6 Crucial Facts About Lung Cancer

1-Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It is characterized by the abnormal division and multiplication of cells within the lungs and bronchial tubes causing the accumulation of tumor cells into a cancer.
2- In the United States alone, approximately 10,000 people die from asbestos-related illnesses, and many of these people are victims of lung cancer.

3-There are two basic types of lung cancer - small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, the latter of which represents the large majority of lung cancer cases diagnosed in the United States each year. In patients with lung cancer, the tissue cells of the lungs and associated respiratory organs begin to divide abnormally at an uncontrollable rate. Cancers that develop in the lungs may metastasize to other regions of the body. These growths are composed of cells similar to those of the original tumor and are just as likely to pose a health threat to the afflicted person.

4-The symptoms of lung cancer are many and vary according to individual cases and factors. Some of the more common symptoms of lung cancer include persistent coughing, chest pain, changes in the color, volume, or consistency of sputum, the presence of blood in sputum, weight loss, or decrease in appetite, headaches, and general fatigue. Although these symptoms may indicate the presence of lung cancer, they are not by any means a certain measure of diagnosis.

5-A person experiencing these symptoms must seek a medical analysis for an accurate diagnosis. Imaging tests like chest x-ray, CTscan, MRI, PET scans are used to diagnose the disease. Also tissue tests known as biopsy are also used to confirm the diagnosis.

6- According to experts in the field of asbestos and lung cancer, there are a number of factors that can affect a person’s level of risk for developing lung cancer once they have been exposed to asbestos. The amount of asbestos exposure and the quantity of fibers that have collected in the body greatly affect one’s risk of developing cancer. It is important to remember that, as with most cancers, lifestyle plays a considerable role in the risk of developing lung cancer after exposure to asbestos. Smokers and other people who have a lung condition (or any illness) prior to exposure are at a greater risk for developing asbestos-related lung cancer, not only because their respiratory system has already been compromised, but also because of the synergistic affect of smoking and asbestos exposure. Many people who are exposed to asbestos develop non-cancerous respiratory illnesses, such as asbestosis, which also increases the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Reference:Bello Kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Another milestone and more open doors ...........Cycle 3, Day 13

Another milestone - a family history event this time. Twenty eight years ago today we became parents for the first time when our son decided to arrive some three weeks before his due by date, catching us completely off guard. The family joke is that we still haven’t caught up those three weeks. Happy birthday, Jack!


This afternoon, having eventually delivered Sarah safely to her train, we pushed open some more doors in Oxford, with a tour of the Centre for Islamic Studies (a work in progress but still impressive) and All Souls College, with its most amazing chapel. Tea and cakes in the cafe vaults of St Mary the Virgin, a stone’s throw away in Radcliffe Square, staved off nausea.  


Steve used his bus pass for the first time today.  For the first time in ages, he also managed to get through a whole day without an antiemetic tablet.  Little nausea (if any) bodes well for the coming week when he has a rest from chemo and I take another break from work to make the most of it.


A good weekend and a week to look forward to….

Mesothelioma Trials-What Are the Different 4 Stages Of The Trial?

A mesothelioma patient is not compulsorily required to attend the trial of his/her mesothelioma lawsuit because most times by the time the lawsuit commences the patient will be too weak to attend, but if the patient decides to attend then he/she must be prepared to go through the different stages pf a trial. Each trial is different but there is usually an order of events in all civil cases and they will all pass through the following stages:
1-First, the judge (and possible a jury) will hear opening statements. Your lawyer will start by outlining your case. In response, the defendant’s lawyers will outline how they hope to disprove your case. Opening statements are not evidence, but a brief outline of what each position hopes to prove during trial.

2-After opening statements, both parties will submit evidence for the judge and possible jury to review. This will include factual findings and testimony. Evidence such as old receipts, air quality tests, and medical records may come into play. Personal friends, family members, coworkers, doctors, and related experts may also be called to testify. If you are going to testify, upon being sworn in, your lawyer and the defendant’s lawyer will proceed to question you about the case. Before this portion of the case, your lawyer will have reviewed with you not only the questions he or she will ask, but also the questions the defendant’s lawyer is likely to ask of you. It is very important to assert your side of the case while answering all questions honestly. Witnesses will go through the same testimony process as well. Physical evidence, such as medical records or work history, will be submitted as evidence to the court.

3-Presentation of the evidence is followed by closing arguments. This element of trial is extremely important, especially in the case of a jury trial. The plaintiff will give closing arguments first. This speech will sum up the facts, discredit the defendant, and ask the jury to empathize and rule in your favor. The defense will then present a closing argument as well, in which they will attempt to refute your claims.

4-If the trial involves a jury, all 12 members of the jury will retire to a conference room to deliberate after closing statements. Deliberation by the jury can take just an hour or two, or it can take several days. In high profile cases, the jury may be sequestered and sent to a hotel instead of home. However, in most civil cases, the jury is not sequestered. When the jury reaches a verdict, all are called back to court and the foreman of the jury (elected by the other jurors) announces the decision.

Sometimes upon the completion of this initial trial the defendants can appeal the verdict if it does not favor them, the period of time for this appeal varies sometimes it lasts up to a month and some other times it takes longer. If the defendant wins the appeal, you may also be able to also challenge this decision if factual errors are found or procedures were not carried out correctly. This depends on the court and on the details of the appeal case.

Keep in mind that at any point during the trial, you and the defendant can decide to reach a settlement out of court if the defendant is willing to pay a reasonable amount of money. Usually if the defendant’s lawyer sees that you have a very strong case at some stage of the trial they will approach you for a possible out of court settlement. Once this is agreed upon the complaint by the plaintiff is withdrawn and the trial is stopped.

Mesothelioma victims should seek to know as much as they can about mesothelioma trials and lawsuits so that they do not get easily discouraged along the way.

Reference:Bello Kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

A milestone and Open Doors ......Cycle 3, Days 11 and 12

Steve was a big boy yesterday and went to hospital all on his own, as I had to stay at home to sort out some work matters.  We kept in touch by phone, so that I knew when he had arrived safely and when his bloods and obs had been done.  I heaved a huge sigh of relief when he rang to say that he’d been cleared for treatment, and another when he let me know he was on his way home again.  


Yesterday’s dose of Velcade was No. 12 out of a total 24 in the full six cycles of treatment.  He’s halfway there!  A milestone passed on the “fighting Leo” journey.


We celebrated last night with Sarah who is visiting for the weekend, and spent a relaxed evening together catching up mutual news over good meal and wine, and probably a few too many nightcaps.  However, that didn’t stop us rising and shining with the sun and heading off into town this morning to poke around in places that are not normally accessible to the public, as part of the Oxford Open Doors event.  


Some six hours later, we had visited to St Thomas church; toured the Said Business School; wandered round St John’s College; dropped into the Bodleian Library to see the newest gargoyles based on designs by local children, and the chapel of Harris Manchester College to look at the fine carvings and stained glass windows by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. Sustained by a picnic half way round, we even managed a bit of shopping on the way home.  And the weather has been fantastic!


We were all a bit tired and foot sore by the time we arrived back home, but it was worth the effort.  Steve is taking a nap as I write, Sarah catching up with today’s newspapers and I can hear a hot air balloon being inflated in the park at the end of the street. Time to get the camera out to take some pictures in the fast approaching golden hour, before thinking about tonight’s meal and settling down for the last night of the Proms.  


What a lovely day.

How To Find The Best Mesothelioma Doctors

Mesothelioma is a very rare kind of tumor that develops in the mesothelium - a membrane that surrounds the chest cavity, the cavity around the heart, as well as the abdominal cavity. The job of the mesothelium is also to protect nearly all of the body’s internal organs. Mesothelioma can be benign and although it impacts the effectiveness of the internal organs, the tumor mass can be surgically removed. On the other hand, cancerous mesothelioma usually develops through the exposure to asbestos and over 3000 Americans die from this disease every year. According to mesothelioma doctors, the death rate for mesothelioma will peak within a decade, with a 3-1 ration between men and women who contract the disease.

Anybody who was ever employed in the construction industry where asbestos was used, or within any industry for that matter where they were exposed to this product should seriously consider consulting with a mesothelioma doctor. Even if patients do not display any of the typical symptoms of problems related to asbestos exposure, they should realize that many of these symptoms would only develop decades after exposure.

The initial diagnosis of the disease may or may not be through mesothelioma doctors. If patients are suffering from lung or abdominal problems, they might first consult with an ordinary doctor who looks through his or her past and finds the link between the complaints and asbestos. The doctors will look for telltale signs such as work history, facial and neck swelling, high levels of CEA in the lungs, and others. A biopsy will be required to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and once this is confirmed, the patient’s next step is to find the best mesothelioma doctor available.

Mesothelioma is a rare condition and only doctors who are familiar with asbestos related diseases can give patients the best treatment available. An early diagnosis is very important as the disease spreads rapidly and patients should feel very comfortable with their treating physicians.

To find the best mesothelioma doctors around, patients should consider contacting hospitals or treatment centers that deal with lung disease. Ideally, these institutions will do regular research relating to mesothelioma and the doctor will specialize in this field. New developments are taking place in the medical industry every day and any good mesothelioma doctor will be aware of these new trends and treatments. While some patients are told that there is no cure for the disease, many are finding answers with some of the best mesothelioma doctors out there who manage to keep abreast with current research.

Reference:Nick Johnson

Mesothelioma Doctors

Mesothelioma is not easy for doctors to diagnose. Although humankind has witnessed tremendous advances in medical diagnosis technologies and techniques, mesothelioma continues to remain a challenge for doctors. Thus, not every doctor can treat this disease. It calls for the service of a special set of doctors who are trained to handle mesothelioma cases.

Being a complex disease, mesothelioma requires several different types of treatment. Seeking the help of specialized doctors, each trained in specific fields or treatment, is the best possible means of treating mesothelioma. Since there are various types of mesothelioma that affect different body parts, it is best if the disease is treated with a team. To begin with, even before a patient is referred to the specialist team, the onus of suspecting the symptoms as related to cancer, such as mesothelioma, lies with the general practitioner.

Once the general practitioner refers the patient, the specialized team decides the future course of action. The first specialist in the team is a pulmonologist who is specially trained to diagnose and treat conditions as well as diseases that are related to lung disorders. This specialist can competently handle cases of pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, and COPD. The next specialist in line is the thoracic surgeon, who specializes in undertaking surgery of the lungs, amongst others, and can deal with coronary disease, lung and abdominal cancers, and heart and lung surgery.

The medical oncologist is another trained physician who specializes in treating cancer through chemotherapy. Even within oncologists, there are several types of physicians who specialize in treating cancer. In contrast to the medical oncologist is the radiation oncologist, who treats cancer through radiation therapy, and the radiologist, who uses equipment such as x-rays, ultrasound, and scans to diagnose cancer.

An additional group of specialists consists of pathologists who monitor and evaluate changes in the human cells in order to understand the nature of the disease. Using body fluids and excretions, they identify the disease and its intensity. However, unlike other mesothelioma-trained physicians, pathologists do not directly treat patients. Similarly, there are some other specialists who also do not participate directly in the treatment process. These include the social worker and the respiratory therapist.

Reference: Alison Cole

Your First Doctor Who Carries Out Mesothelioma Diagnosis

If the doctor who carries out mesothelioma diagnosis is your first doctor, then chances are that he will give you a reference to an oncologist for further treatments. The oncologist can provide you with his own thinking of the best mesothelioma treatments, or he can’t go further because of limited knowledge, he may refer you to some specialist doctors. Often, the specialists doctors are found in bigger teaching hospital.These mesothelioma cancers centers are regarded as well equipped mesothelioma cancers center, and they are respected greatly for their advanced care, and treatments. If you choose meso-treatments that is radical, such as surgery, or a clinical trial that involves a new but drugs that are unproven, then you need such a mesothelioma cancers center. But if you need a treatment involving an endorsed and approved type of chemotherapy, then some local mesothelioma doctors can perform that.

Mesothelioma treatments that will be offered to you differs with respect to age and the patient’s overall health, and the spread of the mesothelioma cancers. Importance is placed on you getting all the required information for you case, in order to be able to make certain decisions as regards your comfortability. You may be given offers like surgery, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, and clinical trials, and some other new approaches.

There are many doctors you can talk to, and some of these questions can be asked:

Why is this treatment option the best that i should consider?

What are the things involved with this option?

What are the merits and demerits of this treatment of mesothelioma, or is this option going to limit my choice of other treatment of mesothelioma?

What are the side effects and risks involved in this option?

What is the previous statistics of survival, and mortality that are related to this option?

Can i also undergo palliative treatment option?

Some conditions such as age, health inconsistency, or the advancement of the disease can make the aggressive treatment of mesothelioma impossible.

Reference: Ali Edenhson