Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and other organs. It’s also one of the most deadly forms of cancer, with few cases surviving past five years.
There are no cures for this disease, but there are treatments to help manage symptoms like chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Continue Reading for more info on Mesothelioma, Symptoms and how to prevent this type of Cancer.
What is Mesothelioma and how does it form?
Again, Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and other organs. It’s caused by exposure to asbestos, a material once widely used in homes and workplaces until it was recognized as one of the primary causes of Mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers are very small-about 1/100th the width of a human hair-and can become stuck in the lining of organs, where they cause damage that leads to cancer.
There are no cures for Mesothelioma, but there are treatments available to help manage symptoms including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
The symptoms of Mesothelioma
Symptoms of Mesothelioma can develop many years after exposure to asbestos. Often patients begin experiencing shortness of breath as the cancer starts growing in the lungs. Other symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Tired and achy feeling all over
How to treat Mesothelioma
Treatments for Mesothelioma are rarely curative, but often help with managing symptoms.
Surgery may be needed to repair tumors that have developed in the chest. Radiation therapy uses high-dose rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Patients diagnosed with Mesothelioma soon after initial tumor growth may respond well to chemotherapy, using drugs to kill cancer cells.
Ways to reduce your risk of developing Mesothelioma
There are several ways you can reduce your risk of developing Mesothelioma, the most important being avoiding exposure to asbestos in your home or at work.
Never remove any materials with labels warning against their disturbance-removing these materials can release toxic fibers into the air. Don’t allow others to remove these materials either!
If you suspect there may be asbestos in your home, consult an expert who can assess the risk and get rid of it safely.
How to cope with a diagnosis of Mesothelioma
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you’re probably upset and unsure what to do next. Remember that there are many people out there who have been through the same thing as you!
Groups like Asbestos.com can give you information about Mesothelioma and connect you with others coping with a diagnosis of this rare form of cancer. Each year thousands of people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma, and many more have been exposed to asbestos without knowing it.
Your best chance at a long and healthy life is learning as much as you can about your cancer and taking action to prevent its reoccurrence.