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Facts you should know and questions you should ask your doctor when you are diagnosed with mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a very rare cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. This type of cancer can affect various areas of the body cavity lining.

The majority of cases (75%) affect the pleural mesothelium (the lining that surrounds the lungs) because the easiest way for asbestos to enter the body is through your air passages. If the asbestos fibers do not get embedded in your lung cavity and are allowed to travel through the body they can lodge themselves in your peritoneal mesothelium (the lining that surrounds your abdominal organs, your pericardial mesothelium (the lining that surrounds your heart) or any other area of the body that has a mesothelium (though this is quite rare).

If you have been exposed to asbestos, especially from working in jobs that cause direct exposure, you should be checked regularly for any sign of mesothelioma. If you have already been diagnosed with the disease there is some information you should have and you should be prepared to discuss a number of questions with your doctor.

Facts You Should Know about Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma affects about nine people in a million which amounts to over newly diagnosed cases 2,500 each year. The disease has an extended latency period and may not show any symptoms for up to 50 years. This means people who worked in or around asbestos mines or industries during the 1950s to the 1970s are beginning to be diagnosed in large numbers after the beginning of the millennium and the expected peak in new cases should be around 2010. Even though asbestos was banned in the US during the 1980s, there are still thousands of products in use over 25 years later.

It is widely known that industry leaders were aware of the dangers posed by working with asbestos but chose to ignore potential problems. Many cases of mesothelioma could have been avoided with proper safety measures and protective equipment. Business owners looked to profit rather than the safety of the workers and are considered at fault for the illnesses. Many victims have taken the companies to court over the illness and have won multimillion dollar lawsuits when they file their cases within a year or so of diagnosis.

Questions for Your Doctor

When you are ready to discuss your illness with your physician you should have some questions with you. The answers will help you better understand your illness and the treatment options you have ahead of you. These questions include:

• What are the types of malignant mesothelioma?
• How did I get mesothelioma?
• What are the symptoms?
• How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
• What are stages and what are the treatment options for each stage?
• What kinds of treatment options and therapies are available?
• How do I find a doctor or cancer center that specializes in mesothelioma?
• Where can my families and friends go for help to coping with and understanding mesothelioma?