What is mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer, comes with considerable uncertainty. Most
doctors — and even many oncologists — do not see it enough to understand its intricacies, or know the
latest and most effective way of treating it.
Bringing clarity to the disease will spark much-welcomed hope for a patient and his family.
Mesothelioma cancer is typically caused by a long-before occupational and prolonged exposure to
microscopic asbestos fibers, which are unknowingly inhaled or ingested.
They become lodged in the thin lining around the lungs or abdomen, slowly causing scaring and often
leading to any number of serious health problems, including mesothelioma often decades later.
But despite the gloom-and-doom scenario most often heard upon a diagnosis, times are changing.
Clinical trials today are uncovering newer and more effective types of treatment, often harnessing a
patient’s own immune system to do the work. Therapies are becoming more tailored, chemotherapy
more targeted, surgeries more refined.
Resources for Mesothelioma
More survivors are living longer and more fulfilling lives. There are good reasons for optimism.
There are resources available to help a mesothelioma patient. Here are some tips for both patients and
their families:
They are most effective when used in conjunction with standard therapy.
Caregivers need to care for themselves too.
As a patient, take care of yourself, both mentally and physically. Caregivers must find time to eat right and recharge their batteries, even with a demanding schedule. The better a caregiver feels, the better a patient’s care will be.