Mesothelioma blog

June 26, 2008, 9:27 PM CT

Clinical trial for patients with asbestos-associated lung cancer

The Mesothelioma Center within the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center is now recruiting patients for a clinical research study of a new targeted radiation and chemotherapy protocol for pleural mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung's lining that is almost always caused by prior exposure to asbestos.

The standard therapy for pleural mesothelioma is currently surgery to remove the patient's lung - a potentially debilitating consequence.

"Current surgical and chemotherapy therapys of patients with cancerous pleural mesothelioma are unsatisfactory, and have not been shown to significantly prolong survival. In this study, we will investigate whether a combination of chemotherapy and radiation targeted directly at the lung's lining can improve outcomes while avoiding surgery," says Dr. Robert Taub, the study's principal investigator, director of the Mesothelioma Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia and professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. "In addition, this approach has shown to have minimal toxic side effects in comparison to systemic chemotherapy."

"This trial is also significant because our center is the only one nationwide that is offering this experimental treatment to treat pleural mesothelioma," added Dr. Taub. "We are very focused on offering these patients the best therapy that medical technology can offer while simultaneously working to preserve quality of life"......... Posted by: Ashley      Read more         Source

June 10, 2008, 8:12 PM CT

Scientists call on federal government to release asbestos study

Two internationally recognized experts who contributed to a Health Canada study on the cancer risks of asbestos are appealing to the federal health minister to make their report public.

The federal agency hired seven scientific and medical experts from around the world last November to examine the risks.

After submitting their report in March, the experts said they were told it would be made public within weeks, but it still hasn't been released.

Health Minister Tony Clement's office told the CBC the report will be made public once his officials have evaluated it.

Leslie Stayner, head of the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois, as well as Trevor Ogden, the chair of the panel of experts, have each written letters to Clement decrying the delay.

"It is simply unacceptable for this report to continue to be withheld from the public, while individuals who have seen the report and our comments make erroneous allegations about what it contains to suit their political objectives," Stayner wrote in his letter.

Last week, Bloc Qu?b?cois MP Andr? Bellavance rose in the House of Commons to argue against growing calls to ban chrysotile, a form of asbestos, implying Health Canada's new study supports his view.

Both Stayner and Ogden, however, said the panel was never asked its opinion on whether a ban on any form of asbestos was appropriate, and that it was only charged with examining the relative potency of exposure to chrysotile versus other forms of asbestos, and how best to estimate the risk of cancer from exposure......... Posted by: Ashley      Read more         Source

December 18, 2007, 5:05 AM CT

New Advance in Mesothelioma Treatment

There is a new therapy in horizon for cancerous pleural mesothelioma. Researches from Research hospitals in Europe have successfully tested a new anticancer drug: Vinflunine. The research findings are highlighted in the latest issue of the leading cancer journal Journal of Clinical Oncology. In this article it shows that Vinflunine is very effective against pleural mesothelioma. Vinflunine been shown to improve response and survival rates in patients diagnosed with cancerous pleural mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare, deadly form of cancer that affects the inside lining of the chest cavity and is directly linked to asbestos exposure.

Vinflunine was recently tested in Phase II clinical trials at hospital research centers in England and France. Dr. Talbot, from the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, and medical colleagues at seven European hospital centers, assessed the response rates of 67 patients who had not received previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy to determine the effectiveness of first-line Vinflunine therapy.

Doctors concluded that Vinflunine, when administered approximately every 21 days in high doses, improved patients' response rates by 13.8 percent, and demonstrated such positive results that the drug treatment warrants further evaluation. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first drug for this condition, "Alimta," which, when used in combination with cisplatin, has helped patients extend their lives by several months, as per the FDA......... Posted by: Ashley      Read more

November 15, 2007, 6:09 PM CT

Mesothelioma drug to be subsidised

For true believer Bernie Banton, it was the sweetest victory of all.

The cancer drug at the centre of a campaign stoush between the asbestos crusader and Health Minister Tony Abbott could be approved for government subsidy as early as January.

And it was the Liberal minister who phoned the Labor working-class hero on Thursday to tell him the good news personally.

Mr Banton, who is battling the terminal asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma, is a long-standing campaigner for the palliative drug Alimta to be listed on the government's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

He was said to be "very happy" at news that the government's advisory body has made that recommendation.

Mr Abbott said a re-elected coalition government hoped to have Alimta on the PBS in January.

Labor has also supported the drug's listing.

Alimta became a campaign issue last week when Mr Abbott apologised after Mr Banton tried to present a 17,000-signature Alimta petition at the minister's Sydney electoral office.

Mr Banton was furious that Mr Abbott was not there to receive it.

Mr Abbott, who was in Melbourne, accused Mr Banton of a stunt, saying just because he was sick did not mean he was "necessarily pure of heart"......... Posted by: Ashley      Read more

August 27, 2007, 8:02 PM CT

Industry First Directory of Mesothelioma Lawyers

Mesothelioma Lawyer Attorney.com today launched the industry's first directory of mesothelioma lawyers, mesothelioma attorneys and mesothelioma doctors, designed to help victims of mesothelioma find qualified legal and medical help.

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer that is almost always caused by prior exposure to asbestos, causes cancerous cells to develop in the lining around the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavities. Most people who develop mesothelioma cancer have worked careers where they inhaled asbestos dust, or have been exposed to asbestos particles and fibers in other ways, such as by home renovation or by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos.

The mesothelioma lawyer, attorney and doctor directory also provides members of the legal and medical field the opportunity to reach and aid more victims of mesothelioma. The directory's top ranking on Google, MSN, Yahoo and other major search engines, ensures that mesothelioma lawyers, attorneys and doctors listed in the directory are seen by the website's 3,000 daily visitors.

"Thank you for helping me find a good mesothelioma attorney," said recent website visitor George Trent. "After a short phone consultation, they came all the way out to my house in New Jersey and showed me exactly how they were going to help"......... Posted by: Ashley      Read more

June 13, 2007, 12:23 AM CT

The mystery of mesothelioma

Janelle Bedel looks just like any other 31-year-old mother. Her face lights up when she talks about her little boy, Carson. Her home is filled with pictures of them and evidence that a 4-year-old inhabits the home is present everywhere.

But unlike every other mother of a 4-year-old, Janelle was just handed a grim diagnosis. Her face is pained as she recounts the harrowing road she has gone down in the last two months; pained because of the pain, and pained because she has to constantly think of what the diagnosis is not only doing to her body, but to her son and family as well.

Janelle was just diagnosed with stage 2 mesothelioma.

This is the first installment of Janelle's Journey, which will explain just what mesothelioma is, how it is contracted, and other related information. The Rushville Republican will follow Janelle as she begins chemotherapy, as her family hosts a benefit in her honor, as she heads to New York for surgery, and as she holds on to the power of hope.

Read more............ Posted by: Ashley      Read more         Source

March 24, 2007, 9:54 AM CT

Easy To Avoid Mesothelioma

It is known that mesothelioma is caused by breathing asbestos fibers into the lungs. When this happens, the lungs or the abdomen may be affected by the disease. Because asbestos is so strongly associated with mesothelioma, regulations have been created to set limits on the amount of exposure to asbestos a worker can have in a workplace.

People who must work around asbestos because of the nature of their work must wear protective clothing. Occasionally a family member may develop mesothelioma as a result of breathing the fibers that may remain on the clothing when the worker returns home from work. to avoid this, if you work around asbestos it would be wise to have a clean change of clothes to wear home. Never allow the fibers to get in your car.

It has also been known to occur that people working around asbestos do not acquire the disease. A number of people have resilient genes that seem to fend off diseases such as mesothelioma. As we never know what our body can handle or not handle regarding health issues it is important to take precautions as if.

When working around asbestos treat yourself with protection as if your child's life depends on it. Refuse to take chances knowing you may carry home the very fiber that your child or spouse may breathe causing suffering as well as opening the door to the possibility of an early disease related death......... Posted by: Ashley      Read more         Source

December 23, 2006, 7:46 AM CT

Asbestos Problem Cleared

When you discover that asbestos is has present in the place you work or spent time engaging is sports activities it could worry a number of people. Asbestos could be dangerous even in small quantities. Old Town High wrestlers have recently gone through such a struggle but finally the problem got cleared/.

The Old Town High School wrestling team is one step closer to resuming its normal schedule now that asbestos concerns at its practice facility have been addressed.

Since asbestos was found in the Herbert Sargent Community Center, where the team practices, the team has been unable to practice or use its mat because of concerns it might be contaminated. The team has been practicing with the Brewer High School team.

On Dec. 13 and 14, County Abatement Inc. eliminated the asbestos at the community center. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has also inspected the facility, which has been cleared for use since the abatement, as per a city official.

"DEP has said there's nothing that the city should have done," Old Town City Manager Peggy Daigle said. "We took extra precaution [in calling for the inspection] just because we know that people have fears about asbestos and we felt it was the prudent thing to do".

Old Town Athletic Director Greg Thibodeau believes that the team will have the mat cleaned in time for it to host a meet as scheduled on Jan. 3.........

Posted by: Ashley      Permalink         Source

December 19, 2006, 7:29 PM CT

Asbestos Removal On Old Elementary Campus

Brenham Banner Press reports that a company, which is well experienced in asbestos removal in buildings that are being demolished, would oversee work at Brenham Elementary School campus. The online newspaper reports that asbestos abatement consultant Henry King, who has been present for other, similar projects on BISD property and elsewhere, said he will work with the contractors and monitor the project.

He said he would review potential contractors' records and determine if an unsatisfactory record of citations existed.

In response to a query from trustee Carey Counsil, King said the contractor would bear the responsibility for anyone injured during the abatement and building removal process, thus indemnifying the school district.

"The abatement and the building removal could both be done by the same contractor," Assistant Superintendent-Operations Jim Bruce said.

Officials expect the board to vote on a removal method next month.........

Posted by: Ashley      Permalink         Source

December 19, 2006, 7:09 PM CT

Asbestos Scare Ends Festive Show

BBC reports that a community shows that the scheduled for this Christmas have been canceled because of concerns regarding exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a cancer causing substance that has been extensively used in building industry previous to recognition that the substance causes a deadly form of cancer.

The Carlton Theatre in Teignmouth has been closed since rainwater which was getting into the roof began seeping into the asbestos.

The community show due to go on stage this Christmas has been postponed.

Teignbridge councillor Jim Grimble, who is responsible for assets and performance, said investigations had shown the theatre was safe.

He said: "We are talking about potential risk.........

Posted by: Ashley      Permalink         Source

December 19, 2006, 6:42 PM CT

Patient Wins $25 Million in Mesothelioma Law Suit

A jury has issued $25 million to a New York City brake reliner who lost one of his lungs to cancerous mesothelioma.

The jury has observed that Chrysler was irresponsible with its workers and failed to warn them about the risks linked to asbestos exposure. They jury mentioned that the risks of asbestos was known since the 1930's. The case brought by Alfred D'Ulisse, 73 and his wife, Margaret, of North Massapequa, New York got exposed to asbestos while relining Chrysler brakes at Morak Brakes in Brooklyn, New York, from 1960 to 1981.

The trial team attorney said, "The jury obviously disbelieved Chrysler's bogus litigation-defense that working with asbestos brakes is safe".

The jury observed that Chrysler was "jointly and severally liable," thus requiring the company to pay 80 percent of the verdict, its 10 percent share and an additional 70 percent for the shares of two other companies. This is considered to be the highest verdict against Chrysler, to date.

Source: Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.........

Posted by: Ashley      Permalink