It is a well-known fact that the naturally-occurring mineral asbestos is a carcinogen; linked to lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Once industrial workers began to suffer the effects of asbestos years after being exposed, studies began to focus on the toxicity of the substance. Scientists know that exposure alone is[…]
From the blog
Mesothelioma and Crohn’s Disease – A Possible Link
Peritoneal mesothelioma is an incredibly rare cancer that makes up about 30% of all mesothelioma cases. This type of mesothelioma affects the peritoneum, which is a protective membrane that surrounds the abdomen and allows the surrounding organs to expand and contract easily. When asbestos fibers become ingested or inhaled, the[…]
Types of Asbestos
There are six different types of asbestos that occur naturally throughout the world. Asbestos is actually the generic name given and is not a mineralogical definition. A mineral product that is flexible, possesses high tensile strength, is heat resistant, resistant to chemical degradation, and can be woven into fabric is[…]
Mesothelioma Incidence Rates Around the World
Thousands of people each year are diagnosed with and die from asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma in the United States each year. But how does that compare to the rest of the world? Even though asbestos is still legal in the United States, the United States’ incidence rate for[…]
The Importance of Clinical Trials – Especially for Mesothelioma Victims
A rare and aggressive malignancy, mesothelioma, is cancer affecting the lining that surrounds various organs and cavities within the body. Mesothelioma gets its name from this lining, which is called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is strictly caused by asbestos exposure. Victims are typically only given a year, sometimes[…]
Scientists Focus on Enzymes and Proteins to Develop New Treatments
Scientists are continually exploring new opportunities for drugs to combat mesothelioma and recently, scientists have zeroed in on a particular enzyme that is said to be “overexpressed” in pleural mesothelioma. This enzyme, known as orotate phosphoribosyl transferase (OPRT) is believed to curb the development and spread of mesothelioma which would[…]
Medical Marijuana: A New Treatment for Mesothelioma?
Earlier this month, Ohio legislators approved a bill that would allow patients with malignant mesothelioma to buy and use marijuana for medical purposes – legally. The bill will now move on to the governor, and if that is signed, Ohio will become the 25th state to legalize some form of[…]
New Law Could Ban Asbestos in United States
There have been some exciting new developments with regards to the country’s Chemical Safety Regulations. Asbestos, the known carcinogen once used as a flame retardant and in insulation could possibly be banned in the United States, under new laws and regulations from Congress. While The Chemical Safety regulations that have[…]
New Treatments Target the Immune System of Victims of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer, is a cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is the lining that surrounds internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma is cancer that appears in the lining of the lungs, and accounts for about 75% of all mesothelioma cases. Aggressive cancers such as mesothelioma take a toll[…]
Positive Genetic Studies and Treatment for Mesothelioma Patients
Understanding malignant mesothelioma and the way it develops is significant when discovering prevention, development control, and the eventual lead to a cure. Cancer researchers at the Mayo Clinic have been researching the genetic composition of the disease in hopes to find a connection between the development of mesothelioma and mutations[…]
