The more you are aware of mesothelioma, the more adequately equipped you will be to deal with it physically and psychologically. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, and reproductive organs. The primary known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or consumed, they can lodge in the mesothelium. Asbestos fibers can irritate healthy tissue for decades once they enter the body. Asbestos fibers can induce mesothelioma cells to form after 20 to 50 years of exposure. Unfortunately, the average prognosis is much shorter, ranging from four to eighteen months. Each year, about 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma. With treatment, the usual life expectancy is 12-21 months. Men account for approximately 75% of all mesothelioma victims. If you have or know someone who has mesothelioma, it is wise to educate oneself about the disease.
The following is the list of ten things you should be aware of about mesothelioma.
1- It is not the end of life
Despite the fact that malignant mesothelioma, one of the most deadly tumors, has no treatment, there are enough success stories to give us hope. There are exceptions to the conventional dismal prediction, such as survivors who have lived five years or even a decade or two, so make that choice the next one.
2- Find the Right Experienced Doctor
Even skilled oncologists are sometimes unfamiliar with actually what is mesothelioma and the complexities it may arise. You don’t want someone who comes once or twice a year to see it. You need a superb specialist now more than ever, someone who sees it every day. You are deserving of the best. It will have an impact. Even if you don’t live near them, make every effort to see at least one of them. Don’t allow money to stop you from going. Some of these experts collaborate with charitable groups to aid with expenses.
3- Alternative Treatment Options Are Available
It’s not necessarily true that your doctor’s treatment is the only ideal plan. With mesothelioma, even professionals cannot guarantee success. If surgery is recommended, consider the quality of life implications. This is not an illness that fits everyone. Conventional therapy isn’t always the best option, and there is no harm in looking for other alternative therapeutic approaches.
4- Good Diet and Nutrition are Significant
Even if you don’t feel like it, eating healthy can make a big difference. Although a good diet can not cure cancer, nutritional therapy can help your immune system function more efficiently and fight cancer more effectively. There are certain advantages to eating healthily. Keep a food diary and track your intake. There are foods that should be consumed and foods that should be avoided. Keep track of the foods that make you feel better. Traditional mesothelioma therapies are extremely harmful to the body.
5- Identify Your Legal Rights
The struggle against mesothelioma can be pricey, even with the best health insurance. Make an appointment with a lawyer who has experience with similar cases. Lawyers, like physicians, need experience with mesothelioma cases. Companies that manufactured asbestos-containing items were well aware of its dangers. They were irresponsible. They must be held responsible. A skilled mesothelioma lawyer can assist you.
6- You’re Not Alone
Sharing both your highs and lows might provide you and others an emotional boost. There are support groups available to assist. Find one and get involved. Patients with mesothelioma were all exposed to asbestos at some point. They share a characteristic. You’re not by yourself. There is a strong and friendly community, both online and in-person, to combat isolation. You’d be astonished at how much you get from serving others. Accept your new reality. Despite our best efforts, there are evident and permanent changes in the life of both the patient and their family. Instead of mainly focusing on your cancer, live your life. Treatments and post-treatment side effects get entangled with our life, but you may battle this by finding joy and bringing friends and family in the loop.
7- Mesothelioma Is Prevalent In Veterans
This is a disease that is most commonly associated with blue-collar occupations, but it has impacted the Armed Forces the hardest, notably the Navy, whose ships built before 1980 were laden with asbestos from bow to stern. Navy veterans are at risk of developing mesothelioma, and before law firms specializing in mesothelioma cases were created, support for navy veterans was mostly ignored.
8- Search And Participate In A Clinical Trial
Since there’s no permanent cure, clinical trials are always in progress, with the latest drugs and therapies being evaluated. You might get lucky and encounter one who is extremely helpful. At the very least, participating gives you an emotional boost and a sense of belonging. Who knows, you might be able to help find a cure.
9- Asbestos Export Mafia Exists
Despite the fact that asbestos has been outlawed in approximately 60 nations worldwide, it is still mined in Canada and marketed in large amounts to developing countries, primarily in Asia and Africa. Although its use is banned in the United States and Canada, it is nevertheless found in some items in the United States. Future generations can benefit by speaking up and raising awareness about this issue.
10- Genetics’ Role in Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma does not affect everyone who is exposed to asbestos. Far from it, in fact. Despite the fact that this is one of the few malignancies that is usually caused by direct negligence at work, some people are more predisposed to it than others. A person’s risk of acquiring mesothelioma can be increased if their BAP1 gene is mutated at birth. The BAP1 gene mutation is frequently inherited, although it can also arise as cells become cancerous later in life.
After being diagnosed with this disease, the most crucial thing is to seek out centers of excellence for a thorough evaluation before commencing any treatment. We must bring mesothelioma awareness and research to the spotlight to give hope to those suffering, those who will be diagnosed in the future, and all families affected by the disease.
