Mesothelioma in Canada
Once referred to as "Canadian Gold," asbestos has been mined and exported from Canada for centuries. Although asbestos has lucrative commercial qualities, many health officials argue that, it should not be used because it is carcinogenic. Exposure to the toxic mineral is the primary cause of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the thin membrane that covers the lungs. In Canada, the rate of diagnosed mesothelioma cases has risen steadily over the past two decades.
Some researchers suggest that part of this growth stems from doctors' ability to better identify mesothelioma in patients. Cancer centers and research facilities continue to evaluate the treatment options of this cancer in hope of finding new forms of medical care that will benefit mesothelioma patients.
Although cases of mesothelioma are found everywhere in Canada, incidence rates have increased in areas where occupational exposure to asbestos is more common. If you would like to learn more about asbestos-related diseases and inspiring stories about mesothelioma patients, click here to receive free support books from the Mesothelioma Center.
Mesothelioma Incidence Rates in Canada
In British Columbia between the 1970s and 1990s, significant increases in mesothelioma diagnoses among men occurred. The majority of these cases were grouped in Cowichan Valley, Capital and Greater Vancouver counties, where shipbuilding took place around 30 to 40 years prior. Quebec, home to many of Canada's early asbestos mines, reported the highest rate of mesothelioma in the nation between 1993 and 1997.
Asbestos exposure in Canada in the mid 1900s led to increases in mesothelioma diagnoses, from 153 men in 1984 to 337 in 2006. A year later, in 2007, 419 cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed among Canadian men.
Despite that fewer workers in Canada are being exposed to asbestos in Canada when compared to previous decades, medical experts say they cannot predict when the number of mesothelioma cases in the country might begin to decline.
Researchers estimate that the continued elevation of asbestos exposures in Canada will trigger a similar rise of mesothelioma cases in the country, thanks in part to the disease's latency period. Symptoms of mesothelioma often don't present until 20 to 50 years after exposure.
Learn more about mesothelioma statistics
Doctors and Cancer Treatment Centers in Canada
There are a number of cancer centers that offer treatment for mesothelioma in Canada, each with qualified doctors who have expertise in asbestos-related diseases. However, there is no cure for mesothelioma and treatment options for this cancer are limited. Depending upon the stage of the cancer in a patient, a doctor may recommend surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or pain medication.
Receiving the proper diagnosis and treatment for mesothelioma requires a patient to find a qualified doctor who understands the disease. Some of the doctors or experts who are currently researching mesothelioma or who are performing clinical trials in Canada include:
- Robert MacRae, MD
- Jean Seely, MD
- Christopher Lee, MD
- Larry Ellison
- Rufus Scrimger, MD
- Marc dePerrot, MD
- John Cho, MD
- Demetris Patsios, MD
- Brenda O'Sullivan, MD
Because of the rarity of mesothelioma, the disease it is not studied as widely as many other cancers. However, there are treatment centers in Canada that focus on it as well as other asbestos-related diseases. Some of the institutions and cancer centers include:
Center/Institute Location
- Cross Cancer Institute at U of Alberty
- Princess Margaret Hospital
- Fraser Valley Cancer Centre
- Vancouver Cancer Centre
- Centre for Southern Interior
- Nova Scotia Cancer Centre
- Margaret and Charles Juravinski CC
- Toronto Western Hospital
- London Regional Cancer Centre
- Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre
- McGill University Health Centre
- L'Hopital Laval
- Allan Blair Cancer Centre
- Edmonton, Alberta
- Surrey, British Columbia
- Surrey, British Columbia
- Vancouver, British Columbia
- Kelowna, British Columbia
- Hamilton, Ontario
- Hamilton, Ontarioe
- Toronto, Ontario
- London, Ontario
- Ottawa, Ontario
- Montreal, Quebec
- Quebec
- Regina, Saskatchewan
Learn more about mesothelioma treatment options in Canada
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Select treatment options are available to mesothelioma patients in Canada based on their medical history, stage of diagnosis, preference of treatment, along with a variety of other factors. Finding the proper medical specialist to assist you with your diagnosis and treatment is recommended and can easily be accomplished by contacting the Mesothelioma Center.
To learn more about mesothelioma, its risk factors, symptoms and treatment options, please complete the form on this page for a free information packet.
-
02/22/2012 -
An FDA approved drug commonly used for malaria and rheumatoid arthritis showed considerable promise recently in improving the effectiveness of treatme ..
-
02/21/2012 -
The heirs of dockyard workers from the small Mediterranean country of Malta are filing liability claims in New York against American companies that pr ..
-
02/20/2012 -
The family of John Bristow won a $9.18 million award in a Newport News, Virginia, asbestos case on Friday. The jury decided that John Crane Inc. was u ..
© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 9th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
