The Journal of Clinical Oncology had a report about improving the survival rate of patients with Pleural Mesothelioma. The article stated that patients with Pleural Mesothelioma may have improved health if they take a Trimodality Therapy treatment approach.

This approach uses three different types of treatment to combat the Mesothelioma Cancer.

Patients who have already tested this idea have responded well to the treatment. During the study, those who completed all three rounds of treatment saw a two-year survival rate of 61%.

What do you think about this?

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.

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.

At 61-years-old, plumber Alan Ward, has been awarded nearly $290,000 in compensation for his Mesothelioma diagnosis.

Alan was diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer in April 2007, after spending several years plumbing in hospitals in England that had asbestos fibers in them. His job was to remove asbestos from pipes and boilers and he was never warned of the dangers of asbestos exposure – he was also not given any protection from asbestos fibers while he did his job for the hospitals.

Alan was given 18 months to live, however he has defied the odds and has lived for two years already with Mesothelioma cancer.

Alan is planning to use the money he has been compensated to make his last few months more comfortable and to compensate his suffering.

69-year-old James Rhio O’Connor passed away this month from Mesothelioma cancer. Surprisingly James was diagnosed in 2001 and his doctor told him that both surgery and chemo therapy were not options as he was too far along and they would do more harm than good.

James took the doctors advice and decided to take his wife, Arlene, on a cruise and then return home and go into hospice care. However, James didn’t need the care, rather he lived another seven years enjoying himself every day until the end.

Cancer Monthly published James’ book “They Said Months. I Chose Years! A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Story.” In the book James acknowledged that there is no right or wrong treatment for anyone when it comes to Mesothelioma. He talked about how patients should listen to their bodies and not second guess themselves.

He writes, “How important is self-sufficiency in surviving mesothelioma or any other cancer? I think it is vital. You have to possess the faith and confidence to make the right treatment decisions. Many patients spend hours, days or weeks second-guessing themselves about what they would have or could have or should have done. This is very unproductive… I believe that discipline has helped me survive my diagnosis. In fact, I probably wouldn’t be here without it. Discipline or self-discipline provides the stamina to persevere. It bestows the ability to withstand hardships and difficulties, whether physical, emotional or mental. It grants the ability to reject immediate satisfaction for something better. Turning away from conventional therapies and embarking on my own path to treat my disease took discipline and courage. I don’t want to give the wrong impression. Of course I had doubts and second thoughts. But once I made my decision as to my treatment course of choice, I challenged myself to maintain focus and discipline in order to see it through.”

James spent his last years mentoring other individuals with Mesothelioma – touching the lives of many with hope, corage and inspiration.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA is looking for Mesothelioma patients to take part in a clinical trial that will study the results of a combination of chemotherapy (consisting of gemcitabine and cisplatin) administered in the operating room as well as put into the chest and abdomen for one hour.

The study also hopes to determine the effects of heating the chemotherapy to 42 degrees Celsius and how cytoprotection agents amifostine and sodium thiosulfate counteract potential side effects of the chemotherapy. In addition to the chemotherapy there will be surgery including resection of the lung and lung lining, the covering of the heart and the muscle between the chest and the abdomen.

The Mesothelioma study is planned to be completed in 2010.

If you are interested in the clinical trial you can contact the hospital to see if you are eligible.

A businessman in England has recently passed away from Mesothelioma. David Dobson was the co-founder of Davern Workwear and was 68-years-old.

David is suspected to have been exposed to asbestos during the time that his factory produced protective equipment and clothing for people who worked with asbestos since during this time he came in contact with many workers in the asbestos industry.

He was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in September 2008 and had numerous surgeries to remove the linings of his organs, including his heart sack and lungs. He also had other cancer treatments that were made available to him, but sadly these treatments did not cure the cancer.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer and get yourself on the path you need to be on to get yourself the compensation you deserve and the money that will help you pay for treatments.

Joe Hoffer, a teacher in Michigan, has passed away after being diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer. Joe was 61-years-old and was a former board president for the Holland Public Schools and the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District.

Joe blamed his Mesothelioma on being exposed to asbestos during a summer job in a furnace factory while he was in college.

The Holland school’s Superintendent, Karan McPhee remembers Joe: “Joe always demonstrated a special place in his heart for students who struggled and students who needed some alternatives to how they were going to find success. Joe was one of the good guys who cared deeply about people, personally and professionally. His soft spot was for students who, for whatever reason, needed non-traditional ways to earn a diploma, which he believed were so important.”

While school board member Kevin Clark says of Joe: “On the board, he was kind of a story teller, and it was a great style,” Clark said. “He was a good leader. He cared deeply for the school district and kids. It doesn’t get any better than that. His fingerprints are still all over Holland Public Schools.”

Memorial donations can be made to International Mesothelioma Program, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115.

The University of Minnesota is conducting a study on Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by exposure to the fiber Asbestos.

Study participants will be randomly selected, as not to taint the study. The goal of the study is to learn more about the disease and more about the individuals it affects.

The University hopes to include any current or former mine worker in the study – whether or not the individuals have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma. You can contact the Minnesota Taconite Workers Health Study toll free at 1-866-978-1822.

The University has also received a list of current and former workers of many mines who they hope to be in contact with in the near future to be involved in the study.

You can also contact state representative Tom Rukavina at 1-218-749-5690.

And as always, please feel free to contact me with your questions, comments or concerns at 218-749-5690.

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.”