Mesothelioma Facts
When discussing mesothelioma, it is important to separate fact from fiction. Here are 10 important facts about mesothelioma. You can get more complete information about mesothelioma by contacting us for your free Meso Guide.
FACT #1: Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the mesothelial tissue that surrounds the lungs (pleura), the abdomen (peritoneum) or the testes. These three types of mesothelioma are: pleural mesothelioma (the most common), peritoneal mesothelioma (less common) and testicular mesothelioma (the least common by far).
FACT#2: Mesothelioma is a very rare cancer compared to many other cancers. There are approximately 3,000 mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the United States each year. By comparison, over 150,000 lung cancer are diagnosed each year, and over 200,000 breast cancer cases diagnosed each year.
FACT #3: There is no cure for mesothelioma. However, we have seen great progress in the last decade in treatments and surgical options that are extending the lives of mesothelioma patients. We are now seeing some mesothelioma patients that are living five years and even ten years or more after diagnosis. Better surgical options and better individualized treatments are some of the reasons why progress is being made. There is more hope for mesothelioma patients than ever.
FACT#4: Mesothelioma patients, including those that do not qualify for surgeries or traditional chemotherapy treatments, can now find clinical trials throughout the United States. You can find more updated information about clinical trials in our free Meso Guide. In particular, our free Meso Guide includes an updated book about all mesothelioma clinical trial in the United States.
FACT #5: Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There is no other proven cause of mesothelioma in the United States. Mesothelioma is referred to as a “signature” or “sentinel” disease by the medical community. This means that when a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, this signals that the person previously had a significant exposure to asbestos.
FACT #6: Mesothelioma is not caused by smoking. Studies have found no connection between a person’s smoking history and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is also not caused by a person’s genetic makeup. While a person’s genes can make him or her more susceptible to getting mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, the asbestos exposure is what causes the disease.
FACT #7: A person will not automatically get mesothelioma if they are exposed to asbestos. This is similar to the fact that not all people who smoke will develop lung cancer. However, a person who is exposed to asbestos is at a significant risk for developing mesothelioma. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure and even brief exposures to asbestos can cause mesothelioma.
FACT #8: Mesothelioma does not receive significant federal government funding for research. This is the case despite the fact that roughly one-third of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos in the U.S. Armed Forces. Mesothelioma research funding has come mostly from the legal community and patient community, with some additional funding coming from corporate donors.
FACT #9: Mesothelioma cases are very rarely seen by most hospitals. This is why there are mesothelioma centers that have been established at various locations around the country. Mesothelioma centers provide a multi-disciplinary approach to treating mesothelioma and many of these centers see hundreds of mesothelioma patients each year.
FACT #10: Financial compensation is available for many mesothelioma victims through bankruptcy trust funds and through filing a case in court. Our free Meso Guide contains a Financial Compensation Booklet that provides information on many topics including bankruptcy trust funds, filing a case in court and verdicts and settlements that have been achieved in mesothelioma cases.
For more information, contact us today for your free Meso Guide.
