Mesothelioma is a form of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. It is a rare condition that has a very long latency period in terms of symptoms arising from the time of exposure. In most cases, mesothelioma symptoms can take as long as 20 to 50 years to arise. Unfortunately for many patients, mesothelioma is often diagnosed during the latest stages of development and at a time when treatment options are limited.

Detecting Mesothelioma Cancer

Early detection of mesothelioma is the most assuring way to improve a person’s life expectancy. Those diagnosed when the disease has already reached the advanced stages of development often receive palliative care to relieve symptoms, but such treatments do not look to cure the cancer. If mesothelioma is detected during the first stage of development, a patient may be eligible to receive treatments aimed to remove the cancer altogether. However, such procedures do not guarantee that the cancer will not return later in life.

An X-ray is typically the first diagnostic tool that a doctor will use if mesothelioma is suspected. If signs of mesothelioma or asbestos exposure are found, additional tests may be ordered to confirm a diagnosis. Such tests may include a CT scan, PET scan or MRI scan. A biopsy, also known as a fluid and tissue test, may also be requested to collect a sample of fluid to test for cancerous cells. After a diagnosis has been made, a team of doctors will design the best treatment regimen for the patient’s needs.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

The most common forms of treatment for malignant mesothelioma patients are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Other treatment options may be available through clinical trials, but patients must qualify and meet specific criteria in order to enroll in them. It should be noted that surgery is only an option for patients diagnosed at the earliest stage of development. While there is no cure for this cancer, patients often elect to undergo treatments that will relieve symptoms and improve overall survival.

Some types of surgery may be used as palliative care, aimed at making the patient feel more comfortable. In multimodality therapy, the use of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be combined in order to utilize the effectiveness of all three techniques. The most common chemotherapy option combines the medication Alimta with Cisplatin, which is targeted to kill cancerous cells by interfering with cell division. Radiation, most notably used after surgery, is designed to kill cancer cells and limit the spread of mesothelioma tumors.

Cancer Association in South Africa

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is designed to enable research, educate the public and provide support to all those affected by cancer. The organization was established in 1931 and now has 45 offices throughout the country. Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may find it helpful in reaching out to CANSA for support and facilities capable of treating the cancer.

www.Asbestos.com

This important  site features information on asbestos, mesothelioma, and other cancers that are caused by asbestos exposure (lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, etc.).  Unlike other sites, Asbestos.com has achieved HON code approval (Health On the Net (HON).   Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation that works to preserve the accuracy and trustworthiness of Web-based medical information).  This  site has employed a full staff of writers dedicated to research and writing about asbestos exposure and the diseases that result from exposure to the toxic mineral.  In addition, our medical adviser and editor,  Dr. Mauricio Salazar,M.D.,  who has worked in the field of cancer treatment for years, has personally reviewed, edited, and approved all medical information on our site.

Please contact them if you need more information .

A resource for working women with cancer.

This is an organization devoted to “changing the face of cancer in the workplace”.   They have a wonderful website: www.cancerandcareers.org with all kinds of helpful information for the patient, employers and oncology professionals.

We had a great support group meeting on Monday at Vincent Palotti Hospital.   We had 15 survivors present.   Tessa Viotti talked on the use of Alexander technique as a tool in  adjusting to you cancer .

Please see attached article on the Alexancer Technique for more information.

The essence of this  tool is about greater self awareness and  becoming more aware of your body and the importance of  making time to    think about how you move and  do things. The greater awareness of  how  and where we hold tension could assist in freeing up your body  to work more  effectively  and in  harmony, facilitating  greater sense of wellbeing and balance in ones life!

Please contact Tessa ( mtviotti@gmail.com ) if you have any question re this.

Linda Greeff

Link to very good radiation information:

http://www.rtanswers.org/index.aspx

The International CML Foundation Launches, A New Beacon in the Treatment of CML.

Read about the launch on the website of The Max Foundation.

“Imagine that you’re working in a research laboratory during the day. You watch cancer cells multiplying under a microscope. At night, you go home and play video games with your family and friends. Then you get the idea that a video game for young people with cancer might play a positive role in helping them fight their disease. A video game designed especially for kids with cancer might give them a feeling of power over their disease as they blast away at the cancer cells. And you could use top-notch research to test the game and see if it really works. That’s exactly what HopeLab founder and board chair Pam Omidyar imagined. In 2001, Pam founded HopeLab to make this idea a reality.

The result is Re-Mission, a video game with 20 levels that takes the player on a journey through the body of young patients with different kinds of cancer. The game was created by HopeLab staff in collaboration with video game developers and animators and scientific and medical consultants. Re-Mission is designed to be fun and challenging, while helping players stick to their prescribed treatments and giving them a sense of power and control over their disease.

Teens and young adults with cancer participated actively throughout the game development process to ensure that the game was fun, and that it really spoke to the issues that they confront every day in their fight against cancer.

Prior to the release of Re-Mission, HopeLab completed an unprecedented randomized, research trial to evaluate the efficacy of the game. Results showed that a specially designed video game can have positive impact on health behaviors in young people with chronic illness. Specifically, playing Re-Mission improved treatment adherence and produced increases in self-efficacy, and cancer-related knowledge for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Data from the study was published in the August 2008 edition of the medical journal Pediatrics.”
http://www.re-mission.net/site/about/why_remission.php

Occupational Health & Safety Consultant / Ergonomist

Good Health is Good Business

Occupational Health and Safety is a cross-disciplinary area concerned with protection of the safety, health and welfare of employees incorporating the disciplines of Occupational Hygiene, Safety and Medicine through various strategies, including risk assessment and risk control.

Please follow this link: http://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/cancer_inst/patients/questions.html

You’ll find 4 very well research lists of questions you can ask your oncologist, hematologist, surgeon and complementary therapist. As cancer Buddies we would like to encourage you to get answers to your questions.  By doing this you will be more empowered and part of your treatment team. Don’t take “no” for an answer – get a 2nd opinion but ensure that your questions are responded to.  You have the right to an answer.

http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Home