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Posted on Friday, Dec 30, 2011

Top Mesothelioma Stories of 2011

As we ring in 2012, it is worth looking back at 2011 to review the breakthroughs researchers saw in their struggle to find an effective treatment for mesothelioma, as well as revisiting other top stories that impacted mesothelioma patients and their families.

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer of the lungs, heart or abdomen, caused by exposure to asbestos.  The cancer has a long latency period where those exposed to asbestos may not exhibit symptoms for 30-50 years after exposure.   Mesothelioma advocates continue to fight for money to fund research that could result in the critical breakthrough needed to ease the burden of fighting the disease.

One of the top news stories affecting mesothelioma patients in 2011 was of the drug shortage across the United States.  After hospitals, physicians and patients raised the red flag voicing concern over the dangers of patients not getting the medicines they need, President Obama issued an executive order for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take action to help reduce the shortages.

The primary treatment strategy for mesothelioma is a multi-modal approach using chemotherapy and radiation.  In 2011, researchers began testing new drugs for the treatment of mesothelioma including crizotinib, vandetanib, an antibiotic, and a drug that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

None of these drugs would be needed, however, if people were not exposed to asbestos in the first place.  Unfortunately, exposure continues to be a real threat, and scientists, environmentalists and physicians continued their call for a ban on the toxic mineral.  Exposure to asbestos is a risk factor that increases the likelihood of a person developing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases including mesothelioma.  

American and Canadian mesothelioma advocates joined forces in calling for a ban, Canadian doctors took on the Canadian government and a public health professor at the University of Wisconsin claims an asbestos ban could save millions of lives.

Many victims of mesothelioma take legal action to hold the companies responsible for their deadly cancer accountable.  In August, the New York law firm of Belluck & Fox, LLP represented clients in two separate lawsuits securing a $32 million verdict in one case, and a $19 million verdict in the other.