World Cancer Day Helps in Fight Against Mesothelioma

Today is World Cancer Day, sponsored by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and supported by the American Cancer Society.  Cancer is the leading cause of death around the world, and lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer in both men and women.  Some types of lung cancer could be completely avoided if toxins were not introduced to the body.  Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is one of those types of lung cancer that could have been avoided, as it is primarily linked with asbestos, a naturally occurring yet carcinogenic mineral.

Sadly, about 3000 people a year in the United States alone are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of internal organs that has no cure.  What even more sad is that mesothelioma could have been completely prevented if the companies that manufactured, sold and distributed ( in others words made a lot of money off of) asbestos had revealed what they knew or at least warned employees and put warnings on products made with asbestos.  Evidence from as early as the 1930’s showed that exposure to asbestos caused serious illnesses, including fatal forms of cancer.  Yet companies did nothing to adequately inform, protect or prevent harmful exposure to millions across the globe.

Asbestos use was regulated in the United States in the early 1980’s, yet exposure still continues.  One, there are still thousands of asbestos containing products in buildings, ships, cars that were made before the restrictions.  Two, Canada is still exporting a form of asbestos called chrysotile.  And, three, many developing countries are still using asbestos, without giving warnings or taking precautions to prevent dangerous exposure.

So…what does this have to do with World Cancer Day???  There are many ways that one can support ending cancer worldwide, including mesothelioma, through the ACS and UICC.  Today, at sunset, the Empire State Building in New York will be illuminated in orange and blue lights to mark World Cancer Day and show tribute to the millions whose lives are affected by cancer and other non-communicable diseases.  You can join people all over the world who are committed to lower the cancer burden in any number of ways by checking out the resource or event section of the UCIC website:  http://www.worldcancerday.org/wcd-resources.

On September 19 and 20, the United Nations Summit will meet to discuss and come up with ways to respond to threats that continue to cause cancer and other disease, especially preventable threats.  One way to get involved is through making your voice heard and stories known and asking the UN to add chrysotile asbestos to the United Nations Watch List (read our recent article Asbestos Kills Yet Key Stakeholders Block from Global Blacklist)

Join global efforts to end cancer, and especially mesothelioma – a cancer so preventable if enough voices protested the continued use of asbestos and if the people at risk of being exposed who were warned and protected.  We ask that you do something, anything.  We see our clients suffer from this disease every day, and although we are dedicated to successfully fighting mesothelioma lawsuits to help them get financial help for treatment and for their families, our greatest hope is that measures be taken so no one else is ever exposed.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 4th, 2011 at 6:02 pm and is filed under Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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Workers exposed to asbestos at a UK university

UK Health and Safety Executives investigated another asbestos exposure incident, this one at Aston University in Birmingham. The school recently hired Access Fire and Security Ltd. to install cameras in their recreational center’s reception area. Two workers and a teenage trainee were assigned the job. Once work began, two members of the crew were exposed to asbestos when they began drilling to mount new security cameras.

Asbestos is present in countless building materials worldwide and in the UK, though in the latter concern is specific to materials manufactured and installed before 2000. Floor and ceiling tiles are common residential and commercial building materials containing asbestos. Roofing tiles, plumbing gaskets and insulation are among the many other items containing the toxic chemical.

Asbestos is the cause of many lung and respiratory illness including the rare and fatal cancer mesothelioma. Once asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can begin a mutation process in the cells on lung lining which develops into an irregularly patterned cancer. Mesothelioma takes decades to demonstrate recognizable symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as pneumonia.

There are no known curative mesothelioma treatments and prognosis is grim. Average life expectancy following diagnosis is eighteen months. Many mesothelioma patients are moving to palliative treatment regimens to manage pain and quality of life.

Health and Safety Executive inspector, Karl Raw, responded to the Aston University investigation. “While the amount of asbestos involved in this incident was small, two people now have to live with the knowledge that they may become ill from lung disease in the future,” he said.

Both Aston University and Access Fire and Security, Ltd. are being held responsible for this incident. Raw said, “Aston University failed to ensure university employees and others working across the site were aware of the presence of asbestos fibres. Surveys on the location and conditions of asbestos and materials containing asbestos had been carried out across the university but there was no procedure for communicating the details to contractors. Access Fire and Security Ltd, a long-term contractor with the university, had never been given any information about asbestos – and had never asked for it. They also failed to assess whether asbestos was present, what type of asbestos was involved and what condition it was in, before undertaking work.”

The case was heard in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court where Aston University and Access Fire and Security Ltd. pled guilty of violating asbestos control regulations.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 at 7:45 AM and is filed under General, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Removing Christmas Decorations may Pose Asbestos Threat

Caution while removing Christmas decorations stored in the attic! Removing your holiday tinsel and lights could carry a hidden health risk of mesothelioma a rare but aggressive form of cancer that is caused almost exclusively asbestos.

It is estimated that around 35 million homes in the United States are insulated with an insulation known as Zonolite which has been found to contain fibers of asbestos. Zonolite is most commonly found in older homes throughout the US but is unlikely to pose a health risk if left undisturbed. However, removing Christmas decorations could cause a disturbance. Zonolite has not been sold for years, but the longer it remains in homes, the greater the likelihood that it will become disturbed and produce dust.

In the past asbestos was once a popular form of ‘safe’ artificial snow.  It was mixed with mica and sold in the 1930’s as ‘snow drift’ to be liberally sprinkled indoors around Christmas trees, or used to flock their branches.  After the health risks of asbestos came to light, these products were taken off the market.

The EPA recommends that homeowners do not remove asbestos themselves and that it be left intact in its place.  Asbestos that must be removed should be removed by a trained abatement professional.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma contact Legal View to learn about your legal options at 866-9LAW-NOW. Our operators are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 1-866-952-9669. Visit LegalView for more information about finding a potential mesothelioma lawyer and other information about environmental toxins, including asbestos.

Tags: Asbestos, Mesothelioma

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 at 7:31 am and is filed under Asbestos & Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Dressed Up Your Rooms with Beautiful Rugs

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Halliburton Securities Fraud Case

Investors who purchased Halliburton stock between 1999 and 2001 filed a lawsuit in Federal Court seeking money damages. The complaint alleges that Halliburton’s CEO fraudulently underestimated Halliburton’s asbestos liabilities, overstated revenues and further overestimated the benefits of its1998 merger with Dresser Industries, Halliburton’s rival and a corporation with known asbestos related liabilities.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that includes chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and actinolite asbestos, causes serious diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.  People who have experienced an asbestos related injury can file a claim or lawsuit against manufacturers and companies responsible for the exposure to asbestos and sue for recovery of damages.   The corporation that manufactured and supplied the asbestos or asbestos containing products then assumes “asbestos-related liabilities” related to such claims.  Successors who purchase these companies often assume responsibility for these liabilities.

The Plaintiffs allege that when Halliburton finally corrected its estimates of their liabilities as well as benefits, the stock price dropped and lost nearly 80% of its value. Halliburton’s split off the Dresser division in 2001 forming Dresser, Inc. Dresser, Inc. purchased its equity back from Halliburton’s management and is now a separate entity. The plaintiff shareholders sought to have the case certified as a class action in federal court. Defendant Halliburton appealed the lower court’s certification.

In a blow to plaintiffs, the Appellate Court ruled in favor of Halliburton finding that plaintiffs could only get class action certification if they first proved by a preponderance of the evidence, that the alleged misrepresentations caused the stock price to fall, resulting in investor losses.” A very high standard. The Plaintiffs petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review Appellate Court’s decision.

Before deciding to review the plaintiffs’ petition, the Supreme Court had asked the United State’s Solicitors’ office last October to file a brief expressing the views of the U.S. Government. The Obama Administration agreed and filed a brief urging the court to review the case. The Administration believes that Plaintiffs should have the benefit of full discovery of the facts before the court requires them to prove an important element of their case at the class certification stage of the case.

Oral arguments are expected in May 2011 and a decision on the standard for class certification is expected as early June. The case is Erica P. John Fund, Inc. v. Halliburton Co., et al., Docketed May 19, 2010, Lower Court United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Case No. (08-11195) Current docket No. 09-1403.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 16th, 2011 at 6:51 am and is filed under Asbestos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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New neighborhood planned on asbestos waste site

Developers in Australia’s Molonglo valley have come to a sudden halt in plans for a new suburban neighborhood. Excavating was stopped when an old landfill was found on the site. Possibly 100,000 tons of asbestos waste material have been dumped and covered under the ground.

Administrators in the development project are now considering options for proceeding. Safety for workers and potential residents is a priority. Asbestos dust and fibers cause severe respiratory illnesses including mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer with no known curative treatment.

Budget and government funding plays a big part in the decision as well. David Dawes of Land and Property Service wants to find a solution that will not require relocating the entire project, or the waste, to a new location. He said, “There’s quite good ways of dealing with that without the expense of pulling it all away and burying it in another hole. So we can actually look at different solutions that we can overcome with that and minimise any cost blowouts of the project.”

Project administrators are facing a heavy burden and a delicate decision as work has already started and plans are underway. Chief Minister Jon Stanhope responded to the find. He said, “I would not have agreed to this project, the Cabinet would certainly not have approved the project if it had come to us as say a $37, $38, $40 million job. I can’t walk away from the fact that these sorts of issues shouldn’t happen, they have and I’ll seek to ensure it won’t happen again.”

This particular piece of land does not have a hidden past. It was once used as a sewage plant as well as a waste site. Neil Savery, CEO of ACTPLA (Australian Capital Territory Planning and Land Authority) said, “It’s on the contaminated site register and that’s lead to investigations for the better part of five years. On the contaminated site register it’s essentially identified as a site of interested it doesn’t tell you exactly what’s there.” He continues, “We’ve done over 10 investigations to establish what’s in the ground, how extensive it is. The contractor has gone in and has started excavating, it’s taken a while to get down to the bottom level, and it’s found that asbestos – it’s solid cement sheeting – it is spread over a large geographical area, it’s not deposited in one or two locations.”

The project has been stopped until at least middle of next year.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 at 7:59 AM and is filed under General, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Survival Challenges

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is not as common as other types of rare disease, but it is the most serious form of mesothelioma. It is a very aggressive cancer that resists many treatments. The prognosis for patients who are diagnosed with this deadly cancer is not good and death usually occurs within five to six months after diagnosis. But, fortunately, it is one of the least common forms of mesothelioma that only accounts for approximately 10 percent of the mesothelioma cases diagnosed each year.Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is not as common as other types of rare disease, but it is the most serious form of mesothelioma. It is a very aggressive cancer that resists many treatments. The prognosis for patients who are diagnosed with this deadly cancer is not good and death usually occurs within five to six months after diagnosis. But, fortunately, it is one of the least common forms of mesothelioma that only accounts for approximately 10 percent of the mesothelioma cases diagnosed each year.

Because of the short survival time, it is critical that if you suspect you might be suffering from sarcomatoid mesothelioma seek treatment immediately. Even though sarcomatoid mesothelioma is one of the most difficult forms of disease to diagnose and treat, it is imperative that patients detect the signs early and seek professional help by talking to their doctors about all types of asbestos exposure related illnesses. An accurate diagnosis is extremely important for treatment. Early detection will increase the life- span and also improve the quality of life of sarcomatoid mesothelioma patients.

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is detected by examination of a section of suspect tissue using a high powered microscope. Biopsy is used to remove a section of the tissue. Because sarcomatoid mesothelioma develops in the same areas of the body and has a similar irregular oval shape as other cancer cells, it is sometimes confused for other cancer cells like sarcomatoid carcinoma and sarcoma.

There are three types of mesothelioma; biphasic, epithelial and sarcomatoid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is grouped by the appearance of cells viewed under a microscope. The cells can divide into other types of cancerous mesothelioma cells called:

Acinar cellClear cellSmall cell Tubopapillary cell

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with sarcomatoid mesothelioma, you must seek legal advice and compensation. Contact a mesothelioma attorney who is knowledgeable in sarcomatoid mesothelioma and specializes in asbestos exposure lawsuits. A mesothelioma lawsuit can help victims of asbestos exposure and family members get compensation for their medical expenses, emotional suffering, lost income, and other sarcomatoid mesothelioma survival challenges.

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Mesothelioma Dose Response

mesothelioma dose response

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer involving mesothelial tissues of body organs usually lungs or abdominal.Visit Here http://mesotheliomatreatment-option.blogspot.com

 It is often caused by exposure to asbestos. However, there are 30-50% of patients without any history of asbestos exposure. People who have received asbestos exposure of as little as one or two months to very low doses are at risk of mesothelioma cancer. Even people who wash clothes of asbestos exposed people are at risk. A person exposed to asbestos could develop mesothelioma after 50 years of exposure.

People in the occupations such as construction jobs in shipyards, insulators, boilermakers, etc. are at the risk of contracting asbestos disease.

The 2 common types of mesothelioma are:

Pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) and Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen organs).

The survival time for a patient with diffuse malignant mesothelioma is from 4 to 24 months from the observance of the symptoms. Mesothelioma is also difficult to diagnose.

The chance of recovery for a patient with mesothelioma depends on size and location of the cancer, age of the patient and his response to the treatment.

People in the occupations such as construction jobs in shipyards, insulators, boilermakers, etc. are at the risk of contracting asbestos disease.

The 2 common types of mesothelioma are:

Pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) and Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen organs).

The survival time for a patient with diffuse malignant mesothelioma is from 4 to 24 months from the observance of the symptoms. Mesothelioma is also difficult to diagnose.

The chance of recovery for a patient with mesothelioma depends on size and location of the cancer, age of the patient and his response to the treatment.

Presently, the treatment options for mesotheliomas are:
# Radiation therapy

# Chemotherapy

# Surgery and Photodynamic therapy

There is some evidence that provitamin A or beta-carotene may decrease the risk of mesothelioma.Visit Here http://mesotheliomatreatment-option.blogspot.com

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Account limit of 2000 requests per hour exceeded. This entry was posted on Sunday, December 19th, 2010 at 1:43 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Mesothelioma victim unable to complete lawsuit

Helen Wickings from Wallington, UK has died from mesothelioma in the midst of her suit against Inland Revenue tax offices. Mrs. Wickings, who was 65 when she died, had filed against offices in Croydon and Epsom believing her work at these locations exposed her to asbestos fibers.

Mrs. Wickings said the dusty archives at the Croydon location and the exposed pipes of the boiler room in Epsom were the sources of asbestos fibers that led to her case of mesothelioma. Her jobs required her to spend time in both places, filing in the archives of Croydon and reading meters in the Epsom boiler room.

Mrs. Wickings’s case had been postponed while her solicitors gathered additional evidence. It was Mrs. Wickings’s hope that compensation won in the case would provide for her disabled husband, Ernie, after she was gone.

Asbestos is thought to be the sole cause of rare cancer mesothelioma. Although safe if contained, airborne asbestos fibers pose a health threat if inhaled. Mesothelioma development can begin in the lung lining and lining of other abdominal cavities if asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs. This development takes twenty to fifty years to demonstrate symptoms often going unnoticed until then. When symptoms do begin they mimic those of bronchitis and pneumonia making diagnosis difficult.

Following diagnosis of mesothelioma, patient life expectancy is short, averaging eighteen months. Mesothelioma treatments are available and include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or palliative care. There is no known cure for mesothelioma.

Mrs. Wickings said of her condition, “I thought it might be bronchitis or pneumonia at first, it just started as a bad cough.” She became aware of the need for heightened asbestos and mesothelioma awareness. “This needs publicity, because other people need to realise they might have been in danger,” she said.

Mrs. Wickings’s health deteriorated quickly in her last few months. Once active and exercising regularly, she began to struggle with walking.

Her sister, Janet Martin said, “It was not until after Christmas that she began to go downhill very rapidly. She was struggling at Christmas but got through it and was able to spend it with her family.” She continued, “She was a wonderful woman, she was always taking the initiative. She was very active and loved growing vegetables in her allotment.”

An estimated fifteen to twenty thousand people die of mesothelioma annually around the world. The World Health Organization expects that number to quickly increase to ninety thousand if asbestos use is not drastically minimized.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 at 6:54 AM and is filed under General, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Mesothelioma Signs Symptoms

mesothelioma signs symptoms

Mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer that attacks and kills the membranes. Individuals anywhere may take the symptoms of mesothelioma; it is a unique disease that symptoms do not usually manifest themselves until anywhere from 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Early symptoms tend to be general, they often go ignored or else confused for symptoms of less serious ailments. For patients and doctors, this is the most frustrating aspect of the disease. The latency period of mesothelioma is lengthy; making the disease undiagnosable until its later stages when symptoms finally begin to appear and little can be done to slow the progress of the disease.  However, people begin to feel and show mesothelioma symptoms two to three months prior after being diagnosed.

Mesothelioma is a dreaded cancer that is commonly caused by asbestos exposure. Unfortunate fact that many people in different country is poisoned by the deadly toxic levels of asbestos. The deadly inhalation of asbestos fibers victimized many people that cause them diseases like lung cancer.

People who are in great danger to have Mesothelioma are those who worked in the asbestos industry or in fields in which asbestos is used as a component of a product. Many who have mesothelioma worked for many years in jobs that have frequent contact with asbestos. Every time that this mineral is being , processed, woven, sprayed or manipulated, its microscopic fibers can be released into the air, where they may be inhaled, initiating the development of mesothelioma.

The symptoms of mesothelioma vary from case to case and with the severity of the illness. Type of mesothelioma - whether pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial - determines what are the symptoms might be. Most of the time, the general overall health of one person, as well as his/her age, may also play a role in how the patient is affected by the disease and which symptoms are most bothersome.

There are three types of mesothelioma:

Pleural mesothelioma – a medical term for the lethal mesothelioma lung cancer caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. (Symptoms: difficulty swallowing, weight loss, coughing, swelling in the upper body, particularly the face and arms, muscle weakness, pain in the side of the chest,  fatigue, sweating, shortness of breath, and lower back pain.)Peritoneal mesothelioma - affects the cells of the abdominal lining, also known as the peritoneum, which supports and protects organs in the abdomen. (Symptoms: vomiting, bowel obstruction, stomach pain, weight loss, swollen belly, blood clotting abnormalities, fever, nausea, and anemia.)Pericardial mesothelioma - affects the pericardium, which is a membranous lining that surrounds the heart, providing both support and protection to the organ. (Symptoms: persistent coughing, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and chest pain.)

Other signs can be jaundice, blood clots, organ bleeds, and fluid buildup in organs and lungs.

If you have a history of asbestos exposure and have experienced any of these symptoms, you should consult with a physician immediately. The earlier that mesothelioma is found, the better the chances for survival and higher quality of life.

Lawyers, arbitrators and mediators of Miskin Law Offices have the efficient and effective Canadian Asbestos Lawyers. They represent Canadians and others with serious physical illness caused by asbestos, making claims against US manufacturers. If you are considering a claim and have not contacted an Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer yet you may want to consider them to represent you in your legal battle.

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Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure- Signs You Have Been Exposed

Tags: asbestos, cancer, mesothelioma, oklahoma_mesothelioma

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 at 3:52 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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The So-Called Job Killing Health Reform Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the “Repealing the Job Killing Health Care Law Act”, which is the name House Republicans gave their bill repealing the health reform act that became law last spring. But is the name of the new House bill honest? Is the new health care reform law really “job killing”?

Andrew Leonard explains how Republicans figured the health reform law they call “Obamacare” would kill jobs:

“The primary evidence for their assertion is based on a line in the CBO analysis of the bill that estimates that the labor supply might drop by one-half of 1 percent as a result of the passage of the ACA. The Republicans multiplied the total number of jobs in the country by half a percent and came up with a total of 650,000 jobs lost”

But the “labor supply” isn’t jobs. The labor supply is the number of employees and people looking for jobs.

According to the CBO, healthcare reform could result in a lower labor supply because workers may voluntarily leave their jobs, secure in the knowledge that they would still have access to healthcare.

In most of the United States, insurance companies can refuse to issue policies to people with pre-existing conditions. Earlier this week, the Secretary of Health and Human Services released a study that said as many as 129 million Americans under the age of 65 have medical conditions that an insurance company could “red flag” as a reason to deny insurance.

Access to health care is a huge worry to Americans, including Americans with the deadly lung cancer mesothelioma. The cost of mesothelioma treatment could be ruinous to the uninsured.

Many of these 129 million people do have insurance today, because they obtained insurance policies while they were healthy. But if they lost their insurance because of, say, a job loss, they may have to wait until 2014 until they can be insured again. Beginning in 2014, a provision in the health care reform law goes into effect that requires insurance companies to insure people with “pre-existing conditions.” But the Republican bill repeals that.

I’ve written previously why I don’t think health care reform will be repealed.  Beside the fact that the insurance industry does not want the act entirely repealed, to become law the Republican bill still has to be passed in the Senate — doubtful — and not vetoed by President Obama — when hell freezes over.

Assuming the law is not repealed and all of its provisions go into effect, most economists say it’s impossible to predict with certainty if the law will have any effect on employment, one way or another. However, economist Steven Pearlstein wrote of health care reform, “Since the immediate impact of the measure will be to allow 30 million more Americans the chance to buy drugs and medical services from doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, it’s hard to imagine a more effective way to reduce employment in the one sector that is actually adding jobs.”

That’s right; even several months after the passage of the dreaded “Obamacare,” the health care industry is growing far more robustly than the rest of our economy. Go figure.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 at 4:03 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Researchers report aspects of mesothelioma survival rates

On November 5, 2010, the Journal of Thoracic Oncology reported a study done by University of Rochester researchers looking for significant factors associated with longer life expectancy of mesothelioma patients. Spanning decades of case studies, researchers found several factors associated with life expectancy and survival rates of mesothelioma victims.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer with no known cure. Aggressive mesothelioma treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and rehabilitative therapies. A combination of treatments is typical for mesothelioma cases. However, many mesothelioma patients choose palliative treatments rather than fighting the cancer directly. Palliative care focuses on pain management and quality of life.

Mesothelioma cancer is specific to the lining of lungs and other abdominal cavities. Most typically associated with the toxic chemical asbestos, mesothelioma can begin to develop after asbestos fibers are inhaled. These fibers begin a mutation process which results in growth and spread of irregularly patterned tumors.

Development times for mesothelioma are characteristically long. Often patients do not demonstrate signs or symptoms until decades after exposure to asbestos. Many mesothelioma patients have no idea they were exposed to the toxic fibers until they have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and the symptoms are easily assumed to be that of pneumonia or other treatable respiratory illnesses. These factors make mesothelioma difficult to detect early.

The study by University of Rochester looked at 9,701 mesothelioma cases diagnosed between 1973 and 2006. Results proved survival rates dropped drastically as time extended from original diagnosis. Survival rates were 55% after six months, 33% after one year and 5% after five years.

Factors proving positive in patient survival were varied. Female patients and patients in younger years had longer life expectancies. Tumor grade and histology also played a part in survival rates with lower tumor grade and epithelioid histology (a more common structure of mesothelioma cells) being associated with higher survival rates. Cancer-direct surgery and radiotherapies also proved to have greater impact on patient’s potential for longer life.

The Department of Radiation Oncology at James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading research institutes in cancer and radiation technology. Their mission “is to cure cancers when possible while always aiming to improve the quality of life of patients, to advance the science of cancer therapy through clinical and basic research, and to train young oncologists to carry these goals forward.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 at 6:35 AM and is filed under General, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Mesothelioma Disease Process

mesothelioma disease process

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that originates in the mesothelium which is the protective lining covering the internal organs of the body such as the lungs, heart and abdomen. The cells in these tissues get malignant when the individual inhales particles and fibers of asbestos over a long period of time. When these regions get affected, the areas become dry and tumours begin to grow around these organs. The most commonly detected kind of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. Of all the cases that are diagnosed with mesothelioma, 75% of them are pleural. The other two kinds are peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma.

The process of recovery is indeed a difficult one and requires the individual to have great will power, emotional and physical endurance, a healthy network of friends and relatives, a well experienced medical expert and the best medical facilities. Being well equipped about the disease is the basic that an individual needs to do once he is detected with mesothelioma. The disease is not easily noticeable in the earlier stages as it takes years for the symptoms to surface. The most common early symptoms are like those we associate with simpler disease like shortness of breath, abdominal pains and bowel problems. Most of the times these symptoms are not enough to diagnose mesothelioma and often patients get misdiagnosed as having a variety of respiratory problems.

Once a patient has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a treatment can be suggested by the doctor and started immediately. However this recommendation depends on a number of factors – the stage of the disease, location of the tumour, physical state of the patient etc. The most commonly known reason for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. In most cases asbestos fibers enter the body through the lungs thus causing the victim to incur lung cancer in the process. When they get inhaled via the respiratory tract, it is natural that the mesothelial cells around the lungs get infected and that is where the pleural mesothelioma begins from.

In the case of pleural mesothelioma, the lungs are affected and there are usually four stages associated with the malignance. The stage can be deciphered with the help of tests and only the stage will allow the medical expert to advice with a suitable approach towards prognosis. Pain management is one of the most important things to be discussed at this stage with not only the patient but also his family. Along with the drug therapy, psychological assistance and epidural implants, sessions of self esteem have to be arranged for so the patient suffering from mesothelioma can handle with the trauma of the situation.

There are many hospitals and medical experts who deal with patients of mesothelioma specially. Researchers are still trying to find solutions that are more reliable than the present ones for the purpose of curing this fatal disease. Till then, the only definite solution is to be able to rely on your self and believe that you can battle through your disease because the longer you strive to do so, the longer you will succeed.

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Dealing with the Emotional Issues of a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 at 11:27 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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50 Percent of Cancer Patients May Benefit From Oxygen-Carrying Compounds

Engineered proteins that help carry oxygen to cancer tumors may improve the odds of successful treatment for approximately half of all cancer patients. Scientists have long known that low levels of oxygen are a main source of a tumor’s resistance to radiation.

It is estimated that 50 percent of all cancer patients have tumors that exhibit insufficient oxygen levels (a state referred to as hypoxia). Now, a small startup based out of San Francisco known as Omniox is working to improve the effectiveness of current radiation treatments through the use of oxygen-carrying compounds.

Previous studies suggest that the vast majority of cancer tumors exhibit hypoxic regions. These oxygen-starved regions occur due to the rapid growth of tumor cells. As the tumor grows, it requires higher and higher levels of oxygen-rich blood to properly feed the growth of cells. To accomplish this, the tumor stimulates the growth of new blood vessels.

However, the growth of new blood vessels often has difficulty keeping up with the growth of the tumor. Such a fact reduces the effectiveness of radiation – a treatment option that relies heavily on the flow of oxygen.

Radiation therapy works by generating free radicals within the body that damage and kill tumor cells. Since free radicals require oxygen to survive, a hypoxic region often receives insufficient damage to completely kill off the tumor.

The issue of improving oxygen flow to tumors has been studied since the 1950s. Unfortunately, a variety of attempted solutions have proven unsuccessful. Omniox hopes to reverse this trend with the introduction of oxygen-carrying proteins.

These proteins have been augmented to cling to oxygen molecules and hold onto them until they have arrived inside hypoxic tissue. These proteins differ from previous oxygen-carrying options in that the proteins are not based on hemoglobin. Hemoglobin has previously been identified as unsuccessful because nitric oxide (an oxygen-killing material) also clings to such molecules.

Previous studies have shown that Onniox’s proteins effectively accumulate in the tumors of living animals and serve to improve oxygen levels in hypoxic regions.

The National Cancer Institute is working in conjunction with Omniox to further develop and research the oxygen-carrying proteins. The NCI recently awarded the startup with $3 million in funding.

Source:

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/26772/page2/

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The Constitution and Your Health Care

Opponents of the new health care law are trying to stop it by any means necessary. A number of states have filed objections to the law on constitutional grounds, and a number of courts have handed down a number of conflicting rulings.

Today, a federal district judge in Virginia ruled that a part of the law is unconstitutional. This is the first federal court to do so, according to the New York Times. Two other federal judges had already found the same part of the law to be constitutional. So, off to appeals court it goes. No doubt eventually the Supreme Court will have to decide.

The part of the law being challenged is crucial to providing affordable health insurance for most of us, especially for Americans old enough to have “pre-existing conditions” but not old enough to be on Medicare. This is the requirement, to go into effect in 2014, that most Americans obtain health insurance.

Why is this important? Also beginning in 2014, private insurance companies will no longer be able to refuse to insure someone because of a pre-existing condition. This means younger, healthier people can simply wait to purchase health insurance until they get sick or injured.

Or, people can simply not buy insurance and not pay their bills, either, and then doctors and hospitals must pad everyone else’s bills to make up the lost revenue. This is a big reason health care costs keep going up. As insurance costs go up, people are priced out of buying insurance, and then when they can’t pay medical bills, insurance costs go up more.

By the time we reach 50, nearly all of us have “pre-existing conditions.” Some of  those conditions can be devastating –  mesothelioma, for example, is rarely diagnosed in patients younger than 50.  But if the only people in the insurance risk pool are older, or sicker, than means the cost of insurance will go up. It also means that the cost of medical care for uninsured people will be made up by padding other peoples’ medical bills.

The legal question of the legal case rests on an interpretation of the “commerce clause.” The U.S. Constitution gives to Congress the power to regulate commerce “among the several States.” The question is, does that clause give Congress the power to require individual citizens to purchase something, such as health insurance?

Very basically, previous court decisions have ruled that Congress can regulate just about any commercial activity that has a substantial effect on interstate commerce. The Justice Department argues that when people choose to not purchase health insurance, these decisions, in aggregate, shift billions of dollars in uncompensated care costs to taxpayers, hospitals, and those who do pay for their own health insurance. So, such decisions have a big impact on commerce.

Two other federal judges have agreed with the Justice Department. But the Virginia judge decided that the Constitution does not give Congress the power to tell people to buy something. The controversy continues.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 13th, 2010 at 3:16 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Mesothelioma treatments may benefit from new research

New cancer research may prove helpful in the fight against mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused almost solely by toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers, once inhaled, can start a mutation process in cells of lung and abdominal cavity lining. Mesothelioma can take decades to demonstrate symptoms making it hard to detect. Once it has been diagnosed, typical prognoses include an average life expectancy of eighteen months.

Although many mesothelioma patients are choosing palliative care, which focuses on pain management and bettering quality of life, there are many aggressive mesothelioma treatments available. A combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and rehabilitative therapies are typically administered in a mesothelioma case. However, mesothelioma has proved somewhat chemotherapy resistant and continues to be considered incurable.

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, grants have been distributed to further cancer research. Agios Pharmaceuticals, a recipient of such a grant through the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Program (QTDP), has been studying cancer metabolism. Following an exciting discovery of a connection between slowed growth in lung cancer cells and the diabetic drug metformin, cancer metabolism testing is proving positive.

With $488,000 in funding from QTDP, Agios Pharmaceuticals is one of the leading groups in metabolism research. Chief executive David Schenkein said, “Nutrient supply and deprivation is becoming potentially the next big wave.”

Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is another company to receive funding through QTDP for cancer treatment research. Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals said, “Just as the body needs nutrients to survive, cancer cells depend on certain nutrients to make energy and to proliferate.”

Until now, typical cancer treatment has focused on removal of the malignancy and attack on remaining cancerous cells. This approach often leaves surrounding healthy tissues vulnerable to the same attack, allowing patients’ quality of life to suffer as well

Cancer metabolism research is taking a new approach. Like other living organisms, cancer needs an energy source to continue growing. Glucose is a primary food, or energy source, for cancer. Researchers are testing the potential of cutting of a cancer’s glucose supply in hopes this will render the cancer unable to continue growing and spreading.

New cancer research is welcome as mesothelioma cases in America and worldwide are thought to be rising. Three thousand Americans suffer with mesothelioma each year, while the numbers worldwide are believed to be as much as ten times higher. The World Health Organization estimated ninety thousand mesothelioma cases as we head into what may be the peak of this fatal disease.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 16th, 2010 at 8:48 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Mesothelioma Mortality Rate in US

The United States government agency that keeps track of Mesothelioma mortality rates is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This agency has reported a Mesothelioma mortality rate in the US during this past decade as being over 20,000 people. This rate is increasing but it should stabilize in this decade.

Men are diagnosed with mesothelioma more often than women, and males comprised 80.8 percent of mesothelioma deaths during this timeframe (a total of 14,591). White people comprised 95.1 percent of mesothelioma deaths, totaling 17,180.

Age influenced the mortality rate, as those 75 years old and older comprised the majority of the patients who passed away from mesothelioma (8,858 total deaths). Deaths in patients age 44 or younger totaled 311, or 1.7 percent.

During the time period addressed in the CDC’s study, the state mesothelioma death rate was greater than the national death rate of 13.8 per one million people per year. In six states the mesothelioma death rate was greater than 20 per one million people per year.

The mesothelioma death rate was highest in Maine at 27.5 percent (173 total), followed by Wyoming (22.2 percent, 50 deaths), West Virginia (21 percent, 182 deaths), Pennsylvania (20.8 percent, 1,210 deaths), New Jersey (20.2 percent, 814 deaths) and Washington (20.1 percent, 558 deaths).

Research and extensive studies are conducted daily to improve treatments for mesothelioma patients and search for a cure for the cancer. Through medical advances and developments in clinical trials, more options will continue to be available to combat mesothelioma and improve the mesothelioma death rate in the United States.

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Whistleblower of Asbestos Wins Lawsuit

Ray Barker, a weatherization employee of the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department in Colorado, won a $250,000 settlement in his case claiming wrongful termination after warning of potentially exposing himself and customers to asbestos.  GCCARD is a local county department organization that assists low income residents.  One of the services they provide is weatherization to homes as part of reducing energy costs to homeowners.

Ray Barker was in charge of installing insulation for home owners as part of that free program to help homeowners who need new insulation but cannot afford to pay.  He would remove and replace old insulation, usually from older homes.  He became aware that most insulation in any home built before 1980 contained asbestos, a harmful fiber that causes serious illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

Barker informed his employers that he suspected the old insulation to contain a form of asbestos called vermiculite, a mineral that come from a mine in Libby, Montana and used in the majority of insulations.  He also informed them that he believed the process of removing it was creating a risk of exposure to all in the vicinity.  Shortly after bringing this to his employer’s attention, he was fired from his job.

Barker filed a lawsuit, which was recently settled in his favor.  A whistleblower lawsuit is when a person, or group of people, raises an alert about an alleged wrongdoing that is putting the general public at risk.  In this case, Barker was afraid that the not only the removing but also installation of new insulation that still contained vermiculite created a danger to homeowners of exposure and the potential to develop asbestos related diseases.

The Executive Director of GCCARD, Steven Walker, denied that Barker was fired for pointing out the risk, and also that Barker is exaggerating the danger.  Walker points out that GCCARD researched the issue and made necessary changes to the process to ensure safety.

In the end, GCCARD now provides warnings to homeowners, training for workers, and safer installation procedures and Barker received a settlement in his favor.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at 11:29 am and is filed under Asbestos Exposure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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Asbestos exposure in pre-school

Australia continues to face rising mesothelioma cases as past asbestos use is now taking its toll. A Queensland woman wishing to remain unnamed has been diagnosed with mesothelioma decades after her exposure to asbestos in a State pre-school.

Shailer Park State Pre-school was in prime condition in the early 1980’s. However after a quick double in class size administrators moved forward with an expansion of the facility. Regular classes were kept while construction was done. It is during this time that the unnamed woman, working as a pre-school teacher’s aid, was exposed to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos is known to cause several severe respiratory conditions including lung cancer, asbestosis, and the rare cancer mesothelioma from which this lady is now suffering. Mesothelioma begins when asbestos fibers are inhaled. Once in the lungs, they can start a mutation in cells of lung lining and lining of other abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is characterized by irregularly patterned tumors which remain latent for years, most often twenty to fifty years. When symptoms are demonstrated mesothelioma can be easily mistaken for pneumonia or other treatable respiratory conditions.

There are mesothelioma treatments available which include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and palliative care. Palliative care focuses on pain management and quality of life without directly fighting the cancer. Life expectancy of mesothelioma patients following diagnosis averages eighteen months.

A worker’s comp claim was filed on behalf of those present and involved in Shailer Park State Pre-school construction. Hoping for additional evidence in the event of a class action lawsuit, the firm on the case asked people involved to register with their online database.  Trent Johnson, associate at Maurice Blackurn Lawyers said additional evidence would make future claims go smoother. He said, “Education facilities in Shailer Park were at a premium in the early 1980s and just a year after the original preschool was built, it needed to double its size to meet demand. Normal classes were conducted while the preschool extensions were under construction and everyone who was at the site during the building works in early to mid-1983 would have been exposed to the asbestos dust. Not everyone who’s exposed to asbestos will come down with an illness … but if we had a large number of people suffering from asbestos-related illnesses, anything is possible.”

Although the unnamed lady was a part of this worker’s comp claim, she is considering filing against Queensland’s government directly for past and future damages.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 at 6:44 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Reading Roadrunners of England run for mesothelioma

Steve Lee of England has been running five miles three times a week for the past twenty-five years. Once running for his health and own enjoyment, he has now turned his running into a way to help others.

Lee was diagnosed with the rare cancer mesothelioma in 2007. His doctors said he would live for six months. With news that alters everything routine, Lee continued his five-mile runs, but with a new focus. With the help and support of his running group, Reading Roadrunners of England, Lee has used his unchanging routine to help thousands of others facing the same grim news. The Reading Roadrunners of England has raised sixty-two thousand dollars for mesothelioma research. The funds have been given to Queen Mary, University of London, and have been matched by the university.

Donations made through Lee’s running group will aid in a project to synthetically produce and test a naturally occurring compound which has shown to kill mesothelioma cells. Following a recent visit to Queen Mary lab, Lee said, “It’s great to be able to meet those involved and ask them things about the research.”

Dr Adrian Dobbs, an organic chemist supervising the mesothelioma research project said, “…if their data are correct then [the research] could certainly have a very powerful effect on giving longevity and a massively improved quality of life” to mesothelioma patients. This is great news as mesothelioma cases are on the rise worldwide.

Mesothelioma is most commonly associated with toxic chemical asbestos, which is believed to be the cancer’s almost exclusive cause. Once airborne, asbestos fibers can be inhaled and pose a threat to lung and lung lining tissues. A mutation in otherwise healthy cells can start from the toxic fibers, which grows into a system of irregularly patterned malignant tumors.

Detection of mesothelioma is difficult as the cancer goes through a latency period often between twenty and fifty years long. Once symptoms do demonstrate, patients who do not know they have ever been exposed to mesothelioma may not consider it a possibility. Mesothelioma is commonly misdiagnosed as pneumonia or other treatable respiratory conditions.

There are many mesothelioma treatments available, but no known cure. Standard procedures include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Palliative care has become a growing choice for patients who want to focus on quality of life without using cancer-direct treatments.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 at 9:34 AM and is filed under General, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Stage Iv Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

stage iv mesothelioma life expectancy

Account limit of 2000 requests per hour exceeded. This entry was posted on Friday, December 17th, 2010 at 4:08 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Finding Mesothelioma Lawyers in California

California has the highest mesothelioma rate accounting for over 2,450 deaths so far. Nearly half of the cases of asbestos-related fatalities in California were due to the rare asbestos cancer mesothelioma which has created the need for finding mesothelioma lawyers here.

California mesothelioma lawsuits are common and should only be handled by the experts. If you have been exposed to asbestos, you should first seek diagnosis from a doctor who is specialized in asbestos-related illnesses to get the proper care and treatment. It is also recommended that you seek legal advice from asbestos mesothelioma lawyers in California to assist you in understanding what your legal rights are when it comes to mesothelioma lawsuits. Mesothelioma trial lawyers will assist you in getting compensated for your pain and suffering.

If you have worked at any of these sites in the past and have mesothelioma symptoms, please seek immediate care. Some of the known asbestos exposure sites are:

PowerhousesOil refineriesPower plantsShipyardsConstruction sites

When a mesothelioma lawsuit is file in the State of California against the party responsible, it will be taken very seriously especially if the mesothelioma cancer sufferer has hired a knowledgeable and competent California asbestos mesothelioma law firm. Mesothelioma attorneys are there to give you all the help and support you need during your trial and to ensure you are compensated for all your loss and suffering, so make sure you are in the best hands.

Start by looking on the Internet. Many mesothelioma lawyers have their own web sites where you can find all the contact information. You can also visit websites that offer the services of mesothelioma lawyers. These online services usually have information about asbestos, mesothelioma cancer, and information about your legal rights. Or, you can try looking in the state where you live or ask your doctor for a referral to a qualified mesothelioma attorney.

Finding mesothelioma lawyers in California is a very important step you must take to get the help and compensation you need to pay for your suffering and medical expenses. So call a mesothelioma lawyer to as soon as possible.

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Still Playing Politics With Medicare

I wrote recently about the threat of a 23 percent drop in Medicare reimbursement to physicians, which was scheduled to go into effect December 1. Well, Congress managed to kick the can down the road one more month, to January 1.

As I explained in the last post, this drop has nothing whatsoever to do with health care reform, or “Obamacare.” The cut is the result of a law passed back in 1997. This law would have cut Medicare payments to physicians several times over the past few years. However, every year since 2003, Congress has voted to defer the cut one more year.

Until this year, that is. This year, some politicians blocked all attempts to defer or revoke the cuts. That way, they can blame the cut on “Obamacare,” even though the cut in reimbursement is from other legislation passed more than a dozen years ago.

Well, the games-playing is not done. The cuts are still looming, now scheduled to go into effect January 1. And Senate Republicans say they will hold Medicare reimbursements hostage so that some parts of health care reform can be de-funded.

Sarah Klif reports for The Politico that Senate Republicans plan to demand that money for the “doc fix,” or keeping reimbursement rates from falling, must come out of the money appropriated for health care reform; specifically, $15 billion for public health funding.

What is public health? According to the Public Health Institute, public health is the science and practice of protecting a community’s health by controlling the spread of disease, improving sanitation, and eliminating environmental health hazards. For example, programs to provide vaccinations for school children are funded through public health programs.

Public health grants also provide funds for asbestos abatement in schools and other public buildings. As buildings with asbestos insulation and other materials age, asbestos fibers are released into the air. This creates a terrible risk that people in the building will develop the deadly lung cancer mesothelioma and other life-threatening diseases. Abatement is expensive, and the costs can overwhelm local budgets.

Note that the $15 billion would not permanently increase physician reimbursements, but just postpone the cut one more year. But if the cut isn’t stopped, many physicians are likely to drop Medicare patients.

The argument for robbing the public health budget to pay for a one-year “doc fix” for Medicare reimbursement is that otherwise the cost would increase the federal budget deficit. However, these same politicians have just negotiated a deal to extend tax cuts for the very wealthy that will add more than $700 billion to the deficit, according to Ezra Klein.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 at 10:41 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Life Expectancy after Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy so far, is the only treatment to improve the survival rate expectancy for mesothelioma patients. This therapy has shown significant improvement from a life expectancy of 10 months to a little over 13 months. Chemotherapy along with other aggressive treatments and surgeries is showing remarkable results.

Diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma can be detected with a chest X-ray and CT scan, and can be confirmed with a biopsy and microscopic exam. Patients can undergo various aggressive treatments to extend their life-span and comfort. Despite extensive research, experiments and treatments, the disease is not curable and the life expectancy after mesothelioma chemotherapy for patients is very poor.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include:

Fluid between the lung and chest wallPain in the chest areaWeight lossAnemiaWheezing and shortness of breathConstant fatiguePain in the abdomen

Mesothelioma is usually not detected until the latest stages because patients do not show immediate signs of mesothelioma. Also, the symptoms of mesothelioma are very common and often get misdiagnosed for less severe conditions. As a result, mesothelioma treatment is delayed resulting in a poor prognosis for patients. Once the cancer has spread and reached stage three or four, treatment options decreases and the disease becomes more difficult to treat. Treatments including surgery is no longer an option and may not be effective during this critical stage increasing mortality rate among mesothelioma patients.

Mesothelioma is addressed in four stages. Stages three and four limits the options available for treatment and treatments is also less effective at this point. In addition to the different stages of mesothelioma, other factors that may affect the prognosis include:

Age of patientWhen the cancer was detectedTreatment receivedType of mesotheliomaThe location and size of the tumorOther health-related illnessesWhether or not the patient is a smokerPatient’s diet

Chemotherapy is improving the life expectancy of mesothelioma sufferers. This is wonderful news for mesothelioma patients and their families.

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Top 6 questions to ask from Mesothelioma Attorney in California

Mesothelioma is a deadly disease that is often caused by asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one is suffering from this deadly disease, you will need to get legal representation to bring the companies responsible to justice and to get compensated for your loss, injuries, pain and suffering. However selecting the right Mesothelioma lawyer and asking the right questions are the most important aspects to a favorable outcome of your Mesothelioma lawsuit.

Here are the top 6 questions to ask your Mesothelioma attorney in California.

What types of cases do you handle?What to expect from their law firm?How many Mesothelioma or asbestos-related cases have you handled?What was the outcome of the Mesothelioma cases?Can I be compensated for my pain, suffering and injuries?Will the law firm personally handle the case or will you refer it to another law firm?

Manufacturers and companies that used asbestos knew of the dangers but neglected to protect their workers from exposure to asbestos. They put the lives of innocent people at risk. There are laws to help Mesothelioma victims and their families obtain compensation and protect other workers from being harmed by this serious disease that could have been prevented if manufacturers and companies were not neglectful. Hiring a Mesothelioma lawyer will ensure that justice is served.

Protect your legal rights by contacting a Mesothelioma attorney in California immediately. If you are suffering from any asbestos-related injuries or illnesses like Mesothelioma, get on the phone and make the call today. California Mesothelioma lawyers can help you bring the parties responsible for your asbestos exposure to justice. You deserve restitution for you pain and suffering, so make the call today.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you should enlist the service of an experienced Mesothelioma attorney in California. These Mesothelioma attorneys represent Mesothelioma sufferers and their families who have been affected by this dangerous and deadly disease. These attorneys will fight for your legal rights and get you the compensation you deserve from the people responsible for your injuries, pain, loss and suffering. Contact a mesothelioma attorney in California to get your questions answered.

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Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Cancer

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It is very difficult to diagnose sarcomatoid mesothelioma and so far therapies and treatments have been ineffective. Like all forms of malignant mesothelioma cancer, sarcomatoid mesothelioma is aggressive and deadly.

Asbestos is a material that was used mainly in the past for insulation in construction, engineering, and scientific industries. When disturbed, asbestos fibers become airborne and can cause various numbers of illnesses, sarcomatoid mesothelioma cancer just being one of them.

Mesothelioma is very difficult to discover because it looks like many common conditions. And, each kind of mesothelioma can cause different signs and symptoms. However the most common signs and symptoms for mesothelioma will begin to show up decades later after the initial exposure to asbestos. They are:

Shortness of breathSevere pain in the chest areaBlood being present after coughingConstant dry coughAnemiaWeight lossExcessive fatigueDifficulty swallowingAbdominal swellingAcute pain in the abdominal region

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells when viewed under a microscope are irregular oval in shape. It is sometimes very difficult to diagnose because the cells look almost similar to another type of cancer called pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma.

According to research, patients diagnosed with sarcomatoid mesothelioma have an average survival time of five to seven months after receiving diagnosis. This is a very aggressive cancer that is difficult to discover and rarely responds to treatment. But it is the least common type of mesothelioma cancer cell. Study also shows that sarcomatoid mesothelioma only accounts for 10 to 20 percent of all diagnosed cases in the US.

An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help victims obtain adequate compensation for their pain, emotional suffering, lost of employability and income, and medical expenses. If you or a loved one has sarcomatoid mesothelioma, please contact a qualified mesothelioma lawyer for legal consultation and evaluation of your case as soon as possible.

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Mesothelioma Questionnaire

mesothelioma questionnaire

Fen-Phen hit the market in the early 1990's proclaiming to be the world's leading diet pill for patients who were struggling to lose unwanted weight. Somewhere between six million and seven million people took the miracle drug and for many of them, Fen-Phen provided their weight loss miracle at a terrible price.

Fen-Phen wasn't recalled until 1997 and, since Fen-Phen's destruction on the heart takes years to become a reality, in some cases more than ten, Fen-Phen has been linked to an exorbitant number of cases of the heart condition known as primary pulmonary hypertension. Some cases of PPH lead to disability, while some cases lead to death. An estimated total of thirty to thirty five percent of Fen-Phen users developed PPH after taking the medication, often under the care of a physician.

Fen-Phen class action lawsuits began popping up throughout the court system as more and more evidence pointed directly at Fen-Phen for the heart complications responsible for the disability and death of hundreds of patients. Just as the Fen-Phen class action lawsuits were taking off, the numbers of people inflicted with Fen-Phen related heart disease sky rocketed. Finally, in September of 1997, Fen-Phen was pulled from the market, much too late in the opinions of many.

Fen-Phen lawyers soon began to realize the scope of the epidemic, and within two years a steady stream of cases eligible for Fen-Phen lawsuits claiming negligent marketing leading to injury were walking through the front doors almost daily. Fen-Phen lawyers claim that American Home Products did not do adequate testing and ignored test results that showed a potential for Fen-Phen related injuries. The steady stream of Fen-Phen class action lawsuits being filed by Fen-Phen lawyers prompted American Home Products to establish a fund directly specified for the purpose of paying out Fen-Phen settlements to the victims.

Fen-Phen lawyers are claiming that American Home Products is not the only liable party in the Fen-Phen class action lawsuits. Some Fen-Phen lawyers have attempted to hold the American Food and Drug Administration accountable for allowing Fen-Phen to remain on the market despite the onset of Fen-Phen related illness.

PPH is not readily diagnosable, requiring long term symptoms and a good deal of testing and a long record of the patient's health history. However, as of 1999, most doctors now have a questionnaire relating to heart symptoms which will directly ask if there has been any Fen-Phen use in the last twenty years to help speed up diagnosis.

About the Author

Nick Johnson serves as lead counsel with Johnson Law Group, with principal offices in Houston, Texas. Johnson represents cases involving Paxil, Fen-Phen, and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH). Contact Nick Johnson today at 1-888-311-5522 or visit http://www.johnsonlawgroup.com

Account limit of 2000 requests per hour exceeded. This entry was posted on Saturday, December 11th, 2010 at 12:03 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Woman faces 230 years for asbestos related fraud

The US District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts branch, has aided in the discovery and conviction of an asbestos related criminal. Albania Deleon is now facing a potential 230 years of prison time. Deleon taught classes at Environmental Compliance Training, the largest asbestos removal training program in Massachusetts. It was found that between 2001 and 2006, the majority of Deleon’s students received less than adequate training before being placed in the work field. Worksheets and tests were provided to class participants with answers already filled in; students only needed to sign their names to be passed in the exercise.

Deleon also had a large number of illegal aliens in the program she taught, but failed to report these individuals to the proper authorities. Both illegal aliens and legal citizens who graduated from the program were paid under-the-table once they began work. Deleon used fraudulently prepared payroll documents to cover the financial illegalities.

The US requires specific training, licensing and certification for individuals and companies working with asbestos. The state-to-state requirements may vary, but all regulations are in line with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Air Act commitments to maintain and enhance the quality of air in America.

Asbestos has been used for decades in the US particularly in building and construction and some manufacturing industries. However, as associated health risks became known asbestos use has dropped and laws have been put in place to protect the public from the toxic chemical.

Asbestos causes severe respiratory conditions including lung cancer and asbestosis. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos fibers which, if inhaled, can began a mutation process in lung lining and lining of other abdominal cavities which leads to this cancer.

Mesothelioma takes decades to develop, demonstrating symptoms like that of pneumonia twenty to fifty years after original asbestos exposure. Life expectancy following diagnosis is grim, averaging eighteen months. There are mesothelioma treatments available, but no known cure.

Deleon was found guilty in November 2008, on a collective 27counts of conspiracy to make false documents, making false documents, hiring illegal aliens, encouraging illegal aliens to live in the US, payroll tax fraud and mail fraud. She fled the state following conviction but was found almost seven months later in Santa Domingo.

In a press release Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, said, “Albania Deleon put communities at risk by issuing fraudulent asbestos-removal training certificates to hundreds of untrained workers.”  She continues, “This is yet another example of great teamwork and dedication of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, U.S. Marshals Service and our own special agents who protect the American people from environmental crimes.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 at 9:54 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Japan continues to experience high mesothelioma losses

An estimated three thousand Americans die every year from the rare cancer mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is caused almost solely by asbestos and although there are many mesothelioma treatments available, there is no known cure. These cases are mostly associated with workplace asbestos exposure, particularly in such manufacturing industries as shipbuilding and munitions.

Although American mesothelioma case numbers may be on a slow rise, they are no match for the mesothelioma toll in Japan. It is thought that 100,000 Japanese will die from mesothelioma by 2040. This has much to do with the nation’s heavy use of asbestos following WWII and in decades since. In 1974 alone 350,000 metric tons of asbestos was imported by Japan for use in industry and building projects. Asbestos is said to be the foundation on which Japan rebuilt its nation following the war. Slow implementation of national asbestos health regulations has added to Japanese mesothelioma case numbers.

Hidenari Hane is one man who knows what this can mean. Recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, Hane was exposed to asbestos during his employment at a Honda facility. A former mechanic at Honda, Hane was regularly exposed to asbestos from April 1968 to December 1969, which is believed to be the cause of his mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is characterized by irregularly patterned tumors on the lung lining and lining of the abdominal cavities. It can be difficult to diagnose, often being mistaken for pneumonia. Many patients do not know to look for mesothelioma because they have no idea they were ever exposed to asbestos and have no cause for concern. Following diagnosis, life expectancy ranges from six months to several years.

A Tokyo court ruled in favor of Hane in a suit against Honda, awarding him 54 million yen. Ruling Judge Koichiro Matsumoto is holding Honda accountable for not having safety precautions implemented during the 1960’s. He said, “The risks of being exposed to asbestos had been known by the time the pneumoconiosis law was enacted in 1960 at the latest, and a major company like Honda should have been fully aware of the risks and the damages at the factory were foreseeable.” He said Honda should have had respiratory protection provided for employees working with asbestos while eliminating all unnecessary asbestos exposure.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 at 6:40 AM and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Mesothelioma Alert

mesothelioma alert

Mesothelioma is a highly-aggressive type of cancer that develops in the tissue that lines and protects the lungs, stomach, heart and other organs. That protective tissue lining is called the mesothelium, hence the medical term for this type of cancer - Mesothelioma.

The vast majority of the time, Mesothelioma develops as a result of an individual having been exposed to asbestos. Most of the people who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma have inhaled it or were exposed to asbestos dust or fibers through contact with clothing that contained the particles. The majority of prognoses are the result of individuals who worked in asbestos factories or other facilities that utilized asbestos-based compounds during the 1940s and mid-century when the hazards of it weren't known - the symptoms can lay dormant for up to 50 years. Mesothelioma diagnoses are more common in men than women, but can affect both genders.

When cancer cells are present in the mesothelium, if extensive and especially when untreated, the membrane will start to break down and the cancer will spread from the origin spot to other areas of the body. Symptoms include coughing, chest pain, weight loss and abdominal swelling. However, diagnosing Mesothelioma can often times prove difficult because its symptoms resemble those of several other types of illnesses. Alerting a physician to having a previous history of asbestos exposure is very helpful in making a prognosis. Depending on the stage of the disease, treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

There is compensation available if you or someone you know is suffering or has passed away due to Mesothelioma-related cancer. Even if the company responsible for the asbestos exposure is no longer in business, there have been funds set aside to pay damages to individuals or the families thereof. An online search for attorneys in the field of Mesothelioma lawsuits will help you locate assistance.

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A Rolshouse Law Saftey Alert - Asbestos (Mesothelioma)

Tags: asbestos, mesothelioma, safety

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 at 10:29 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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