Cancer is a pernicious, aggressive and very painful disease. The very name strikes fear, it is word no one wants to hear in the same sentence with their name. And yet a good proportion of cancer cases could be prevented.
Asbestos related cancers such as mesothelioma are directly related to prolonged exposure to asbestos materials, and as such, could be prevented. While many companies have inadvertently exposed their employees to asbestos, some companies are aware of the dangers, yet do not enforce safety regulations or even worse - disregard the potential hazards altogether.
Employees are sometimes unaware of the dangers, and can eventually succumb to mesothelioma or other asbestos related illnesses. More often than not the victim is the main bread winner for the family. It is doubly tragic that in these cases, not only must the victim deal with a life-threatening disease, but in addition they must worry about the medical bills and debts they may end up leaving their family, along with a loss of income.
It is because of the lack of responsibility of many employers that mesothelioma lawsuits are growing in number. As a head of household, these victims turn to the courts in order to ensure that thier families are not also made to suffer excessive financial burdens.
With the growing number of mesothelioma lawsuits, there are a growing number of mesothelioma lawyers, that is attorneys that specialize in mesothelioma lawsuits and cases. Some firms deal exclusively in mesothelioma cases and do so with such zeal that they become similar to an assembly line. They are not as concerned in getting the best settlement for their clients as much as they are concerned with settling as many cases as they can as quickly as they can.
If you or someone close to you is dealing with an asbestos related illness, take the time and find an attorney that will give your case and situation the attention and you deserve. Remember you are not dealing in bulk, you are an individual - choose a firm that will treat you that way.
Read More ..
Friday, 26 June 2009
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Symptoms of Lung Cancer - Things You Need to Know
One vital aspect of recognizing the symptoms of lung cancer is knowing your body and listening to it. Once you are in tuned with your body you will know when to take action. Symptoms of lung cancer usually will occur in the breathing part of your body also known as the respiratory system. If you experience any or all symptoms; you should schedule an appointment to see your doctor right away.
If you have a persistent cough that lasts more than 3 weeks. This is usually indicative of a respiratory infection or early stages of lung cancer which requires immediate attention from your doctor. If you smoke you may have what is referred to as the smoker's cough.
This cough alone will cause a persistent cough so if you smoke; regular visits to your doctor is imperative because the cough can convert into cancer without you knowing it; and that is because you are so accustomed to coughing. So don't take that for granted. If you smoke; quit. Smoking is like puffing on cancer sticks.
What if you don't smoke and you have a persistent cough for more than 3 weeks. You may have been around people who smoke constantly or exposed to an area where there was constant smoke.
Another symptom of lung cancer is blood or brown tinged colored sputum. Sputum is mucus that you cough up when you have a cold. If you do not have a cold and you cough this up in the morning or during the day pay attention to the color.
The normal color for sputum is clear white or clear pale. Being more lethargic than usual is another sign to look out for. We all experience times when we have less energy; but if you see yourself tiring more often than usual then you may need to take action. Knowing your body ;paying attention to it and taking action can destroy lung cancer in its tracks before it gets out of hand.
Read More ..
If you have a persistent cough that lasts more than 3 weeks. This is usually indicative of a respiratory infection or early stages of lung cancer which requires immediate attention from your doctor. If you smoke you may have what is referred to as the smoker's cough.
This cough alone will cause a persistent cough so if you smoke; regular visits to your doctor is imperative because the cough can convert into cancer without you knowing it; and that is because you are so accustomed to coughing. So don't take that for granted. If you smoke; quit. Smoking is like puffing on cancer sticks.
What if you don't smoke and you have a persistent cough for more than 3 weeks. You may have been around people who smoke constantly or exposed to an area where there was constant smoke.
Another symptom of lung cancer is blood or brown tinged colored sputum. Sputum is mucus that you cough up when you have a cold. If you do not have a cold and you cough this up in the morning or during the day pay attention to the color.
The normal color for sputum is clear white or clear pale. Being more lethargic than usual is another sign to look out for. We all experience times when we have less energy; but if you see yourself tiring more often than usual then you may need to take action. Knowing your body ;paying attention to it and taking action can destroy lung cancer in its tracks before it gets out of hand.
Read More ..
Sunday, 21 June 2009
How Mesothelioma is Relevant Even Today
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is almost always caused by an exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was widely used, but is now known to be a potentially fatal carcinogen. The asbestos fiber consists of long, thin fibrous crystals and may be mixed with other substances in order to resist heat, electricity and chemical damage. Due to these characteristics, asbestos was used in many buildings and other structures throughout the 1900s. One estimation is that up to 80 percent of all buildings constructed before 1978 had asbestos within the design.
The cancer that this substance can lead to-mesothelioma-can be either malignant or benign. The malignant type of mesothelioma is the most hazardous form of asbestos cancer and is deadly in most cases. It affects the tissue known as the mesothelium, which protects the heart, stomach, lungs, and other organs by making a special fluid that allows the organs to move.
So if asbestos is a well known poison, and is no longer used in today's structures, why would mesothelioma still be relevant today? The buildings that contained asbestos are still in existence and many of them, especially those that were made before the 1970s, are undergoing vast renovations. During the renovation or demolition process, the asbestos fibers are released into the air, and from there can be breathed into the lungs, causing untold damage. With more and more people willing to "do-it-yourself," people are more apt to conduct their own renovation projects, rather than contracting professionals. Yet exposure to asbestos, even for brief periods, can be very dangerous-especially without proper precautions.
Another reason mesothelioma is still relevant is because of its long latency period. Due to the way it forms, the cancer may not manifest until anywhere between 20 to 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is rare in people under the age of 55; three-fourths of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are over the age of 65. Therefore, people are just now discovering these lung abnormalities, that may stem from exposures that happened in the 1960's or 1970's!
As with most cancers, early diagnosis can increase the effectiveness of mesothelioma treatment. However, the symptoms of mesothelioma that do appear early usually mimic those of other ailments-such as emphysema, influenza, or even a common cold. Scientists are scrambling to unlock the technological advances that can help in the detection and treatment of this aggressive cancer, but there's no way to turn back the clock and prevent exposure that may have happened decades ago.
Even people who did not work directly with asbestos can be at risk for mesothelioma. There have been cases, including a recent landmark lawsuit in Australia, involving caretakers of asbestos workers who contracted the disease simply by repeated secondary exposure to the carcinogen, such as washing contaminated clothes.
While asbestos is no longer widely used or considered a "miracle fiber," as it was in days gone by, it still lingers in the infrastructures of the past and is still very present in today's society.
Read More ..
The cancer that this substance can lead to-mesothelioma-can be either malignant or benign. The malignant type of mesothelioma is the most hazardous form of asbestos cancer and is deadly in most cases. It affects the tissue known as the mesothelium, which protects the heart, stomach, lungs, and other organs by making a special fluid that allows the organs to move.
So if asbestos is a well known poison, and is no longer used in today's structures, why would mesothelioma still be relevant today? The buildings that contained asbestos are still in existence and many of them, especially those that were made before the 1970s, are undergoing vast renovations. During the renovation or demolition process, the asbestos fibers are released into the air, and from there can be breathed into the lungs, causing untold damage. With more and more people willing to "do-it-yourself," people are more apt to conduct their own renovation projects, rather than contracting professionals. Yet exposure to asbestos, even for brief periods, can be very dangerous-especially without proper precautions.
Another reason mesothelioma is still relevant is because of its long latency period. Due to the way it forms, the cancer may not manifest until anywhere between 20 to 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is rare in people under the age of 55; three-fourths of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are over the age of 65. Therefore, people are just now discovering these lung abnormalities, that may stem from exposures that happened in the 1960's or 1970's!
As with most cancers, early diagnosis can increase the effectiveness of mesothelioma treatment. However, the symptoms of mesothelioma that do appear early usually mimic those of other ailments-such as emphysema, influenza, or even a common cold. Scientists are scrambling to unlock the technological advances that can help in the detection and treatment of this aggressive cancer, but there's no way to turn back the clock and prevent exposure that may have happened decades ago.
Even people who did not work directly with asbestos can be at risk for mesothelioma. There have been cases, including a recent landmark lawsuit in Australia, involving caretakers of asbestos workers who contracted the disease simply by repeated secondary exposure to the carcinogen, such as washing contaminated clothes.
While asbestos is no longer widely used or considered a "miracle fiber," as it was in days gone by, it still lingers in the infrastructures of the past and is still very present in today's society.
Read More ..
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs in thin membranes (called the mesothelium) lining the chest, lungs, abdomen and sometimes the heart. Although quite rare, mesothelioma symptoms strike more than 200 people each year in the United States. The majority of mesothelioma cases are directly linked to asbestos exposure.
Because of the long latency period of mesothelioma, the average age of patients is between 50 and 70 years. Mesothelioma affects men most due to the high exposure of asbestos in industrial typed jobs. Mesothelioma symptoms include respiratory problems, shortness of breath, continual cough and pneumonia. Other mesothelioma symptoms include weight loss, abdominal problems and swelling. In some mesothelioma patients, the mesothelioma symptoms are quite muted, making it hard for mesothelioma doctors to diagnose.
Mesothelioma doctors specialize in the study, research, and treatments of Mesothelioma cancers.
Mesothelioma (or the cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells become abnormal and replicate without control. During Mesothelioma, these cells will invade and damage tissues and organs. Mesothelioma cancer cells can spread throughout the body causing death.
Mesothelioma treatments and Mesothelioma clinical trials and tests
There are many mesothelioma treatment options available. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy and the mesothelioma treatment depends on the patient’s age, general health and stage of the cancer. There has been much mesothelioma research conducted throughout the past two years to find new treatment methods. Click here to read more about mesothelioma treatment techniques.
Through mesothelioma research, The National Cancer Institute has sponsored mesothelioma tests and clinical trials that are designed to find new treatment methods. Because of the increase in number of mesothelioma cases in the United States, both governments have increased funding for mesothelioma research.
Mesothelioma research and clinical trials have been successful in developing new techniques to fight this cancer and the outlook for more advanced mesothelioma treatments is promising.
Surgery is the most common treatment method for malignant mesothelioma. Tissues and linings affected by mesothelioma are removed by the doctor and may include the lung or even diaphragm.
A second mesothelioma treatment method is radiation therapy through the use of high energy x-rays that kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be outside or inside the body.
A third mesothelioma treatment method is chemotherapy. Through pills or drugs through needles, chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells.
A new mesothelioma treatment method is called intraoperative photodynamic therapy. In this treatment, light and drugs are used to kill cancer cells during surgery for early stages of mesothelioma in the chest. Although there are numerous treatments and drugs for mesothelioma, doctors are loosing the battle against this deadly disease. Most mesothelioma treatments involve old techniques combined with different drug cocktails. However, in most cases, these mesothelioma treatments have many side effects including organ damage, nausea, increase in heart failure etc. The rush to find a more effective mesothelioma treatment or even cure is ongoing at numerous clinical labs across the nation. Let's hope that the mesothelioma treatments will one day erradicate mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.
With an abundance of information on the Internet, Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos (http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-and-asbestos.com) has consolidated the most important issues surrounding Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma doctors and symptoms, Mesothelioma treatment, Mesothelioma research and tests.
At http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-and-asbestos.com, the website contains useful resources on Mesothelioma lawyers and attorneys, as well as causes by asbestos exposure, asbestos removal, asbestos attorneys and lawsuits, and asbestos cancer. Patients stricken by Mesothelioma and their families require support and current information. Mesothelioma Online Resources hopes to educate and give hope to survivors and victims.
Mesothelioma is such a harsh disease. Not only does it take years for symptoms to appear, but there are limited treatements and drugs that will prolong the lives of workers stricken with mesothelioma. In many cases, the death rate of mesothelioma is unfortunately very high. However, with increased funding in mesothelioma research through the government and private grants, the outlook for a mesothelioma cure is quite possible. In the meantime, mesothelioma support groups and local discussions provide the ongoing support for mesothelioma patients.
Read More ..
Because of the long latency period of mesothelioma, the average age of patients is between 50 and 70 years. Mesothelioma affects men most due to the high exposure of asbestos in industrial typed jobs. Mesothelioma symptoms include respiratory problems, shortness of breath, continual cough and pneumonia. Other mesothelioma symptoms include weight loss, abdominal problems and swelling. In some mesothelioma patients, the mesothelioma symptoms are quite muted, making it hard for mesothelioma doctors to diagnose.
Mesothelioma doctors specialize in the study, research, and treatments of Mesothelioma cancers.
Mesothelioma (or the cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells become abnormal and replicate without control. During Mesothelioma, these cells will invade and damage tissues and organs. Mesothelioma cancer cells can spread throughout the body causing death.
Mesothelioma treatments and Mesothelioma clinical trials and tests
There are many mesothelioma treatment options available. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy and the mesothelioma treatment depends on the patient’s age, general health and stage of the cancer. There has been much mesothelioma research conducted throughout the past two years to find new treatment methods. Click here to read more about mesothelioma treatment techniques.
Through mesothelioma research, The National Cancer Institute has sponsored mesothelioma tests and clinical trials that are designed to find new treatment methods. Because of the increase in number of mesothelioma cases in the United States, both governments have increased funding for mesothelioma research.
Mesothelioma research and clinical trials have been successful in developing new techniques to fight this cancer and the outlook for more advanced mesothelioma treatments is promising.
Surgery is the most common treatment method for malignant mesothelioma. Tissues and linings affected by mesothelioma are removed by the doctor and may include the lung or even diaphragm.
A second mesothelioma treatment method is radiation therapy through the use of high energy x-rays that kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be outside or inside the body.
A third mesothelioma treatment method is chemotherapy. Through pills or drugs through needles, chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells.
A new mesothelioma treatment method is called intraoperative photodynamic therapy. In this treatment, light and drugs are used to kill cancer cells during surgery for early stages of mesothelioma in the chest. Although there are numerous treatments and drugs for mesothelioma, doctors are loosing the battle against this deadly disease. Most mesothelioma treatments involve old techniques combined with different drug cocktails. However, in most cases, these mesothelioma treatments have many side effects including organ damage, nausea, increase in heart failure etc. The rush to find a more effective mesothelioma treatment or even cure is ongoing at numerous clinical labs across the nation. Let's hope that the mesothelioma treatments will one day erradicate mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.
With an abundance of information on the Internet, Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos (http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-and-asbestos.com) has consolidated the most important issues surrounding Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma doctors and symptoms, Mesothelioma treatment, Mesothelioma research and tests.
At http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-and-asbestos.com, the website contains useful resources on Mesothelioma lawyers and attorneys, as well as causes by asbestos exposure, asbestos removal, asbestos attorneys and lawsuits, and asbestos cancer. Patients stricken by Mesothelioma and their families require support and current information. Mesothelioma Online Resources hopes to educate and give hope to survivors and victims.
Mesothelioma is such a harsh disease. Not only does it take years for symptoms to appear, but there are limited treatements and drugs that will prolong the lives of workers stricken with mesothelioma. In many cases, the death rate of mesothelioma is unfortunately very high. However, with increased funding in mesothelioma research through the government and private grants, the outlook for a mesothelioma cure is quite possible. In the meantime, mesothelioma support groups and local discussions provide the ongoing support for mesothelioma patients.
Read More ..
Friday, 5 June 2009
The Story Behind the History of Mesothelioma Cancer
The production of asbestos fibers became a major industry and was widely used at the beginning of 20th century. This industry advancement was used in a variety of building projects, ship yards and various construction sites.
The initial knowledge of asbestos exposure happened in the early years of the fiber development and the tragic history of this lung cancer started in the early 1930. Mesothelioma's history, just like with the discoveries of any other major diseases, has a combination of science, medical research and "courage".
The history of mesothelioma is thought to have begun where mine waste, which contained asbestos fibers, was used to cover schoolyards and playgrounds. It was actually around that time when many people who didn't even work in or even around asbestos began to contract this deadly illness. It became a risk to those who just lived nearby asbestos factories and most especially to those people who are working in the factories associated with asbestos. The last asbestos mining was stopped in 1966. It was rumored that officials already knew of the health hazards that it could bring prior to its closure, but still continued to conduct business as usual, despite the fatal consequences.
It is strange why the mine was allowed to operate without any risk control and why the site wasn't forced to close up before that time. Industry leaders didn't even force the issue of taking on safer work practices in order to make it safer for their employees. And because of the failure to protect the workers, there were more and more new cases of mesothelioma being diagnosed every year. The new cases even began to expand to those who didn't even work in the mine but were simply exposed to it through secondary means.
The first diagnosed case in the history of mesothelioma was an Australian mine and mill worker who worked in the asbestos mining industry for approximately three years. It was getting to the point where the people who lived in the town where the asbestos mining industry was being conducted were contracting the disease as well. This event caused many horrible illnesses and became a significant source of frustration with the people in the community until late 1970's, when the Australian Government decided to simply shut down the town...literally. The city had been exposed to this deadly substance for far too long and the dear people of the town paid with their health and many paid with their lives.
The history of this asbestos cancer is a dark piece of medical history and one that we should never forget. What if someone had the courage to step in and demand safer work practices long before so many lives were eternally altered? What if...could the history of mesothelioma have been re-written to reflect an entirely different story? Perhaps...yes, perhaps.
Read More ..
The initial knowledge of asbestos exposure happened in the early years of the fiber development and the tragic history of this lung cancer started in the early 1930. Mesothelioma's history, just like with the discoveries of any other major diseases, has a combination of science, medical research and "courage".
The history of mesothelioma is thought to have begun where mine waste, which contained asbestos fibers, was used to cover schoolyards and playgrounds. It was actually around that time when many people who didn't even work in or even around asbestos began to contract this deadly illness. It became a risk to those who just lived nearby asbestos factories and most especially to those people who are working in the factories associated with asbestos. The last asbestos mining was stopped in 1966. It was rumored that officials already knew of the health hazards that it could bring prior to its closure, but still continued to conduct business as usual, despite the fatal consequences.
It is strange why the mine was allowed to operate without any risk control and why the site wasn't forced to close up before that time. Industry leaders didn't even force the issue of taking on safer work practices in order to make it safer for their employees. And because of the failure to protect the workers, there were more and more new cases of mesothelioma being diagnosed every year. The new cases even began to expand to those who didn't even work in the mine but were simply exposed to it through secondary means.
The first diagnosed case in the history of mesothelioma was an Australian mine and mill worker who worked in the asbestos mining industry for approximately three years. It was getting to the point where the people who lived in the town where the asbestos mining industry was being conducted were contracting the disease as well. This event caused many horrible illnesses and became a significant source of frustration with the people in the community until late 1970's, when the Australian Government decided to simply shut down the town...literally. The city had been exposed to this deadly substance for far too long and the dear people of the town paid with their health and many paid with their lives.
The history of this asbestos cancer is a dark piece of medical history and one that we should never forget. What if someone had the courage to step in and demand safer work practices long before so many lives were eternally altered? What if...could the history of mesothelioma have been re-written to reflect an entirely different story? Perhaps...yes, perhaps.
Read More ..
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