Mesothelioma Rates Affected by Asbestos Exposure at Libby, Montana Mine

Some forms of asbestos can be found among vermiculite ore, a naturally occurring mineral commonly found in mountainous regions around the world. Vermiculite contaminated with asbestos was used in numerous different products, including insulation, soil additives and fertilizers.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that asbestos in all forms is "carcinogenic to humans." In a recently published 2010 study conducted from 2000 to 2001, titled "Exposure to Asbestos-Containing Vermiculite Ore and Respiratory Symptoms among Individuals Who Were Children While the Mine Was Active in Libby, Montana," researchers tracked any respiratory issues suffered by people who were children when the W. R. Grace mine closed in Libby, Montana.

Individuals that were studied were tested on whether they had participated in activities that included any handling or exposure to materials that could have been contaminated by asbestos-laced vermiculite.

Researchers from the study concluded without doubt that residents of Libby during the tenure that had an elevated incidence of lung-related diseases such as malignant mesothelioma. The subjects who were questioned fell into the age group of 10 to 29 years old. The results from the tests showed approximately a 10 percent increase over the national average with symptoms of lung cancer.

Many of the individuals from the study reported handling vermiculite insulation which coincided with having a cough, shortness of breath when walking uphill and coughing up bloody phlegm. Even children who were exposed to vermiculite while participating in recreational activities displayed elevated respiratory symptoms.

One interesting fact the study showed was the correlation between smokers and non-smokers and smoking's effect on respiratory symptoms. Many of the subjects that had family members who smoked or smoked themselves did not show elevated signs of respiratory symptoms compared to those who did not smoke.

The results of this study show that anyone who was exposed to the asbestos-laced vermiculite extensively mined from the Libby, Montana mine are at a heightened risk of developing mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure can be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

Miles for Meso 8K Raises Awareness about Asbestos-Related Disease Including Mesothelioma

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Joins South Florida Organizer and Mesothelioma Survivor Larry Davis and the Boca Raton Road Runners Club in Second Annual Run/Tribute Walk

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), combining education, advocacy and community as a leading asbestos victims' voice worldwide, is pleased to join race organizer and mesothelioma survivor Larry Davis in the Second Annual South Florida "Wishing Well" Miles for Meso 8K Run/Tribute Walk. This inspiring event has been organized to raise awareness and funds about the often threatening disease created from asbestos exposure.

The race, hosted by the Boca Raton Road Runners Miles for Meso club, kicks off Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, at Spanish River Park. Preregistration begins at 5:45 a.m. and both races start at 7:30 a.m.

About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is an independent global organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy and community. ADAO's mission includes supporting global advocacy and advancing asbestos awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment, and resources for asbestos-related disease. For more information visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.

Mesothelioma Mortality Rates and a Global Asbestos Ban

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that is toxic to humans. According to the World Health Organization, 125 million people around the world are exposed to asbestos while at work each year, leading to the death of an estimated 90,000 people globally from asbestos-related diseases.

In the study "Recent Mortality from Pleural Mesothelioma, Historical Patterns of Asbestos Use, and Adoptions of Bans: A Global Assessment," researchers tracked the general asbestos exposure levels of populations and compared them to the health effects.

By tracking population data and comparing it to the mortality rates from asbestos-related diseases such as malignant mesothelioma, researchers are able to evaluate trends in countries around the world without a complete ban on asbestos.

In 1983 Iceland was the first country to adopt a complete national ban on asbestos. A large contingent of European countries quickly followed suit, including Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Austria. Countries in this early-ban group recorded a reduction rate of 8.3 percent/year in the incidence of asbestos-related diseases, about twice as fast as the late-ban groups.

Once the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) listed asbestos as a known human carcinogen, the precedent was set to enact a global ban on asbestos. However, despite the bans enacted in many countries, the level of asbestos use has not reached absolute zero. Numerous countries who have not adopted the ban continue to have high levels of asbestos use and show little signs of decreasing.

The results of the study further reinforced the belief that heavy asbestos use has shifted to emerging industrializing countries. The corresponding medical risks can be expected to arise in these countries at the same pace that has been seen in Europe and the Americas.

Mortality trends from asbestos exposure around the world follow a linear path with historical use trends. Researchers in this study found the latency level of asbestos and the deadly diseases it causes can be best predicted at 22.5 years.

The study concluded that there is no safe threshold for asbestos exposure. The current attempts by countries have not reduced exposure to an acceptable level nor has it controlled the risk to populations. It is proven that countries that have implemented national bans on asbestos have reduced their levels twice as fast as countries that have not.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure can be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 at 3:53 pm and is filed under Asbestos Exposure, Asbestos Legislation, Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.

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ASBESTOS CANCER (MESOTHELIOMA) & ASBESTOSIS

Significant exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and non-malignant lung and pleural disorders.

Risk depends on duration, frequency, concentration, & type of asbestos fibres.

Diseases from asbestos exposure take a long time to develop. Most cases of asbestosis occur in asbestos workers 15 or more years after initial exposure to asbestos.

Smoking greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer in workers exposed to asbestos (although smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma).

Mesothelioma (asbestos cancer)

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer which may affect the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).

Most mesotheliomas are caused by exposure to asbestos.

Most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after the first exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women.

Risk increases with age.

Symptoms & Signs

Shortness of breath (this is the primary symptom)

A persistent and productive cough

Chest tightness

Chest pain

Loss of appetite/weight loss

A crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling.

Diagnosis

History of asbestos exposure.

Chest X-rays are the most common method of detecting asbestos-related disorders.

Other tests:

Physical Examination
Pulmonary Function Tests
Biiopsy/Bronchoscopy 
CT scan

Treatment

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

Getting Help

Only a doctor can make the diagnosis of mesothelioma. It is important to see a doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos and have any symptoms.

More Effective Mesothelioma Treatments Needed, New York Asbestos Attorney Says

New York personal injury attorney Joseph W. Belluck said new, more effective treatments are urgently needed to help people suffering from mesothelioma, a respiratory cancer related to asbestos exposure.

"The prognosis for most mesothelioma patients is grim and underscores the fact that the treatments we have today are not sufficient," said Belluck, a partner in Belluck & Fox, LLP, a New York personal injury law firm that represents victims of mesothelioma in asbestos lawsuits.

"Fortunately, cancer researchers are finding new ways to treat mesothelioma and new applications for existing drugs," Belluck said. "Those need to be made available to help patients as soon as possible."

Researchers in Japan recently reported some initial success in testing the effectiveness of a gastric cancer drug known as S-1 for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs.

According to an article in the medical journal Cancer, Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, researchers at the University of Tokushima reported that S-1, a chemotherapy drug taken orally, significantly reduced tumor growth in mice implanted with certain lines of mesothelioma cells and prolonged their survival.

Developed by the Japanese drug maker, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., S-1 is designed to prevent the growth of tumors and also to enhance the effectiveness of another anti-cancer medication, 5-FU. The drug, S-1, is used to treat patients with gastric cancer and other forms of cancer in Japan, Korea, China and other Asian countries, but is not yet available in the U.S.

"This appears to be one of many drugs that holds some initial promise for helping those suffering from mesothelioma," said Belluck, a nationally-known NY mesothelioma attorney. "More research is needed. It's important to get more effective drugs approved and to market in the United States so they can be more widely available to help mesothelioma patients."

The incidence of mesothelioma is increasing worldwide, with an expected peak arriving in 2030 to 2040 in Asia and much sooner in the U.S. and Europe.

The treatment of mesothelioma is complicated by the fact that the symptoms, such as coughing, fluid around the lungs, and chest pain, are shared by other diseases. Symptoms of asbestos-related cancer often don't appear until decades after exposure to asbestos. Often, the disease has reached an advanced stage before diagnosis.

"Mesothelioma is a terrible disease, and sufferers need all available weapons in their medical arsenal to battle it," Belluck said. "We believe it's also important that companies that exposed workers to breathing asbestos should be held accountable for the pain and suffering they caused."

About Belluck & Fox, LLP

Belluck & Fox, LLP, is a nationally recognized law firm that represents individuals with asbestos and mesothelioma claims, as well as victims of crime, medical malpractice, motorcycle crashes, lead paint and other serious injuries. The firm provides personalized and professional representation and has won nearly $350 million in compensation for clients and their families.

Partner Joseph W. Belluck is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in New York Magazine's "Best Lawyers in the New York Area" and in Super Lawyers. Mr. Belluck has won numerous cases involving injuries from asbestos, defective medical products, tobacco and lead paint, including a recent asbestos case that settled for more than $12 million.

Partner Jordan Fox is a well-known asbestos and mesothelioma attorney who has been named to the Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine's "Best Lawyers in the New York Area" and to Super Lawyers. On two separate occasions his verdicts were featured as the National Law Journal's Largest Verdict of the Year.

In September, Belluck & Fox, LLP, won a coveted spot on a list of America's best law firms, which was published jointly by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers magazine. The listing showcased 8,782 different law firms ranked in one or more of 81 major practice areas.

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/11/01/p796591/more-effective-mesothelioma-treatments-needed-new-york-asbestos-attorne#ixzz1BgYCpy00

Mesothelioma Lawyer Alert: Turkey Bans Asbestos

Mesothelioma Lawyers worldwide celebrated as The Republic of Turkey officially banned asbestos and all asbestos related products on January 1, 2011. The new regulations were announced last week and build on the previous partial ban of asbestos related materials. Mesothelioma Lawyers say that the Republic of Turkey will not be compliant with European Union regulations that completely ban the use of asbestos.

The International Ban Asbestos Secretariat tells Mesothelioma Attorneys that Canada was the largest exporter of asbestos into Turkey and accounted for as much as 32% of the carcinogenic mineral. It is hoped that the complete ban of asbestos in Turkey will also positively affect countries like Canada that still do not enforce full scale asbestos bans. Mesothelioma Lawyers report that countries with full scale bans on asbestos include Australia and England, while others like Sweden and South Africa have instituted restrictions on the amounts of asbestos used in products.

The mineral asbestos is mainly utilized for it's insulating and fire retardant properties. If the mineral's fibers are breathed in, asbestos can become lodged in organ tissues and cause long term health challenges say Mesothelioma Lawyers. Both Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos are diseases caused from exposure to asbestos. If diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, victims typically have a poor prognosis and often seek the help of a Dallas Mesothelioma Attorney to represent their legal rights.

MesotheliomaAsbestosInfo.org Raises Awareness of Mesothelioma Cancer

Market Press Release – January 2, 2011 11:44 am – January 02, 2011 – Seeing a loved one die from cancer is a devastating experience. Not knowing why and how that loved one died can be frustrating and agonizing for everyone involved. The website mesotheliomaasbestosinfo.org was created to help those individuals by educating and providing facts and information about the relationship between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. This type of cancer affects the protective lining that covers many internal organs of the body known as the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a membrane that also provides lubrication between the internal organs which helps the organs to move easily within the body cavities.

When the mesothelium is affected by abnormal cell division and growth due to cellular DNA damage of the organ, mesothelioma cancer occurs. The lungs are the primary organ affected, although the heart and abdomen could also be affected. The symptoms are shortness of breath or chest wall pain, with general symptoms like weight loss and chronic coughing. About 70 percent of the affected people have worked in an asbestos-related environment.

Mesothelioma asbestos disease can also cause a condition known as Asbestosis. Asbestosis is a persistent inflammation-related medical condition, impacting the parenchymal tissue of the lungs, caused by the breathing and retention of asbestos fibers. It generally happens after intense long-term exposure to asbestos, especially in individuals operating in manufacturing environments.

An asbestos lawyer may be needed if you decide to file a case against the companies responsible for asbestos exposure. An asbestos lawyer is essential to guide you through the process and will assist in determining if monetary compensation for medical costs, lost wages and suffering is warranted. The mesothelioma attorney should have expert knowledge in this field and must have extensive experience. The steps involved in the process are often lengthy and time consuming. MesotheliomaAsbestosInfo.org provides more information about the asbestos lawyer and the steps involved in a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Mesothelioma treatment involves many options that the patient has to decide upon. Typically, the choices are chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, gene therapy, immunotherapy, and palliative care. Depending on the type of cancer and severity, some treatment options may be combined to give the best outcome.

Learning you have mesothelioma cancer is a devastating life event. It is difficult to put a price on the physical and emotional distress and suffering that mesothelioma can cause. Learning the facts and options about this disease can help minimize the uncertainty and stress involved with this disease.

About MesotheliomaAsbestosInfo.org
MesotheliomaAsbestosinfo.org provides information about mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure. Detailed information about mesothelioma, mesothelioma treatment options, asbestos abatement, and other mesothelioma-related topics can be obtained from this website.