Copyright (c) 2008 Katie KelleyEven if an individual is exposed to asbestos, they are advised to eat healthy foods, which may provide a decreased risk of mesothelioma cancer developing, according to a paper written by a group of individuals from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Louisiana State University.

The report, which was compiled by a Diet and Mesothelioma taskforce, followed 116 individuals, half of whom had mesothelioma cancer and the other half had been exposed to asbestos but did not develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions. The two groups were relatively similar among tobacco use as well as income and level of asbestos exposure.

Those who wrote the report compared the two groups and found that:

* Individuals who remained cancer-free after exposure to asbestos were found to have eaten nearly twice the amount of locally/homegrown vegetables and fruits as those stricken with mesothelioma.

* Victims of mesothelioma ate more “cake, candy and pie than those who stayed cancer-free.”

* Those consuming what are known as cruciferous vegetables - such as mustard greens, collards, broccoli, turnip greens, cabbage or brussel sprouts - were likely to remain mesothelioma-free even after exposure to asbestos occurred.

While more research is likely needed to verify these results, scientists at the NCI are putting faith into these dietary guidelines. The NCI, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Government have partnered together to create a campaign on the importance of eating vegetables and fruits to ensure a healthy lifestyle.

Foods to Improve Mesothelioma

The taskforce determined dietary habits had a role in the fight against cancer and several experts have also claimed this; eating certain types of foods, especially when organically grown, will likely decrease the chance of developing mesothelioma cancer for an individual who had endured asbestos exposure. The following are a list of foods found to be beneficial against deadly conditions such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.

* Olives, which contain maslinic and oleanolic acids can promote apoptosis - the death of cancer cells.

* Cabbage is high in glucosinolates (anticarcinogenic compounds), also raw cabbage contains substances to rid the body of carcinogens.

* Flaxseeds are filled with lignans and omega-3 fatty acids - potentially capable of lowering the risk of breast cancer in women and colon cancer among both sexes.

* Raspberries - most berries - are a source of fiber, vitamin C, ellagic acid and selenium.

* Mushrooms are considered essential because the can suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells and breast cancer enzymes.

* Pumpkin as well as carrots and winter squash all contain high levels of carotenoids and betacarotene.

* The phenolic compounds found in onions are categorized as anticancer components.

What is Asbestos-Induced Mesothelioma?

Asbestos-induced mesothelioma is an incurable form of cancer that develops after fibrous tissue bundles containing tremolite are inhaled and begin to develop cancerous cells on the interior lining of the lungs. Unfortunately, the mineral was unregulated for decades while millions of U.S. citizens, all at risk for asbestos exposure. Asbestos was often used as an inexpensive insulation, and it was mined from vermiculite.

There are several variations of mesothelioma cancer with pleural malignant mesothelioma considered the most deadly and having the lowest survival rate.

Other Treatments for Increasing Mesothelioma Survival Rate

There are currently no treatments in existence that can cure mesothelioma cancer or any variation of the unfortunate disease. However, scientists and researchers are working continuously to find treatments to decrease the severity of an individual’s symptoms as well as increase the survival rate among victims.

Additionally, scientists keep studying the effects of certain foods and how it affects particular types of cancer. For example, researchers at the NIC within the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) have created a research center, with funding, dedicated to the study of dietary intake and cancer. An additional study compared those suffering from prostate, colorectal or breast cancers who ate a diet of omega-3 fatty acids, the results were released in an issue of the Journal of The American Medical Association in January 2006.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), funded and developed by the government, has developed resources for patients suffering from mesothelioma cancer in order for these individuals to have online access to the most up-to-date clinical trials. Ongoing information for a variety of clinical trials can be found at http://clinicaltrials.gov/.

However, individuals who may be suffering from mesothelioma cancer or any other asbestos-induced condition should not only seek medical attention for their symptoms, but are advised to locate a knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer who may be able to provide insightful details of a mesothelioma lawsuit. By consulting with a mesothelioma attorney, the potential for being awarded monetary compensation for bills and damages becomes a reality.

Mesothelioma is the name of a cancerous tumor which involves Mesothelioma cells of an organ. This is the type of cells that form a protective coating on lungs, heart and abdominal organs. The best known of these membranes is pleura, whose function is protect the lungs from rubbing against the thorax.All cases of mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura) and lung cancer are caused due to inhalation of asbestos fibers. Approximately 10,000-15,000 cases are annually diagnosed worldwide.

The main cause of asbestos causing mesothelioma is because the fibers of asbestos remain airborne for long time and are transported by wind.

The symptoms of mesothelioma can be diagnosed after 15-40 years.

Symptoms of a mesothelioma: Mesothelioma spreads rapidly and the common symptoms are constant chest pain, having difficulty in breathing because fluid accumulates. The person may also get cough, fever, extreme fatigue and weight loss. This can be diagnosed through chest X-rays.

Usually the disease is treated by surgery, this can be avoided if the patients consult as soon as the symptoms occur.

New medical treatments against malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)

The pemetrexed drug is the only that enhances the patients quality of life.

In the recent times, the medical science has been trying to find out different ways to cure this disease even if it is in its last stage, though they have got some success as they are able to treat this disease in the initial stage. We hope that the medical science can find out some way to cure this disease and free the man kind from this fatal disease.

Although mesothelioma cancer has no current cure, many medical professional believe that chemotherapy can be a successful treatment of symptom control of the condition, however, this continues to be debated, according to a study from The Lancet, a British Journal.Researchers studied 409 patients all of which were suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma in different parts of the world. The patients were randomly assigned an active symptom control treatment or a treatment that included an active control treatment with one of two chemotherapy medications. According to the study, “the active symptom control treatments included steroids, bronchodilators, analgesic medications and palliative radiotherapy.”

Following the study, the patients with both treatment options were compared and, according to researchers, “the addition of chemotherapy to active symptom control presented no significant benefit or advances in survival rates or quality of life” among mesothelioma victims.

Diagnosing and Understanding Chemotherapy, Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant cancer cells develop in a thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity covering the lungs, which is also known as the pleura, or the peritoneum, which is the tissue lining the abdomen and most of the organs, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

The American Cancer Society (ACS) describes chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer; it is often given to a patient when cancerous cells spread rapidly to healthy cells.

Doctors must adequately evaluate a patients age, health and stage of cancer prior to administering chemotherapy. For mesothelioma patients, chemotherapy is not a curative method of treatment, but is actually administered to mesothelioma patients for several reasons including the following:

* stop growth and spreading of a cancer, to control the cancer

* minimize or shrink tumors - this method is also known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy

* palliative chemotherapy in which pain and other symptoms are meant to be reduced

* the destruction of microscopic disease that remains after a surgical procedure, also known as adjuvant chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is administered either as a catheter placed into a large vein in the body or a catheter attached as a port that is placed into the chest area under the skin for a period of time.

Living With Mesothelioma

Unfortunately, victims of mesothelioma continue to receive setbacks for their life-threatening condition, as there are currently no successful treatments for the deadly cancer.

However, an individual has the opportunity to participate in an array of clinical trial treatment groups as well as the opportunity to develop a mesothelioma lawsuit to derive monetary compensation as a means of repayment for the condition, which is often associated with extremely expensive medical bills.

Speaking with a qualified medical attorney who can offer a free legal consultation as to the creation of mesothelioma litigation can offer a mesothelioma victim peace of mind and insight into overcoming the financial burden of their condition.

Becoming Involved in a Mesothelioma Clinical Trial

When an individual is given a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis, it becomes a lifelong battle against finding a treatment before time expires. Because mesothelioma cancer is an incurable form of cancer that often is given a 12 month average life expectancy upon initial diagnosis, it is imperative that a patient become involved in as many clinical trials as possible, as one may offer a successful treatment.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has made available an array of clinical trials for mesothelioma cancer patients to become involved in and explains that “clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people.” Additionally, the NCI claims that those who partake in “cancer clinical trials have an opportunity to contribute to knowledge of, and progress against, cancer,” which may save the lives of others someday.

According to the NCI there are several varieties of clinical trials available to participate in, including the following:

* Prevention trials, which test new medications, vitamins, supplements or approaches to decreasing the risk of certain cancers.
* Screening trials are conducted in an attempt to detect types of cancers early on, which is extremely important for mesothelioma case studies.
* Diagnostic trials “study tests or procedures that can be used to identify cancer more accurately,” according to the NCI.
* Individuals who have cancer can become involved in treatment trials that are developed in a way so participants can better understand and evaluate the effectiveness of a new treatment.
* Quality-of-life or supportive care trials study the side effects commonly associated with cancers and cancer treatments.
Individuals who would like to take part in a clinical trial because of their mesothelioma cancer diagnosis will find that clinical trials are professional and safe, according to the NCI, as they are commonly sponsored by government agencies including:
* National Cancer Institute
* National Institutes of Health (NIH)
* the Department of Defense
* Department of Veterans Affairs

Additionally, the NCI reports that individuals who do participate in clinical trials are protected by “strict scientific and ethical principles” and that “every clinical trial has a protocol, or action plan, which acts like a ‘recipe’ for conducting the trial.” Also, all clinical trials that evaluate new drugs or medical devices for treatments of the cancer or its side effects and that are federally funded are “subject to FDA regulation that must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).”

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma cancer is considered a rare form of cancer largely affecting either the mesothelium, which is the membrane that covers the majority of the internal organs, or the peritoneum, which is the “mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity, within the body, according to the NCI. Mesothelioma has been linked to the inhalation of asbestos fibers or dust, which has often been linked to employees working in an array of construction-related fields. Several asbestos uses in which an individual might have been exposed to the deadly fibers include the following, as described by the University of Toronto Environmental Health and Safety department:
* sprayed fireproofing within buildings on “structural steelwork”
* thermal insulation was used for boilers, pipes, hot water tanks and heaters
* ceilings and walls may have had asbestos applied to them as “acoustic or decorative finishes”
* roofing materials
* acoustic paneling, ceiling tiles
* electric insulation
* laboratory bench tops
* water or sewage piping systems
* asbestos-cement products
* asbestos paper, textile or felt products
* door gaskets on furnaces or stoves
* pipeline wrap
* asbestos coatings, sealants, adhesives
* vinyl floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring
* table pads
* heat protective mats
* fire blankets and protective clothing
Because asbestos was found to be a highly fire-retardant product as well as inexpensive when mass produced, its uses were wide spread for years until researchers made the link between asbestos and mesothelioma. Unfortunately, it took years for the link to be discovered as mesothelioma cancer often remains dormant for 10 to 30 years upon initial exposure.

Living With Mesothelioma

Patients living with mesothelioma often face a grim, uphill battle of tremendously debilitating side effects as well as a lack of treatments and poor quality of life. However, by participating in a clinical trial, an individual may find the appropriate treatment needed to overcome their difficulties during their remaining months or years of life.
Additionally, many mesothelioma patients are advised to speak with an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can provide a free legal consultation into the development of a mesothelioma lawsuit that may provide a return of funds as compensation for a mesothelioma victim needing to pay for costly mesothelioma treatments.