Cancer treatment

Mesothelioma trials are conducted to study and experiment on the effectiveness of the new drugs and treatments invented for mesothelioma. The cancer institutes, research centers and hospitals mostly conduct these trials. Doctors, private organizations and others fund them. Certain pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers also conduct and fund mesothelioma clinical trials. They do this because they want volunteers to test their new drugs.

How to find mesothelioma clinical trials?

The advertisement for clinical trials appears in cancer centers, newspapers and magazines. Many people enlist for the clinical trials out of their own will. They speak cancer research centers and doctors and express their wish to volunteer for clinical trial. These people do so because they want to help other cancer patients who suffer like them. However, apart from all this, the best place to check out about clinical trials is online. Lots of websites gives information about the trials taking place and how volunteers can participate in them.

What are the phases of mesothelioma clinical trials?

Mesothelioma clinical trials are normally done in three phases:

1) Phase I trial: This trial involves only very few people. It is used to test the effectiveness of the new drugs or new type of treatment.

2) Phase II trial: This trial involves a larger group of subjects. The drug’s side effects, safety, dosage and effectiveness are tested using this trial.

3) Phase III trial: This trial involves a huge amount of people from various cancer treatment Centers simultaneously. This is a comparative trial in which the new medicine or type of treatment is compared to the existing ones. The comparative risks, benefits and effectiveness are analyzed.

What are the benefits of mesothelioma clinical trials?

There are many benefits of taking part in a mesothelioma clinical trial. Some of these benefits are listed below:

1) The patients who participate in mesothelioma clinical trials have easy access to the latest drugs and treatments that have been invented. These are not available for the other non-participants.

2) Normally, the new drugs and treatments are invented after much research and experiments. So, they are more effective and work well than the current drugs and treatments. So, the volunteers would highly benefit from these new drugs and treatments.

3) The medical research personnel and doctors consider a participant in a mesothelioma clinical trial a very special person. So, the volunteer gets lots of special and close medical attention on all aspects of the treatment.

4) Every clinical trial helps medical science advance one more step. This will define the medicines and treatments of the future. The destiny of millions depends on these advancements.

5) The volunteers for mesothelioma clinical trials are contributing to a huge social cause. It is because of them that many find their life during the disease more comfortable.The above are the various benefits for volunteers taking part in mesothelioma clinical trials.

What are the risks involved in participating in a mesothelioma clinical trial?

A mesothelioma clinical trial is only an experimental study of new drugs and new types of treatments. These may be advantageous or disadvantageous. The main risks associated with taking part in a mesothelioma clinical trial are as follows:

1) The new medicine or new method of treatment may not be better than the current one. Sometimes, it may even worsen the condition.

2) Mostly, medical researchers and doctors are not aware of the exact side effects and consequences of the new medicines or types of treatment invented by them. So, there may also arise to be risky side effects because of the clinical trial.

3) The clinical trial treatments may not be covered by health insurance. So,It is always better to find out about this before going in for the mesothelioma clinical trial.

4) A clinical trial involves much more interaction between the doctor and the patient. So, the patient will have to go to the hospital more often. These frequent visits may be tiresome and irritating during an uncomfortable illness like mesothelioma.

5) If the patient gives a complete free hand to the doctors and researchers, then they may not have any choice in the treatment, which they will receive. This may be difficult and risky for the patient.

What is the eligibility to participate in a mesothelioma clinical trial?

Normally, there is no specific eligibility to participate in a mesothelioma clinical trial. However, sometimes there may be certain conditions that may be imposed for participating in a mesothelioma clinical trial. These are as follows:

1) Some studies may want only first-time Volunteers. Others may permit even those who have been in other studies previously.

2) Some Studies may be random, giving no choice to the patients about the type of treatment they may receive. Others may be more specific about giving a choice to the patients.

3) Sometimes, some studies may focus on only one particular type of mesothelioma. Thus, other patients suffering from other types of mesothelioma are not eligible for such studies. For instance, a person suffering from pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma originating from the lungs) is not eligible to participate in a study involving peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma originating from the abdomen).

4) Some studies may require a person in a particular stage of cancer. Thus, others become ineligible for that study For instance, a person in the second stage of cancer becomes ineligible for a study Involving persons in the fourth stage of cancer.

5) Some studies may specifically require people of a particular sex or of a particular age group.

6) Some studies may require people of a particular background. For instance, people who are smokers or people who have worked in asbestos industries or so on.

What are the types of mesothelioma clinical trials?

There are various types of mesothelioma clinical trials. Some of them are listed below:

Prevention Trials:

These trials are directed towards finding out a way to avoid the occurrence of mesothelioma. These studies use people who do not have mesothelioma or people who have had it but now the cancer is in remission. They try to find out ways to prevent recurrence.

The mining, manufacture and use of asbestos leads to a variety of diseases like fibrosis, asbestosis, asbestos warts, lung cancer, Pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening and the most dreaded disease, ‘mesothelioma’. Asbestos has been in use right from the time of ancient Greeks itself. Even Romans and Persians have used it. It was used to make lamp wicks and was also woven into the clothing worn by the slaves.

The Greeks first realized that something was wrong with asbestos. They found that the lungs of slaves who wore asbestos woven clothes became diseased. It was only in the 1900s that the medical researchers woke up to the harmful effects of asbestos. In the 1930s, the diseases caused by asbestos were identified one by one. However, mesothelioma was identified only in 1940s. England was the first country that banned the mining, use and manufacture of asbestos. After this, USA banned asbestos. Though slow in efforts, Japan too banned the mining and use of asbestos. Developed countries have banned or at least severely restricted using asbestos. However, developing countries are not showing as much effectiveness in banning asbestos.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is resistant to fire, resistant to chemicals and flexible. Thus, it is a very useful chemical for most people in the developing countries. Since they are ignorant about its harmful effects, they use it extensively. Thus the asbestos industry is one flourishing industry in most developing countries. The asbestos industries are owned by wealthy politicians or by media. So, they cover up research reports and do not release any information about the harmful effects of asbestos. Moreover, they even argue that scientific evidences about mesothelioma’s harmful effects are absent. So, this harmful chemical is being produced and used in a widespread manner in many developing countries like India and China, Though India has banned all other types of asbestos, it has not imposed any ban on white asbestos. In India alone, around I0000 cases of mesothelioma occur every year.

Another issue faced is that the latency period of mesothelioma is very high. That means, the time gap between exposure to asbestos fibers and the onset of mesothelioma may be even up to 20 to 30 years. So, people shift many jobs within this time period and so, they do not link mesothelioma to they’re working in or living near asbestos industry. Sweden is the first country to show a decline in incidence of mesothelioma after a ban on asbestos. It has around 20 cases per million population per year.

As mesothelioma has a huge latency period, medical researchers expect that a vast majority of people would suffer from mesothelioma between 2020 and 2040. In the developed countries alone, it is expected that more than a million people would die of mesothelioma in the next few decades. If this were the case in developed countries, then the situation in developing countries, which have neither banned asbestos nor given any occupational safety or precaution, is frightening.A complete ban on the mining, manufacture and use of all types of asbestos, in all countries, is the best solution for this problem.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the name given to the cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen.This type of cancer is caused by ABESTOS exposure and it affects the linings that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubrication to enable the organs to move and work effectively. This disease is sometimes referred to as DIFFUSE PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA and this is where the cancer has spread out.Accountable for around 10% of mesothelioma cases, this type of abestos related cancer is the second most common(after PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA).

There are a number of symptoms for these disease. However like all other types of MESOTHELIOMA, there is a very long latency period and symptom may not become evident for decades after exposure. This means that by the time the symptoms have begun,it is often already too late to offer any real constructive treatment. Further delay may be caused due to the fact that the symptoms are generally non specific and could therefore be attributed to a number of more common ailments.Unless your doctor is aware of the fact that you have been exposed to abestos in the past,he or she is likely to consider other options before even contemplating mesothelioma.It is therefore important to let your doctor know of any exposure to abestos as the case may be.

The symptoms of this disease include pain and weakness,weight loss, nausea, loss of appetite abdominal swelling, bowel obstruction. However depending on the location of the tumor, additional problems can be experienced such as breathing problems and severe pains.

Mesothelioma is a terrible illness. It affects those persons who are exposed to asbestos fibers and asbestos dust. Mesothelioma may be cancerous (a malignant form) or non-cancerous (a benign form of mesothelioma), When asbestos fibers or asbestos dust is inhaled, it enters the body and travels through the body organs, The body organs like heart, abdomen and lungs have a lining called as mesothelium lining. When this lining comes in touch with the asbestos particles, it starts behaving abnormally. The asbestos fibers make the mesothelium cells to divide rapidly. Also, these cells start to outlive the other cells. This leads to tumors in that part of the body. This body condition is called as mesothelioma. The tumors may also spread to other parts of the body.

The worst part of this disease is that it has a very long latency period of about 20 to 40 years. Also, this disease has no known cure. So, the only way to check the spread of this disease is by banning asbestos. Though many countries like USA, UK and Japan have banned asbestos, mesothelioma deaths still continue. This is because the disease has a huge latency period. It is expected that the member of deaths due to mesothelioma is going to skyrocket in the years 2015 to 2020. However, there is only one country, ‘Sweden’, which has shown a steady decline in the number of cases of mesothelioma. Let us see how and why this was possible in Sweden.

Mesothelioma Statistics in Sweden

There are around 100000 mesothelioma cases all around the world now. Even more is expected in the next 10 years all around the globe. In 1961-2000, Sweden registered around 2190 cases of mesothelioma. On an average, this statistics is around 52 cases per year. However, the year 1993 was a terrible period as the number of mesothelioma cases reached a very high peak in this year.

After 1993, there was a gradual decline in the number of mesothelioma cases. By the year 2003, Sweden had about 20 mesothelioma cases per million populations per year. In the same year, Britain had around 39 cases per million populations. While the entire world was facing the problem of increasing mesothelioma cases, Sweden was the only country where there is a steady decline in the member of mesothelioma cases. The reasons for this change should be analyzed.

Immediate Action taken by Sweden

Sweden is the only country that took immediate action against the deadly mesothelioma. It imposed an immediate ban on asbestos. The first immediate reaction of Sweden was started in 1964 itself. The first asbestos regulations of Sweden dates back to 1964. In the year 1976, Sweden started imposing very strict regulations on the import and the use of asbestos. 1986 to 1988 was another landmark for Sweden. During these years, Sweden imposed a complete ban on asbestos. Sweden is the first country in the entire European union to impose a complete ban on all types of asbestos. Many countries do not ban white asbestos or chrysolite. The reason given by them is that the white asbestos does not cause any harm if used with proper safeguards. However, as the real reason behind their inaction is that the immediate economic returns make them blind to the future public health of millions. Sweden makes an exception to this. It banned all types of asbestos.

Another important lesson to be learnt from Sweden is that white asbestos is also very harmful. 90% of the asbestos used in Sweden was white asbestos. When all Types of asbestos were banned in Sweden. There was a drastic decline inthe number of cases of mesothelioma. This clearly proves that even white asbestos is very harmful. It may lead to lots of diseases like asbestosis, fibrosis, asbestos warts and the deadly mesothelioma. The main reason for the decline in mesothelioma cases in Sweden is because Sweden took quick and immediate action to control the disease.

Sweden’s campaign against the disease started in 1964 itself. Still the highest number of deaths due to Occupational diseases in Sweden is because of mesothelioma. If this is the case in Sweden, then it is scary to think of the condition in other countries. The other countries should start acting immediately. Countries like India have still not banned white asbestos claiming that there is no scientific evidence that it is harmful. This is utter gibberish. White asbestos is also highly harmful and all countries should follow Sweden’s example and ban all types of asbestos mining, manufacture and use. Only then the number of mesothelioma cases will reduce in the future. The world will be a better place to live in, in the future.

Mesothelioma is a terrible killer disease in which the mesothelium cells start dividing rapidly and start to outlive the other cells. This causes tumors and they may spread all throughout the body. These tumors may be cancerous or non- cancerous. When they are cancerous, they are known as malignant form of mesothelioma. When they are non-cancerous, they are known as benign form of mesothelioma. The malignant form leads to immediate death but the benign form does not cause death. However, it affects the patient for his entire life. There is no known cure for mesothelioma. The cause of mesothelioma is well known. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers and asbestos dust. When asbestos is mined, manufactured and used, lots of asbestos dust is released. This dust contains minute asbestos fibers, which are light in weight and invisible. This makes them air-borne and they are easily inhaled by people through nose and mouth.

When they are inhaled they travel throughout the body organs in the body. The organs of the body have an outer layer called mesothelium lining. When this lining comes in touch with the asbestos fibers or the asbestos dust, it reacts adversely. It starts dividing rapidly. Also, the life span of the mesothelium cells increase. This causes tumors in the body and this condition is called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma spells ‘Death’. There is no known cure for this horrible disease and the only step that can be taken to control the spread of this disease is to impose a complete ban on the mining, manufacture and use of asbestos globally.

UK was the first county to ban asbestos. USA also followed UK’s example. While most of the western countries woke up to the harmful effects of asbestos, the East refused to see the light. One of the countries to wake up very late wasJapan. The main reason for this was the irresponsibility and apathy of the officials of Japan. The immediate monetary gains made Japan blind to the future harmful effects of asbestos. Japan neglected public health completely and it was only in 2002 that Japan imposed a complete ban on all types of asbestos. Even this step was taken by Japan only after USA pressurized it to take this step. Japan is the World’s second biggest economy. The people of Japan are rich and educated, but still public health was ignored. If this is the situation in Japan, then one shudders to think of the situation in the other Eastern countries.

Also, more than 50% of the men of Japan are smokers. Smoking coupled with asbestos exposure increases the chances of contracting mesothelioma. Thus, it is expected that more than one lakh people will die in Japan, due to mesothelioma, by the year 2040. Mesothelioma has a very long latency period. The time gap between the exposure to asbestos and the onset of the disease in Japan is around 20 to 30 years. Since Japan has been so late in banning asbestos, the effects of this will be felt in the next 30 years.

Japan started using asbestos in the late 19th century. Even then Japan did not mine any asbestos. It only imported asbestos. Only during the World War II, Japan did not import asbestos. Instead, it developed around 50 of it’s own mines. Now, all of these mines are closed. The import of asbestos was ever increasing in Japan during the period 1960 – 1980. The highest skyrocketing quantity of asbestos import in Japan was 352160 tons in 1974.

After this, Japan started to slowly wake up to the harmful effects of asbestos. One by one, each type of asbestos was banned. In 1988, blue asbestos was first banned. After that in 1993, brown asbestos was banned. For a long time, Japan argued that white asbestos is not harmful if used with proper safeguards. Finally, only in the year 2002, white asbestos was banned. However, the buildings, gaskets, industrial ropes, etc. that used asbestos in its manufacture still continue to exist. A complete ban on asbestos in Japan will still take some more years to become a reality.

Though Japan was late to take action, the first case of asbestosis in Japan was recorded in 1937 themselves. In 1960, the first case of lung cancer due to asbestos exposure was recorded in Japan. Also, the first case of mesothelioma in Japan was recorded in the year 1973. Around 6 people die every year per million populations in Japan due to mesothelioma. And for every case of mesothelioma, there are 2 cases of asbestos related lung cancer. Even with such shocking statistics, Japan was too slow to take any proper action. It was only after the huge pressure imposed by America, that Japan decided to ban all types of asbestos. Also, there are no proper diagnosis and misdiagnosis of many cases of mesothelioma. Many of the mesothelioma cases go unreported also. So, it is expected that the actual statistics may even be much worse than this.

Also, the number of Japanese men seems to be more as compared to Japanese women, with regards to being afflicted by this disease. This may be because more than 50% of the Japanese men are smokers. Smokers who are exposed to asbestos fibers have a higher risk of contracting this disease as compared to non-smokers. The best thing that can be said about Japan is that at least now it has woken up. Though late, it is much better than never! However, there are some countries like India and China, which have still not imposed a complete ban on all types of asbestos. It is high time these countries wake up and follow the footsteps of its western counterparts.

Australia has the highest per capita rate of mesothelioma cases. The worst, experts say, is yet to come, Most of the mesothelioma cases in Australia are of the malignant pleural mesothelioma type. Most of the detected cases have contracted the disease due to exposure to asbestos. When the asbestos fibers or asbestos dust is inhaled through the nose, it travels down the respiratory system. Then it settles down in the lungs. The lungs have a lining called as the mesothelium lining. When this lining comes in touch with the asbestos fibers, it starts behaving in a funny manner.

It starts dividing rapidly and it also starts having longer life spans. This causes tumors in the lungs and this condition is called pleural mesothelioma. This may be cancerous (malignant pleural mesothelioma) or non-cancerous (benign pleural mesothelioma). Australia has a very high number of malignant pleural mesothelioma cases. This is a very terrible condition and has no known cure. Since the symptoms of this disease like fever, cough, chest pain, etc. are often confused with other diseases like pneumonia; it is quite difficult to correctly diagnose this disease.

Mostly it is diagnosed only in the last stages of the cancer. The patient lives for hardly a year after the diagnosis. Also, the latency period of this disease is very long. Latency period is the period between exposure to asbestos fibers and the onset of this disease. Because of the long latency period of nearly 20 to 30 years, many times this disease is not spoken as connected to asbestos. Australia has about 16 cases per million populations of adults affected with mesothelioma every year. Also, the number of mesothelioma cases in men is much higher than women. Around 600 cases of mesothelioma are recorded every year in Australia. It is expected that in the next 10-15 years, some 13000 more mesothelioma cases will be recorded.

There is a high-risk group in Australia. The following people of Australia seem to be getting mesothelioma more as compared to the remaining population:

• Town Residents
• Builders and building laborers
• Workers of shipbuilding and dockyard
• Railway workers
• Asbestos factory workers
• Power station employees.

Though Australia has such a huge incidence of mesothelioma deaths, Australia is the world’s pioneer in undertaking lot of medical research in mesothelioma. It has found a new method of treatment that promises to reduce the mortality rate. Since, there is no cure for this disease, it is better if it detected earlier. The normal methods of treatment like chemotherapy and surgery do not work in the last stages of cancer; so it is better if the disease is detected as early as possible. The Australian researchers have invented a new Screening test that can help detect mesothelioma of the malignant pleural type. This can be used in the high-risk group to find out early evidences of the malignant pleural mesothelioma. The earlier the disease is detected, the more better the chances of survival of the patient. The Australian researchers are undertaking more and more research in the medical field of mesothelioma. Australia is a real pioneer in mesothelioma research. It is a leader and example for all the other countries. Though Australia has done So much to advance mesothelioma research, still the future of Australia is bleak.

It is expected what the number of mesothelioma deaths in Australia will continue to skyrocket till the year 2020. After this, it is expected that the mesothelioma deaths will steadily decline before finally stopping. This is mainly because of the long latency period of mesothelioma. So, even after all types of asbestos are completely banned, the effects of asbestos exposure can be felt till some 20 to 30 years later. The one advantage of all the research is that the chances of survival have increased for mesothelioma patients.

Also, the life span of the patient after the detection of the disease has increased. Previously, the patient had hardly a year left to live. However, now, due to early diagnosis, this has substantially increased. Australia should continue to undertake more research on mesothelioma for the global good. It should try to advance medical science to make new innovations in the treatment of mesothelioma. All the other countries should actively support and help Australian efforts. Australia should also make available the fruits of its efforts for the entire wide world.

As a product of connivance and expedience, a lethal conjugation between meretriciously laden governments and spurious corporations, materials containing asbestos have been allowed to grow rifely all over the U.S.A.; and in so doing, mesothelioma has been permitted to thrive. Due to this reason, you need to know the facts about mesothelioma, because the main issue is not about encouraging barratry; it is not about accessing a scheme to get rich quickly by suing the corporations that are liable; but rather, a matter of decency, of decorum.

Why decency and decorum? Because these two factors, due to blatant negligence, have been stolen from anybody who has been afflicted by mesothelioma and, subsequently, has had to defray the costly medications, therapies, and hospitalizations. All this regardless of whether or not there was some kind of insurance coverage. Moreover, the affliction is not limited to those who directly suffer the consequences of the disease; it also includes all the loved ones that may become orphans, widows or widowers.

These nefarious corporations owe you the right to fight for your life with decency and decorum, because no one should give up without seeking an alternative that could allow a chance of survival. Neither should your loved ones become destitute in the event of a fatal outcome. This is why learning the facts about mesothelioma is crucial and peremptory to all who are actually experiencing the symptoms, as well as to those who’ve been exposed and may become symptomatic in 15 or 50 years, because this is how long it takes for mesothelioma to develop.

The current median regarding mesothelioma settlements may vary, while trials are rendering verdicts in the neighborhood of $60 million, or slightly more. So, the likely ensuing question would be, why settle? The answer to this question may be accurately purveyed by numerous lawyers.

Nonetheless, one compelling reason for you to choose a settlement over the outcome of a probably favorable verdict, would be the wear and tear your already aching body would have to endure by mobilizing from home or the hospital, aside from the enervating and grueling experience of a court cross examination. Moreover, the losing party would most likely appeal, and that would add many months, if not years, to the actual disbursement of the first payment you, as the plaintiff, would expect to receive; yet, payment would be effective only if the original verdict isn’t overturned in the appeal.

So, as you may have already evinced, the choice of either a settlement or a trial lawsuit, is a personal decision; one that cannot afford to be taken lightly. Your case should be judged on its merits; therefore, total honesty is required from your part in order to have justice be duly served. Otherwise you would be embarking onto a vacuous travesty that has no regard for the true meaning of a dignified life.

Many are deceived into thinking that suing for a health related case, may be somewhat equated to a lottery jackpot, which couldn’t be more aberrantly misconstrued; yet, that’s the way some misguided people would behave. The potentially pecuniary accretion you could experience would, actually, represent only a fraction of the essence of life that was stolen from you. A life whose trust has been utterly beguiled and manipulated by expedient corporations. How your life is valued and how it should be measured is up to your conceptual definition of wealth, success and life itself.

Unknown to most people, asbestos is a natural mineral which is mined like ore or similar substances. It is found in rocks around the globe, including the Canadian-U.S. border. It is also found in place like Africa and Russia. Often, when miners are trying to reach one kind of rock, they get asbestos instead.

Types Of Asbestos

There are a number of different kinds of asbestos. Amphibole asbestos contains small microscopic fibers that are like long, thin needles. Chrysotile asbestos contains tiny curly needles. Chrysotile asbestos is considered less dangerous than amphibole asbestos and is more commonly used nowadays.

What Makes Asbestos Such A Useful Material?

Asbestos really is an amazing material. They’re an engineer’s dream. Not only do they withstand extremely high heat, they also tolerate acid and electricity. Additionally, asbestos have an extremely long lifespan.

Moreover, asbestos doesn’t seem to care what form it’s in. It can be woven into cloth, poured like powder, mixed into cement or formed into shapes such as bricks. It doesn’t matter what form it’s in. It also works as a natural insulator of electricity and heat.

Asbestos In Different Industries

Insulators use asbestos to protect newly-applied insulation to seal cracks while Welders used asbestos cloth to build box-like structures so the sparks from their torches wouldn’t fly around refineries and chemical plants. They wore asbestos gloves and used asbestos-containing welding rods. Sometimes they even took naps on stacks of asbestos cloth.

Foundry workers adorned themselves with aprons and gloves made from asbestos to protect themselves while pouring hot metal. Technicians in laboratories used asbestos protective clothing when they handled hot glass.

Bricklayers lined the interiors of boilers with asbestos-containing bricks called firebricks and anchored them in place with asbestos-containing mortar. Their helpers swept up the dust with push-brooms in a shower of dust. This was in an enclosed space.

Steel girders in industrial facilities and high-rise buildings were sprayed with liquid fireproofing materials, mixed with asbestos.

However, what many of these workers may not have known, is that inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to serious disease such as mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

There are so many horrible diseases in the world. We hear about something new every day. For those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma though, it is especially terrible because the main source of this terrible cancer has been identified. Many who are diagnosed think back on, “what if”, or “if only I would have”, and the questions can just go on and on.

But what is important now are not those questions, but where do you go from here. There can be healing, especially in the spiritual realm. After 911, so many people turned to God. Why? Our nation was in a crisis. It seemed like the only place to go. With a disease like mesothelioma, it is also a wonderful place to go for peace and rest.

A most popular and comforting verse from the Holy Bible in the book of Psalms, Psalm 23 is this:

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’ sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.”

Some may think that turning to God in a time of need shows weakness. Those who don’t look outside of themselves will become even weaker.