Mesothelioma Informations

Mesothelioma – What Are the Symptoms?

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:46:00 +0000

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the membranes that surround the organs or the mesothelium. This protective layer forms sacs around the heart, lungs and abdomen. A vast majority of cases are caused by exposure to asbestos, a natural fiber that was used to make a wide array of industrial materials from the 1800’s through the 1970’s.

In the mid-seventies, it was discovered that asbestos causes the cells of the mesothelium to become cancerous, often forming tumors and even metastasizing to other parts of the body. About twenty percent of all people with mesothelioma have no known exposure to asbestos. Still, those who had worked in construction or plants where asbestos was used are most likely to contract the disease.

People who worked with asbestos were exposed to tiny, airborne asbestos particles on the job and, unfortunately, were likely to inhale these particles. Further, these workers were even liable to exposing their families to the danger since the particles would remain on their person and in their clothing. Because asbestos is odorless, those who came in contact with it had no idea that they were actually inhaling a dangerous, cancer-causing substance.

To further complicate matters, mesothelioma symptoms can take anywhere from twenty to fifty years to develop. Because mesothelioma symptoms resemble many other conditions, it may take several tests for a doctor to make a correct diagnosis. The most common is mesothelioma pleura which refers to cancer in the sacs that surround the lungs. If you have mesothelioma of the lungs, you are likely to experience many of the symptoms associated with lung cancer such as an obstructed air passage which can lead to shortness of breath and chest pains.

Mesothelioma can also occur in the peritoneum, the lining around the abdomen, as well the pericardium which protects the heart. When it affects the lining of the heart, symptoms could also include shortness of breath and chest pain, but you may also experience heart palpitations. Peritoneal mesothelioma can manifest itself in a bowel obstruction, weight loss and anemia. Your abdomen could also start retaining fluid and swell to an abnormal size.

If you have any of these symptoms, it is imperative that you see a doctor. Only a doctor can give you a correct diagnosis. Frequently, these symptoms are all caused by other diseases. In fact, only one person in a million currently has mesothelioma in the United States. In countries with less regulation, incidences are expected to increase. But, it is still always a good idea to get checked by your doctor to be sure.

Mesothelioma, lung cancer and nutrition

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:58:00 +0000

(NaturalNews) Mesothelioma doesn't have to be fatal. This rare form of lung cancer has long been feared by workers exposed to asbestos in their work environments, and much of that fear is justified: This form of cancer can be deadly. But it doesn't always have to be.

There are natural ways to greatly extend life, even for those suffering from mesothelioma. Most are based on nutritional therapies, as you'll see below. It may seem counterintuitive to suppose that nutrition could play a role in a disease caused by a physical substance (asbestos), but in fact, antioxidants and phytonutrients that support healthy cellular protection can play a substantial role in preventing the onset of cancer.

Below, we've collected research from a number of noted natural health authors who explain more about what really causes mesothelioma and how to better protect yourself against it using nutritional therapies. It's not a huge collection of solutions, but the information you'll find here should provide more clues for further research.

This is a unique collection of research exclusive to NaturalNews. If you use any quotes from this research, please provide proper credit to both NaturalNews and the original author of the quote.

Natural remedies to help prevent mesothelioma

Asbestos causes cancer, particularly lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the membrane lining the chest or abdominal wall. Exposure to asbestos has also been shown to cause cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, and kidney. Smoking greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer in people exposed to asbestos. One study found that asbestos-exposed smokers have ten times the death rate from lung cancer as exposed nonsmokers. Kidney cancer and gastrointestinal cancers also have been associated with asbestos.
- Staying Healthy in a Risky Environment: The New York University Medical Center Family Guide by Arthur C. Upton, M.D.

In a 1998 study done in Western Australia, 1024 blue asbestos workers known to be at high risk of diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, were enrolled in a cancer prevention program using vitamin A. Half the subjects were given 30 mg per day of beta carotene and the other half 7500 mcg (25,000 IU) of retinol. The workers were followed up from the start of the study in June 1990 until May 1995. Four cases of lung cancer and three cases of mesothelioma were observed in those in the vitamin A group, and six cases of lung cancer and 12 cases of mesothelioma in the beta carotene group.
- The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola Reavley

In Louisiana, a study of lung cancer showed fruit intake to be protective, while a small study of mesothelioma suggested that vegetable and carotenoid intake lowers the risk (NCI, 1988). The National Cancer Institute also announced that it had awarded over half a million dollars to the New York Botanical Garden to undertake a worldwide search for natural plant substances that might fight cancer. At the same time, NCI has established a Cancer Nutrition Laboratory and worked out elaborate plans to study "dietary factors associated with cancer risk".

Leading Mesothelioma Researcher Now Leads the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:47:00 +0000

Hawaii is known for many things: surfing, beautiful beaches, pineapples, and now, cancer research. Michele Carbone, MD, PhD (Human Pathology), has recently been named director of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii. He began his three-year term September 1, 2009, having previously served as the Center's interim director since December 2008.

Prior to joining the Center, Dr. Carbone had been a professor at Loyola University Medical Center's Cardinal Bernadin Cancer Center in Chicago and has spent most of his career researching thoracic cancers. Deemed an authority on malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer related to asbestos exposure, Dr. Carbone and his research team have studied the impact of genetics, environmental carcinogens and viral infections on mesothelioma development.

"Our goal is to develop novel preventive and therapeutic approaches and bring them to the community and the patient's bedside," Carbone says. "We work in synergy with the major hospitals in the State of Hawai‘i, with their physicians, and with other cancer organizations to prevent and cure cancer."

When Carbone first began studying the disease in 1991, little was known about its causes beyond its link to asbestos. During the course of his career, he has uncovered a link between genetics and a U.S. government-mandated vaccine from the 1950s and '60s that can greatly increase odds of contracting mesothelioma. "I found… that humans had massively been exposed to SV40 (a DNA tumor virus) in the late '50s and early '60s through contaminated polio vaccines,” he says, “and that the enormous increase in the incidence of mesothelioma from about zero in 1950 to 2,000 to 3,000 deaths per year presently had occurred after people were exposed to SV40.” Not every dose contained the virus, but it is estimated that 10 million to 30 million Americans were exposed.

Dr. Carbone has received more than half of all federal funding for mesothelioma and approximately 90 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s funding allocated for mesothelioma research. "Funding from the National Institutes of Health is very low because of the whole economy of the United States, so we have gone from a pay line six years ago of about 26 percent to a pay line of 11 percent. Therefore, it's a difficult time to do research and you need to find additional sources of funding, specifically philanthropy," he says. "I think it will help Hawaii if people on Mainland do not think of Hawaii only as a vacation place, but also as a place where normal people live normal lives and have normal jobs, for example, medical research.”

Carbone and his research offer hope for a diagnosis that has been nothing but grim in the past. He and his research team have participated in studies that led to the isolation of a new serum marker, osteopontin, which appears useful to identify patients with early mesothelioma. He explains that, "If we can validate prospectively the usefulness of these serological markers, we will be able to monitor cohorts of workers exposed to asbestos for early sign of mesothelioma and for early treatment that is linked to a better survival. I really believe that we can help people and make a difference."

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:32:00 +0000

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is a national organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma. It funds the highest-quality research projects with a peer-reviewed research grant program, the only program of its kind among mesothelioma foundations. Three tenets of The Foundation's mission statement for ending mesothelioma suffering are:

*Offer hope and support to patients and families by educating them on the disease, helping them to obtain the most up-to-date information on treatment options and to connect with meso treatment specialists, and providing them assistance, emotional support and community with others.

*Fund the highest quality and most promising meso research projects from around the world through rigorous peer-review.

*Raise awareness of meso, and advocate that the public and private sectors partner in the effort to cure it by directing the resources needed to stop this global tragedy.

Its donors include mesothelioma lawyers, corporations formerly linked to asbestos, and mesothelioma patients and their families/friends. It has been awarded the highest rating--4 stars--from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator.

Mesothelioma Death Highlights Risk for Sheet Metal Workers

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:19:00 +0000

Sheet metal workers are one occupational group that has faced a history of asbestos exposure. In a recent story from Portsmouth England, Betty Williamson’s husband, a past sheet metal worker, passed away from an asbestos-related disease.

Her husband, Tom Williamson, received a mesothelioma diagnosis in October of last year and was informed that he only had a few months to live. The couple initially became concerned after Mr. Williamson developed a bad cough.

Mrs. Williamson believes her husband may have been exposed to asbestos during the 20 years that he worked for a sheet metal business. She said, “I cannot believe what has happened in a year. He was always a healthy person. We had lots of plans for our retirement.”

The Health and Safety Executive plans to launch a new asbestos campaign in November to notify workers about the dangers of asbestos-containing materials.

The use of sheet metal has been a part of several common construction projects, including guttering, siding, roofing and installing ventilation ducts for heating and air conditioning systems. Workers within the sheet metal industry can be exposed to asbestos through shaping and cutting sheet metal, which causes asbestos fibers to become airborne.

The release of asbestos fibers into the air allows for the inhalation of the toxic mineral, the primary method of exposure. Once inhaled, the microscopic fibers that make up asbestos have the potential of becoming lodged within the lining of the lungs, eventually causing pleural mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is difficult to diagnose because symptoms such as a persistent cough can be mistaken for a less serious condition. Former sheet metal workers who suspect they were exposed to asbestos should seek regular checkups for signs of asbestos exposure.

Present workers who handle sheet metal on a regular basis should use all precautions when working with the material. The Environmental Protection Agency claims there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma Risk Increased with Low Exposure to Asbestos

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:03:00 +0000

Malignant mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is linked to exposure to asbestos, which is a substance that was once commonly used is a wide range of industries and applications. It has become known that long term and high level exposure to asbestos dust and fibers can lead to a range of serious health problems including this form of cancer.

However, according to a recent report, doctors are now claiming that even relatively low levels of exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of contracting asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma, with the results of the study being published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

A university professor who was involved in the research stated: “Research into the environmental or occupational causes of cancer is difficult to conduct, for various reasons, and there are too few qualified researchers in the entire area of environmental causes of disease.”

He added: “While many people think that there are armies of researchers investigating such questions, in fact there are only a small number throughout the world, for all environmental chemicals combined. Thus, even though asbestos is the most-studied occupational carcinogen, there still remain unanswered questions about how and under what conditions the different forms of asbestos can cause cancer (such as mesothelioma), and whether MMVF is equally dangerous.”

Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:52:00 +0000

In the 20th century many people have been exposed to asbestos not even knowing it. Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral notable for its chemical- and heat-resistance and electricity non-conducting. Asbestos was widely used in industry and everyday life until 1980 when the EU and many other developed countries have banned it.

When swallowed or inhaled asbestos can stay in the human body producing toxic effect which may result in a number of serious diseases, such as asbestosis, Mesothelioma (Mesothelium cancer), lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, and other illnesses.

Mesothelioma (also known as "asbestos cancer") is a most common asbestos-related type of cancer. The Mesothelium is a cellular membrane lining certain cavities of the human body. Mesothelioma may develop in lung, abdominal, scrotal, and heart sac cavities, the four types of M. being called Pleural, Peritoneal, Testicular, and Pericardial. In 70 percent of cases Mesothelioma is pleural in origin.

Up to 3000 cases of malignant Mesothelioma are registered in the United States every year.
Mesothelioma is often diagnosed at its later stage because its symptoms usually appear 20 to 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure. Another reason of untimely diagnosis is that the symptoms of Mesothelioma (i.e. chest pain, continual coughing, short breath, fatigue or fever etc) resemble less severe and quite common conditions, such as influenza.

Treatment of mesothelioma

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:27:00 +0000

Mesothelioma is another disease that can cause death evil, this disease is very dangerous and occurs when someone works with asbestos materials. These materials were processed with the help of businesses in the past. Most cases registered in the United States who are diagnosed as victims of mesothelioma have been produced in the manufacturing companies that are building products like cement. Tumors of pleural mesothelioma "the name of development" in the pleura in the thoracic cavity. Pleura, the outer wall of the lungs. Once the exposure to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma can take 30 to 50 years.
The treatment options that may be available to treat pleural mesothelioma, a combination of surgical options, chemotherapy and radiotherapy option option. There are many other options such as alternative medicine, which can also be effective. In May the surgical option to remove certain parts of the doctors involved in the areas of the chest cavity, he can not for the test will then be able to remove the first tumor and the tissue surrounding the tumor to ensure that any chance for malignant tumors to be redeveloped. In Option chemical called chemotherapy option "because we are dealing with a special chemical to cancer cells and tumors. It can be effective with some cases and it can be effective with other cases. The doctors can not mix with two options. In the X-ray radiation, and we can use gamma rays to kill infected cells, it could be effective in some cases. Please consult your doctor.

What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:47:00 +0000

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 per cent to 80 per cent 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 and woven son purposes. Asbestos was widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, products flooring, 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) and other cancers, such as the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the pathways of air into the lungs.

Peritoneal mesothelioma

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:44:00 +0000

The wall of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. It also has two layers: the inner (visceral) layer that is adjacent to the abdominal organs and the outer (parietal) layer, which lines the abdominal wall.

When mesothelioma in the abdominal cavity, it is called peritoneal mesothelioma and causes thickening of the membranes around the abdominal organs and an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. The accumulation of fluid is called ascites and causes swelling of the abdomen.

Side view of the abdomen. The peritoneum is shown as the thick line surrounding the abdominal organs.

Pleural mesothelioma

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:40:00 +0000

The pleura consists of two layers: the inner (visceral) layer, which is next in the lungs and the outer (parietal) layer that lines the chest wall. The two layers of the pleura are usually in contact and push each other as we breathe. The membranes produce fluid, where they can slide over each other easily.

Where is developing mesothelioma of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), the delicate membranes thicken and may press inwards on the lung. Fluid can also between two layers of the pleura, collect: This is called a pleural effusion.

Structure of the lungs and pleura

Mesothelioma information

noreply@blogger.com (hairul016) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:25:00 +0000

Here is the fact about Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a membrane thinner than the thorax and abdomen and surrounds the organs of the lines in these areas. The lining around the lungs in the chest and abdomen is known as the peritoneum.

More than 2,000 people in Britain diagnosed with mesothelioma every year.

Mesothelioma of the lining of the lungs, called pleural mesothelioma, which is much more common than mesothelioma in the abdomen. For every man of peritoneal mesothelioma, is about 12 people who have pleural mesothelioma.