Mesothelioma Help Cancer News
Experience Counts When Treating Mesothelioma Patients
When you are familiar with a situation and work closely with people working on the same problem, sometimes you assume things are further along. Like with mesothelioma. I see breakthroughs in treatments for mesothelioma patients every day, yet I still see patients who are told their disease is too far along for any care other than palliative chemotherapy.
Their local doctor is telling them something they truly believe, and from their own experience it appears to be accurate. Possibly that doctor’s experience is limited by the lack of mesothelioma patients he or she has treated. With only 2,500-3,000 patients diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, only doctors at specialty centers can build their knowledge and experience through treating numerous patients.
This past week, I saw a man who was told by his local doctor to have chemotherapy because that was his only choice to extend what little time they had to offer. The patient was overwhelmed and frightened by this prognosis. He chose to seek another opinion. Through research, he found a mesothelioma center that was close to him, and decided to travel to see a specialist.
Here he was told something very different. He was told he was operable, and his disease was not advanced and he had a good chance in resuming his life as he knows it. Well, that was music to his ears. He would endure a 6-8 hour surgery and a recovery that could be difficult and painful.
He traveled alone and took on this surgery that was a gamble. He followed his medical instructions to the letter, and 10 days later is out of the hospital and is recovering from his surgery.
He is now joined by a family member. During our visit he was so pleased that he chose this option. He was planning on weaning himself off the pain medicine and was making plans to return home. His appetite and spirits are good. He is anxious to return home, but he is patient and will continue with the discharge plan.
I urge anyone reading this, who has not seen a mesothelioma specialist, to please get a second opinion about this disease. Hopefully, you will find an expert. There is a lot of information on the internet and there are many experts listed. Ask your primary care physician for the name of an expert. This is your life and you need to find the best options possible.
Medicine and science are evolving every day. There is still is no cure, there are more options than ever before. Sometimes we all need to remember that mesothelioma is a rare aggressive disease, and seeking out a second opinion at a mesothelioma center might give you and your loved ones peace of mind and a longer life.
Mesothelioma Researchers Urged To Apply For Fellowship Award For The Early Detection Of Lung Cancer
Many of the articles from MesotheliomaHelp report on the latest breakthroughs in research. But each breakthrough takes a lot of time and a lot of money. Last month, two organizations focused on bringing effective treatments to lung cancer patients announced a partnership for a fellowship award for the early detection of lung cancer. Lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma, and all cancers, detected in the early stages brings increased survival to patients.
Free ME From Lung Cancer (FMFLC) and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) joined forces in offering the first-ever $200,000 Joint Fellowship Award for the Early Detection of Lung Cancer. According to an Oct. 10 press release, the award supports novel, innovative and translational research with the potential of having a high clinical impact on the early detection of lung cancer.
“This first joint award between FMFLC and the IASLC funds research that will positively impact lung cancer patients,” said Deb Violette, President and Founder of FMFLC. “We are thrilled to be working with the IASLC to help change the lives of lung cancer patients.”
The treatment protocol for pleural mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, is nearly identical to lung cancer. Funding offered to bring a new, effective treatment to lung cancer patients is a benefit to pleural mesothelioma patients as well. A focus on early detection brings even more hope to the mesothelioma community that future patients will enjoy a longer survival.
Patients with pleural mesothelioma do not exhibit many symptoms until the disease is at an advanced, incurable stage. Currently, there are no screening tests for lung cancer or mesothelioma like those available for breast and prostate cancer.
Pleural mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many cancer treatments, leading researchers throughout the world to spend countless hours searching for better ways to treat the incurable cancer. They rely on funding from public and private sources to run their clinical trials and to ensure continuous funding throughout the projects.
“Fellowships like this foster groundbreaking and collaborative research worldwide,” said IASLC Foundation Director, AnnMarie Estrada.
The National Cancer Institute reports that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women with an estimated 222,500 new diagnoses and 155,870 deaths in the U.S. in 2017. Nearly 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.
Free ME from Lung Cancer is the only nonprofit based in Maine dedicated solely to raising money for lung cancer research and offering early lung cancer screening for high risk patients who do not have insurance.
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer is the only global organization dedicated solely to the study of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies.
The money is awarded over two years with $100,000 given each year. Applications will be accepted until December 31. The award winner will be notified on March 15, 2018.
Visit the IASLC website to learn more.
Reflecting on Five Years of Writing About Mesothelioma
I remember the first time I saw the tribute page to my father, Donnie Smitley, on this site. The pride that I felt, the emotions that barreled through my heart, were immense. It is such a beautiful tribute to this man who was so simple, yet so influential. It was amazing to see this influence, even after his passing.
This is a great time to thank everyone at MesotheliomaHelp for their support and help over these years. It’s hard to believe that I submitted my first blog in October 2012, five years ago! What an honor to have been able to share my family’s story with you for this long. Through my writings, I have had the honor to hear from others in the mesothelioma community who have been through similar situations. I have gotten to be a sounding board, friend, and even an “expert” (although I wouldn’t call myself that), to many.
From the bottom of my heart, please know that the gratitude I feel for this opportunity is sincere. I hope to continue to share for many years to come… until we find a cure for this awful disease.
Visit Don Smitley’s tribute page on MesotheliomaHelp.
Support Mesothelioma Caregivers During National Family Caregivers Month
It is hard to understand the challenges caregivers face every day, unless you have been a caregiver yourself. While pleural mesothelioma patients may have the spotlight turned on them this month during National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, now is also a time to shine a light on caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma face a long, demanding battle involving countless doctors’ appointments, extensive tests, chemotherapy treatments and radiation therapy. Managing the illness and all the appointments, on top of taking care of day-to-day living needs, takes the help of a dedicated caregiver. Caregivers, typically spouses or other family members, provide nearly constant care for mesothelioma patients, often while trying to care for other family members.
This year, the Caregiver Action Network (CAN) recognizes that caregiving can be a 24-hours a day/7-days a week job and has designated the theme for National Family Caregivers Month as “Caregiving Around the Clock.”
According to CAN, more than 65 million family caregivers, or 29% of the U.S. population, “provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year.” Although CAN notes that the average amount of care time is 20 hours per week, those hours are all day long: morning, during the workday, evening, late at night and in the middle of the night – every day.
For mesothelioma patients, the caregivers are vital for helping them follow their medical, dietary and exercise regimens. Caregivers are called upon to deal with the myriad medical appointments, medical bills, updates to other family members and friends as well as ensuring that the household runs efficiently.
President Trump declared in this year’s presidential proclamation: “Caregivers must often be available around the clock, which can require them to forgo or postpone priorities for their own lives. Through sacrificial love, caregivers endure emotional, physical, and financial strain for the sake of another.”
We here at MesotheliomaHelp join President Trump and all Americans in honoring “those whose extraordinary selflessness provides others with independence and comfort.” We offer our appreciation to all the caregivers supporting a loved one as they fight mesothelioma.
Visit the Caregiver Action Network website for caregiving support resources and more information.
Long-Term Mesothelioma Survivors Help Guide Research, Care
Over 25 years ago, as a young RN working nights, one of my male co-workers was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in his mid 20’s. He was married and wanted to start a family. Dealing with the diagnosis, and the changes it was making in his life were difficult. He sought counseling, followed his doctor’s recommendations, underwent treatments and went into remission. He and his wife had a family and he continued to work.
All of this was challenging, but he always wore a smile. He has had health challenges over the years and has undergone procedures, been treated for complications of the therapy, and tried new therapies. He has continuously given back to others who have been diagnosed with cancer. Recently, I ran into him. He said his original doctors have retired, and that his “doctors do not know what to do with me.”
He is a long term survivor, a pioneer, happy to be in the position he is in. His children are young adults, he has seen them grow, been part of their lives. He has been able to experience the important things that matter the most in life. At this point he is a survivor, and he and his doctors are learning together how to manage anything that comes up for him medically.
His story is starting to become more common. A long term survivor of malignant pleural mesothelioma recently related the same issue to me. He is glad to be in the category of survivor, but there are issues that do not seem to have guidelines. Questions get answers that are often vague.
This issue is an important one: care of long term survivors of mesothelioma cancer and their quality of life. It is a part of ongoing research. As we know, it takes time for the research to be developed and the results analyzed.
Once again, it is the brave people who have been diagnosed, treated, and survived that are leading these pioneering efforts to help others. By bringing attention to this issue, the mesothelioma community can come together and support and learn from the survivors. Not only has the community benefitted from their courage in trying new treatments over the years, it has led to a point where a small number of survivors are now living longer. As the community continues to support patients at the beginning of their journey, long term survivors also need our ongoing support.
Free Mesothelioma Patient & Treatment Guide
We’d like to offer you our in-depth guide, “A Patient’s Guide to Mesothelioma,” absolutely free of charge.
It contains a wealth of information and resources to help you better understand the condition, choose (and afford) appropriate treatment, and exercise your legal right to compensation.
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