Blog
- Mesothelioma incidence rate the same despite medical improvements
Mar 26, 2020
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Institute found that cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma are not declining in spite of the various steps that have been taken to minimize exposure and better treat the cancer. Pennsylvania residents are no doubt aware that mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a carcinogenic material often found in old building materials like tiles, shingles and insulation. When asbestos regulations were implemented several decades ago, epidemiologists predicted that there...Read More - How science is helping those with mesothelioma
Mar 24, 2020
Traditionally, mesothelioma patients have been treated with some combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. However, mesothelioma patients in Pennsylvania and throughout the country may have additional options to help them treat or overcome their conditions. Researchers are looking into ways to use immunotherapy in combination with surgery to help individuals who have pleural mesothelioma. The goal is to block the connection between PD-1 proteins found on T-cells and PD-L1 proteins that are found in mesothelioma...Read More - Research Indicates Second-Hand Asbestos Risks
Mar 15, 2020
The results of a recent retrospective study on female mesothelioma patients could have real implications for residents of some Pennsylvania communities. As home to several retired asbestos mines and various industries that present a heightened risk of exposure, the state has faced its share of asbestos-related public health issues. Unfortunately, as the study reveals, the consequences of asbestos exposure aren’t limited to those in direct contact with the substance. While mesothelioma isn’t always attributable to...Read More - Philadelphia teacher settles mesothelioma case
Mar 13, 2020
People in Pennsylvania who have been exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma. This disease is almost always fatal. One teacher in Philadelphia has settled a lawsuit against the school district for $850,000 after she was diagnosed with mesothelioma. The teacher was a 28-year employee of the school district and claims that she was exposed to asbestos at the school where she worked. There was no trial in the case so it was...Read More - Causes and treatment for mesothelioma
Mar 7, 2020
Pleural mesothelioma is a deadly form of lung cancer that’s most commonly caused by inhaling asbestos particles. This chemical was commonly used for insulation materials in older buildings. Since Pennsylvania has long had a strong construction industry, many local residents are aware of mesothelioma. In fact, 1.3 million workers in the general industry and construction fields are still at risk for job-related asbestos exposure, according to recent studies. Asbestos is not the only cause of...Read More - Test may provide more accurate mesothelioma diagnoses
Feb 27, 2020
Pennsylvania residents who have worked with asbestos may be vulnerable to a particularly dangerous form of cancer known as mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the lining of the lung, and almost all cases are linked to asbestos exposure. The cancer may come to light years or decades after the initial exposure, but it often progresses quickly, and people may not know that they are affected until the disease has progressed considerably. One technique called exhaled...Read More - How does mesothelioma spread to the brain?
Feb 15, 2020
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but it has affected a number of Pennsylvania workers who were earlier exposed to asbestos on the job. The malignancy is almost always fatal, and there are few effective treatment options. While the cancer may appear years after a victim experienced asbestos exposure on the job, it can develop rapidly and can, just like other cancers, spread to other areas of the body. In some rare cases, mesothelioma...Read More - Mesothelioma: Things to know about end-of-life care
Feb 14, 2020
If you’re one of many Pittsburgh residents who are currently taking care of a loved one who is terminally ill, you no doubt have days when you feel fatigued, sad or completely overwhelmed. It’s important to stay closely connected to others in Pennsylvania or beyond who can relate to your experiences and provide encouragement and support, as needed. The thing about Mesothelioma and other terminal illnesses is that treatment is palliative in nature, meaning it...Read More - How do doctors diagnose and treat the lung condition asbestosis?
Feb 7, 2020
Before the 1970s, asbestos products were used in numerous industries—until its harmful health effects became known. Since then, the substance has been heavily regulated by the federal government in the United States. However, if you have had a long career in aircraft or auto mechanics, boiler operations, construction, electricity, railroad work, refinery labor, mill work, shipyard work or labor in an asbestos mine, you were likely exposed to the harmful fiber. When people think of...Read More - How people contract mesothelioma
Jan 30, 2020
Many people in Pennsylvania are unfamiliar with the characteristics of mesothelioma as it is a frequently misunderstood disease. If you have symptoms of the disease, they are often misdiagnosed as another illness because cases are so rare. Here is what you should know about mesothelioma. How do you get mesothelioma? Mesothelioma results from exposure to asbestos. People inhale the dust from the substance that permeates the air. It then goes into the lining of their...Read More