Mesothelioma Survivors
While the survival rate for mesothelioma is statistically low, some individuals have surpassed traditional life expectancy projections and lived for years after being diagnosed with the disease. Exactly why some patients beat the odds and survive in spite of a terminal diagnosis is unknown. Their stories, however, can often be a source of hope and insight for other mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.
To read more about survivors of mesothelioma cancer and, more importantly, how to enhance your chances of being a survivor, ask for a free copy of the Mesothelioma Center's comprehensive informational packet. The packet is tailored specifically for each person who asks for one and contains information about treatments, clinical trials, doctors and mesothelioma cancer centers. Fill out the form below to get a packet delivered to your door.
Why Do Some Mesothelioma Patients Live Longer than Others?
Another critical factor is specialized treatment by a doctor that is an expert in your type and stage of mesothelioma. Make sure you’re fully informed on the specialists available in your area – request our free info kit, which includes all of the nations’ top doctors.
A patient's life expectancy is based upon a variety of factors, such as location of tumor, severity of disease, age and gender, just to name a few. Depending upon these elements, life expectancy can vary widely in each individual case of mesothelioma.
Although the medical community cannot explain why some patients manage to survive years longer than expected, some experts theorize their success may be linked to therapies that enhance the immune system. Certain studies of mesothelioma survivors have shown that many underwent a form of treatment aimed at strengthening the immune system, such as immunology treatments and alternative therapies.
A fundamental report on mesothelioma released several decades ago further links the progression of the disease with a weakened immune system. According to the report, "the presence of asbestos fibers in exposed workers may have caused the eventual breakdown of the host's surveillance system and the onset of neoplasm [malignant mesothelioma]."
The Importance of Early Detection
Early detection also plays a vital role in increasing a patient’s chance of becoming a mesothelioma survivor. The earlier mesothelioma is detected, the more treatment options a patient generally has open to them.
The development of new blood tests, such as the Mesomark test, has helped doctors detect mesothelioma much earlier than they previously could through the use of traditional diagnostic tools. This early detection allows a larger proportion of patients to undergo treatments that are more curative than palliative in nature.
Notable Mesothelioma Survivor Stories
The following are some notable stories of mesothelioma patients who significantly surpassed their original prognosis:
Ruth Phillips
Phillips,from Georgia, opted against the conventional treatments that were recommended upon her original diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma in 1999, taking an alternative-therapy approach, instead. She found the Immune Augmentative Therapy Centre in Freeport, Bahamas, which focused on rebuilding her own immune system, allowing her body to fight off the cancer without the toxicity of chemotherapy or radiation. Although she returned annually for many years, she stopped going in 2012 because the Centre has changed its philosophy, and the vaccines it once used. She still relies on the herbal and homeopathic formulas, which come from all over the world.
Larry Davis
Davis, from South Florida, has undergone five surgeries since his original diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma in 2006, yet he has rebounded each time from the same cancer that killed his father many years ago. Davis has been thriving, running a Father's Day Triathlon in 2011, and working tirelessly to raise awareness of the disease. Under the care of Dr. Richard Alexander at Greenebaum Cancer Center in Maryland, Davis still jogs, swims and bikes, attributing his success to various alternative treatments.
Wayne Neal
He spent his career as a union electrician in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, where he was regularly exposed to asbestos. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1991, pushing him into an early retirement. Now at age 83, he is alive and thriving, attributing his success to antioxidants like melatonin that are found in red tart cherries, which he has eaten every night for the past 20 years. "There's something magical in those cherries," he said.
Alexis Kidd
Alexis Kidd was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2007 – had major surgery that removed part of her diaphragm – but that didn't stop the wedding plans that she and Christian Arnheiter made in 2011. Kidd, 42, still rides to work now on her scooter, refusing to let the diagnosis get in the way of the life she and Christian have planned. They don't know how many wedding anniversaries they may have, but they will celebrate their time together. "It’s kind of cool now to hear people say, 'You don’t look or act sick,' " Alexis said.
Christine Shippen
She never worked around asbestos, but Shippen believes she was exposed to it by her father, who mixed asbestos cement every day on his jobsite, then wore his work clothes home every night . She still lives in England. She was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October of 2007, years after her father had died, likely of the same disease although it never was diagnosed. She discovered that repeated chemotherapy has been able to shrink the tumor and control the disease, allowing here to be active in various cancer awareness events in the UK.
James Rhio O'Connor
James Rhio O'Connor was originally diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2001. Despite being given less than a year to live, O'Connor managed to survive another seven years. O'Connor did not undergo surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, but rather chose to combat his disease through a strict nutritional regimen and mind-body therapy. He died in 2008.
Judy Glezinski
Judy Glezinski was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 1990 and lived with the disease until 2010. In addition to undergoing several extensive surgeries, Glezinski relied heavily upon alternative treatments such as meditation, massage therapy and nutritional remedies. Her story is chronicled in the book titled Surviving Mesothelioma: Making Your Own Miracle.
Paul Kraus
Paul Kraus was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1997 and continues to live with the disease. He attributes his ongoing health to a strict nutritional and vegetarian diet, the role of positive thinking and other holistic treatment measures.
Stephen Jay Gould
Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in July 1982. He died 20 years later due to an unrelated cancer. Gould was an influential evolutionary theorist who urged fellow cancer patients to look beyond statistical averages.
Karen Grant
Karen Grant was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2004 at the young age of 29. Seven years later, she remains cancer-free and attributes her success to remaining positive and taking things one step at a time.
Janelle Bedel
Janelle Bedel is currently a four-year mesothelioma survivor. After undergoing extensive surgery to remove her affected lung, she turned to physical therapy and radiation therapy. She now spends much of her time advocating for mesothelioma awareness. She has played a key role in gaining congressional support for a resolution that would designate Sept. 26 as national Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
Mike Dews
Mike Dews underwent his first surgery for mesothelioma in February 2001. After undergoing an additional surgery, as well as other treatments, Dews remained relatively physically active. He encouraged fellow mesothelioma patients to use the resources around them and rely on loved ones. Dews passed away in September 2011.
David Cutts
A Marine Corp veteran in New Jersey who served six months in Vietnam, Cutts was diagnosed in 2005 with pleural mesothelioma. Six years later he was dancing with his wife at his grandson's wedding reception. Cutts, 70, opted for the radical extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) done by Dr. David Sugarbaker at Brigham & Women's Hospital, and he's still going strong. "I am, what most people would say, cancer free right now," he said.
While these are a few of the most prominent mesothelioma survival stories, they are not the only ones. Although mesothelioma is generally considered a terminal cancer, these stories show that each individual case is unique.
Need Help Finding a Mesothelioma Specialist?
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat because often it does not respond to traditional treatments. It is important if you have this disease to get to a doctor who specializes in treating it. The Mesothelioma Center is expert at matching people to doctors based on the specifics of someone's case and their location. If you want to use this free service and talk to a specialist, Click here.
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Last Modified Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
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