AboutMesothelioma.Net

Mesothelioma Victim Raises Awareness

Friday, August 28, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
In 2006 at the age of 35 Julie Gundlach loved her “normal” life with her husband and three year old daughter when she went to a doctor complaining of gastrointestinal problems. After initially being diagnosed with ovarian cancer and undergoing surgery, she was devastated when doctors informed her that she actually had peritoneal mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma can affect different organs in the body including the lungs, the heart and the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdomen, in the mesothelial cells that form a layer called the peritoneum. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects less than 10% of mesothelioma patients. Like all types of mesothelioma, there is no known cure for the disease.

Unaware of mesothelioma or asbestos hazards prior to Gundlach’s diagnosis, Julie’s family realized that her illness was linked to her father’s occupation as an electrician. Gundlach’s father died in 2005 at 63 years-old 6 weeks after he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her family never knew that the years of work he did as an electrician with significant asbestos exposure could have caused his death, and subsequently, Ms. Gundlach’s cancer. When Julie was diagnosed she began to put the pieces together and realized that she was a victim of mesothelioma from second-hand exposure from her father’s clothes — as a child she often played in the laundry room.

Fighting for an Asbestos Ban
Julie has undergone extensive treatment for her disease including enduring 4 surgeries, over 20 rounds of chemotherapy and countless consultations. Julie and her family live in St. Louis, Missouri, while her doctor is at the New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York. Julie has made approximately 28 trips to New York since her diagnosis.

Even with the grueling treatments, Julie is unwilling to let asbestos and this disease remain obscure and misunderstood. Julie attended her first Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) conference in June 2007 and since then has been fighting for a ban on asbestos, among other causes.

Appalled that asbestos is still being used in the United States, Julie has taken her cause to Congress and urges others to contact their state legislators to forever ban this deadly substance. For the last three years Gundlach has set up an asbestos awareness booth at the St. Louis Earth Day celebration. Gundlach displays information on the many products that contain asbestos.

Gundlach was contacted regarding the toy CSI Fingerprint kit that was found to contain asbestos. While the product was taken off the market no recall has been issued. Knowing how toxic asbestos is and not wanting to see anyone else suffer through mesothelioma Julie hopes that asbestos-containing products are soon removed from the markets in the United States.

Julie has conducted many interviews and has written many articles to get the word out about the hazards of asbestos. When asked by a St. Louis reporter what she wants the public to be aware of Julie listed the following items:

1. Mesothelioma Awareness Day is September 26th
2. Contact your legislators to encourage a ban on asbestos
3. Visit the MARF website to help in the fight against mesothelioma

Focusing on Living
Julie Gundlach found the prognosis for mesothelioma victims unacceptable, and refuses to accept that the disease is going to take her without a fight. Like many long-time mesothelioma survivors Gundlach is focusing on her health and fitness. She has become a vegetarian, is using a personal trainer and feels more fit than she has in years.

Gundlach hopes that one day she will come back from New York with a clean bill of health. In the meantime, she will continue to be active and continue to fight so others will not have to endure the pain of mesothelioma.

Resources:
Fox News Interview
St. Louis Channel 5 Interview
Where Do the Children Play?

Labels: Featured Story

posted by Nancy Meredith at 12:59 PM
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Photographer Uses Art to Get the Word Out on Mesothelioma

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Christopher Ireland, a photographer living in Australia, has turned to art to get the word out about mesothelioma and to show the strength of the survivors. Mr. Ireland photographed 14 women whose husbands died from the asbestos cancer creating an exhibit entitled “Breathe.” The images are designed to capture the essence of the men through anecdotes told by the widows.

Breathe was featured at the Australian Centre for Photography from July 17 through August 22, 2009 and will next be exhibited at the Latrobe Regional Gallery in Australia from September 5 through October 4, 2009.

From Pool, a website of several Australian artists including Ireland, the exhibit is defined through the following poetic statement:

Asbestos leaves a cruel legacy. In the dread that it engenders, in the pain and suffering it brings to many families, in arrested dreams, in the sheer contemplation of what may lie ahead, it knocks us breathless.

View the images at Chris Ireland’s Website

Labels: mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 3:37 PM
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New Test for Early Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

Researchers at Oxford University announced that they have developed an improved diagnostic test for early detection of malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, an incurable cancer caused by asbestos exposure and affecting the lungs, is often difficult to diagnose and to distinguish from lung cancer.

Using a more sensitive pleural fluid cytology test to evaluate the fluid that builds up around the lungs, researchers determined that a protein known as meothelin is higher in mesothelioma patients than in those with other diseases. Mesothelioma patients had up to a 10 times higher concentration of the protein than did patients with other conditions.

Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed when the patient is in the late stages of the illness resulting in a survival time of 4 – 12 months. The anticipation is that this test will limit invasive diagnostic tests and will increase patient survival time once mesothelioma is diagnosed.

Mesothelioma Test

Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 2:04 PM
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Clinical Trials Key to Mesothelioma Treatment Breakthroughs

Thursday, August 20, 2009

By Nancy Meredith
Doctors, pharmaceutical companies and patients rely on the results of clinical trials for breakthrough treatments for medical conditions. Finding new treatment options for mesothelioma, an incurable cancer caused by asbestos, is dependent on successful clinical trials focused on testing newly developed mesothelioma treatment approaches designed to combat the cancer.

A clinical trial is one of the final stages of the rigorous cancer research process. Clinical trials are studies that enroll patients to determine whether a new approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis or treatment is safe and effective. During the trial period the medical team monitors the health of the participants and gauges the efficacy of the treatment against the side effects.

Traditional mesothelioma treatments have been unable to stop the cancer from metastasizing, or spreading, to other organs in the body. According to the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, whose mission is to fund research that will lead to the quickest cure for mesothelioma, “malignant mesothelioma drug trials testing new chemotherapy drugs are ongoing and believed to be capable of producing significant advancements in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.”

Mesothelioma Trial Successes
The use of clinical trials for new chemotherapy agents in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma has resulted in additional treatment options for mesothelioma patients. One of the newer chemotherapy drugs receiving attention is Alimta (pemetrexed) used in combination with Cisplatin. Combined use of chemotherapy drugs increases the effectiveness of treatment when surgery is not possible. Another combination found during clinical trials includes gemcitabine and cisplatin.

A drug currently being researched for mesothelioma treatment is Veglin which is designed to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels to tumors. With this nourishment the tumors grow and eventually cause death in the patient. A similar drug, Bevacizumab (Avastin™), was the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- approved therapy found to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels to tumors.

Benefits of Clinical Trials
Participants in clinical trials not only help the medical community in general, but they can realize many benefits for their specific medical needs. Specifically, benefits from well-designed and well-executed clinical trials allow patients to:

• Take an active role in their own health care.
• Gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available.
• Obtain expert medical care at leading health care facilities during the trial.
• Help others by contributing to medical research.

There are risks associated to clinical trials of which participants should be aware. Primarily, the experimental treatment may not be effective for the patient, or the patient could have a serious or life-threatening side effect.
 
More Patients Needed for Clinical Trials
An advisory group established by Congress to monitor the war on cancer asked oncologists and researchers what can be done to speed the progress on finding new, effective treatments for cancer. Researchers responded that more patients are needed for participation in trials. Statistics show that of adult cancer patients only 3 percent participate in clinical trials for cancer treatments.

According to clinicaltrials.gov there are close to 6,500 cancer clinical trials seeking adult patients. Further disheartening to the committee is that “more than one trial in five sponsored by the National Cancer Institute failed to enroll a single subject, and only half reached the minimum needed for a meaningful result.”

Resources:
Cancer studies low on patients
Mesothelioma clinical trials recruiting volunteers
Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America (MESORFA)

Labels: Featured Story

posted by Nancy Meredith at 2:07 PM
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Father Upset Over Lack of Government Control of Asbestos

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A father in British Columbia claims the government needs to provide better protection for the people of Clearbrook when older homes are torn down, reports the Abbortsford News.

Children gathered to watch as backhoes in Franklin Jansen’s neighborhood tore down the older homes and each time a home came down, the debris was covered in a cloud of dust. Jansen’s four children were among the onlookers.

Janzen was alarmed when he saw a hazardous materials team in white jumpsuits and wearing breathing masks show up to clean up the debris. It was then the sites were surrounded with tapes warning, “Danger, Asbestos.”

Worksafe BC stopped the demolition in order to protect the workers, and BC Hazmat Inspections Ltd. was called in to deal with the asbestos. While one worker wetted down the dust to keep it from becoming airborne, another was removing the pieces containing asbestos.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen whether exposure is long-term or limited.

Mr. Janzen is registering a complaint with the city to find out how this could happen without warning the neighborhood.

The destruction company states anyone tearing down a house built prior to 1986 should pay for an inspection to test for asbestos.

Asbestos Exposure In BC Demolition

Labels: For Your Family

posted by Your Attorney at 6:28 PM
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Early Detection is the Key to Increased Life Expectancy for Mesothelioma

Monday, August 10, 2009

By Nancy Meredith
Mesothelioma, caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, is an incurable cancer involving the lining of the lung, abdomen, or the heart. The latency period, the time between asbestos exposure and diagnosis of mesothelioma, can be decades long. For many patients diagnosed up to 50 years after their initial exposure to asbestos the disease is already in an advanced phase when they begin to suffer symptoms of shortness of breath and chest pain. At this late stage of diagnosis, the average survival time is less than a year.

Doctors, patients, and cancer advocates alike are now emphasizing the importance of early detection of mesothelioma to increase the effectiveness of treatment options leading to an increased survival time. In fact, the American Cancer Society states “if you can’t prevent cancer, the next best thing you can do to protect your health is to detect it early.”

Some studies have shown that among patients where mesothelioma is diagnosed early and treated aggressively, about half can expect a life expectancy of two years, and one-fifth will have a life expectancy of five years. As a comparison, for patients whose mesothelioma is advanced only five percent can expect to live another five years.

Early diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer often means that the cancer will be localized, with the cancer cells found only at the body site where the cancer originated. Using the Brigham staging system, the localized cancer would be identified as Stage 1 and can involve a surgically removable tumor. Once the cancer cells have spread beyond that original location, the mesothelioma is considered advanced and surgery is often no longer an option.

The importance of early diagnosis for mesothelioma cannot be overemphasized. Treating a limited area of cancer is easier, and includes more treatment options, than trying to treat cancer that has spread, or metastasized, to several sites or throughout the body. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed within three to six months of the first visit to a doctor with complaints about breathing problems or chest and abdominal pain.

Early diagnosis can improve life expectancy; however, the following factors for a mesothelioma diagnosis are all important when assessing life expectancy.
• Latency period
• Age at diagnosis
• Type of mesothelioma
• Smoking or non-smoking patient
• Overall health of patient

There is a greater awareness of mesothelioma in the medical community, although the majority of physicians do not have experience diagnosing or treating mesothelioma. If you have a history of asbestos exposure, even if you are not currently exhibiting any respiratory symptoms, you should consider consulting a knowledgeable physician for a complete physical and mesothelioma screening tests. Early diagnosis of mesothelioma is necessary for the best prognosis.

Labels: Featured Story

posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:07 AM
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Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Receives Cancer Fighter Award

GreatNonprofits released results of their first ever awards of the top-rated cancer fighting charities. The Cancer Fighters Awards contest asked people who have been touched by and have experienced the work and support offered by nonprofits serving the cancer community to rate and review the organizations.

According to Perla Ni, CEO and founder of GreatNonprofits, these awards bring attention to some of the smaller nonprofits and show how they have saved peoples’ lives.

Winning the “Best of the West” award Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, identified on their website as “offering hope to mesothelioma patients and their families,” included nominations by friends and family members impacted by mesothelioma.

Other winners include:
Best of Northeast: I’m Too Young For This! – This organization addresses the difficulties faced by young adults with regards to cancer.

Best of South: Spirit Jump – This organization’s goal is to help cancer fighters stay strong by providing uplifting cards and inspirational gifts from “Jumpers.”

Best of Midwest: Mission4Maureen – Raises funds to help others with the financial burdens of medical treatments for brain cancer.

See GreatNonProfits for a list of all winners and nominations.

Labels: mesothelioma

posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:00 AM
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Thalidomide Ineffective For Mesothelioma

Friday, August 7, 2009

Once thought to be a promising treatment in fighting cancers such as prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and mesothelioma — the asbestos related lung cancer, thalidomide has proven not to be effective for small cell lung cancer, reports Science Daily.

Even though thalidomide is as an anti-angiogenic drug (targeting the formation of new blood vessels which are needed by tumors to survive and to grow), and has been effective in treating other cancers, it does not improve the survival rate of lung cancer patients. It does, however, increase their risk of blood clots.

Dr. Siow Ming Lee, M.D. of the Department of Oncology, University of London, found, when combined with chemotherapy, thalidomide had made no difference in the survival of patients with small cell lung cancers. SCLC makes up about 15-20 percent of lung cancer patients. Dr. Lee concluded that targeting anti-angiogenesis in SCLC may not work as well as in multiple myeloma or colorectal cancer because of differences in the angiogenic pathways involved in SCLC.

Thalidomide was once banned because it caused severe birth defects.

Thalidomide Treatment for Mesothelioma

Labels: Research News

posted by Your Attorney at 4:29 PM
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New Research Raises Hope For Mesothelioma Treatment

Research funded by the June Hancock Mesothelioma Trust Fund has discovered a potential treatment for the deadly cancer, reports a website run by the Yorkshire (England) Evening Post.

The research, being done by the Department of Oncology at Velindre Hospital in Cardiff, England, has found a molecule associated with mesothelioma. With further research, it is hoped there will be a vaccination for patients to boost their immune system in order to attack the tumor.

June Hancock lived in the area of the JWRoberts asbestos factory in Armley, England. She, along with hundreds of others who worked or lived near the factory, was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an incurable asbestos-linked cancer of the lung which usually kills within a year or so after diagnosis.

Ms. Hancock campaigned against the company after she contracted the disease and sought legal action against the company’s owners. She eventually won a groundbreaking compensation claim, opening the door for thousands of others to seek compensation. June Hancock died in 1997.

Hope for Mesothelioma Treatment

Labels: mesothelioma, Research News

posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:07 AM
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