While mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, it is possible to live a normal life after a diagnosis. Many patients have survived for years and been able to continue their day-to-day activities with the right treatment. “I’m doing very well, as a matter of fact. I play golf twice a week. I go hang out with my friends when they’re around. Yeah, I’m pretty well back to normal.” - Quote from John Stahl 5+ year mesothelioma survivor Find out what life with mesothelioma is like and how you can get the support you need to live your typical life with this cancer. What Daily Life Looks Like With Meso ..read more

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that most commonly affects the tissue covering the lungs and chest wall. It develops decades after exposure to asbestos and has a life expectancy between 12 and 21 months. Thankfully, some patients have been able to outlive this average with treatment. Mesothelioma surgery is a common treatment approach to improve life expectancy. To further understand its benefits, researchers looked at data from nearly 300 patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining). The study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that patients wh ..read more

While there isn’t a cure for mesothelioma, new and emerging treatment options are helping people live longer with this cancer. However, some patients may not know how to access these treatments or discuss them with their doctors. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these 5 tips can help you talk with your doctor about getting the latest treatments. 1. Make Sure Your Doctor Is Experienced With Mesothelioma Not all doctors have expertise in treating mesothelioma or supporting patients diagnosed with this aggressive cancer. This can result in patients not being able to access critical t ..read more

The first week of April is Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW), a time dedicated to raising awareness of the ongoing dangers of asbestos and related diseases like mesothelioma. Started by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) in 2004, GAAW plays a monumental role in advocating for regulations on asbestos and protecting public health. This year, the event takes place just weeks after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a ban on chrysotile asbestos, the most common type of asbestos. While the new ban is a milestone worth celebrating, more immediate action must ..read more

Photo credit: Bryon Miller Longtime professor by day and professional musician by night, the co-founder of the Panza Foundation reveals the defining moments of living over a decade as a mesothelioma survivor Ohio native John Panza was diagnosed with stage 3 malignant pleural mesothelioma in 2012. He was only 38 years old at the time — a very young age to be diagnosed with this asbestos-caused cancer — but he knew he was ready to fight. “You might not win the war, but you must fight like you can. You might even surprise yourself with how strong you are. I’ve been fighting nonstop for more than ..read more

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. It develops in the lining of the body’s organs, most commonly the lungs. Unfortunately, because it’s so rare and causes symptoms usually associated with less serious conditions, it can be challenging to determine whether you have this cancer. Find out more about mesothelioma and its symptoms. Can You Have Mesothelioma and Not Know It? Yes, it may be possible to have mesothelioma and not know it. This is because mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning that it takes 10-50 years for the damage caused by asbestos exposure to ..read more

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and is caused by asbestos. Because it takes 10-50 years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos, the cancer isn’t diagnosed until it is in later stages, making it harder to treat in many cases. A collaborative study by several institutions in Japan examined a new approach to mesothelioma treatment. These researchers sought to test the effectiveness of two experimental drugs that suppress cancer cell growth by targeting specific enzymes and proteins. The treatment combination slowed cancer tumor growt ..read more

Following a milestone birthday celebration, a mother’s visit to a gynecologist leads to the discovery of a mysterious illness that baffled her doctors Since being diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009, Jill Litton has noticed a recurring theme throughout her health care journey: confusion. But she has met that confusion with grace and faith as she continues in her decade-and-a-half fight against this rare cancer. “I don’t accept death,” says the West Virginia native, with genuine seriousness behind her soft laughter and calm voice. “My family needs me, and I have to keep living my best so I can ..read more

Celebrated every year in March, Women’s History Month commemorates the contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history. This year, we’re sharing the stories of some of the most notable women in the mesothelioma community to give hope to those fighting this rare cancer caused by asbestos. Although women are less likely to develop mesothelioma than men, they play a critical role in treating, supporting, and advocating for asbestos victims. Learn more about how this cancer affects female patients and read about noteworthy women in the world of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma in Women Wom ..read more

In most cases, mesothelioma, a rare cancer that’s caused by asbestos, is diagnosed in people over the age of 65. This is because it often takes 10-50 years for this cancer to develop after asbestos exposure. However, mesothelioma can also affect children and young adults through: Direct exposure, like with asbestos-contaminated talcum powder or asbestos materials in the home Secondhand exposure, such as when a parent brings home asbestos fibers on their work clothes Because it’s so rare for children and young adults to develop mesothelioma, less research has been done on these cases. In fact ..read more