other less common sources can still put people in danger. Cosmetics: Companies often use talcum powder in cosmetics. This powder can sometimes contain trace amounts of asbestos fibers due to the geological traits and mining process. Even current products can test positive for asbestos contamination due to poor regulation and oversight ..read more

After you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, you’ll want to get the best treatment possible. With luck, if your doctors diagnose the disease early enough, they may be able to remove any tumors and put the disease into remission. More often, doctors do not diagnose mesothelioma until the later stages. In any case, it’s important for you to work with your doctors to find the best course of treatment. Even if you cannot completely cure the cancer, you can buy yourself more time and a higher quality of life. But what is the best course of treatment? A new study contradicts some of the lessons scien ..read more

All doctors are highly trained professionals. They have all spent many years educating themselves and putting their studies into practice. That does not, however, mean that they have all spent those years focusing on the same lessons. Most doctors focus their studies on the diseases and conditions they treat the most. Because mesothelioma is a rare disease, few doctors give it as much attention as the other cancers or conditions they are more likely to encounter. This means they may not be fully informed about all your possible treatment options. You need to find a doctor who has up-to-date in ..read more

Most Americans understand that there is a serious risk of asbestos exposure, and we have known for quite some time. In fact, the National Library of Medicine notes that we have research from the 1930s connecting asbestos exposure and cancer. So, if we have all this history and research making this connection, why are people still getting sick from exposure? There are two primary reasons for this. People continue to be exposed Indeed, we have significantly curbed the use of asbestos in consumer and commercial products. In general, companies no longer use asbestos the way they used to. There are ..read more

Sometime after you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, your doctor is likely to give you a prognosis. This is your doctor’s best educated guess about how the disease is likely to affect you. It’s important to remember this is only an educated guess. There are things people can do to improve or worsen their situations. It is also worth understanding the factors your doctor may review on the way to that educated guess. Importantly, some of those factors are more telling and consistent than others. A review of the prognostic factors for mesothelioma A team of researchers recently addressed the prog ..read more

While there is still no known cure for mesothelioma, researchers keep pushing for answers. This means that the range of possible treatments continues to expand. Unfortunately, doctors are not always aware of the newer treatments. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, so many doctors have little or no experience treating it. Patients and their families often need to advocate for themselves. One of the ways they can do that is by checking on the list of ongoing clinical trials. A wide range of possible improvements In mid-September 2023, at the time of writing, the National Cancer Institute lists 77 di ..read more

Symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain and a persistent cough can suggest an incredible range of potential illnesses. However, these symptoms, combined with a history of exposure to asbestos, could point doctors toward the possibility that the person has mesothelioma.  Whether doctors are looking to confirm or rule out an illness, they may have several options when it comes to testing. Making these tests as easy and painless as possible can be crucial, which is why the potential for a non-invasive breath test for mesothelioma is particularly exciting. A new screening tool? Because ..read more

Mesothelioma is a highly complex illness. Often, it can only be diagnosed at advanced stages, and people aren’t always aware that they were even at risk of developing this type of cancer. However, there are some things you can do to make these difficult situations less complicated if you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. One critical step you can take is to gather and organize medical records. Why medical records matter Medical records can serve a range of important purposes. Determining the cause: Medical records can contain information that makes identifying the ca ..read more

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer for which there is currently no known cure. This isn’t what you want to hear if you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, but it’s important to come to grips with the facts. Indeed, one study suggests that mesothelioma victims fare better when they accept the facts of their new situation. They can then turn their focus toward coping strategies. The three recurring themes of long-term survivorship Published by BMJ Open Respiratory Research, the study looked for the different themes common to long-term survivor stories. According to the study’s authors, this meant survi ..read more