Mesothelioma Frequently Asked Questions
- My father was just diagnosed with mesothelioma in his stomach. I did not know this was possible. Isn’t it a disease of the lungs?
- I live in an industrial area that used to be a shipbuilding center. Several people I’ve known over the years have developed mesothelioma. The number of cases is alarming to me. Isn’t the cancer rare?
- My home was built in 1963 and I’ve noticed some unusual pipe wrapping on the hot water pipes in the basement. Do I need to worry about asbestos?
- I have heard that a common type of home insulation may contain deadly asbestos. Is this true?
- My uncle was just diagnosed with mesothelioma and I want to learn as much as I can about this disease. Is there a resource available that answers all of my questions about this illness?
- My father has just been diagnosed with mesothelioma. How did he get it?
- I know that most people with cancer undergo chemotherapy and radiation. Are those the only treatments my father will have?
- What area of the body does mesothelioma affect? I thought it was a lung disease, but my aunt has it in her stomach.
- Mesothelioma sounds like a very serious cancer. Is there a way to cure the disease?
- What does it mean when doctors say mesothelioma has a long “latency” period?
- I just read in the paper about a 30-year-old getting mesothelioma because of her father’s job. How could that have happened?
- My brother who is retired from the Navy has been having a lot of difficulty breathing lately. Is it possible that he has an illness related to asbestos exposure?
- Mesothelioma is sometimes confused with other respiratory illnesses. How do doctors make a diagnosis?
- I understand that someone with pleural mesothelioma may experience pain when breathing. What other symptoms might they have?
- It seems as though I’m hearing more and more about people getting mesothelioma. How common is it in the United States?
- I have been a smoker for over 20 years. Can smoking cause me to get mesothelioma or increase my chances of getting the disease?
- We are about to remodel our house. I’ve heard that we could be at risk of getting mesothelioma from the renovation work. Can that really happen?
- I have mesothelioma and my friend told me about a new drug that is being tested through a clinical trial. How can I find out about all of the available clinical trials that may benefit me?
- I am very upset that my uncle now has mesothelioma because he was exposed to asbestos at his job. Can he file a lawsuit against his former employer?
- Is there any way to prevent mesothelioma?
