Asbestos Concerns Close St. Louis Post Office

STLToday.com reported that a United States Post Office located near the Westport Plaza was closed last Friday after a St. Louis County Health Inspector suspected that asbestos had been released during the renovation of an adjoining office.

According to a spokesperson for the County Health Department, Craig LeFebvre, workers performing renovations in the building next to the post office located at 2002 Congressional Drive discovered the asbestos materials. The Health Department was notified and it was determined that a temporary partition would not be enough to seal the area and the inspector requested that the post office be closed.

Postal officials and the building owner are cooperating with the Health Department to secure the area. Regional manager of customer relations for the postal service, Loretta Tolliver, stated that the Postal Service has hired a specialist to examine the air quality within their building. Until it is determined that the post office is safe for occupancy, Tolliver urges customers to use the post office located on North New Ballas Road.

Exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can cause many asbestos related illnesses, like asbestosis and the terminal lung cancer mesothelioma. Efforts made by the postal service and the St. Louis County Health Department are in place to help protect residents, postal office employees, workers in the renovation and customers of the post office from being exposed to these harmful fibers. The Congressional Drive Post Office will be reopened when the Health Department and the independent specialist determine that the building is safe for public use.

Asbestos Related Illnesses and Deaths Grow According to CDC Report

Big industry had for years claimed that asbestos was safe and not a risk to human life and it is only after years of research, and thousands of deaths, that the true dangers of asbestos exposure have become crystal clear. The Centers for Disease Control reports that despite efforts to lower exposure rates to asbestos, more people, and especially tradesmen, are continuing to develop health problems associated with the hazardous fibers.

Doctors with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health performed their research with over 38 years of data. This data showed that the number of premature deaths, or deaths that occurred before the age of 65, from asbestos-related diseases are occurring at a high rate now and will continue to increase in years to come. The increase will become more apparent as the latency period between exposure and the onset of asbestos disease is between 20 to 50 years. Many people exposed to asbestos in their teens and twenty’s during the 50 and 60’s are only now developing symptoms. The diseases take so long to have their full impact that death and disease will continue to grow.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was mined and used extensively in insulation and other uses in a wide range of products for its heat resistance. When loose asbestos fibers are inhaled, they “grab onto” the lining of the lungs and other internal organs, which can lead to debilitating and often terminal disease. The terminal lung cancer mesothelioma is a major killer with most patients diagnosed only having a few months to a year to live.

According to the CDC’s study, almost 13% of victims who died from asbestosis were tradesmen between the ages of 25 and 64. Actually tradesmen and construction workers accounted for the largest percentage of asbestos related deaths. Although many uses of asbestos have been banned since the 1980s, researchers still estimate that there are 1.3 million construction workers being exposed to asbestos every year through building demolitions or renovation work.

Contrary to popular belief, asbestos is still in use by some industries today. In their study, the CDC stated that more than 2,000 metric tons of asbestos was used in manufacturing in the US in 2006 alone and an unknown amount was imported. In addition, asbestos remains in the building materials in many homes and buildings that were built prior to 1970.

The study also cited other top industries in which high rates of asbestos-related diseases among workers were noted, including shipbuilding and repair, the military, and automobile maintenance. Researchers urge for the continued efforts to spread awareness of the dangers of asbestos. Since many symptoms of asbestos-related diseases are similar to other common illnesses and non-asbestos related lung cancer, health experts recommend the use of chest x-rays, CT imaging, and biopsy to diagnose and screen patients who may have been exposed to asbestos either at work or in the home.

Hamner Institute Recieves Grant For Asbestos Study From EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Hamner Institute a $2.1 million contract to research the health effects of asbestos exposure. The three-year study will focus on vermiculite, and in particular, asbestos-contaminated vermiculite that was widely used in insulation and industrial packing materials.

The Hamner Institute, a science center located in Research Triangle Park and once associated with the chemical industry, is striving to become one of the largest independent health research centers in the country. The Hamner Institute currently has more than 30 years of national and international experience in public health and environmental sciences research and continues to advance technologies that conduct chemical safety assessments and tools for assessing human health risks in products and chemicals.

The world’s leading source of vermiculite was from a mine in Libby, Montana operated by W.R Grace. Although the mine was shut down in 1990, asbestos contaminated vermiculite was shipped to hundreds of locations throughout the United States. It is widely known that workers of the Libby mines and residents of the town became ill with asbestos related diseases including mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer. The research proposed by the Hamner Institute will help to gauge the effect of the vermiculite on areas where the product was shipped.

Asbestos related illnesses are still considered rare, although there are thousands of deaths each year that are contributed to asbestos exposure. It is the hope of the EPA and the cancer community that this contract and research will allow for significant progress in this field.

University Gives Update on Mesothelioma Study

In 2006, the University of Minnesota began a 4.9 million dollar study of mesothelioma in the Iron Ridge of Minnesota where unusually high rates of the rare and terminal lung cancer have been discovered. Interest in the study was sparked further as the Minnesota Department of Health began reviewing data from the state cancer registry in preparation for the study and discovered an alarming number of mesothelioma deaths in Minnesota’s iron mining industry.

The Iron Range is located in the northeastern region of Minnesota. It is a landscape that is rich in taconite, which contains iron and silica and is melted down to produce steel. The research into the region will continue, with health screenings for miners of the region and their families to begin this spring. Researchers hope to complete random screenings of at least 2000 people in the Iron Ridge region. The screenings will be completed at the Virginia Regional Medical Center in the next six to nine months.

The questions raised during this research include if the taconite dust may be contaminated with asbestos or if the exposure occurred at various construction and labor jobs around the taconite mines.

New Treatment Offers New Hope For Mesothelioma Patients

There is new hope for patients suffering from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma. A drug commonly used to treat skin cancer has been paired with another leading anti-cancer drug by University of WA researchers and cancer specialists at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. This combination has successfully terminated advanced mesothelioma tumors in half of their test animals.

Imiquimod, a cream usually applied to treat skin cancer, when combined with antiCD40 triggered an immune response in the test mice that attacked their cancer. Researchers stated that half of the treated mice were cured even when their tumors were quite advanced. The supervisor of the research, immunologist Dr. Andrew Currie believes this discovery is a major breakthrough in the treatment of one of the most deadly forms of cancer.

Thousands of people die from mesothelioma each year. This incurable disease is almost always caused by exposure to thin fibres of airborne asbestos which become lodged in the protective mesothelium sac that covers the lungs and other internal organs. These fibers then cause abnormal cell growth. In most cases, the symptoms of mesothelioma do not appear for over 20 years after exposure.

One of the greatest advantages of this research is that both of the drugs have been investigated for safety. With Imiquimod already available commercially and antiCD40, a anti-cancer drug noted for decreasing the size of cancerous tumors, being tested currently in clinical trials, the movement for this new treatment should proceed quicker than previous treatment options. Although Imiquimod does have some known side effects when being used to treat skin cancer, such as blistering and blackened skin, most of these symptoms disappear when treatment is complete.

University Professor Steve Broomfield believes the new mesothelioma treatment is should be highly regarded as it causes a rampage by dormant killer lymphocytes which attack the cancer and at least double survival times. We join the officials at the National Center for Asbestos Related Disease (NCARD) in Australia, as we too are hopeful that this new treatment combination will “revolutionize” mesothelioma treatment within the next few years.

Mesothelioma Treatment in Germany Gives Years to Patient

BBC News has reported the story of Debbie Brewer, a 49-year-old mother of three from Plymouth in Devon, UK. In November of 2006, Brewer was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. She was given six to nine months to live, but two years later, Debbie Brewer will be spending another holiday with her children and her cancer is in remission after a pioneering mesothelioma treatment she received in Germany.

Brewer was awarded a six-figure compensation after her diagnosis as her asbestos exposure was contributed to hugging her father after he had worked with asbestos. This non-occupational exposure to asbestos has been well documented as a cause of mesothelioma in women and children who have not worked with asbestos directly themselves, but were exposed in the home when a spouse returned home with asbestos fibers on their clothes.

On a tip from a doctor and after learning of the 60% success rate for mesothelioma in Germany, Brewer took her compensation and headed to the University Clinic in Frankfurt. The clinic uses a treatment called chemoembolisation. This is a treatment often used to fight liver cancer as it introduces chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumor area. In Brewer’s case, this was a catheter introduced directly to the affected lung.

According to the BBC, mesothelioma specialists have informed Brewer that her tumor has shrunk by more than half and is in remission. Brewer’s elation over having more years to spend with her children cannot easily be described in words. Brewer has launched a campaign to have the treatment brought to the UK for trials and spread her renewed hope.

Asbestos Awareness Day Conference Registration Open

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, an independent organization funded through voluntary contributions and staffed completely by volunteers, has opened registration for its 5th annual Asbestos Awareness Day Conference for March 27 through March 29, 2009. This year’s event will be held at the Manhattan Beach Marriott in Manhattan Beach, CA.

In 2004, asbestos victims and their families founded the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). The mission of ADAO is to provide the most advanced medical, occupational and environmental information available about asbestos-related diseases to individuals throughout the world. The global asbestos crisis will be an integral part of the 2009 ADAO conference and there will be a particular focus on India, the world's largest importer of asbestos.

This year the organization plans to bring together a powerful combination of asbestos victims, their families, employers, employees, researchers and medical experts from around the globe to offer medical, occupational and environmental information about asbestos-related disease. There will be expert speakers discussing exposure prevention and identifying occupational and non-occupational exposure, public health and the early warning symptoms of asbestos-related disease. Musician Jordon Zevon, son of Warren Zevon who lost his life to asbestos disease and prominent advocate for the rights of asbestos victims and their families, will be the event’s keynote speaker.

The conference is made possible with the support and collaborative efforts of two key organizations. The first is the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, which is one of the 41 National Cancer Institutes and is considered one of the nation’s best facilities as they have conducted over 700 cancer-specific scientific investigations and clinical trials. The International Ban Asbestos Secretariat also plays a key role in the conference. The IBAS works as an instrument for the exchange of information between groups and individuals working to achieve a global asbestos ban.

For more information or to register, go to: www.AsbestosDiseaseAwareness.org

Fort Bragg Officers Exposed To Asbestos

Evon Colchiski is the father of Pvt. Jason Colchiski who served a year in Iraq and is now stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. As a father, Evon’s concerns were raised when his 21 year-old son called to tell him that he had been ordered to remove floor tile from a storeroom in a barracks building, which was built during the time of the Korean War, for breaking Fort Bragg regulations. The true concern came when his son informed him that the overseeing officer had told Colchiski, and the other officers assigned to the removal, to “be careful” as the tiles contained asbestos.

According to recent articles released on the FayObserver, the father told his son about the dangers of asbestos exposure during a phone conversation and when told to resume working on the floor removal, Pvt. Colchiski told his sergeant that he would not continue the work due to the severe health risks and was then instructed to use a mask. During the work prior to this time, no protective breathing masks were supplied to the officers.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used regularly in building materials, such as floor tiles, prior to the 1970s when regulations were put in place to limit its use. Exposure to asbestos in its stable form is generally harmless, but exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, which occur when asbestos materials are broken up for removal or from age, can lead to several asbestos related illnesses including mesothelioma, a form of terminal cancer. Anyone who works around asbestos dust is supposed to wear masks and take other precautions to keep the particles out of their lungs, off their clothes and from getting into the air where it can travel and effect innocent bystanders.

Although the father, Evon, spoke with the son’s sergeant and explained the risks of asbestos exposure, Pvt. Colchiski told his father that on the following day, he saw other officers enter the store room to complete the removal and install new tile without protective equipment. Evon proceeded to obtain a sample of the removed tile and have it tested. The test results showed that the tile did indeed contain asbestos and the concerned father notified North Carolina health officials. The N.C. Division of Public Health has jurisdiction even though Fort Bragg is a federal military installation and began investigating the incident with the cooperation of the Fort Bragg’s Environmental Branch.

The army conducted chest x-rays and breathing tests on those officers that were exposed; unfortunately, many asbestos related illnesses have a latency period of 20-50 years. The army has agreed to test those officers involved in the asbestos tile clean up once a year for the next five years and every five years thereafter. This was according to Bryan Sleigh, the division’s top doctor, 82nd Airborne Division Surgeon.

Seattle Mesothelioma Victim Fights For After Death Rights

James Ross is a 71-year-old Seattle man who worked for 51 years as a Seattle-based brakeman and conductor for Great Northern Railway and the subsequent companies that purchased the railway company. A recent article in the SeattleTimes told the story of how two years ago, Ross was diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer, mesotholioma, and given 8 months to live. He believed the chemicals and make-up of the brake shoes at his workplace and the asbestos products he had used to remodel his home caused his illness. Although he was able to come to terms with his terminal and painful illness, he was not ready to allow his wife to suffer after his death.

Not long after filing multiple asbestos lawsuits last year against several manufacturers of asbestos products, Ross learned that in King County, where he resides, mesothelioma victims who die while involved in civil litigation must undergo an autopsy. Ross objected personally to this requirement for what he called “philosophical” reasons. He felt that forcing his wife to endure an autopsy after losing him was unfair and cruel treatment and James Ross requested the King County judge to issue a protection order regarding the autopsy to protect his wife. Ross also pointed out that a physician made his mesothelioma diagnosis and an autopsy shouldn’t be necessary.

It was once nearly impossible to detect mesothelioma without an autopsy, like twenty years prior to the Ross diagnosis. Fortunately, medical technology has evolved and mesothelioma is diagnosed before a patient dies.

According to the SeattleTimes article, King County Superior Court Judge Paris Kallas issued her order on the subject on Thursday. Kallas carefully worded an order that would waive the autopsy requirement for Ross. This order did not overturn the existing autopsy requirement for mesothelioma victims involved in litigation. The order also does not forbid defense lawyers from later petitioning a judge to order Ross’ remains.

The lawyer representing James Ross tried to have the county stop performing autopsies on those mesothelioma victims who had filed suits for asbestos-related damages, but the court denied his motion. However, he and Ross are both confident that their ruling will help make other court challenges of the autopsies a little easier.

Ultimately, for Ross, the order means his remains will not automatically undergo an autopsy, sparing his wife from additional heartache and allowing her to make funeral plans without delay or more emotional trauma. James Ross’ case is scheduled for trial in March.

How Do I Go About Getting A Second Opinion?

Recently, we discussed that obtaining a second opinion for a mesothelioma diagnosis is a personal decision. Today we turn our focus to the process of actually getting that second opinion. Unfortunately, in this age of insurance bureaucracy it can be most difficult to obtain a second opinion from a provider outside your insurance plan.  Many HMO regulations require that the insured be treated within their network of providers.  The problem?  There are very few physicians or surgeons with the expertise needed to treat pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma.

Let me tell you about some of the challenges two mesothelioma patients had to overcome before they could obtain a second opinion.

One gentleman, I will call Jimmy, noticed that over the months he had been putting on weight around his belly.  Like most middle-aged men he attributed his weight gain to overeating and lack of exercise.  He took it upon himself to begin a strict diet and vigorous exercise regime.  Nothing worked and his starvation diet eventually placed him in the emergency room.  After numerous tests and exploratory surgery, Jimmy learned he had peritoneal mesothelioma.  He sought treatment from an oncologist within his insurance plan only to be told by the oncologist that he had no expertise in treating mesothelioma. 

Jimmy went back to his primary care physician who arranged for him to meet with a mesothelioma specialist.  A consultation was approved by his insurance company and an appointment was scheduled.  However the consultation was canceled after the specialist learned that Jimmy had peritoneal mesothelioma.  You see, the specialist was a thoracic surgeon who limited his practice to that of mesothelioma of the pleura. 

Through the help of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Jimmy found a surgeon that was qualified in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma.  Before Jimmy could meet with this surgeon he was required to file a prior authorization provision with his insurance carrier.  He obtained the necessary referral from the first treating oncologist and assumed it was approved.  He scheduled an appointment with the surgeon and forwarded his medical records. 

However, Jimmy faced another setback when his insurance carrier denied the request because he did not follow through with the first outside consultation.  This was clearly a lack of understanding by the insurance carrier about the complexity of Jimmy’s cancer.

Jimmy was told he could file a grievance that would be heard on an expedited basis if he could prove that the standard grievance hearing process of 30 days would be detrimental to his health.  With the help of the new surgeon’s staff, information about peritoneal mesothelioma and the surgeon’s treatment protocol was provided to the insurance company. 

Through diligence and determination Jimmy took on his insurance carrier and won! 

Hazel was faced with another problem.  It took the doctors in her HMO over a year to diagnosis her with pleural mesothelioma.  When she was finally diagnosed her insurance carrier refused to allow her to obtain a second opinion.  The carrier insisted that she use one of their approved thoracic surgeons to perform exploratory surgery.  Hazel met with the surgeon who honestly told her that he had never performed surgery on a patient with mesothelioma.

Disgusted with her insurance company, she took matters into her own hands.  She gathered all her medical records and with the help of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation located a thoracic surgeon with expertise in treating mesothelioma patients.  After undergoing all the diagnostic testing, Hazel learned that she was a candidate for surgery.  Again, she contacted her insurance carrier requesting coverage for “out of plan” services.  Again, she was denied. 

Fortunately, Hazel had money available to obtain the best treatment and went forward with the surgery. 

Unlike Hazel, Maryanne didn’t have the resources to insist on a second opinion.  She blindly, without complete knowledge and understanding of her disease, put her treatment in the hands of a local oncologist.

The chemotherapy protocol was not effective and Maryanne suffered severe side effects.  Months later her son stepped in to take control.  Together they traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, M.D. Anderson in Houston, University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Chicago Cancer Center and New York City for second, third, fourth and fifth opinions.

Regrettably all told Maryanne and her son the same dismal diagnosis.  Maryanne had waited too long.  The cancer had metastasized to her liver and there was nothing that could be done.

The point of sharing these stories is this: if you have any question or concern about the care you will receive use all resources available and all means necessary to obtain second and third opinions regarding your treatment.  It’s your life, not the insurance company’s.

• Make your primary care physician and his staff your Allie;
• Enlist their help for all referrals and laboratory testing;
• Understand the terms of your insurance coverage;
• Scour the Internet for new protocols and providers near your home;
• Contact Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation or other non-profit agencies to help locate medical professionals and put you in touch with other mesothelioma patients;
• Rely on your family.  Give each a task or responsibility to help you secure the best treatment, and,
• Believe in yourself.
  

Hopefully, there will soon be significant changes in the insurance industry to allow people the ability to seek out the best care available even if it is outside of their insurance plan.

Lynn Collins has been helping mesothelioma patients and families for over 10 years. In this exclusive series she examines the book 100 Questions and Answers About Mesothelioma" by Harvey I. Pass, MD, Laura Roy, RN, and Susan Vento.

Cancer May Overtake Heart Disease

Heart disease may be losing its number one position in the next two years as cancer quickly takes its place as the number one killer. In reports released on Tuesday by international health experts, global cancer cases and deaths will more than double by the year 2030 with cancer becoming the number one cause of death worldwide by 2010.

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer reported that 12.4 million people would be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year and 7.6 million people will die globally. Much of this trend is attributed to a growing population, rising cancer cases among aging populations, as cancer is more common in the elderly, and an increasing rate of cigarette smoking in poorer countries.

Lung cancer was the most common form of new cases and deaths for men and breast cancer the most common type among women according to the report. There are more deaths among men from cancer than women and cancer currently accounts for approximately one in eight deaths worldwide. Many forms of cancer are still untreatable, such as mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.

Peter Boyle, director of the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that “this is going to present amazing problems at every level in every society worldwide” during a news conference. He also stated “there are more deaths in the world from cancer than from AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined."

Once believed to be a problem for Westernized, wealthier and industrialized countries, cancer has grown to become a global burden and has begun to impact poor and medium-income countries as well. Although wealthier countries have made progress in eliminating cigarette smoking, one of the most common causes of lung cancer and other illnesses, the tobacco industry has found new customers in developing countries, which have limited health budgets. This means that cancer treatment facilities are out of reach for many people and life-saving treatments are seldom available according to Boyle.

Although there has been progress against cancer in the United States and Europe through regular screenings for breast and colorectal cancer, an overall decline in smoking rates and improved cancer treatments, the global threat of cancer has not yet been recognized in some developing countries. For this reason, there has been a gathering of organizations calling on the government to act, including a request to ratify an international tobacco control treaty. These organizations include the American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Cancer Institute of Mexico, among others.

New Mesothelioma Clinical Trials in Texas and Pennsylvania

There are currently two clinical trials seeking patients with mesothelioma. The first is looking for patients with advanced stages of pleural mesothelioma in Pennsylvania and Texas. Merck & Co., Inc., a global pharmaceutical company, is conducting the study of the effects of Vorinostat, which is a type of histone deacetylase inhibitor. Participation will generally last for 24 weeks. The second is being conducted by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the pharmaceutical company Novartis to test the effects of Cisplatin, Pemetrexed and Imatinib Mesylate. This trial is also for patients diagnosed with advanced mesothelioma.

More information about the Pennsylvania mesothelioma clinical trial.
More information about the M.D. Anderson mesothelioma clinical trial.

Participation in a mesothelioma clinical trial is a personal choice. Only you can make the decision to participate in clinical mesothelioma research. With a cancer like mesothelioma, clinical trials are one of best opportunities researchers have to determine the benefits and risks of new mesothelioma treatments and, as treatment options are currently limited for mesothelioma patients, clinical trials may hold the answer to help slow the aggressive nature of the disease.

There are both benefits and risks involved in clinical trial participation. When you participate in clinical trials you will generally be receiving health care from a leading physician in the field and your health during the trial will be monitored very closely. If the approach being studied is helpful, you will be among the first to benefit, and there is the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a valuable contribution to mesothelioma research. However, when participating in clinical trials you are also subject to side effects and unknown risks of various treatments. There is also the risk that a new drug or procedure may not be as effective as current treatment options or the new approach may not work for you at all.

You should always consult with your own oncologist to determine if your participation in a clinical trial could be beneficial to your condition. It is also important to know that the government has a system in place to protect only government-funded human research projects, which includes both protocol and informed consent. Most importantly, you should never feel pressured to participate and you may change your mind about the study once you have been fully informed on the procedures, testing and time required. Once you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma your time is precious and you should use that time for what you want.

Vermont Asbestos Clean-up Will Cost Over $200 Million

State and federal officials announced in Northern Vermont that a clean up of the hazardous waste from the Belvidere Mountain asbestos mine located in Lowell and Eden, operated for nearly a century in Vermont, will cost over 200 million dollars. Although the mine has not been in operation for many years, there still remain piles of waste rock that contain asbestos, placing residents in nearby areas at risk for developing asbestos related illnesses and the painful asbestos cancer known as mesothelioma.

The Vermont Health Department has already identified that residents living near the mine are experiencing higher rates of lung cancer and asbestosis. Asbestos related illnesses can remain latent for 20-50 years and the rates of lung cancer incidences are likely to continue to grow.

Vermont Assistant Attorney General John Beling remains hopeful that the funding for the cleanup will come from charges being pressed against the Vermont Asbestos Group, but representatives of the asbestos group state that the company does not have the appropriate funds or assets to cover those costs. In addition, the Vermont Assistant Attorney General is looking to another previous asbestos mine owner, G-1 Holdings, to recover the costs of the clean up as well. G-1 Holdings is currently in bankruptcy. Although Beling realizes that they will not recover 100% of the over $200 million needed, they will get as much they can to aid clean up efforts.

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency spent almost $2 million last year in the area to stop waste minerals from damaging nearby streams and wetlands. The EPA is still deciding if the Belvidere Mountain asbestos mine should be added to the government’s Superfund list, which would make federal money and support available for the clean up.

Lung Cancer Awareness

Many cancer awareness organizations deemed last month as Lung Cancer Awareness month; this year lung cancer will claim the lives of over 100,000 Americans. In spite of such statistics, lung cancer often goes unrealized until it has reached an advanced level, making it difficult to treat. We'd like to encourage people to educate themselves and others to increase their awareness of lung cancer and related diseases such as mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure that affects thousands each year and is one of the most painful cancers and most difficult lung cancers to treat.

Doctors face difficulties in diagnosing any lung cancer, as there is no established screening process like the ones that exist for breast and prostate cancer diagnosis. Mesothelioma diagnoses are even more difficult to make due the long latency period and aggressive nature of the disease. Mesothelioma is generally directly associated with occupational and environmental asbestos exposure and although it is more commonly diagnosed in men over the age of 50, it has been discovered that more women and younger people have been exposed to second hand asbestos and they are at risk for a mesothelioma diagnosis as well.

We encourage all individuals who have been exposed to asbestos in their lifetime - whether occupationally, second hand, or environmentally - to speak with their doctors about their exposure. The earlier a mesothelioma diagnosis is made the greater number of treatment options are available. In addition, we urge you to participate in the many rallies and fundraisers throughout the year in support of lung cancer research and treatment. Building awareness will save lives, there are still a few days left to participate and build lung cancer awareness in your community.

Restoring Hope With Memories and The Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund

Restoring Hope With Memories And The Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund

Often times we see tragedy progress into hope, but the stories are always heartening and the story of Chris Knighton and the loss of her husband Mick Knighton does just that; brings tears to your eyes and empowers you at the same time.

Chris and Mick Knighton were a happily married, loving couple with children and grandchildren that they shared their joy for life with. In 2000, Mick had been experiencing difficulty breathing and the couple visited their doctor to investigate. Once they received the diagnosis, they were both shocked and saddened. Mick was diagnosed with mesothelioma and only 6 months to live.

Mesothelioma is a terminal cancer, caused by exposure to airborne asbestos, which can affect the lining of the stomach or, as in Mick’s case, the lining of the lungs (known as pleural mesothelioma). Due to the advanced nature of Mick’s condition upon diagnosis, there were no treatment options available, only means to help make him more comfortable.

Mick and his wife, Chris, were shocked to learn of the limited research and information available on mesothelioma and the family was even more surprised to learn that Mick had been exposed to asbestos during his time serving in the Navy, almost 50 years prior to his diagnosis. The Navy took no responsibility for Mick’s illness. This realization inspired Chris to launch a fundraising campaign, both to honor her husband, who died 7 months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, and to fund more research into this aggressive disease and new treatment options.

Out of the Knighton family’s tragedy was born the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, which raises awareness of mesothelioma and money for mesothelioma research. In 2002, Chris Knighton swore that her husband’s death would not be in vain and the thousands of other people exposed to asbestos would be recognized as she launched the fund.

In addition to the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, Chris launched the Snowdrop Fund that makes it easy for others to conduct fundraising efforts, as tributes to loved ones lost to or suffering with mesothelioma. The Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund helps to organize and promote Snowdrop Fund programs. It is this families hope that the combined efforts of both foundations can bring greater hope for the thousands of families who will be faced with mesothelioma diagnosis in the future.

Asbestos Tragedy of Libby Goes National

Libby is a beautiful picturesque town located in the northwest corner of Montana. Framed by the Cabinet Mountains and Kootenai River more than 12,000 people call Libby home and many of those people consider Libby to be their worst nightmare.

It's a subject we've often covered on this blog because it is one of the greatest, most well known asbestos tragedies of our time. Since 1999, the EPA has been investigating asbestos contaminated vermiculite in the area of Libby. This vermiculite was discovered in the 1800s by miners and in 1920, Zonolite began mining the substance. In 1963, W.R. Grace bought out the mining operation and in 1990 the plant was closed. It was later discovered that the vermiculite mined in this area for soil conditioners and building insulation contained naturally occurring asbestos materials. The same materials that can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos related illnesses.

Since the EPA and Emergency Response Teams attention was focused on Libby in 1999, in 2002, Libby was placed on the EPA’s National Priorities List. Properties and land in the area of Libby were inspected for asbestos materials. Extensive clean-up efforts have been taking place in the mine area and the community of Libby for years and samples are still tested today.

The tragedy of Libby lives on and moves beyond the small Montana town’s borders. The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry has identified 28 other states that processed a minimum of 100,000 tons of vermiculite from those asbestos laden Libby mines. Each of these sites has been instructed by the EPA to take action regarding their contamination and the spread of the deadly asbestos materials beyond the processing facilities.

In 2002, it had been determined that the mortality rates in Libby, Montana were 40% to 80% higher than expected and lung cancer mortality rates were increased as well. Employees of the plants that processed this asbestos laden vermiculite were exposed, as well as their family members, and residents in the area of facilities processing the vermiculite. The same risks hold true for those 28 other states that processed vermiculite from the Libby mines.

The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry has supplied public reports for those 28 states with facilities that, although they may no longer be in operation, may have exposed employees, employee family members and residents of the community to airborne asbestos.

Marathoner With Mesothelioma Finishes The Race

The Mercury News recently ran the inspiring story of Tom Kaisersatt, a 68-year-old runner in the 26.2-mile Silicon Valley Marathon, who finished the race in spite of the fact that he is currently undergoing treatment for mesothelioma.

Kaisersatt, a software developer for NASA-Ames, is also a well-known running coach in California. As a veteran of over 150 marathons himself, Kaiseratt had dedicated years of life to helping others finish the race by founding San Jose Fit that trains runners and walkers for marathons and long distance events. Kaiserett is noted by his past trainees as being the ideal coach and being continually supportive of each trainee, no matter how long it took them to get to the finish line.

Diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a terminal cancer generally caused by exposure to airborne asbestos, Kaisersatt was undergoing chemotherapy at the time of the race, but was determined to run the race even with his diminished lung capacity. Former trainees and friends made special arrangements with race organizers to allow Kaiseratt to perform portions of the race during the weeks prior and then complete the last 5 miles during the official race with runners from his own San Jose Fit organization.

Kaisersatt was proud to finish what may be his final race, as the next step in his mesothelioma treatment will be one final round of chemotherapy and then a possible extra-pleural pneumonectomy, which will mean the removal of his right lung. Kaisersatt is upbeat about his condition and feels confident that he will continue to live well even with the lung removal, but probably not be running in the next marathon.

The greatest blessing in this story is the number of yellow-shirted balloon toting “Team Tom” fans that lined the streets where the marathon was run and cheered in support of Kaisersatt’s inspirational story. Consisting of colleagues and former trainees, Kaisersatt was moved by the outstanding showing and overwhelmed by the support. The struggle with mesothelioma is far from over for Tom Kaisersatt, but the love and support will probably stay with him through these trying times.

Common Mesothelioma Questions & Answers

Whether it is you or a loved one who has been given a mesothelioma diagnosis, the same common set of questions often pop into our minds. These are mesothelioma issues we've covered often on this blog, but they are so important, so critical, that they are worth revisiting from time to time. Covering the basics of mesothelioma is at the core of what we are trying to do in our effort to connect patients and families with critical information. As with any illness, you will learn a lot as you meet with doctors, but it is important to do your own research as well. Here are some common mesothelioma questions we've heard asked over the years by newly diagnosed patients:

What exactly is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium and is caused from exposure to airborne asbestos particles being inhaled and injested. Mesothelioma typically infects the pleura (lungs) or peritoneum (abdomen). The asbestos cancer forms around the lining of the organs. When infected by asbestos fibers, the cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and begin to divide at a rapid rate often causing malignant cells to develop and spread.

What causes mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be attributed to exposure to asbestos. Due to the long latency period of the disease, the asbestos exposure most often occurs decades prior to diagnosis, between 30-40 years prior in many cases. Many diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the workplace; however, the dangers of this exposure were also taken home to family members. Even low levels of exposure can lead to the development of mesothelioma. In addition, there are environmental exposures from deteriorating buildings and old asbestos construction materials to natural occurring asbestos in the earth being disturbed.

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
If you have already received a mesothelioma diagnosis, then it may be a little less common to ask this question, but many family members and individuals in search of a second opinion are interested in understanding how mesothelioma is diagnosed. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of asbestosis, a non-cancerous yet life threatening inflammation of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos, and lung cancer, making it difficult to identify. A complete patient history is required to determine a mesothelioma diagnosis including any exposure to asbestos. Of course, a physical examination is conducted as well as x-rays of the chest and abdominal area. A CT scan, MRI and biopsy are most often used to make a mesothelioma diagnosis.

What are the mesothelioma treatment options?
The treatment of mesothelioma varies from case to case. Factors that influence treatment options for mesothelioma include the location of the asbestos cancer, how far the cancer has developed, and the age and health of the individual diagnosed. Treatment options include surgery to remove the cells, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The National Cancer Institute sponsors clinical trails to advance the treatment options for mesothelioma. Unfortunately, there currently is no cure for mesothelioma.

The toughest question, one of the first questions any normal person thinks of, is that of life expectancy. This must be determined on an individual basis. Like treatment, it depends greatly on the type of tumor (pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal mesothelioma), the stage of the disease, and the overall health of the patient.

Catonsville Pushing State of Maryland to Put Asbestos Rules In Place

Residents of Catonsville want bigger answers from the state of Maryland regarding asbestos hazards as a natural rock formation appeared in the middle of a construction site. Neighbors are not only worried about their health, but are growing even more concerned about state and county regulations regarding the rocks removal.

Why such a fuss about a rock? As it turns out this rock is asbestos. Exposure to airborne asbestos can lead to illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, a terminal cancer, and the construction company working on the site was crushing the rock, sending asbestos into the air.

Enterprise homes, the company performing the crushing, immediately stopped operations and willingly tested nearby homes for asbestos, but it is the State’s failures that have residents really upset. It is under question to many residents if the state of Maryland has adopted the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act that would deal with situations such as these. AHERA has multiple requirements, including inspecting known asbestos-containing materials every three years, maintaining up-to-date asbestos management plans and training custodial staff in handling the mineral. Many residents believe there are no county or state regulations to deal with asbestos exposure, but that federal standards should have been followed. The Maryland Department of the Environment expressed in a Hometown Annapolis article, that there is not a need to mandate asbestos handling guidelines for companies like Enterprise, when they are willing to cooperate and make efforts to remedy the situation.

Construction at the site in Catonsville has resumed, although the asbestos rock is no longer being crushed. Neighbors are left to deal with dust and residue from the site on their homes and in their yards. Although they are being told the residue has been tested and does not contain asbestos, many are still uncertain. There is no doubt that resident’s hope that state and local jurisdiction will come up with an action plan to deal with similar situations in the future.

North Carolina Community Concerned About Former Asbestos Mill

Residents of Davidson, NC are faced with a difficult community decision as a Raleigh developer approaches the Westside neighborhood with hopes to build a commercial or residential development on the former Metrolina Warehouse LLC site. Concerns have been raised as the site was formerly the Linden Cotton Mill and, before that, it was an asbestos mill.

GreenHawk, the Raleigh developers, have opened talks with the community through several neighborhood meetings. Most residents have expressed concerns regarding asbestos, which is still buried under a portion of the site from its previous use as an asbestos mill. It has been noted that the previous owner of the site encapsulated the asbestos according to federal environmental standards and it had been certified as safe. Yet many residents retell stories of illnesses and deaths of family and friends from what they believed to be exposure to asbestos.

Many residents have rallied together and distributed fliers regarding the dangers of asbestos exposure from the proposed development, should GreenHawk decide to remove the asbestos currently on site. This flier notes, “The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious diseases of the lungs and other organs that may not appear until years after the exposure occurs.” This fact is very true, as exposure to airborne asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, or asbestos cancer that can remain latent for many years and in many cases is terminal.

GreenHawk has been very responsive to the community concerns and have brought in many environmental specialists to speak with residents about the asbestos issue. GreenHawk currently leans toward the removal of the asbestos materials by a licensed asbestos abatement company and under the watchful eye of the EPA. Residents, however, are divided. Some residents express their desire to just leave the asbestos where it is, buried, where it can’t get into the air and do more damage. However, there is no guarantee that developing on the site would not compromise the integrity of the existing encapsulation.

The town residents and GreenHawk plan to arrange several more neighborhood meetings regarding the issue before any steps towards development are taken. Although they had not been contacted for previous meetings, town officials have been notified and plan to be part of further discussions.

Honoring Our Veterans

Today we are proud to honor the United States veterans throughout the world. We are forever proud of the men and women who have served America. It is important to honor them this Veterans Day and everyday, as they have continuously risked their lives to protect ours. At SimmonsCooper we also remember the many military veterans that have lost their lives to lung cancer and mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. We have been honored to represent veterans throughout the U.S., and today we honor them and the families they left behind.

How are Biopsies Performed and Which One is Right for Me?

In the book 100 Questions and Answers About Mesothelioma the authors ask the following: "How are biopsies performed and which one is right for me?" In my years of working with people that have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, when reviewing their medical records I find that often majority of the time fluid obtained from a thoracentesis or paracentesis is inconclusive for a mesothelioma diagnosis.

While the removal of the fluid provides relief it is very difficult to secure a firm diagnosis of mesothelioma. Why? Because sometimes the abnormal cells are so slight that they are impossible to tell apart from benign, reactive mesothelial cells or other large cells that contain waste or foreign bodies. And, if no abnormal or malignant cells are found in the fluid the patient is often misdiagnosed.

Problems arise when the procedure does not yield sufficient cells to perform the special staining required to diagnose mesothelioma. Extracted fluid that is very thick tends to contain more cells making evaluation by way of immunohistochemical (IHC) or special staining easier to secure a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

The procedure to obtain fluid for cytological analysis requires a local anesthesia and a special needle to drain the fluid. This procedure can normally be performed in the doctor’s office.

A pleural biopsy consists of fluid and a small amount of tissue from the pleura. If the immunohistochemical staining (sometimes referred to as immunos) comes back as inconclusive, then more evasive procedures may be required to confirm a diagnosis. Your doctor may perform a thoracoscopy (a lighted scope with or without a camera). This involves making a small incision in your chest wall and placing a thin tube, called a thoracoscope, into your chest. This enables your physician to look inside your chest and obtain tissue samples. Not only can this procedure obtain tissue samples necessary to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis it can also help your doctor determine the amount and whereabouts of the disease helping him to formulate a treatment plan.

If, through radiological observation, there appears to be more solid tumor than fluid, then your doctor will recommend an open biopsy. The incision is determined by the size of the thickened pleura and should be done by a thoracic surgeon with knowledge of mesothelioma. Normally a tissue sample measuring from 1 to 1½ inches in diameter is harvested to provide the pathologist adequate tissue to make a diagnosis.

You should follow your doctor’s advice on which procedure should be used for your diagnosis as he is the best one to determine your physical ability to undergo these diagnostic procedures.

Everyday - even this very minute - dedicated researchers are diligently working to advance our ability to diagnose mesothelioma through immunohistochemical staining and other special procedures less evasive in hopes that early detection may aide in the treatment of mesothelioma patients.

Lynn Collins has been helping mesothelioma patients and families for over 10 years. In this exclusive series she examines the book 100 Questions and Answers About Mesothelioma" by Harvey I. Pass, MD, Laura Roy, RN, and Susan Vento.

Greater Research for Environmental Asbestos Exposure

For years mesothelioma concerns have been focused on the occupational environment, for those exposed to asbestos materials in the workplace and the people these workers were in daily contact with outside of the workplace. Only recently have researchers started to focus on asbestos fibers in the general environment and they are finding that asbestos is affecting more than just workers exposed to airborne asbestos.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen and is recognized for contribu