Monday, January 31, 2011

Smoking Increases Cancer Pain

Human lungImage via WikipediaThere may be an association between increased pain severity plus interference from pain and being a smoker in individuals with a cancer diagnosis, according to research published in the January issue of PAIN.

Joseph W. Ditre, Ph.D., of Texas A&M University in College Station, and colleagues analyzed self-reports of pain in 224 cancer patients about to begin chemotherapy to study the associations between multiple levels of smoking status and pain-related outcomes in this patient population.

The researchers found reports of more severe pain in those who continued to smoke after their cancer diagnosis than in patients who had never smoked. The current smokers also reported a greater level of interference from their pain than former or never smokers. Former smokers reported experiencing less pain with increased number of years since they quit.

"These data suggest that continued smoking despite a cancer diagnosis is associated with greater pain severity and interference from pain; however, future research is warranted to determine the directionality of this relationship," the authors write.
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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Stop Smoking When Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

A patient having his blood pressure taken by a...Image via WikipediaSmoke-quitting when diagnosed with mesothelioma minimizes pain while being treated. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelial cells, caused by breathing in asbestos fibers that become lodged in the thin membrane that lines and encases the lungs. Most patients do not receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma until after symptoms appear, which can be 30 years or more after exposure. By this time the disease has progressed to an advanced stage leaving the patient with life-threatening complications and limited treatment options.

Mesothelioma is a painful cancer and the pain associated with the disease varies from patient to patient and depends on the type of mesothelioma. Over half of the pleural mesothelioma patients suffer pain in the lower, back and sides of the chest. Others may experience pain from shortness of breath, and constant and acute coughing. Now, researchers say that cancer pain may be increased in those who continued to smoke after their cancer diagnosis compared to patients who had never smoked.

In the study led by researchers at Texas A&M University, 224 cancer patients about to begin chemotherapy were followed to determine the association between smoking and the aggravation of cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, such as pain. The researchers reviewed self-reported measures of pain severity, pain-related distress and pain-related interference. They concluded that “continued smoking despite a cancer diagnosis is associated with greater pain severity and interference from pain.” Former smokers reported experiencing less pain with increased number of years since they quit.

Unlike many other predominantly pulmonary-related cancers, cigarette smoking has no known causative affect on mesothelioma incidence; however, according to the study, smoking accounts for 90% of lung cancer cases and 85% of head and neck cancers. Smoking cessation is one of the primary ways to prevent lung disease.
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Thursday, January 27, 2011

Carbon Nanotubes That Look Like Asbestos, Behave Like Asbestos, Could Lead To Asbestos-Related Disease

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes. 3-15 walls, mean...Image via Wikipedia
A major study published in Nature Nanotechnology suggests some forms of carbon nanotubes -- a poster child for the "nanotechnology revolution" -- could be as harmful as asbestos if inhaled in sufficient quantities.

The study used established methods to see if specific types of nanotubes have the potential to cause mesothelioma -- a cancer of the lung lining that can take 30-40 years to appear following exposure. The results show that long, thin multi-walled carbon nanotubes that look like asbestos fibers, behave like asbestos fibers.

Discovered nearly 20 years ago, carbon nanotubes have been described as the wonder material of the 21st Century. Light as plastic and stronger that steel, they are being developed for use in new drugs, energy-efficient batteries and futuristic electronics. But since their discovery, questions have been raised about whether some of these nanoscale materials may cause harm and undermine a nascent market for all types of carbon nanotubes, including multi- and single-walled carbon nanotubes. Leading forecasting firms say sales of all nanotubes could reach $2 billion annually within the next four to seven years, according to an article in the U.S. publication Chemical & Engineering News.

"This study is exactly the kind of strategic, highly focused research needed to ensure the safe and responsible development of nanotechnology," says Andrew Maynard, Chief Science Advisor to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies and a co-author on the paper. "It looks at a specific nanoscale material expected to have widespread commercial applications and asks specific questions about a specific health hazard. Even though scientists have been raising concerns about the safety of long, thin carbon nanotubes for over a decade, none of the research needs in the current U.S. federal nanotechnology environment, health and safety risk research strategy address this question."

Widespread exposure to asbestos has been described as the worst occupational health disaster in U.S. history and the cost of asbestos-related disease is expected to exceed $200 billion, according to major U.S. think tank RAND Corporation.

Anthony Seaton, MD, a co-author on the paper and a professor emeritus at the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, says, "The toll of asbestos-related cancer, first noticed in the 1950s and 1960s, is likely to continue for several more decades even though usage reduced rapidly some 25 years ago. While there are reasons to suppose that nanotubes can be used safely, this will depend on appropriate steps being taken to prevent them from being inhaled in the places they are manufactured, used and ultimately disposed of. Such steps should be based on research into exposure and risk prevention, leading to regulation of their use. Following this study, the results of which were foreseen by the Royal Society in the U.K. in 2004, we can no longer delay investing in such research."

Researchers, led by Professor Kenneth Donaldson at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, examined the potential for long and short carbon nanotubes, long and short asbestos fibers, and carbon black to cause pathological responses known to be precursors of mesothelioma. Material was injected into the abdominal cavity of mice -- a sensitive predictor of long fiber response in the lung lining.

"The results were clear," says Donaldson. "Long, thin carbon nanotubes showed the same effects as long, thin asbestos fibers."

Asbestos fibers are harmful because they are thin enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, but sufficiently long to confound the lungs' built-in clearance mechanisms for getting rid of particles.

Donaldson stresses there are still pieces of the puzzle to fill in. "We still don't know whether carbon nanotubes will become airborne and be inhaled, or whether, if they do reach the lungs, they can work their way to the sensitive outer lining. But if they do get there in sufficient quantity, there is a chance that some people will develop cancer--perhaps decades after breathing the stuff," states Donaldson.

There is a silver lining to this research. According to Donaldson, "Short or curly carbon nanotubes did not behave like asbestos, and by knowing the possible dangers of long, thin carbon nanotubes, we can work to control them. It's a good news story, not a bad one. It shows that carbon nanotubes and their products could be made to be safe."

But Donaldson added that the present study only tested for fiber-like behavior and did not exonerate carbon nanotubes from damaging the lungs in other ways. "More research is still needed if we are to understand how to use these materials as safely as possible," he notes.

Carbon nanotubes are atom-thick sheets of graphite formed into cylinders. They may be formed from a single layer of graphite or they may consist of multiple concentric layers of graphite, resulting in multi-walled carbon nanotubes. While the diameter of a nanotube can vary from a few nanometers up to tens of nanometers, they can be hundreds or even thousands of nanometers long. Carbon nanotubes come in many forms, with different shapes, different atomic arrangements, and varying amounts and types of added chemicals--all of which affect their properties and might influence their impact on human health and the environment.

"This is a wakeup call for nanotechnology in general and carbon nanotubes in particular," says Maynard. "As a society, we cannot afford not to exploit this incredible material, but neither can we afford to get it wrong--as we did with asbestos."

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Importance of Early Diagnosis for Mesothelioma Cancer Patients

The importance of early diagnosis for mesothelioma cancer patients can't be overemphasized. If you have a history of asbestos exposure—whether from a workplace, your home, or at a public building such as a school—it's in your best interest to consult a knowledgeable physician even if you have no symptoms of mesothelioma cancer or other asbestos-caused disease. Early diagnosis is especially important because by the time symptoms of mesothelioma cancer appear, usually 20 – 50 years after the initial exposure, the disease is already in an advanced phase. An early diagnosis is necessary for the bestmesothelioma prognosis.

So longImage by Szili via Flickr

The importance of early diagnosis for mesothelioma cancer patients is also reinforced by the short life-expectancy of individuals with this disease. If the mesothelioma is at an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis, the average life expectancy is estimated one to two years. If an individual's mesothelioma is "caught" at an early stage, mesotheliom treatment can be initiated that much sooner, and it may be easier to hold off the advance of the cancer.
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Monday, January 24, 2011

Scholarship for Families of Mesothelioma Victims

Families of mesothelioma victims can avail of scholarship programs like Mesothelioma Memorial Scholarship.

Description: Established in 2003, Mesothelioma Memorial Scholarships are offered four times per year to honor the thousands of people who have died from Mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos, as well as the thousands of patients who are newly diagnosed with the disease every year. Mesothelioma Memorial also aims to educate Americans about mesothelioma via the information provided on the site.

Academic Level:High School

Field(s) of Study:Unrestricted / Other

Amount: USD 500 annually, non-renewable

No. of Scholarship Recipients: 4 awards offered annually and one (1) award is given each quarter.

Criteria: * This award is for international and U.S. students.
* Must be a high school senior or older to apply for this undergraduate and/or graduate award.

- Essays will be judged on a combination of need and aspirations.
- Eligible students must not have already received or been awarded a full-tuition scholarship or waiver from another source.
- International students are welcome to apply.
- Students must be enrolled or plan to enroll in any post secondary program including: four or two-year universities, vocational/technical programs, continuing education, ministry training and job skills training programs.

For more details visit website.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Dallas Gets Mesothelioma Lawyer Dallas Service

Statute of limitationsImage by WestSideLaura via Flickr
Dallas, TX – (Dallas Mesothelioma Attorney News) Today the online Asbestos exposure resource center, AsbestosHelpDesk.org, announced the addition of Dallas area Mesothelioma Lawyer location services. The addition of a Dallas Mesothelioma Lawyer location service is the next step in Asbestos Help Desk’s commitment to helping the victims of Mesothelioma find medical, legal, and emotional support for dealing with the disease.

Patients living in the Dallas/DFW area who have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer, a disease caused by the exposure to Asbestos, often wish to seek the assistance of a Dallas Mesothelioma attorney/Lawyer because of the life altering side effects of the disease and the complex nature of Mesothelioma cases, many times victims need assistance in locating the best Dallas area Mesothelioma Lawyer for their case. The asbestos exposure and Mesothelioma cancer specialists at Asbestos Help Desk can now help to guide Mesothelioma patients to a prescreened law firm best suited to help with their individual needs.

The reasons for seeking the help of a Dallas Mesothelioma attorney vary in each instance. Victims of Mesothelioma cancer or their families often seek justice from the party responsible for the Asbestos exposure which caused the disease. It is also widely accepted to secure the help of a Mesothelioma Lawyer in Dallas to aid in recouping financial compensation to cover cancer related medical expenses, lost time from work, diminished quality of living, and at time the loss of one’s life.

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Saturday, January 22, 2011

Some Facts About Asbestos

Female operator Clemance Gagnon watches a mach...Image by LAC/BAC via FlickrAsbestos is a fibrous mineral that can be highly toxic when inhaled, absorbed, or otherwise ingested by the body. For many years, asbestos was a commonly used insulation material. Individuals who have worked in construction trades, manufacturing plants, railroads, and other occupations where insulation or construction materials are present may have been exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos fibers, when taken into the body, can cause ailments including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and a number of cancers. Ordinarily, asbestos related health problems do not develop without extended exposure, but some individuals can develop problems based on exposures that are relatively limited.

Asbestos is generally regarded as most dangerous when it is airborne. If you encounter asbestos in your home or workplace, you should not remove it yourself. Professional asbestos abatement services are available, and such agencies should be consulted to ensure that the asbestos is removed and disposed of in a safe, environmentally sound manner.

If you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos and have sustained injuries as a result of such exposure, you may wish to seek legal counsel. Thousands of individuals have already recovered monies as a result of legal actions against the manufacturers of asbestos.
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Friday, January 21, 2011

Demolition of a Former City Hall

AsbestosImage via WikipediaReal demolition has yet to begin, according to city engineer
By Cecelia Martinez
The Record

TROY — Responding to concerns about asbestos at the demolition site of the former City Hall in Monument Square, City Engineer Russ Reeves said that the process is being handled “methodically and carefully,” adding that work performed at the site up to this point was not demolition, but rather general cleanup and “investigatory procedures.” Reeves said that demolition will take place after abatement for asbestos in the building, some of it friable, takes place after Jan. 13.

Concerns regarding asbestos at the site were raised during last week’s City Council meeting, at which Mayor Harry Tutunjian took offense to what he called “allegations” that asbestos had been released into the atmosphere. Friable asbestos, if inhaled, can cause health problems, specifically a type of cancer called mesothelioma.

At the meeting and again in a letter responding to an inquiry by Councilman Bill Dunne, D-District 4, the administration said it was aware of asbestos and that it was being monitored daily. Reeves said that workers are now cleaning out the site and will be making site evaluations to determine a plan for the demolition.

Dunne raised concerns that the demolition may be in violation of Subpart 56-5(h) of 12 NYCRR Part 56, which requires that “no demolition… be commenced by… prior to the completion of asbestos abatement.” Dunne said that Reeves’ claim that work completed over the past two weeks is not considered demolition is “backpedaling.”

“I’m not sure what kind of testing backing a truck hoe into windows is,” said Dunne. “It sounds to me like they’re changing their tune.”

An Oct. 11 Limited Asbestos Survey completed by Atlantic Testing Laboratories of Clifton Park found the only location of friable asbestos was in the ceiling of the parking garage. In his letter to Tutunjian regarding Dunne’s concerns, Reeves wrote that the asbestos was located in lighting fixtures in the ceiling, which would be “carefully bagged and taped, cut at the conduit and removed.”

Dunne said that he believes the Mayor’s actions to begin demolition on New Year’s Eve were done out of spite against those who were against the demolition or in favor of moving City Hall back to Monument Square. The Mayor and Reeves have both said they felt the need to show progress at the site to as not risk losing a nearly $1 million grant for the demolition.

“We need to keep our focus on the facts and not get into hysteria here,” said Reeves. “The worst thing of all is the misinformation spread through the Internet on what we’re doing. It’s inappropriate.” Reeves said that they have met with the Department of Labor, and are working with the contractors on a daily basis, but that e-mails regarding these concerns are getting in the way of their work. “We’re spending more time addressing these e-mails than on the work we’re supposed to be doing. We need to focus on the science of this.”
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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Mesothelioma Facts

Information is a vital tool when fighting a disease such as mesothelioma. Being informed correctly is important for the morale of the person because he or she is not in the dark and knows what to expect next.

Make sure that the mesothelioma facts you know are correct and accurate with the present time. When in doubt, ask your doctor to provide with mesothelioma information that he knows is accurate and up to date. Here are some important mesothelioma facts:
  • asbestos exposure is the first cause of mesothelioma (this is the 1st mesothelioma fact that you have to know)
  • the first known asbestos cancer victims appeared almost seventy years ago, but that information was kept secret, away from the years of workers that were exposing themselves to the risk
  • diagnosis for mesothelioma is difficult to provide because the symptoms exhibited by patients are very similar to a range of other diseases that have nothing to do with mesothelioma or asbestos
  • in the world, today, there are more than 100 mesothelioma support groups and organizations able to help patients and families
  • the doctor that is treating will need to know any prior medical conditions the patient suffered from before developing mesothelioma in order to decide what treatment method is best to use
  • from the region that mesothelioma starts developing in it can easily spread to the lungs (if it is malignant)
  • mesothelioma treatment is similar for all types of the disease, be it malignant, pleural or peritoneal. The only thing that influences the treatment methods used is the stage of mesothelioma and the general health of the patient before being infected with mesothelioma
  • the mesothelium of the person is affected by cancer cells in 80 percent of mesothelioma cases
Always make sure that the information you found from a source is accurate. Ask more people and visit as many sites as possible to make sure that what you know about the disease is entirely accurate. The information you will find on our site is accurate and up to date, and it will help you get a general idea of the disease.

The best mesothelioma information source is your doctor and you can rely completely on it. He will also be able to direct you to a specialist that can give you detailed information regarding the mesothelioma disease.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Who are at Risk of Mesothelioma?

It is widely known that mesothelioma is mainly caused by exposure to asbestos in almost 100 percent of all cases recorded. Doctors and experts established that the sources of mesothelioma are the tiny asbestos fibers, which implant themselves in thin tissue and act like needles. This causes the specific tissue group to allow for cancer cells to develop. After the tiny fibers reach the peritoneum or pleura, mesothelioma lung cancer is only a step away.

Usually, mesothelioma cancer occurs in specific groups and can also be transmitted in some ways to relatives of those people. The risk groups are:
  • ship builders
  • ship repair crews
  • plumbers
  • miners (only those working for asbestos extraction companies, extracting minerals part of the amphibole group)
  • construction workers
Asbestos fibers can be carried on clothes and brought back home by workers.
Treatments methods develop in the last two years include methods of preventing mesothelioma, because if it has already appeared in a person it cannot be cured yet. Experts developed special masks that allow for normal breathing but stop the tiny fibers from being inhaled or swallowed by people. Among other prevention methods, mesothelioma doctors advice people part of the above mentioned risk groups to have a specific diet in order to avoid cancer.Preventing mesothelioma is the only way to cure it, for now.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Mesothelioma Study Exhibits Safe Treatment with Multimodality Approach

Photodynamic therapy is an advanced treatment method in which generally light energy are used to largely destroy cancer cells while commonly leaving all the healthy cells largely much unaffected for a greater good cause. Initially during the general process of photodynamic therapy treatment, a patient is normally given the drugs known as photosensitizers, which largely make cells sensitive to light. Then the treated cells get exposed to light of a specific wavelength and this generally causes them to largely produce a particular form of oxygen which is toxic and kills nearby cancer cells.

The recent research studies conducted by University of Pennsylvania researchers indicated that, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) in perfectly conjunction with general surgery (extra pleural pneumonectomy) and the given intraoperative photodynamic therapy was evaluated as a treatment option for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Titled “Extrapleural Pneumonectomy, Photodynamic Therapy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma,” the study treated 11 patients from the year 2004 to 2007. Seven out of these nearly 11 mesothelioma cancer patients had perfectly undergone the said photodynamic therapy during the course of a previous surgery.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Clinical Trials Can be Your Hope

Clinical trials is another option if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma. However, before you jump into anything, you need to learn about the process involved for qualifying for a clinical trial, what it takes to become eligible, and what will be expected of you if you are chosen for the trial.

A clinical trial is a study that is done on humans, rather than or after trials using animals, that determines the effectiveness and the safety of a new drug or treatment. It is a major decision to involve your self in one...it should be discussed thoroughly with your doctors, your family, and your friends. Don't ever accept being part of a mesothelioma clinical trials if you have any questions that have gone unanswered, or if you have any doubts.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Some Information on Mesothelioma Claims

Health insurance is mandatory by law for all us. Life is unpredictable and we just can't wait for the bad to happen to us and our beloved ones. The best way to tackle unexpected shocks in our lives regarding health is to have an insurance cover. Mesothelioma is something which is extremely dangerous and it really is a tumor. This tumor on its later stage forms cancer and spreads all around the mesothelial lining of all the organs in the body. It has adverse effects on the human body. Mesothelioma claims can help you if you have mesothelioma.

There are several states that do set up a time limit for mesothelioma claims. As the cases of this medical condition are increasing day by day there are many claims and lawsuits which are filed in recent years against those companies that are responsible for the exposure of asbestos. There are many people who are not aware about the claim and compensation.

It is very important for all of us to know about the mesothelioma fact. The simple fact is that it is strongly associated with asbestos exposure. The time period for the development of cancer ranges from twenty five to forty five years since the human lungs are mostly affected by the tumor during this age. It spreads through the pleural space of the organ and invades other thoracic structures that are related to the pleural effusion.

Friday, January 14, 2011

NYC ASBESTOS INSPECTOR SENTENCED FOR FRAUD

Saverio Todaro, a former New York City building safety inspector, was sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison for filing false asbestos inspection reports. Mr. Todaro entered a guilty plea in March to charges of falsifying documents, violating federal environmental regulations, and committing mail fraud. According to prosecutors with the US Attorney’s Office, Mr. Todaro filed hundreds of asbestos inspection reports from 2001 to 2009, but never ordered that the required tests for the city’s older buildings be carried out.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Over 30% of Current Victims of Mesothelioma Served In The Armed Forces


Close to 80% of all mesothelioma victims have been exposed to asbestos in their daily lives. And of them, over 30% of those people were members of the armed forces. Malignant mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium as a result of inhaling or imbibing small particles of asbestos. This can affect the genitals, the heart, the stomach, the throat, and, most often, the lungs.

There are actually five different types of mesothelioma, and only one of them, benign mesothelioma, does not become cancerous. Below are descriptions of the other four in the order of their prominence:
  • Pleural mesothelioma affects about 75% of all mesothelioma victims. It develops in the pleura (lining of the lungs). Symptoms are chest pain, cough, lumps under the skin of the chest, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

What is Asbestos

AsbestosImage via WikipediaAsbestos is an insulating material that is heat and fire resistant. In the past, asbestos was used widely in the building industry, ship building industry, manufacture of household appliances, motor industry, power stations, and telephone exchanges. There are three main types of asbestos - blue, brown and white. Blue and brown asbestos are strongly linked with mesothelioma.

So most cases of mesothelioma occur in men who have worked in manufacturing using asbestos or who have used asbestos products, particularly in construction or engineering. People who worked as plumbers or mechanics also have an increased risk. 

Mesothelioma may not develop until 15 to 40 years after you have been exposed to asbestos, which is why we are now seeing an increase in cases. The number of cases is expected to peak around 2020 and then start to go down.
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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Mesothelioma and Rural Areas


How does mesothelioma affect those living in rural areas?
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer caused only by previous exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous, naturally-occurring mineral that was used for several years as an industrial insulation component as well as a durability enhancer in several consumer products. Many of the areas from which asbestos was mined were rural areas, which used the local workforce to extract the mineral from the ground.

Unfortunately, those who worked in asbestos mines or other mines where asbestos could be found often inhaled the harmful fibers. This occurred specifically in the small town of Libby, Montana, where nearly an entire town was sickened by the nearby vermiculite mine. Those who worked in the mine developed breathing complications and mesothelioma. Many of the families and children of the miners were affected as well, as workers often brought home the harmful asbestos fibers on their clothing and person. Over time, bodily contact with a worker who was contaminated with asbestos, or contact with the person’s clothing led many of these family members to develop respiratory disorders as a result of this exposure.

Monday, January 10, 2011

A Vaccine for Mesothelioma


Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that is caused by previous exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring insulation compound that was used for decades in thousands of different industrial products.

Until recently there were very little effective treatment options for those diagnosed with mesothelioma aside from chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments, which in most cases were only able to extend comfort and extend survival rates minimally. However, in recent years, exciting news has begun to shake the foundations of the mesothelioma treatment establishment. Not only are tri-modal and surgical treatments beginning to advance far beyond previously-established boundaries, but preventative measures against mesothelioma are now being explored and tested.