The International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health have found a way that it might be possible to use imaging software to help with Mesothelioma Cancer. The journal discusses how researchers at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute’s National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos-Related Cancers (NCVAC) have found what may be a reason for the chest pain that is associated with asbestos related diseases, especially Mesothelioma Cancer.

There is a new radiography process where researchers can find and document pleural plaques in the body as well as document the erosion of the interior wall of the ribs when an individual is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.

This new process can enhance images from a high resolution CT scan, and with the clarity of the picture doctors will be able to diagnosed asbestos-related diseases at an earlier stage.

The family of Japanese electrician, Kenji Fujiwara passed away from Malignant Mesothelioma in 2006, after being diagnosed with the illness in 2006, was just awarded 30 million yen for his passing.

The story is that the Chubu Electric Power Company failed to tell workers about safety precautions due to asbestos. Kenji worked at the power company from 1958 to 1999.

Fire Captain David Chesser from Nebraska underwent surgery to remove most of his Mesothelioma cancer.

In order to remove the majority of the cancer tumor, the doctors had to remove part of pancreas, spleen and appendix.

The fire department in Nebraska is using this case to raise awareness for others – especially for the hazards of fire fighters being exposed to asbestos and in turn being diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer.

A recent study was done and reported on by the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology. The report stated that when Mesothelioma cells are under immense stress from heat they respond by increasing production of heat-shock proteins that save them from death. Researchers have now discovered that suppressing the release of these heat-shock proteins in the Mesothelioma cancer cells can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic treatments.

While there is no cure for Mesothelioma at the current time, this treatment option seems more and more like it will be a success in the coming years.

Gerald Gray was a Commander Master Chief for the Atlantic Fleet in the Navy from 1951 until retiring in 1971 and becoming a school teacher. 37 years later Gray was diagnosed with the Asbestos related cancer, Mesothelioma.

Gray’s family members received $1.2 million from John Crane, Inc for Gray’s death. The jury had planned on awarding the family $4 million, but four out of the five defendant companies chose to settle outside of the courtroom, lowering the amount that the court could reward the family publicly.

During his time in the Navy, Gray was exposed to asbestos, and the John Crane company was held partially responsible for Gray’s Mesothelioma diagnosis. John Crane manufacturers asbestos-containing gaskets and other materials for ships.

A recent government report released by Safe Work Australia predicts that Mesothelioma will continue to rise in Australia until the year 2017.

The company Safe Work Australia develops national policy on occupational health and safety issues. They claim that the number of new cases of Mesothelioma has risen from 156 cases in 1982 to 597 cases in the year 2005.

Click here to find out which states in the United States have the highest percent of Mesothelioma deaths each year.

Retired police officer Grahm “Len” Hutton, passed away in 2008 from Mesothelioma and now his friend John Barnes will walk 102 miles in England in order to raise money for Mesothelioma patients and caregivers and to raise awareness for the disease.

Barnes will begin his walk on August 26, 2009, and will start tackling the journey 20 miles a day, and will stay at local bed and breakfast’s along his route. The end goal for Barnes is to raise over $8,000, currently having raised almost $3,000.

Barnes is hoping that others will join him along the way and participate in the walk with him along with offer donations: “I am hoping my walk will not only increase the awareness of mesothelioma, an asbestos-related disease, but also give some of Len’s friends a chance to remember him.”

Many families who are mourning the loss of a love one never think about the powerful message they could be sending out to others while they are grieving. Not only would others be helped by the messages, but the individuals who lost loved ones could find it easier to grieve while helping others.

Families of Mesothelioma victims can raise awareness about the disease by setting up fund raisers and charities, and distributing information packets in their towns and school systems.

recently, Mick Keogh’s life was taken by Mesothelioma and his partner Ann Parkinson had an interesting memorial for him. She gathered with friends and family to celebrate Keogh’s life as well as to educate everyone on the dangers of asbestos and Mesothelioma.

From here, she will work to fight against Mesothelioma and to help other families who are suffering as she and Keogh did.

Do you know anyone who has started a charity because of the loss of a loved one?

Three cyclists are biking 1,200 miles to raise awareness about Mesothelioma and Asbestos, and to honor those who have fallen victim to the disease. The three bikers include two English attorneys and one Mesothelioma activists and will be riding from Glasgow England to Southhampton England.

Along the way the three men will be stopping off at various communities along the route who house individuals who have been affected by Mesothelioma.

The men also hope to promote the creation of a national research center for Mesothelioma – and are hoping their bike ride raises enough awareness to make that dream a reality.

Do you think that their trip will make a difference?

The company Alfacell has created a chemotherapy drug called Onconase. Onconase was recently used in a clinical trial for the treatment of Malignant Mesothelioma.

Unfortunately, Onconase did not meet Alfacell’s predictions for patient survival, it did achieve an overall survival of 10.5 months for the patients involved who had originally not responded to traditional chemotherapy.

Alfacell is confident that the drug Onconase can be used as a secondary treatment for patients with Mesothelioma, and hope in the future that the drug can be used to treat other types of cancer as well.