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Welcome to the Mesothelioma Center
We are here to help you. Whether you, a family member or a friend are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, this site was designed for you. The Mesothelioma Center is committed to being a comprehensive one-stop resource for all asbestos- and mesothelioma-related issues, from occupational exposure to treatment options. We understand that being diagnosed with cancer, especially a cancer as rare as mesothelioma, can be overwhelming.
To provide the information you need and can trust, we offer a set of free support services capable of answering any question you might have.
Informational Packet
A free, comprehensive packet designed to answer any question you or your loved ones have about mesothelioma and asbestos.
Doctor Match
A free program specifically designed to help you find doctors and facilities near you that specialize in treating your form of mesothelioma.
Veterans Assistance
A program to inform veterans about asbestos exposure in the military and about available VA benefits for veterans with asbestos diseases.
Patient Advocates
A team of specialists committed to providing personalized support and information to mesothelioma patients and their families.
To help you keep up with the latest news and information about asbestos and mesothelioma, we provide a monthly newsletter and four informative blogs: Patient Resources, Veteran's Information, Legal Information and Mesothelioma News.
Understanding and Living with Mesothelioma Cancer
Nearly 3,000 Americans fall victim to mesothelioma every year. In almost all cases, people who develop this deadly cancer were unknowingly exposed to asbestos while at work. Mesothelioma is one of the only cancers that can be almost solely attributed to man-made exposure.
Mesothelioma cancer develops in a thin layer of cells called the mesothelium. The mesothelium surrounds organs in the chest (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) and heart (pericardium). The cells within the mesothelium produce a fluid that protects the organs as well as enables them to move easily without being damaged.
Mesothelioma is considered an aggressive cancer because it normally is not discovered until it is in a late stage of development. However, if symptoms are recognized early enough and underlying causes are treated before the cancer metastasizes, someone diagnosed with this cancer can positively affect their prognosis and extend their life expectancy.
Diagnosing and Treating Malignant Mesothelioma
Diagnosing and treating malignant mesothelioma is hampered by three undeniable facts. First, most people do not realize they were exposed to asbestos and have no idea they should have regular screenings for diseases related to asbestos. Second, mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases normally do not manifest symptoms in the early stages when they are most easily treated. Third, a definitive diagnosis for mesothelioma typically does not occur until it is in a later stage of development, when it is much more difficult to treat.
The three widely accepted ways to treat mesothelioma are: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Studies show that a combination of these treatments can ease pain, help eliminate symptoms and slow the progress of mesothelioma cancer. Treatment options that are available depend heavily on what stage the mesothelioma is in when diagnosed. About three dozen U.S. hospitals nationally employ doctors who specialize in treating mesothelioma. Multiple clinical trials are ongoing to find new drugs and methods of tackling this disease. The Mesothelioma Center can help you find the best doctors and treatment centers in your area.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is toxic and carcinogenic to humans. Prior to its regulation in the late 1970s, it was incorporated into a wide variety of commercial and industrial products.
Both the workers who manufactured these products and people who used them were exposed to this deadly mineral. Workplaces like construction sites, shipyards and various industrial and manufacturing plants were common jobsites where asbestos exposure occurred.
Consequently, construction and other industrial workers are among the most afflicted occupations for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
So, too, are military veterans. The U.S. Armed Forces utilized asbestos primarily for its fireproofing and insulating qualities, leading to exposure among those serving from World War I through the Vietnam War. To learn more about exposure, explore the featured sections below:
Asbestos Awareness Podcast - Asbestos.com Teams Up with AIHA
Asbestos.com writer and editor Michelle Whitmer addresses asbestos and mesothelioma awareness questions on the American Industrial Hygiene Association's (AIHA) weekly podcast, Safe & Sound, with host Craig Sorrell. Listen to the podcast here.
- Week In Review at Mesothelioma Center: Asbestos Activists Working, Libby Victims Getting Help
02/03/2012 - Anti-asbestos activists in Canada continued to flex their muscle, pressuring Roshi Chadha to resign this week from two more prestigious positions in the health care industry. Ch.. - White House Criticized about Workplace Policies of Toxins Like Asbestos
02/03/2012 - Workplace health and safety advocates are criticizing the White House for delaying a regulation that provides a safer work environment for industrial workers, citing that approxima.. - Asbestos in Schools 'A National Scandal' in United Kingdom
02/02/2012 - Asbestos contamination in schools throughout the United Kingdom is "a national scandal,'' according to one Member of Parliament who has asked for swift action to correct the growin..
