News Categories
Resources For Living
Mesothelioma Forum
Legal Help Blog
Find a Doctor Near You
About Mesothelioma
Latest News
- NIH-FDA Collaboration Could Speed Innovations for ...
- Rearcher to Study Link Between Mesothelioma and Ce...
- Predicting Post-Surgery Survival for Mesothelioma ...
- 9-11 Responders Have Access to Mesothelioma-Causin...
- Researchers Have Breakthrough in Development of Me...
- Mesothelioma: One of Over 6,000 Orphan Diseases
- New Test May Determine if Mesothelioma is Gone
- Natural Remedy Oncolyn Claims to be Effective in M...
- Hard Rock Café Concert Being Held to Benefit Mesot...
- Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Useful for Me...
News Archives
- April 2007
- May 2007
- June 2007
- July 2007
- August 2007
- September 2007
- October 2007
- November 2007
- December 2007
- January 2008
- February 2008
- March 2008
- April 2008
- May 2008
- June 2008
- July 2008
- August 2008
- September 2008
- October 2008
- November 2008
- December 2008
- January 2009
- February 2009
- March 2009
- April 2009
- May 2009
- June 2009
- July 2009
- August 2009
- September 2009
- October 2009
- November 2009
- December 2009
- January 2010
- February 2010
- March 2010
Monday, November 30, 2009
The American Cancer Society and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), one of the leading fitness certification organizations in the world, have introduced the Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer™ certification (CET).The certification is offered to fitness professionals that work with clients with cancer at various stages and levels of treatment. Studies have shown that exercise and proper nutrition can improve the quality of life and aid recovery in certain mesothelioma patients.
Having fitness professionals knowledgeable with the needs of those suffering from cancer, including mesothelioma patients, and for cancer survivors, is critical for patients and their caregivers who do not know which exercises are safe and effective.
To earn the CET certification fitness professionals who have achieved the “gold standard” through ACSM will need to successfully pass an exam focused on exercise and cancer.
Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer (CET)
© MesotheliomaHelp.Net. All Rights Reserved. Reprinting or republication of this article or any portion of its content is permitted but must include the MesotheliomaHelp.Net link.
Labels: Treatment News
posted by Nancy Meredith at 2:00 PM
A researcher at Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan has received a $1.3 million grant from the NIH to study how tumors develop a resistance to chemotherapy. Initially, the research will focus on colon cancer.Researchers hope that the result of the study will lead to the development of additional screening and treatment methods for other cancers as well. Dr. MacKeigan, the grant recipient, says "if the tumors are resistant to chemotherapy, the cancer is more likely to survive long enough to spread and become more deadly.”
During the five-year study Dr. MacKeigan will assess how various enzymes contribute to determining whether tumor cells will survive during chemotherapy treatment.
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Van Andel Research Institute is the research arm of VAI and is "dedicated to probing the genetic, cellular and molecular origins of cancer, Parkinson and other diseases and working to translate those findings into effective therapies."
Cancer Research Grant
© MesotheliomaHelp.Net. All Rights Reserved. Reprinting or republication of this article or any portion of its content is permitted but must include the MesotheliomaHelp.Net link.
Labels: Research News
posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:55 AM
Friday, November 27, 2009
Pinpointing the exact location of a lung cancer tumor and the extent of pleural effusion in mesothelioma is difficult with the traditional imaging techniques such as CT and MRI. Lung cancer tumors move with breathing, circulation and heartbeats making it difficult to focus radiation treatments and to evaluate the extent of disease.Recent advances in imaging technologies, however, have improved how patients receive their radiation treatments. Dynamic imaging allows the medical staff to monitor the tumor movement throughout the respiratory cycle improving the quality of radiation therapy resulting in better patient outcomes.
Additional improvements include fusion technology where images from different imaging techniques can be combined, and online imaging offering images in the same room where radiation is given to more accurately guide the radiation therapy.
These improvements have led to non-invasive techniques which allow for the characterization of the aggressiveness of the tumors helping the medical
specialists better identify the therapy regimens or experimental clinical trials appropriate for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients.
Sources:
Chest Journal Study
National Lung Cancer Partnership
Labels: mesothelioma, Treatment News
posted by Nancy Meredith at 2:00 PM
Mesothelioma can be a painful cancer. Over half of the pleural mesothelioma patients experience pain in the chest which can be intense and severe enough to require narcotics to alleviate the pain and discomfort.Not willing to take any more drugs, some mesothelioma patients are turning to hypnosis as a way to manage their pain. Hypnosis, once shunned by the medical profession, is becoming more popular in clinical settings helping people stop smoking, lose weight, and now, deal with pain.
Hpynotherapy, when performed by a trained specialist, can be a powerful and effective procedure. A hypnotist brings a patient to a state of high concentration allowing him to have a strict focus. The person then "projects" himself to another place or state where he can block pain awareness or substitute other sensations for painful ones.
Hypnosis is considered an unconventional therapy and is often used with other holistic treatments including yoga and meditation. Hypnosis is not effective for everyone.
© MesotheliomaHelp.Net. All Rights Reserved. Reprinting or republication of this article or any portion of its content is permitted but must include the MesotheliomaHelp.Net link.
Labels: mesothelioma, treatments
posted by Nancy Meredith at 11:00 AM
The holiday season can be both a joyful and a stressful time of year. When battling mesothelioma it can be even more challenging. Feelings of sadness and anxiety may be heightened as the excitement of the season intensifies.Taking care of yourself both physically and emotionally should be your priority as a mesothelioma patient, but the holidays can still be enjoyable if you keep in mind some basic tips.
Stick with your treatments - You may be busier during the holidays, but make sure to keep all medical appointments and treatments. It is critical to maintain your regimen so you do not experience any setbacks.
Shop Online - Avoid the crowds and save your strength for other activities by shopping online. Virtually every store now has a website and the gifts can be shipped directly to the recipient saving additional time.
Feel free to say "no" - Only you know your limits and your capabilities. Friends and family will reach out to you during this time of year, but don't feel obligated to accept every invitation.
Don't Compare this Season to Seasons Past - Dwelling on everything you "used" to be able to do will only add to your feelings of sadness and anxiety. Focus on the present and enjoy the simple comforts and the company of those around you.
© MesotheliomaHelp.Net. All Rights Reserved. Reprinting or republication of this article or any portion of its content is permitted but must include the MesotheliomaHelp.Net link.
Labels: For Your Family
posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:00 AM
Thursday, November 26, 2009
As part of the Lung Cancer Clinical Trials Call to Action Campaign , Lung Cancer Alliance, National Lung Cancer Partnership, and other advocacy groups have partnered with EmergingMed to offer a personalized service for lung cancer patients "to take charge of their diagnosis and learn about clinical trials, which are an important part of treatment innovation."The initiative matches lung cancer patients with currently recruiting clinical trials based on the patient's diagnosis. After building a profile covering areas such as activity level, level of cancer metastasis, type of cancer such as mesothelioma, treatment regimen, and other conditions, the patient is presented with a list of clinical trials for consideration.
The campaign partners recommend that patients search for clinical trial options prior to the start of their treatment and again when faced with new treatment decisions.
EmergingMed was founded in 2000 with a goal "to increase clinical trial awareness and access through one-on-one, personalized services provided through collaborations with a growing partner network."
Search for a Clinical Trial
Labels: ClinicalTrial
posted by Nancy Meredith at 2:00 PM
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) is a non-profit "medical association dedicated to advancing our clinical and scientific understanding of pulmonary diseases, critical illnesses and sleep-related breathing disorders." The mission of the ATS is achieved through research, education, patient care and advocacy.One of their primary goals is the education of the medical community as well as the general public. Their website contains a vast amount of information pertinent to patients, caregivers and others seeking respiratory information.
The brochures offered to the public contain information presented in clear, straightforward language covering both scientific and medical terms. Specifically, their patient education topics include general fact sheets on lung diseases as well as literature covering asbestos-related diseases, COPD, child care, and critical care.
With over 15,000 world-wide members and an annual operating budget of $25 million, ATS supports programs in the United States and around the globe to secure funds for basic and clinical research, establish TB and tobacco control policies, support the Clean Air Act, and to lobby for appropriate Medicare reimbursements for physicians.
Labels: mesothelioma, Research News
posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Restoration Environmental Contractors-REC Demolition is celebrating their 20th anniversary of being green. Since its start in 1989, the company has completed over 9,000 environmental restoration and demolition projects, with more than one million hours of on-site work, throughout Canada.The company specializes in asbestos removal, demolition, lead abatement, site remediation, disaster recovery and emergency response in the industrial, commercial, governmental and institutional sectors.
Some of their projects included completing the asbestos removal, remediation and demolition of the seven story Historic Guild Inn project in Toronto, and exceeding a 94.7% LEED certification at the Regent Park, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation TCHC and Toronto Revitalization environmental remediation and demolition projects.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and exposure to airborne asbestos fibers is the leading cause for mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Labels: asbestos, mesothelioma
posted by Nancy Meredith at 2:00 PM
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is hoping National Asbestos Awareness Week, November 23 to November 27, will help raise the public's awareness of the dangers of asbestos.Various informational sessions will be held throughout the week including topics on the James Hardie company and asbestos law, ending with a ceremony on Friday to remember those whose lives were needlessly lost to asbestos-related diseases.
During the week workers will be able to receive health screenings in Sydney or on the mobile Lung Bus. The Lung Bus checkup includes an X-ray, lung function test and examination by a doctor. Australia's occupational health and safety regulations require health checks for employees that work with hazardous substances including asbestos or crystalline silica.
Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive lung cancer that has no known cure. According to the ACTU, Australia has the highest per capita incidence of mesothelioma.
The Week's Events
Labels: asbestos, mesothelioma
posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A 61-year-old Australian woman, who was exposed to asbestos as a machinist and when washing her son’s work clothes while he produced asbestos gaskets, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in September, 2002. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.While waiting for chemotherapy and an experimental treatment, the cancer began to regress and the woman felt well enough pass on the treatments altogether. The doctor found that by December the cancer had decreased in size, and within two years, a CT scan showed that the mesothelioma had virtually disappeared.
Six years later, the woman remains cancer-free. While it is rare for cancer to disappear on its own, there are similar documented cases for other types of cancer.
Roger Allen, PhD, a Thoracic and Sleep Physician at Wesley Medical Centre in Brisbane, Australia suggests that patients and their doctors should view this as promising news with the potential for researchers to find ways to capture the ability of the immune system to fight off the disease and to find a cure.
Mesothelioma Cancer Disappears
Labels: mesothelioma
posted by Nancy Meredith at 2:00 PM
Funded by a contract from the United States Department of Energy (DOE), and managed by Queens College of the City University of New York, the Worker Health Protection Program (WHPP) provides free medical screenings for former workers and current workers at various DOE sites. The screenings have been designed to check for adverse health outcomes related to occupational exposures including asbestos, beryllium, silica, welding fumes, lead, cadmium, chromium, and solvents.Employees eligible for the screenings would have worked at any of the following locations: Gaseous Diffusion Plants (GDPs) in Oak Ridge, TN, Paducah, KY and Portsmouth, OH; the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, ID; Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) and Y-12 in Oak Ridge, TN and two closure sites: Mound in Miamisburg, OH and Fernald in Harrison, OH.
The goal of the program is to provide medical screenings to detect work-related illnesses at an early stage as well as helping workers determine if a current health condition is the result of a work-related exposure.
Exposure to asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other respiratory diseases.
Calendar of Screenings
Labels: asbestos
posted by Nancy Meredith at 11:28 AM
Monday, November 23, 2009
by Nancy MeredithMesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Also referred to as asbestos cancer, the World Health Organization estimates that 90,000 people world-wide die every year from mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancers. In addition, approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with the deadly disease in the United States each year.
Mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many of the current cancer treatments. While there is no known cure for mesothelioma, new research and an increased knowledge among medical professionals has increased the survival time and improved the quality of life for many patients.
Often referred to as an orphan disease when comparing the amount of research and development dedicated to developing new treatments for mesothelioma to other cancers and diseases, there are still many physicians, charities and foundations that are dedicated to finding a cure for mesothelioma. Their research requires significant amounts of time and money, and without appropriate funding, their efforts would not be possible.
The benefits that these organizations provide to patients, families, and caregivers are great. If you are looking for a resource for information pertaining to mesothelioma these organizations are established and many have been recognized for their support and dedication to the field of research and medicine.
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF)
"The Meso Foundation is the national organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma as a life-ending disease" through funding the highest quality and most promising research projects, helping patients connect with national mesothelioma experts, and advocating in Washington D.C. for federal mesothelioma research funding.
The work of the Foundation is funded by mesothelioma patients and their families, law firms, drug companies, and companies formerly involved with asbestos.
The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America (MESORFA)
The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America's mission is simply to "fund research that will lead to the quickest cure for mesothelioma." MESORFA funds the Mesothelioma Laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Gill at the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles.
MESORFA has a goal of making mesothelioma a disease of the past and they continue to educate the public and companies on the risks of asbestos.
Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI)
PHLBI is a non-profit institution focused on the treatment and prevention of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Through their partnership with Dr. Robert Cameron, Director, Thoracic Oncology, Department of Surgery, UCLA Medical Center, PHLBI offers information designed to provide a place for patients and families to research the topic of mesothelioma.
Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI) supports the research efforts of Dr. Cameron and the Punch Worthington Lab at UCLA.
Lung Cancer Alliance
"Lung Cancer Alliance is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to providing patient support and advocacy for people living with or at risk for the disease." Their services and advocacy programs include direct communication with federal and state policy leaders for gaining greater resources for lung cancer research, support of fundraisers, lung cancer clinical trials matching service, public education and campaigns, among other activities.
Support and donations to Lung Cancer Alliance provides them with the ability to maintain their unique programs for patients, elevate public awareness about lung cancer and mesothelioma, and advocate change health policy.
The National Mesothelioma Foundation (NMF)
The National Mesothelioma Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to help patients and their families seeking evaluation and treatment at The M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. NMF provides services including assistance with travel and lodging arrangements, providing documentation and information regarding mesothelioma, as well as emotional and spiritual support.
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is among the top ranked cancer treatment centers in the United States. The cancer center has over 30 specialists on staff that supports the treatment of mesothelioma patients.
Labels: Featured Story
posted by Nancy Meredith at 9:57 AM
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Dr. Robert Cameron, Director, Thoracic Oncology, Department of Surgery, UCLA Medical Center, has been treating mesothelioma patients for over 20 years. Dr. Cameron leads the way with his approach involving lung-sparing surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy.He believes that treating mesothelioma as a chronic disease, as opposed to an incurable cancer, allows the patients to focus on “control through chronic therapy” and living with the disease, offering a higher chance of success in their treatment.
Dr. Cameron spends much of his time at the Punch Worthington Research Lab at UCLA researching and developing new treatments for mesothelioma. Impressed with his dedication and with his treatment of patients, the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI) supports the research efforts of Dr. Cameron and the Punch Worthington Lab.
PHLBI is a non-profit institution focused on the treatment and prevention of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Through their partnership with Dr. Cameron the PHLBI website contains information designed to provide a place for patients and families to research the topic of mesothelioma.
See Dr. Cameron's series of FAQ video clips covering basic mesothelioma concerns.
Labels: For Your Family
posted by Nancy Meredith at 1:28 PM
Monday, November 16, 2009
Prometheus Laboratories Inc, a pharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical and diagnostic products to help physicians individualize patient care, launched its ProOnc line of cancer diagnostics in October.The ProOnc diagnostic tests are based on recently developed, highly sensitive microRNA technology. “MicroRNAs are small, non-coding sequences of RNA that are critically important in many biological and pathological processes,” said Harvey Pass, M.D., Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at New York University Langone Medical Center and its NYU Cancer Institute. The sensitivity of microRNA diagnostics enables physicians to more confidently differentiate cancers.
The ProOnc MesotheliomaDx utilizes cutting-edge molecular diagnostics using microRNA to differentiate malignant pleural mesothelioma from peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung and metastatic carcinomas involving the lung and pleura.
Prometheus believes that ProOnc TumorSourceDx and ProOnc SquamousDx, as well as ProOnc MesotheliomaDx, will provide cancer specialists with more objective and quantitative results than existing diagnostics leading to more personalized treatments for patients.
Prometheus Laboratories Diagnostic Tests
Labels: mesothelioma, Treatment News
posted by Nancy Meredith at 3:16 PM
Friday, November 13, 2009
Source: www.libbyasbestos.orgResidents of Libby Montana, where asbestos-related disease has created a health crisis, will receive federally-funded health screenings starting Monday. The screenings will include a chest x-ray, health history and current health status.
Malignant mesothelioma (a cancer in the lining of the lungs) has been very high in the area with a population of fewer than 10,000. Lung cancer rates in are 30% higher in Libby than in similar populations not exposed to asbestos. Deaths and illness in this area is due to deadly asbestos fibers at the now closed W.R Grace and Company vermiculite mine.
In June, leaders of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in declaring a public health emergency in Libby. The emergency declaration required the provision of federal health care services to the area residents.
Vermiculite was discovered in Libby, Montana in 1913. The mine and mill were purchased by Grace in 1963 and employed about 200 people between that time and 1990. The processing of vermiculite ore that contained a form of asbestos led to widespread asbestos exposure in the community.
Labels: Treatment News
posted by Wade Rawlins at 3:04 PM
Monday, November 9, 2009
by Nancy MeredithMesothelioma patients are faced with many challenging issues after they are initially diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer. Determining where to receive their medical care, what treatments to use to fight the disease, how to cope with the symptoms, and when and how to tell those closest to them can all be stressful decisions to make.
Unfortunately, many patients will realize that the financial aspect of the disease will also add to the stress once the costs of the treatments are revealed and the insurance claims have been sorted out. According to a study conducted by Harvard Medical School, medical bills are responsible for close to 60 per cent of personal bankruptcies in the Unites States - with 75 percent of those individuals having health insurance.
Many physicians and pharmaceutical companies realize that the cost of treatment for mesothelioma and other cancers can leave the patient and their family deeply in debt. Patients are sometimes faced with having to end treatments early due to their mounting expenses.
Pharmaceutical Company Support
Virtually all of the major chemotherapy drug companies offer some form of financial support to their patients. Realizing that the treatment costs can be prohibitive to recovery for some patients, the companies are extending various types of aid to ease the burden of the health care expenses.
Programs offer support including providing patients with assistance in filing insurance claims, negotiating with insurance companies, offering financial resource information as well as providing reimbursement to the patients for uncovered expenses.
Eli Lilly's PatientOne
Eli Lilly, the maker of both Alimta and Gemzar used in the treatment of mesothelioma and lung cancer, offers PatientOne. PatientOne is Lilly’s “oncology program that addresses financial, access, and claim issues for patients who are candidates for Lilly's oncology products." The program is aimed at assisting insured, uninsured and underinsured patients in processing claims, receiving payment support, and in assisting physicians with insurance and pharmaceutical issues.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Assistance Programs
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization that helps qualifying patients with prescription drug coverage. Bristol-Myers is the maker of Platinol, generically known as Cisplatin, one of the primary chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.
Bristol-Myers offers support to patients with financial hardship and has various programs including the Destination Access Program aimed at assisting cancer patients. Patients without insurance coverage may be eligible to receive their medicine for free, while insured patients are offered a variety of reimbursement services including benefits investigation, prior authorization assistance and appeals assistance.
Pfizer First Resource
Providing patients with assistance in gaining access to the medicines they need, First Resource helps patients with alternate funding assistance as well as support in filing claims and appeals with their insurance companies.
Pfizer makes various chemotherapy treatments, and specifically offers assistance to patients using Ellence (epirubicin hydrochloride) for the treatment of their mesothelioma.
Contact Companies for Further Information
Each of the companies have enrollment requirements, and not all patients are eligible for the assistance offered. If not eligible for the drug company's program, however, patients may be offered support through partners and government agencies.
Labels: Featured Story
posted by Nancy Meredith at 4:44 PM
Duke University Hospital held a groundbreaking ceremony on November 6, for Duke Medicine's new comprehensive Cancer Center. The cancer center will address the steep increases seen in new cancer rates, and it will also "facilitate a never-before-seen synergy among one of the most talented oncology faculties in the country."Each year Duke physicians and staff treat thousands of cancer patients with many days seeing more than 100 patients receiving chemotherapy treatments at the Morris Cancer Clinic. In addition, close to 700 cancer-related clinical research studies are being conducted at Duke.
The North Carolina Department of Health projects a 14 percent growth in new cancer cases in the state between 2006 and 2011, and a 21 percent growth in the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area of North Carolina) alone. William J. Fulkerson Jr., M.D., senior vice president for clinical affairs at Duke says that in response to the growth "we are compelled to create a space in which we can optimize the ability of our faculty and staff to fight these diseases.”
The center will provide important learning experiences for residents and fellows and has been designed to improve the patients' experience of cancer treatment. The new Cancer Center is to create a "healing environment that would benefit not only the patients coming here for treatment, but our employees, too," said Kevin Sowers, MSN, RN, FAAN, Duke University Hospital CEO.
The facility is scheduled to open in 2012.
New Duke Cancer Center
Labels: Research News
posted by Nancy Meredith at 7:20 AM
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The National Lung Cancer Partnership is comprised of a group of leading doctors, researchers, patient advocates, and lung cancer survivors who are working together to improve treatments for lung cancer patients. They are dedicated to raising the public awareness of the disease and generating funding for lung cancer research.In support of educating the public they have declared November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The organization is offering the "Free to Breathe" series of fitness events throughout the country for individuals, families, and companies to show their support. Upcoming events are being held in Raleigh, NC, Athens, GA, Jacksonville, FL, Columbia, SC, Dayton, OH, and Seattle, WA. See the website for a full list of events.
Over the past four years, National Lung Cancer Partnership has funded over $1.1 million in cancer research dollars. Their partners include Lilly, Pfizer, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Novartis as well as the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Oncology Nursing Society Foundation (ONS), and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).
Labels: LungCancer
posted by Nancy Meredith at 9:45 AM
