The effects of lung cancer on the patient's body can differ according to the type and stage of the disease. However, studies are now focused towards the unpleasant impact of treatments intended to cure the disease in patients. Although these have been recognized as temporary effects only, it still does produce enough good to the health of the patients.

Early detection of lung cancer warning signs - or any other types of illnesses - is crucial in helping to find a cure for the disease. Indeed, the earlier one is able to find out about the disease, the better chances they have for combating the illness.

Among the various type of cancer deaths, lung cancer is responsible for 29 percent of that. Hence, you can begin protecting yourself now by arming yourself with the general facts on lung cancer before it's too late.

Covering our internal organs, the mesothelium is a protective tissue that lubricates and protects our internal organs thus allowing our lungs to breathe and our heart to contract or expand without any discomfort for us.This fine tissue, the mesothelium enables breathing and heart beating therefore being essential to our survival.

It would almost seem like a given in this day and age that people would know and understand that smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer. Secondhand smoke has even been linked with increased lung cancer risks. Even were a person to never smoke a cigarette or be subjected to secondhand smoke, the possibility of lung cancer remains very real.

Pneumonia is inflammation and often infection of the lungs. Although some forms of pneumonia are mild and don't require medical treatment, other forms of the disease can be severe and need prompt medical intervention. Statistics indicate that over 3 million people in the United States are diagnosed with pneumonia each year, and many of them require hospitalization. When pneumonia is caused by infectious agents, the disease is very contagious and it can be easily transmitted through sneezing, cough or physical contact. Therefore, many patients are not hospitalized for the seriousness of their disease, but to prevent them from spreading pneumonia to other people.

Asbestos is a problem in homes that a lot of people have heard about, but few understand. It is a mineral fiber capable of standing up to intense temperatures, added to a variety of products before people realized it was dangerous. It is now considered toxic waste, but previously was used in a some building equipment due to its low cost and heat resistance.

Cough, fever, sore throat, chills, and breathing problems. Individuals who are experiencing these symptoms may already have bronchitis. Bronchitis is a lung ailment that is characterized by an inflammation of the air passages between the nose and the lungs. In some cases, the trachea or windpipe may become infected. The infection of the trachea eventually leads to breathing difficulties. Bronchitis can be caused by a variety of factors like viral and bacterial infection and cigarette smoking. Because of the effects of cigarette smoke in the development of bronchitis, the need to quit smoking has been more important than ever.

Cigarette smoking is probably the most closely related link to developing lung cancer. A person who smokes two packs or more of cigarettes per day has a one in seven chance of developing lung cancer. Those that smoke one pack of cigarettes per day have a twenty-five times greater chance of developing lung cancer than a non-smoker. In addition, those people that smoke a pipe or cigar have a five times greater chance of developing lung cancer than a non-smoker.

If you are in the construction business or employed by an industry that uses products containing asbestos, you may wonder "Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye"? Generally asbestos fibers are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it has broken down into small fibers and is inhaled. It is nearly impossible to detect the presence of asbestos without taking the material to a lab for testing.

There are quite a lot of different respiratory diseases today. You have to consider that being affected with one of the respiratory diseases, it can have a negative impact in your daily activities. You will not be able to do some tasks, you will have difficulty breathing and you will also deprive your body of the sufficient amount of oxygen it needs.

Studies show that there is an increase of lung cancer instances among workers exposed to asbestos. In lieu to this, asbestos lung cancer has become one of the most dreaded types of lung cancer. The causes of lung cancer vary. Aside from exposure to asbestos, smoking and air pollution can trigger the onset of the disease. Therefore, avoiding these possible cancer-causing agents is essential for healthy lungs.

What is Mesothelioma cancer or disease?

A lot of us still didn't know what is MESOTHELIOMA Cancer or Disease? Well this blog will tell you more or less some of the information regarding Mesothelioma cancer or disease. It is hope that by posting some of the info on this Mesothelioma cancer or disease the general public or readers out there will have the ideas or knowledge regarding this killer disease.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It is distinguished from other minerals by the fact that its crystals form long, thin fibers. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause a number of serious illnesses, including mesothelioma and cancer. Since the mid 1980s, many uses of asbestos are banned in multiple countries.

In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking .

Mesothelioma cancer can develop in the tissues covering the:

• Lungs
  
• Abdomen

The pleura

The tissues lining (or covering) the lungs are called the pleura. There are two pleura. These can be called pleural membranes. The gap between them is called the pleural space. The pleura are fibrous sheets. They help to protect the lungs. They produce a lubricating fluid that fills the gap between the two pleura. This helps the lungs to move smoothly in the chest when they are inflating and deflating as we breathe.

Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in the pleura. This is known as pleural mesothelioma. Because it is so close, pleural mesothelioma can also affect the sheet of tissue covering the heart - the pericardium. Doctors call the pericardium the lining, although it is on the outside of the heart. It protects the heart and allows it to move smoothly within the sac that surrounds it. So it does much the same job for the heart as the pleura do for the lungs.

The peritoneum

The tissue lining the abdomen is called the peritoneum. It helps to protect the contents of the abdomen. It also produces a lubricating fluid. This helps the organs to move smoothly inside the abdomen as we move around.Mesothelioma of the tissues lining the abdominal cavity is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. It is much less common than pleural mesothelioma.It is unusual for mesothelioma to spread to other parts of the body. But if it does, it does not usually cause troublesome symptoms.

What causes mesothelioma cancer or disease?

The post below will describe what are the causes of mesothelioma cancer or disease and explain who are at risks of getting the Mesothelioma cancer or disease.

In all cases that involve mesothelioma cancer or disease, 9 out of 10 cases can be attributed to asbestos. By breathing in fibers of asbestos, you are increasing the risk of getting the cancerous disease.

At first, the link between asbestos and mesothelioma could not be made because of the long period of time that goes by from being exposed to asbestos to diagnosis of mesothelioma. But a study in South Africa during 1960 made the link between the two.

Many people come into contact with asbestos fiber through either their occupation and or living in at-risk areas.

Examples of at-risk occupations and living areas are as following:

• Asbestos product manufacturing (insulation, roofing, building, materials)
• Automotive repair (brakes & clutches)
• Construction/contractors
• Maritime
• Miners
• Offshore rust removals
• Oil refineries
• Power plants
• Auto Mechanics
• Boiler makers
• Bricklayers
• Building Inspectors
• Carpenters
• Drywallers
• Electricians
• Floor Coverings
• Furnace Workers

In this post below we will discuss the signs and symptoms of the Mesothelioma cancer or disease...

Symptoms of mesothelioma cancer or disease may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

Mesothelioma cancer that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:

chest wall pain
pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
shortness of breath
fatigue or anemia
wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up

In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.

Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:

abdominal pain
ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
a mass in the abdomen
problems with bowel function
weight loss

In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
low blood sugar level
pleural effusion
pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
severe ascites

A mesothelioma cancer or disease does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

Diagnosing mesothelioma cancer is not easy, as many doctors are still unfamiliar with the symptoms because they are mistaken for a number of common diseases with similar symptoms. To diagnose mesothelioma is difficult because of the latency between contraction and symptoms showing up. When it is diagnosed, mesothelioma cancer is usually in its advanced stages, and little can be done for the patient.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is obtained with assessment of clinical and radiological findings in addition to a tissue biopsy. A review of the patient's medical history, including history of asbestos exposure is taken. Along with the history, a complete physical examination, x-rays, and lung function tests is given. To support evidence of mesothelioma cancer, a CT scan or MRI may also be given. If any one of these tests provide evidences of mesothelioma cancer, then a biopsy will be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

If collection of fluids is present in the lungs or around the heart, then a procedure involving thin needle will be used to collect a small example of the fluid for examination. This procedure is called "fine-needle aspiration" may also be used to remove the collection of fluid to relieve symptoms.

The best way to prevent contracting mesothelioma is avoid contact with asbestos. If there is a chance of exposure, for example fixing up an old houses, then please take special measures to protect yourself. Hire an expert to check for asbestos and remove it if there are any. Do not attempt to do it yourself.

Treatments for mesothelioma cancer or disease depend on several factors such as the location of the cancer, the type of mesothelioma, the stage of the disease, patient's age, the medical history and the general health of the patient.

Each person diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer or disease requires different type of treatment, such as the frequency, the aggressiveness, and the method used to treat mesothelioma.

There are many kind of treatments for mesothelioma cancer or disease, each intending to attack cancer cells while attempting to address symptoms. Often, patients wants to pursue the most aggressive treatment possible at the beginning when diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer or disease. If diagnosed early in the stages, then this may be the best option to take.

The most important thing is have everybody involved to understand the options available and make a personal decision on treatment that is appropriate for the patient.

Treatments commonly used are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These may be used in combination to combat the cancer cell.

In this posting we will discuss one form of treatment of the mesothelioma cancer, that is through surgery.

Before you consider surgery, please consider your overall health. Make sure your health is evaluated carefully by a doctor. Make sure your doctor have you tested to make sure that you don’t have metastatic disease. Metastatic disease is cancer that spreads to distant area of your body.

There may be an occasion where cancer is only in one area of the pleura, where surgery can be used to cure mesothelioma cancer. Using surgery, it can remove part, or all, of the pleura and tissues closes to the cancer. Sometime, the affected side which involves the pleura, whole lung, and diagram are removed along with the tumor.

Even though you may do the surgery, beware that even surgery may not cure mesothelioma cancer. It is important that you discuss this with your doctor before hand so that you have the full understanding of what is happening/going on with the surgery. Only you can consent the surgery, so please make sure you have a full understanding of what is involved.

Sometime, in order to achieve the full effect of surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be involved in order to ensure that mesothelioma cancer is, at best cured.

After operation, sometime it can take many weeks to recover from the surgery. In order to speed up recovery, it is best to be active as possible. If you are required to stay in bed, keep regular leg movements to stay active. To help out with the breathing exercise, a physiotherapist will work with you on this.

Intravenous infusion and drainage tubes will be on you in order to maintain and monitor your overall health. Tubes usually go away when you begin to eat and drink normally and when the overall health improves.

You may feel some pain or discomfort after the surgery. This is quite normal and by making a request to the nurse or doctor, you can control it with painkillers. Be aware that pain or discomfort may persist for few weeks. Be sure to ask your doctor on what to do about the pain.

Mesothelioma cancer patients usually go home 5 to 10 days after the operation. When you go home, be sure to exercise often but gently to build your strength. Be sure to ask your doctor on type of exercises that are appropriate for you. Typically walking and swimming exercise will suffice for those with surgery in the approximation of lungs.

In the next posting we will discuss another form of treatment for the mesothelioma cancer that is by chemoterapy.

In today's article we will be discussing the other alternative for treatment of Mesothelioma cancer by means of a Chemotheraphy.

Chemotherapy is a treatment that involves using chemical substances. The chemical substance used in chemotherapy is “anticancer drugs” that works against and destroy cancer cells in the body.

Often, chemotherapy will be administered through the use of injections. The anticancer drug will be injected into the vein. Physicians may administer it directly in the affected area in hope to target the mesothelioma tumor more effectively. If not injections then it would be given in the form of pills.

Please keep in mind that chemotherapy is not considered as a solution or as a cure. It is often used in combination with other forms of treatment to better battle against the cancer cells. The goals of chemotherapy are to control the cancer by slowing down its growth, to relieve symptoms, to shrink tumors, and to destroy microscopic disease that may remain after surgery.
The downside to chemotherapy is the side effects. While chemotherapy seeks out cancer cells and destroys them, it also temporarily reduces the number of the normal cells. It is the damages done to the normal cells that are causing the side effect.

Depending on the type, dosage, and how your body reacts to chemotherapy, the side effects may include the following…

1. Nausea

2. Vomiting

3. Hair loss

4. Weight Loss

5. Fatigue

6. Diarrhea

Hope this article will help readers to better understand the other alternative method of treatment of Mesothelioma cancer.

Today's article will discuss another alternative of treatment for Mesothelioma cancer. The last possible treatment for mesothelioma cancer is by means of a radiation theraphy.

Radiation treatment or radiotherapy is simply the use of high-energy x-rays that destroy the cancer cells and its surrounding area while doing as little harm as possible to the normal cells.

When treating mesothelioma cancer, radiotherapy may be aggressively used against the cancer cell in cooperation along with surgery or chemotherapy for an effective battle against mesothelioma cancer. If the patient are not well enough for a surgery, then radiation therapy can be used alone as a sole treatment.

Radiotherapy is also used to control the symptoms. This form of treatment can reduce the size of the cancer and reduce pain, discomfort, and or breathlessness.

In our future article we will discuss about the topic of how to cope with the potentially life-ending mesothelioma cancer.

Until then..enjoy your reading!

In this article we will discuss on how to cope with mesothelioma cancer after being diagnosed with the killer disease.

Being diagnosed with mestholioma cancer can be a difficult experience to cope with since it is potentially a life-ending disease. It is common to be in shock or numb to the news of the diagnosis. You may wonder what or how will your friends and family will react to this terrible news.

The first step after being inform of the diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is to accept it. This acceptance will help you deal with life easier and cope with whatever may come. It is important to move ahead because it will help your friends and family deal with it as well.

Each person deals with the news differently and may experience variety range of emotions. The following lists emotions that a person may experience after being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer….

Shock – It may be the first thing you feel since one does not expect nor prepare for the news of cancer.

Anxiety – It is perfectly normal to experience anxiety or fear. You may be wondering about the treatments and how you will cope with mesothelioma cancer.

Depression – When being diagnosed with cancer, you may feel uncertain of your future.

Anger – It is the most common emotion among cancer patients. If you are angry, please be sure to let people know that it is not directed to them.

If possible, talk with your family, friend, or with a counselor.

For some people, the best way to cope with mesothelioma cancer is to learn as much as you can about it. It may make it easier for you to face it.

To learn more about the effect of the illness, go to the library, discuss with your doctors/physician, and go the internet and read websites covering mesothelioma cancer such as this one.

Here are a couple of the resources on mesothelioma cancer available.

National Cancer Institute or visit them at www.cancer.gov
American Cancer Society or visit them at www.cancer.org

To be sure that you are the one making decision, it is important to understand mesothelioma cancer, the side effects you may be experiencing, and the treatments available. Be proactive, ask your doctor about the disease, find out the type and stage of mesothelioma cancer you are at.

Note: Talk with your doctor or physician first about the necessary steps to take

I read an article few days ago regarding the mesothelioma cancer clinical trials somewhere from the internet. The article was all about studies of new treatments in patients who are diagnosed with the mesothelioma cancer.

These treatments are most often new chemotherapy drugs, or sometimes surgery in combination with a drug treatment. Researchers perform a clinical trial when there is some reason to believe that the treatment under evaluation may aid patients. In general researchers perform clinical trials to determine whether a treatment works, whether it is more effective then existing treatments, whether the side effects are too severe to justify the treatments use, and which patients benefit most from the treatment. At any given time, there are usually between 15 to 20 active clinical trials throughout the world investigating new therapies for mesothelioma cancer. Researchers are conducting more than half of those trials in the United States.

While being treated for mesothelioma cancer, a doctor may suggest that a patient look into a clinical trial. Though this does not mean that the patient has no other hope, the patient should be aware of the risks associated with clinical trials. No one knows in advance if the treatment will work or exactly what side effects will occur.

Researchers conduct clinical trials in steps called phases. Each phase answers certain questions. Clinical trials are usually classified into one of three phases.

Phase I trials evaluate how doctors should administer a new drug (i.e. by mouth, injected into the blood, or injected into the muscle), how often, and at what dose. A Phase I trial usually enrolls only a small number of patients, sometimes as few as a dozen.

Phase II trials continue to test the safety of the drug, and begin to evaluate how well the new drug works. Phase II studies usually narrow the focus to a particular type of cancer.

Phase III trials test a new drug, a new combination of drugs, or a new surgical procedure compared to the current standard therapy. Researchers assign participants to the standard group or the new group at random. Phase III trials often enroll large numbers of people and may be conducted at many doctors' offices, clinics, and cancer centers nationwide.

The benefit of participating in a clinical trial is that a patient can receive a treatment that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve and they may be of substantial benefit. Additionally studies have shown that mesothelioma patients that participate in clincial trials tend to live longer and received better care than those who do not partcipate.

For more info regarding this Mesothelioma cancer clinical trials please visit here.

How much asbestos exposure will cause Mesothelioma? This is probably the general question that is always asked by those health concious or those who have been exposed to asbestos.

Generally, the probability of developing this form of cancer is in accordance with the length of time you are exposed to asbestos. Also, your health is at risk if your exposure to asbestos is intense. It should be noted that Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years.

This means that you may develop the disease long after your exposure to asbestos. On average, people tend to develop Mesothelioma somewhere between 35 and 40 years after exposure.

You may ask, how quickly does Mesothelioma cancer progress? Normally the onset of Mesothelioma cancer is quite slow. Patients will begin to experience symptoms such as lower back pain and chest pain. These symptoms may also be accompanied by weight loss, fever and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, once Mesothelioma develops, it quickly becomes aggressive and treatment must be sought immediately.

Can Mesothelioma be treated?

Doctors are able to use several traditional methods of cancer treatment for Mesothelioma cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Like all forms of cancer, detecting the disease at the earliest stage possible greatly increases the patient's chances for survival. If you have worked in an industry such as construction or suspect that you may have been exposed to asbestos, be alert for symptoms and contact your doctor immediately.

Read more here...

What to tell your children if you suffered or been diagnosed with the mesothelioma cancer?

The amount of information you should give them depends on their age and how grown up they are. Being honest is one thing but giving them all the information at once may be too much. Try spreading it out a bit to ease the shock of the inevitable outcome.

Questions can be answered on a 'need to know basis' initially but as more hospital vists are undertaken and the patient is unwell at times then more detail needs to be offered. Getting the same question over and over again from young children can be difficult at times but it should be realised that this is a normal part of their development.

Teenagers may have a particularly hard time as they now have to cope with additional strong emotions and extra responsibilies, as well as the usual emotions which are part of their development into adults. They may need to turn to others outside the family if they find it difficult to talk to family members e.g.family friend, teacher or counsellor.

Grief raises its head everywhere and it is important to reasure children that it is not their fault that this illness has happened. It seems to be common amongst children that they feel they are to blame and these feelings could last for some time.

Additionally, they may need to be put right about what they have heard from friends and other people as it may not be correct.

Children need to be dealt with sensitively but honestly. But manage the communication of information according to age, maturity and circumstances.



Article by:

c) Paul Curran, CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and webmaster at Information on Mesothelioma, providing information about mesothelioma and mesothelioma news.

At some point during our childhood we have all been told to eat our vegetables. Forcing down tasteless green beans and brussels sprouts were supposed to make us taller and stronger. Well, so it is for mesothelioma cancer patients. Diet is often an overlooked subject for cancer patients, but eating the right nutritional foods for strength and energy is just as important as taking the proper medication.

Mesothelioma cancer patients undergoing treatment must follow a special cancer diet devised by their nutritionists. Cancer diets involve eating the correct amounts of protein and calories as well as drinking the right amount of water to keep the ailing body replenished and energized. The body needs plenty of nourishment when it is going through chemotherapy or even when the patient is taking certain medications.

Doctors and nutritionists may also recommend a special cancer diet because many mesothelioma patients tend to lose their appetites due to worry over their condition. Also, those who are undergoing treatment may choose not to eat because of the unpleasant side effects they may experience. Chemotherapy, for example, and even some particular medications may cause an imbalance of nutrients that must be corrected in order to keep the body as strong as possible and to keep the patient from losing an excessive amount of weight. Other side effects of mesothelioma treatment include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, a change in the sense of smell or taste, and/or constipation.

Below are some of the important nutrients patients are encouraged to include in their mesothelioma diet:

1. 
   Protein is important for any cancer patient because it helps repair tissue damaged by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Protein also helps maintain a strong and healthy immune system, lowering a mesothelioma patient’s risk of infection after aggressive cancer treatments. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing protein in a cancer diet with cheese, milk, ice cream, yoghurt, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, meats and fish.
2. 
   Fats are an essential part of the cancer diet because they supply the body with the necessary energy it needs while undergoing treatment. The amount of fats (meaning the number of calories) a cancer diet should consist of is dependent on a mesothelioma patient’s age and body size. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing caloric intake with such foods as butter, milk, cheese, honey, sugar, granola and dried fruits.
3. 
   Water is another essential element of the cancer diet. Without a substantial amount of water, the body will dehydrate. It is important that anyone undergoing cancer treatment receive enough water to keep their bodies hydrated and replenished. The details of every patient’s mesothelioma diet will vary. Some patients will need to incorporate more fat into their diets, while others may need more protein. It is important that patients devise a cancer diet under the guidance of their doctor and nutritionist to ensure that they receive the proper amount of nutrients to improve their quality of life.

By Maggie Kay

When you have been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer such as mesothelioma, finding a mesothelioma doctor who is familiar with the disease and its treatment is an important consideration. Health care available at the local level may suffice if you choose “standard” care options such as chemotherapy, however, if you are looking into surgical evaluation or other specialized forms of treatment, it becomes more important to expand your search for doctors who deal with mesothelioma on a regular basis and have experience in the most up to date protocols available.

Second opinions are common when dealing with a rare cancer, and after listening carefully to your primary doctor’s opinions and treatment plans, you may wish to consult with a more specialized physician before making a treatment decision. By doing this, you can feel comfortable that you have explored every avenue possible and have information on every available option. Your primary doctor may be able to refer you to a specialist, or you can do this on your own as a “self referral”. In either case, you should be sure your primary doctor is aware that you are satisfied with the care you have been given thus far, but because of the rarity of the disease, you would like to be as thoroughly informed as possible. No good doctor should feel threatened that you want to seek a second opinion – it is simply being a good consumer.

A “specialist” is a physician who is licensed to practice medicine, has met certain education and training criteria in a specific field and has passed an examination given by a specialty board. These doctors are then “board certified” in their field. A physician may also choose a “subspecialty” to further increase their expertise and become board certified in the subspecialty as well. Nearly all board certified specialists are members of a medical specialty society that relates to their field of specialization.

Following are some examples of specialties and subspecialties as applies to mesothelioma treatment:

1. Surgery is a specialty that pertains to the treatment of disease by surgical operation on any area of the body. Doctors who conduct these types of surgeries are called general surgeons. An example of a surgical subspecialty would be a thoracic surgeon who deals specifically with diseases of the chest area.
2. 
   Medical Oncology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Medical oncologists treat cancer and most often manage treatment plans such as chemotherapy. They may also consult with or refer to other types of specialists.
3. 
   Radiation Oncology is a subspecialty of radiology. Radiation oncologists specialize in the use of radiation to treat cancer.

In order to make an informed decision when choosing your mesothelioma doctor, consider the following questions:

1. 
   Does the doctor have the education and training necessary to meet my needs, and does he or she have experience in treating mesothelioma?
2. 
   How many cases of mesothelioma has he or she treated in the past year? In their career?
3. 
   Has the doctor given you information on mesothelioma itself, and on the various treatment options you might be eligible for?
4. 
   Does the doctor listen to your concerns and treat you with respect?
5. 
   Does the doctor encourage you to ask questions and explain things in terms that you understand?

When choosing a mesothelioma doctor or surgeon, considering the following questions:

1. 
   Is the surgeon board certified?
2. 
   Does the surgeon belong to a medical specialty society such as The American College of Surgeons?
3. 
   How often does the surgeon perform the type of surgery you need?
4. 
   How many such surgeries has the doctor performed?
5. 
   Has the doctor explained the surgical procedure to you, as well as the risk factors, side effects, quality of life and success rates you might expect?

It is important to you and your family to have a good working relationship with whichever mesothelioma doctor you choose, and to be able to communicate and be involved in decisions regarding your medical care. Always trust your own feelings.

Asbestos is a generic name for a group of dangerous fibers used in the construction business. Asbestos fibers can separate and be easily inhaled, causing considerable damage to the lungs and other organs. Asbestos is a highly-regulated material and many occupational safety measures are in place to prevent exposure to it. Following are some steps for avoiding occupational exposure to asbestos.

Repair the free flowing fibrous area. Many issues arise because the area that contains the asbestos has been damaged and the fibers are freely floating through the air. Repairing the effected area may include wrapping the asbestos, removing it and replacing it with a newer, less harmful substance, or enclosing the effected area.

Wear a HEPA filtered respirator that has been individually fitted for you. There are many respirators on the market to choose from. A dust particle mask is not sufficient protection from the airborne fibers. You should wear a mask certified safe by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Consult an OSHA specialist for more information.

Wet the asbestos when working with it. Wet fibers are heavier and fall to the ground or don't free-flow in the air. The point is to not inhale the fibers, so making the fibers heavy will help prevent this.

Train the employees on the dangers of asbestos. A major part of both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is to prevent exposures in the workplace through education.

Mesothelioma is the term used to define cancer that afflicts the tissue surrounding the body's organs. Mesothelioma also affects the fluid and tissue in the space between organs. This makes mesothelioma one of the more difficult cancers to detect, as symptoms usually don't appear until the cancer is in more advanced (and more dangerous) stages. If you suspect you may have mesothelioma, it's important to begin the diagnosis process as soon as possible.

Understand the Mesothelioma Diagnosis Process:

Expect a CT Scan to be one of the first tools used in a mesothelioma diagnosis. The CT scan is able to process a detailed image of your abdomen to determine

Know that an X-ray is a common first step in any mesothelioma diagnosis process. Although it cannot directly detect the presence of mesothelioma, a chest X-ray is capable of detecting a thickening of the lining of the lungs.

Use the PET scan as another tool to detect the presence of mesothelioma. Although still technically in trials, PET scans introduce radioactive glucose into the body. These radioactive sugars become concentrated in cancerous tissue, although simple scar tissue is known to attract them, as well.

Expect fluid and tissue samples to be taken as a diagnostic tool, although less invasive methods like the CT scan or the MRI are more common.

Know that surgery is sometimes used in the diagnosis process, since it can be difficult in some cases to conclusively identify malignant tissue.

Avoid asbestos at all costs. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma, so people who are exposed through construction, mining or manufacturing should be tested for exposure on a regular basis.

Overall Tips & Warnings:

Be aware that the Patient Bill of Rights give you the authority to participate in any and all decisions related to your treatment. You can say yes or no to any treatment option presented, as well as any and all diagnosis options that are available.

Ask your doctor to explain the diagnosis process to you in plain English. If you speak a different language, ask for a translator. It's your right.

Stop smoking right away, particularly when facing the possibility of mesothelioma treatment. Smoking is known to intensify the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Continue to abstain from smoking after your treatments are done.

Feelings of depression and anger are quite common in cancer patients. Learn to deal with this flood of emotions by speaking to a religious leader, friend, therapist or support group.