I am Manuel Knight.I'm a Speech pathologist in the Cuppy's Coffee at Milwaukee, WI
Mesothelioma and Its Immunotherapy AdvancesMesothelioma treatment plans based on immunotherapy are giving new hope to mesothelioma patients worldwide. Some recent clinical trials suggest that immunotherapy can be more effective and provide better results when compared with standard mesothelioma chemotherapy treatment plans. Of course, immunotherapy is an excellent option for mesothelioma patients, but patients will need to have a healthy immune system. The healthier a patient’s immune system is, the higher their chances of having a positive response from immunotherapy. Mesothelioma alternative treatments are often looked upon by patients who may not be healthy enough to undergo normal mesothelioma chemotherapy options. Ongoing investigations regarding immunotherapy treatment also mention the existence of the microbiome, which are communities of microbes that live within our bodies. Researchers suggest that these microbiomes can affect the behavior and results of immunotherapy treatments. What is a microbiome?The trillions of microorganisms that inhabit our bodies, whether they are bacteria, fungi, viruses, and others, form what experts know as microbiomes, being these an important part of our physiological processes. The general population has the idea that all these microorganisms are harmful to our health. While in some cases it is true, as microorganisms have the ability to create various harmful medical conditions and illnesses, but not all microbes are bad for our health. Microbes reside inside and outside of our bodies and we do not even notice them, in fact, we could not live without them. These microbiomes play a major role in maintaining our well-being. We have microorganisms living in every corner of our bodies, taking part in the metabolism and absorption of certain nutrients, structure cleaning, defense against harmful microbes, among other functions. These microbiomes are also part of our intestines, being part of a critical role in the development of our immune system. Some experts even consider the gut microbiome as part of the mentioned system because studies revealed that without a healthy number of intestine microbes, our immunity does not work well. Since a few years, the medical and scientific community has become more interested in studying microbiomes and how they affect cancer treatment, even immunotherapy. Microbiome and Immunotherapy researchesMost of the studies regarding this topic involved laboratory mice and rats, but all point to the fact that having a rich variety of intestine microbes is a very important factor for immunotherapy to develops well. A study made in the year 2017 in the Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, US, analyzed the relation of the microbiome with immunotherapy in patients with melanoma, finding similar results to the above mentioned. The researchers of this study included 112 patients with advanced melanoma, examining their intestinal microbiome. All the patients received anti-PD-1 therapy as the immunotherapy plan. PD-1, meaning programmed cell death-1, is a protein that cancer cells create to prevent the hosts’ immune system from killing them. Ongoing mesothelioma clinical trials are focusing on learning how to block this protein, which allows the immune system to destroy cancer cells without any inhibition or damaging healthy cells. Regarding the previous study, patients with more variety in the intestinal microbiome of their stomach responded better to the immunotherapy plan. Their tumors either decreased in size, disappeared, or stabilized for at least 6 months. Meanwhile, the patients with less variety in their microbiome experienced tumor growth or stabilization while receiving the same immunotherapy plan. Even with all of these treatments, there is still no mesothelioma cure. Typically, depending on the variety and health of the microorganisms in a patients intestines, the better they will respond to immunotherapy treatment. Mesothelioma Patients and their Microbiome benefits The investigations currently studying anti-PD-1 immunotherapies applied in mesothelioma patients include Keytruda, Opdivo, and Yervoy. These drugs, with Keytruda being mainly studied in 6 countries, are the same types applied in melanoma patients. While the studies with melanoma patients do not prove cause and effect, it does point out the fact that people with more variety in the gut microbiome could respond better to immunotherapy treatment plans. Patients diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma may be more interested in complete healing treatments for mesothelioma or mesothelioma alternative treatments. How to maintain a varied and healthy gut microbiome Promoting a diverse intestinal microbiome mostly depends on having a good diet and making healthy lifestyle choices. Popular diets that mesothelioma patients should avoid can be read about in our blog here. Follow these few tips to produce a varied and healthy gut microbiome:
These tips could not be appropriate for some mesothelioma cases. So, before following any of them, seek the opinion and recommendations of your doctor or dietitian to resolve all your questions. The post Mesothelioma and Its Immunotherapy Advances appeared first on The Asbestos Cancer Organization. Mesothelioma and Its Immunotherapy Advances posted first on https://asbestoscancer.org/ via Blogger Mesothelioma and Its Immunotherapy Advances
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Is There A Cure for Mesothelioma?Although mesothelioma is incurable, treatment options and outcomes improve if the disease is detected at an early stage. However, since the time between the first exposure to asbestos and the diagnosis of mesothelioma is usually between 20 and 50 years, the disease is usually detected at an advanced stage like stage 4 mesothelioma. In addition to the time it takes for the disease and the symptoms to develop, the diagnosis is often delayed because these symptoms mimic other more common conditions. Because people confuse these symptoms with other minor ailments, they will take all the time to go to the doctor or ignore them completely. Time is running out when it comes to fighting an aggressive disease such as mesothelioma, so the symptoms should never be ignored. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (chest mesothelioma) may include pain in the chest or lower back, difficulty breathing, cough, fever, excessive sweating, fatigue, weight loss (without trying), difficulty swallowing food glued), hoarseness and swelling of the face and arms. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the lining of the abdomen) may include abdominal pain (abdomen), abdominal swelling or damage, weight loss (without trying), nausea and vomiting, and constipation. Survival statistics for mesotheliomaMesothelioma survival statistics are very general estimates that should be interpreted with caution. Because they are based on the experience of groups of people, they do not predict the chances of survival of a particular person. There are many different methods for evaluating and recording cancer survival statistics. Your doctor can explain mesothelioma statistics and what they mean to you. Mesothelioma Survival by Location, Stage, and SubtypeMesothelioma survival varies depending on the location, stage, and particular cell subtype. In general, mesothelioma produces a poor prognosis since it is aggressive. Usually, mesothelioma is only detected at an advanced stage, making it more difficult to treat. Mesothelioma alternative treatments are on the rise as a unique healing method for this disease. Complete healing treatments for mesothelioma are also on the rise amongst patients. Only a small number of people are diagnosed with early mesothelioma. Mesothelioma of the epithelioid cell subtype gives a better prognosis than other cell subtypes. This type of mesothelioma is easier to treat and is linked to a longer life expectancy. The sarcomatoid cell subtype mesothelioma produces the poorest prognosis. Evaluating RiskCancer cells can increase to other parts of the body. The cancer cells in the lining can sometimes move to nearby organs and tissues. When cancer cells spread, what is known as a metastasis occurs. For doctors, the cancer cells in the new site are identical to those in the lining. Cancer always bears the name of the place where it originated. Therefore, when mesothelioma in the chest spreads to the spine (or anywhere else), it is still called mesothelioma. It can only be called bone cancer if it has originated from the cells in the bones of the spine. Late stages like stage 3 mesothelioma can be difficult to properly diagnose. Mesothelioma TestingThe doctor will ask you questions about your health and perform a general physical examination. If the signs point to mesothelioma, more tests will be carried out. The following tests are some that might be necessary: Chest x-ray for Mesothelioma: This is often the first test that is done looking for problems with your lungs. If any change is detected, you will need more tests. Computed tomography scan for Mesothelioma: This study is also known as “CT scan or CAT scan.” It is a special kind of radiography that captures images of the inside of the body. A CT scan may also be used to help perform a biopsy (see information below). PET scan for Mesothelioma: in this study, you are given a special type of sugar that can be seen inside your body with a camera. If there is cancer, the sugar appears as “radioactive spots” indicating where the cancer is. With this study, the whole body is examined. It can also help if the doctor thinks cancer has spread but does not know where. Magnetic resonance imaging for Mesothelioma: This study, known in English as MRI, uses radio waves and powerful magnets instead of X-rays to create detailed images. MRIs are very useful for examining soft tissues. Blood tests for Mesothelioma: Blood tests are not used to discover mesothelioma. Although blood tests can give the doctor more information about your health status. Biopsies: The doctor removes a small piece of tissue or a small amount of fluid that has accumulated where cancer appears to be. Then it is analyzed to find out if it contains cancer cells. A biopsy is the best way to know for sure if you have cancer. There are many types of biopsies, as well as ways to perform them. Ask your doctor what type of biopsy you will require. Each type of biopsy has advantages and disadvantages. The choice of the type of biopsy to use depends on your case. Sources “Exposure to asbestos and cancer risk”. National Cancer Institute (NCI). US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), May 1, 2009. Web. April 18, 2017 “Can malignant mesothelioma be detected early?” American cancer society, Inc., 2017. Web. April 18, 2017 “How to classify malignant mesothelioma?” American cancer society, Inc., May 18, 2015. Web. April 18, 2017 “Mesothelioma: Tests, Diagnosis and Treatments”. WebMD, LLC., 2005-2017. Web April 19, 2017. “Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma?” American cancer society, Inc., 2017. Web. April 18, 2017 “Survival Statistics for Mesothelioma”. Cancer Research UK. Cancer Research UK, Dec. 08 2015. Web. April 19, 2017.
The post Is There A Cure for Mesothelioma? appeared first on The Asbestos Cancer Organization. Is There A Cure for Mesothelioma? posted first on https://asbestoscancer.org/ via Blogger Is There A Cure for Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma Research News: To Trust or Not to Trust?In the current age that we live in, we are more informed than ever as we have access to websites, newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc. This flood of information makes our generation and those that follow the most connected and educated than ever before, or at least we have the potential to be. Utilizing this information in an effective manner can be challenging. The cool aspect of having this much information at our fingertips is that it allows us to learn about rare diseases such as mesothelioma, its symptoms, diagnosis, and new mesothelioma treatment options. Usually, when new research with scientific discovery is published, all sorts of websites rush to cover the news, often using attracting and catching headlines to call the readers’ attention. Even academic websites apply a positive tone to the news in order to attract more attention. While searching for information on mesothelioma, it is extremely important to keep in mind and consider the following three “ifs”:
Finding general information instead of specific informationMany articles can commonly refer to cancer as a general disease, but the truth is that there are more than 200 different types of cancers out there. Each of these diseases is unique with different causes, symptoms, and treatments. While dissecting an article, it is important to analyze and determine if it is solely talking about mesothelioma. Only minor parts speak about mesothelioma in many modern-day articles. Especially hyper-focused content like information about stage 4 mesothelioma or mesothelioma alternative treatments. The reason for this may correlate with the rarity of the disease. Many parts of such articles discuss the more common types of cancer – such as breast or prostate cancer. To learn more about mesothelioma, the generalized information you will find in these will not be beneficial due to the large differences that exist between the cancer types. Focus on articles Regarding the Right type of MesotheliomaThere are various types of mesothelioma, including pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, each of which has different treatment plan options. Mesothelioma alternative treatments are increasing in popularity as a topic of discussion across mesothelioma blogs. Natural mesothelioma therapies such as meditation, homeopathy, and swimming have grown through the last few years. In addition, the stage of cancer and the type of mesothelial cell are also reliable factors that are considered. When searching for specific information about a certain type of mesothelioma, be careful with trusting websites that talk about common cures for cancer. In some cases, mesothelioma can be treated like other types of cancer by using shared methods, drugs, or plans. An example of this is the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda), which is used to treat lung cancer. This drug has shown positive results for some patients with pleural mesothelioma. Another example is the use of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), as it has been used on patients with ovarian cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma. There are clinical trials for Keytruda used in combination with CRS-207 to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma. Beneficial laboratory research that could help Once a true mesothelioma research article has been found after a long search, the next step is to determine whether or not real patients are involved. Although it is true that the inclusion of laboratory experiments and investigations are valuable sources, unfortunately, many times real patients are not used. This can cause patients to develop misconceptions regarding the disease and its treatment options. These researches can develop very differently from one another. Vitro researches In vitro research refers to experiments conducted in a laboratory using test tubes, Petri dishes, or any device that does not involve a living individual. Drug compounds and mixes are used in these types of experiments on mesothelioma cells growing in the laboratory. The results of such research studies may be positive, but due to the many reactions that can affect the drug, it cannot be fully guaranteed when applied to a patient. Vivo researches Unlike in vitro researches, these are experiments are conducted on living things – commonly including lab mice. The scientists test these creatures by putting mesothelioma cells inside their bodies. They are then studied based on the evolution of the disease as well as their response to treatments. Mice are used because they respond to treatment in a similar way as humans do. Although such studies are more useful than Petri dishes, there is no substitute for tests that use human beings. Clinical trialsReal patients can volunteer themselves for Mesothelioma clinical trials. This may involve undergoing experimental treatments that seek approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration by passing certain phases. Searching for an active mesothelioma clinical trial or a recruiting mesothelioma clinical trial may be a good idea for patients.
Understanding researchesIt is common for the general public who do not have the medical knowledge to misinterpret the results shown through the research. Be careful with words that are essential to understanding the results of studies – such as median, average, overall survival, survival rate, progression-free survival, side effects, complications, risk factors, adverse events, quality of life, prognosis, evolution, and so on. Unfortunately, sometimes certain drug producers and pharmaceutical industries have a financial influence to make the studies show a positive outcome, keeping aside possible outcomes or negative results. Do not create false hopesIt is important to know how much the implementation of a specific treatment is going to help patients. Outcomes nowadays are typically more positive than 20 years ago, giving the opportunity of a longer life-expectancy for mesothelioma patients while feeling better. Nonetheless, mesothelioma, unfortunately, remains a rare, aggressive, and incurable disease. Those diagnosed with stage 3 mesothelioma and stage 4 mesothelioma typically have the shortest mesothelioma life expectancy. It is essential to focus on the facts and to not be moved by false hopes. Always examine the type of patients involved, possible risks, and outcomes of applying new treatment plans and/or drugs. The final word belongs to the doctors Scientific and medical studies can be difficult to understand, so recur to the individuals who were meant by these studies: the doctors. Seek an expert’s opinion that manages the mesothelioma topic more regularly and easily. The post Mesothelioma Research News: To Trust or Not to Trust? appeared first on The Asbestos Cancer Organization. Mesothelioma Research News: To Trust or Not to Trust? posted first on https://asbestoscancer.org/ via Blogger Mesothelioma Research News: To Trust or Not to Trust? Swimming Can Help Mesothelioma PatientsMaintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is essential to recovering from any form of disease. But after a certain age, this becomes a necessity instead of an option. With the pass of time, our bodies begin to degenerate and our metabolism begins to slow. Having a good diet, practicing regular physical activity, and maintaining a lifestyle free of stress are some of the general recommendations that everybody knows and gives. Mesothelioma patients are not the exception to this. Patients diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma or any form of mesothelioma can also benefit from the recommendations above, but especially by having an active lifestyle. One of the issues with cancer patients is that they may not feel healthy enough to exercise routinely. Even in that case, there are many types of physical activities that are possible instead of the traditional bodyweight and gym workouts. General Benefits of Having an Active LifestyleEven for a person without cancer, a sedentary lifestyle can create a comfort zone where fatigue is very common. Doing daily chores around the house, parenting, and working can occupy the whole day, going to sleep feeling tired and waking up in the same status. But ironically, overcoming fatigue is the first step for having a healthier and more active lifestyle. It is quite common for mesothelioma patients to feel tired, especially during cancer treatment, with strenuous chemotherapy and radiation therapy sessions. However, as stated above, including small routines of physical activity every day can increase their quality of life due to its many benefits. Both physical and mental health can be improved by adding some sessions of exercise regularly. Practicing regular exercise routines can provide great benefits like:
Of course, before beginning to practice any physical activity routine, patients should discuss the details with their physicians. This way, a plan designed specifically for the patients´ needs and limitations can be created. Mesothelioma Patients May Receive Health Benefits from SwimmingWhen beginning to consider a physical activity, people usually overlook exercise routines that are not always included in the gym like yoga, tai chi, walking outdoors, and swimming. These are common mesothelioma alternative treatments which are suitable for just about any cancer patient. Just because a fitness trainer or weights are not involved, does not mean it is not beneficial. If a patient likes swimming or has never considered it, this popular exercise is capable of giving great health benefits to the one who practices it. Doctors recommend this due to the many good things that it provides to both body and mind. By increasing the patient´s stamina and range of motion, this will assist with fighting fatigue in patients and also help you feel less tired as well as more active. Swimming, either by doing just a few laps, going pro, or just staying in the pool for a while, provides several benefits to multiple body systems, especially the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and the immune systems of the human body. This exercise also helps reducing stress because it is simply fun to swim. Passing time with family and friends at the pool under sunlight and with a (healthy) drink in your hand can provide several benefits to your mental well-being. By being more physically active, the body starts to recover strength naturally. Other cancer patients can also benefit from swimmingIf swimming is good for mesothelioma patients, it should be also good for patients with other types of cancers, right? Yes, that is true. A clinical study published in the Strength and Conditioning Journal showed that swimming is emerging as one of the most applied exercises to cancer patients during and after treatment, improving their quality of life and providing enormous health benefits. The study demonstrated that swimming is becoming an especially viable exercise option to breast cancer patients, offering multiple benefits such as postsurgical rehabilitation, improved cardiovascular condition, increased self-esteem, and reduced fatigue. Nowadays, many oncology specialists are separating from the now old idea to have patients receive chemotherapy and maintain bed rest during the whole treatment. They insist especially on this subject because the benefits that cancer patients experience from swimming include:
Cancer treatment and exposure to possibly harmful elementsAs stated above, before lounging in the pool, is important to discuss every detail with the doctor. Besides telling all the health benefits of swimming, he will also share a few guidelines regarding the concerns about the delicate state of a cancer patient´s body. Mesothelioma navy veterans may find this form of natural mesothelioma therapy very appealing. Cancer treatment causes a huge impact on the body, with mesothelioma chemotherapy and mesothelioma radiation treatment often causing a variety of side effects for patients. Fatigue, nausea, hair loss, skin irritations, and immune deficiency are among the most frequent side effects. These can sometimes interfere with the swimming routine due to the patient’s safety. During and after treatment, the skin may become irritated. This condition can get worse if mixed with the chlorinated pools or excessive sunlight exposure. Check yourself in a mirror and with your doctor about potential skin issues before taking a swim. Patients diagnosed with stage 3 mesothelioma may find this alternative mesothelioma treatment option very appealing. A weakened immune system can be achieved by lowering blood counts during cancer treatment. This is why many find natural mesothelioma treatment to be so appealing. As everybody knows, swimming in a public pool full of people can increase the chances of exposure to germs. Also, ponds, lakes, creeks, or beaches are included in this list. Discuss with your doctor to select the right environment for you. Be sure to discuss with your doctor about the many health benefits received with swimming. Trust us, this exercise will do good things for you. The post Swimming Can Help Mesothelioma Patients appeared first on Mesothelioma Cancer Information. Swimming Can Help Mesothelioma Patients posted first on https://asbestoscancer.org/ via Blogger Swimming Can Help Mesothelioma Patients Mesothelioma: Myths And MisconceptionsMesothelioma as a disease is rare and widely misunderstood for many thousands that hear about it broadcasted in various law firm advertisements on television nationwide. Over the years, several misconceptions about the pathology of mesothelioma have spread throughout the population, sowing doubts about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mesothelioma. Understanding all the factors involving mesothelioma can help people stay away from potential risk factors and another important thing, recognize early symptomatology to receive an early diagnosis, more treatment options, and a better percentage of life expectancy. Here is a list of a few myths and misconceptions that surround the mesothelioma topic. #1. Mesothelioma Only Affects the LungsMalignant pleural mesothelioma is the most frequently occurring form of this disease, but it is also true that this affects the mesothelium, which is the membrane that covers the lungs. Due to the overlapping symptoms, mesothelioma is often confused with pleural or lung cancer. However, these types of cancer have their differences, leading to mistakes in the treatment plan and bad prognosis when misdiagnosed. A proper mesothelioma diagnosis is essential in order to receive a proper mesothelioma prognosis and have the chance to explore new mesothelioma treatment options. The main difference between these is that mesothelioma affects the lung linings, while lung cancer affects its tissues. Also, asbestos is not the only cause of lung cancer, including smoking, air pollution, etc., while mesothelioma has a tight relation with asbestos as the only cause. Treatment is typically found to be easier for lung cancer patients, of which can have a higher survival rate than mesothelioma patients. Natural mesothelioma treatment options should be explored by patients who have been diagnosed with the cancer. #2. Mesothelioma Symptomatology is Easy to RecognizeMesothelioma symptoms can often be confused with symptomatology of other forms of diseases which can lead to a misdiagnosis. The symptomatology of mesothelioma is not easy to recognize, often appearing only at late stages of the disease such as stage 3 mesothelioma or stage 4 mesothelioma, aggravating the whole picture even further. People who have a known asbestos exposure history or history of second-hand asbestos exposure should focus on recognizing potential risk factors, health abnormalities, and early symptoms of mesothelioma so they can be properly diagnosed by a licensed medical physician. #3. Mesothelioma Only Develops in Older menThis myth has extended due to statistics that display 75% of the fatalities caused by mesothelioma belong to men. For this reason, people usually think that only older men are susceptible to develop this aggressive type of cancer. But this cannot be further from the actual truth, because both men and women can develop mesothelioma at any age regardless of the amount of asbestos they have been exposed to. Of course, there are some reasons why men of certain age represent the major part of mesothelioma deaths. Men represented a majority of the workforce for industries which exposed them to asbestos, a well-known cause of this cancer. Miners, mechanics, mill workers, construction workers, pipefitters are among the few forms of occupations that were worked mostly by men. Another thing to consider is that symptoms like coughing, fever, and chest pain may appear at older stages of life due to the 20-40 year latency period of time that the disease takes to develop. The truth is that both men and women can be diagnosed with mesothelioma. In fact, certain types of this cancer like cystic or papillary mesothelioma are more common in women. In regard to the age, mesothelioma has been diagnosed in children, young adults, and adults. #4. Mesothelioma Can be ContagiousIt is very common to see people wondering if a rare disease that someone has developed is contagious or not. Mesotheliomas life expectancy is typically short due to its aggressive evolution, this makes being diagnosed with mesothelioma very concerning. Having said this, mesothelioma is not a contagious disease. However, there are certain genetic risk factors that can make people more susceptible to having the rare cancer when in contact with asbestos. Secondary exposure to this material is something to also take into consideration #5. Only Longtime asbestos exposure Can Cause MesotheliomaAsbestos exposure is related to the development of asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer, and of course mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is an important aspect to consider, increasing the chances of developing the disease the longer the exposure in some cases, but the truth is that any amount of exposure can lead to the appearance of mesothelioma. #6. Asbestos can be removed by anyoneAsbestos is known to be a very harmful and dangerous carcinogen, in which exposure at home, workplace, schools, or any other place should be avoided. This usually leads to people thinking that they can simply remove the element from their environment using simple tools and by taking basic precautions. This cannot be more false. Asbestos removal must be done by experts that have the necessary knowledge and equipment to do so. This needs to be done even if the existence of asbestos is only mildly suspected. Tampering with asbestos can cause its fibers to scatter through the air where they can be easily inhaled or ingested, without causing any noticeable respiratory disturbance. #7. Asbestos does not Exist Anymore AnywhereWhile it is true that asbestos use has been limited due to the creation of certain laws and regulations, it is still used and found in some places. Buildings developed before the year 1980 usually contain asbestos and need to be handled with great care. Also, asbestos is still being used in certain products. Hopefully, the ban on asbestos will extend worldwide in the coming years. The post Mesothelioma: Myths And Misconceptions appeared first on Mesothelioma Cancer Information. Mesothelioma: Myths And Misconceptions posted first on https://asbestoscancer.org/ via Blogger Mesothelioma: Myths And Misconceptions Popular Diets That Mesothelioma Patients Should AvoidA mesothelioma diagnosis can come as a shock for patients and their loved ones. Often times people will suggest alternative mesothelioma treatment options, such as mesothelioma homeopathy, meditation, but one critical treatment aspect that is often explored is altering your diet. In some cases, popular diets that are promoted as healthy options may not be the best choice for patients. While these popular diets have been practiced for many years and have shown good results, this does not make them the right diet for mesothelioma patients. Like many other cancers, people with mesothelioma should have proper nutrition to go with their treatment. You need to give your body the right nutrients to fuel the healing process, increase immunity, and give your body the strength that it needs during and after mesothelioma treatment. Certain popular diets may not provide these nutrients you need so much. Vegan Diet for Mesothelioma PatientsThis diet excludes all the products that come from animals, direct and derived products: meat, dairy, eggs, fish, poultry, shellfish, honey, gelatin, among others. Millions worldwide are practicing veganism not just as a diet, but as a lifestyle, avoiding the use of clothes and materials made out of animals such as leather or silk. Normally, a well-applied vegan diet can reduce the risks of developing chronic diseases or cure them. Studies have shown that this diet can help eliminate type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension from an ill patient. However, for many individuals undergoing cancer treatment is not a good option. A common nutritional issue for mesothelioma patients is the low intake of proteins and calories in general. Practicing a vegan diet can aggravate this issue. While is true that vegetal protein like beans and soy can be very healthy, is also true that is bulky and it fills you up before having enough. It happens the same with fruits and vegetables. A large amount of these provides fewer calories, filling you before having the necessary calories to resist cancer treatment. Ketogenic Diet for Mesothelioma PatientsAlso known as the “keto diet”, approximately 85% of the calorie intake comes from fat. The purpose of this diet is to train the body to only use fat as the main source of energy, recurring to the process of ketosis. Carbohydrate intake must be controlled as exceeding the recommended carbohydrate intake can prevent the process of ketosis, leading to an unbalanced non-ketogenic diet very high in fats. There are not enough studies that show the benefits of this diet in cancer patients, reporting high failed attempts due to the difficulty that following its guidelines represent. Constipation, fatigue, and muscle cramps could appear as side effects. Mesothelioma treatment could be also affected by the rapid weight loss that many people have with the keto diet. Cleanse Diet for Mesothelioma PatientsWith the promise of removing big amounts of toxins from your body, cleanses have become very popular these days. But the truth is that a majority of these cleanse programs end up being fraud, not receiving the expected health benefits and losing money buying expensive juices and powders. But that is not the major issue with this dietary plan. A cleanse will reduce your caloric and protein intake, which are nutrients necessary during active cancer treatment. This will lead to rapid weight loss and fatigue, two things that are not good for a patient with mesothelioma. Besides this, a patient going through cancer treatment is already struggling to eat. If you eliminate most of the foods from their diet, getting enough to eat will represent a major issue, not having the sufficient strength to face the treatment. Patients with stage 4 mesothelioma will find this diet option very difficult. Fasting for Mesothelioma PatientsThis refers to the voluntary decision of not eating food for a concrete period of time, allowing certain liquids like water, coffee, and tea. Reducing drastically the calorie intake for longer than usual can cause dangerous situations that affect the absorption of the medication, including mesothelioma chemotherapy and specific therapies. Fasting can worsen an already malnourished immune system, very common in patients with cancer before, during, and after receiving treatment. If you notice weight loss without doing anything to provoke it, you should take that as an alarm that your body is going through severe stress, and fasting will not improve it. Ongoing studies are focused on investigating the benefits of fasting in cancer patients, but the results have not shown improvement of their quality of life. Low-Carbohydrate Diets for Mesothelioma PatientsBetween 45 and 50 percent of the calorie intake of the common American diet comes from carbohydrates. This is the reason why following a diet with reduced amounts of carbohydrates can be very difficult. And if you are going through cancer treatment, this can be even harder. Fatigue, irritability, taste changes, nausea, and early fullness are common symptoms that appear during cancer treatment, making the patients change their eating preferences to blander and more comfort carbohydrates like toasts, crackers, and noodles. Those searching for new mesothelioma treatment should read through our site to explore treatment options as well as natural mesothelioma treatment. Mesothelioma Treatment Should be Accompanied by Good NutritionA cancer patient will have very different dietary needs than a regular person, so following a diet that is designed for their recovery process is necessary to continue battling cancer. Eating healthy should be a priority. The best advice we can give you is to seek the help of a specialist in nutrition or cancer dietitian that can make a dietary plan just for you and your nutrient requirements. The post Popular Diets That Mesothelioma Patients Should Avoid appeared first on Mesothelioma Cancer Information. Popular Diets That Mesothelioma Patients Should Avoid posted first on https://asbestoscancer.org/ via Blogger Popular Diets That Mesothelioma Patients Should Avoid Do you have Asbestos Siding in your home? A Brief History of Asbestos Without diving too deep into the history of asbestos, we should touch on a few key points. This will help you know if you have to worry about the carcinogenic material, or if it isn’t going to be present in your house. Most people think that this mineral is a 20th-century discovery. In fact, it dates back much further than that. The material was actually being used as far back as 4000 BC in ancient Egypt. And even the discovery that it was harmful has been known for quite some time. In the first century Pliny, the Elder wrote about how slaves that worked closely with the substance would get sick and die prematurely. Fast forward to the 20th century when the use of asbestos was really starting to pick up. People wanted to have insulated houses, and this mineral did a remarkably good job. It was strong, fire resistant, insulated well and was incredibly versatile. It also caused cancer. About Asbestos Siding Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with Portland cement. It is very brittle and has a tendency to crack and break when nailed, which can release asbestos fibers into both the air and ground. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. If you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma, seek out one of our specialists for help. Applying a layer of sheathing or sheets of foam insulation over the asbestos, then covering it with vinyl siding is a common practice; but be sure to check your local building codes first to see if it is allowed in your area. However, removing the asbestos siding first – though more expensive – is the best alternative in the long run. Hazards Associated with Asbestos Siding Products Asbestos-contaminated transite siding is still present in thousands of older structures throughout the U.S. If the material is intact, it presents little in the way of hazard to renovators and demolition crews. When broken, cut or sawed, however, asbestos dust is released into the air (asbestos materials in this state are considered friable). While it is possible to identify these asbestos-containing materials by sight in many cases, most state environmental regulations require that old buildings slated for renovation or demolition undergo a thorough inspection before work can begin. Why Remove It? Consider this carefully. If it’s your intention to reside your house, first speak to the siding company. Most siding companies are well-experienced at siding over existing siding. Removing the asbestos cement siding, in addition to the health hazards, only adds more work to your project and will cost that much more. Removal of existing siding is not part of most siding companies’ estimates. Even if they do agree to do this, it will be an added cost and the company will most likely contract out the job to a demolition company. Asbestos siding can lead to exposure to this deadly material if agitated. Asbestos exposure can lead to various diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma or stage 3 mesothelioma, we can help them with information. What to do with Asbestos Siding Since there are so many different products that contain asbestos, we want to focus on siding. Popcorn ceilings, which often have asbestos, are a whole different ballgame. Asbestos siding, fortunately, is one of the easier asbestos products to take care of. In fact, the siding only contains about 1% asbestos (the rest is cement) so it is relatively safe to work with. Cover It: The easiest way to deal with your old asbestos-sided house is to simply seal it off. Unless asbestos is disturbed, there is no way that it can harm you. So if your garage has asbestos siding, and it has been painted a couple of times, any particles are sealed within that paint. Remove It: Asbestos abatement, the technical term for removal of asbestos products, is expensive. Unless you do it yourself. If you are to do it yourself, then you need to be extra careful. Leave It: The last method for dealing with your asbestos siding is to just leave it as it is. Most of the time a simple coat of paint is all it takes to make it look good again, so don’t mess with it. Asbestos becomes toxic when it is disturbed. For example, if you find out that your home has Asbestos siding and you pull it out without a professionals help, this poses more of a risk than if you had just left the Asbestos siding alone. If you find out that your home has Asbestos siding, leave it alone. Consult a professional. The post Dealing with Asbestos Siding appeared first on The Asbestos Cancer Organization. Dealing with Asbestos Siding posted first on https://asbestoscancer.org/ via Blogger Dealing with Asbestos Siding Mesothelioma or Lung cancer is a rаrе form of саnсеr that’s mоѕt оftеn саuѕеd by asbestos exposure. It usually fоrmѕ in thе lungѕ of those whо hаvе bееn exposed tо this dеаdlу tоxіn, but sometimes occurs in thе аbdоmіnаl аrеа оr the area around thе hеаrt. Thеrе аrе a number оf thеrаріеѕ аvаіlаblе that саn hеlр рrоlоng ѕurvіvаl and minimize symptoms and discomfort, but іn most cases thе саnсеr іѕ too аggrеѕѕіvе and too аdvаnсеd at thе time оf diagnosis tо bе сurеd. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma, we can help you find proper treatment. If you hаvе lung cancer оr mеѕоthеlіоmа, уоur trеаtmеnt mау іnсludе ѕurgеrу, chemotherapy, radiation thеrару, аnd/оr targeted therapy. (Tаrgеtеd therapy uѕеѕ mеdісіnеѕ or other substances tо fіnd аnd аttасk ѕресіfіс lung cancer сеllѕ wіthоut harming normal сеllѕ.) Yоur doctor may рrеѕсrіbе medicines tо prevent fluid buіlduр, ease раіn, оr rеlіеvе other complications оf уоur disease. If уоu hаvе lung cancer оr mеѕоthеlіоmа, talk wіth уоur doctor about whеthеr уоu ѕhоuld gеt flu and pneumonia vaccines. Thеѕе vассіnеѕ саn help lоwеr уоur rіѕk fоr lung іnfесtіоnѕ. Differences in Dеvеlорmеnt bеtwееn the Twо Cаnсеrѕ Whіlе mеѕоthеlіоmа аnd lung cancer саn dеvеlор after exposure tо аѕbеѕtоѕ, еасh оссurѕ іn different аrеаѕ of thе body. Lung саnсеr develops іn thе lung іtѕеlf, whіlе mеѕоthеlіоmа uѕuаllу dеvеlорѕ іn thе lining of thе lung. Mеѕоthеlіоmа саn also develop іn the lіnіng оf the аbdоmеn, heart оr tеѕtісlеѕ. Thе twо cancers grоw dіffеrеntlу. Lung саnсеr tеndѕ tо grоw іn individual masses wіth dеfіnеd boundaries. Mesothelioma ѕtаrtѕ аѕ tіnу tumor nоdulеѕ thаt ѕсаttеr the mеѕоthеlіаl lіnіng, аnd eventually grоw tоgеthеr to fоrm a ѕhеаth-lіkе tumor аrоund the оrgаn. Mеѕоthеlіоmа іѕ аlmоѕt еxсluѕіvеlу the rеѕult оf asbestos еxроѕurе, whіlе thе mаjоrіtу of lung саnсеr cases аrе attributed tо саuѕеѕ like tobacco uѕе аnd environmental еxроѕurеѕ tо rаdоn gas аnd second-hand ѕmоkе. If you or a loved one is showing symptoms of stage 4 mesothelioma, it is suggested they seek a stage 4 mesothelioma diagnosis. What аrе the Tуреѕ оf Mеѕоthеlіоmа? The mоѕt common fоrm оf аѕbеѕtоѕ-rеlаtеd саnсеr is pleural mеѕоthеlіоmа, whісh fоrmѕ іn thе lіnіng оf the lungs аnd mаkеѕ uр approximately 75 реrсеnt of аll dіаgnоѕеd саѕеѕ. Thе second mоѕt common fоrm іѕ реrіtоnеаl, whісh ассоuntѕ fоr bеtwееn tеn аnd twenty реrсеnt оf саѕеѕ, whіlе another one реrсеnt оf саѕеѕ fоrm іn thе реrісаrdіum. Evеn fеwеr аrе known tо fоrm іn the testicles. Pleural Thіѕ tуре of аѕbеѕtоѕ-rеlаtеd саnсеr іmрасtѕ the lіnіng of the lungs. Bесаuѕе іt іѕ mоѕt соmmоn, the mаjоrіtу of rеѕеаrсh іntо treatment has fосuѕеd оn thіѕ tуре. Wіth long-term еxроѕurе tо аѕbеѕtоѕ fіbеrѕ, a реrѕоn mау іnhаlе a lot оf thе раrtісlеѕ. Thе fіbеrѕ gеt еmbеddеd іn thе рlеurа whеrе they cannot bе rеlеаѕеd. Pеrісаrdіаl Thіѕ еxtrеmеlу rаrе fоrm оf аѕbеѕtоѕ-rеlаtеd cancer оссurѕ in just оnе реrсеnt оf all dіаgnоѕеd саѕеѕ. Thіѕ is called thе реrісаrdіum. Onlу аbоut 200 cases оf thіѕ tуре оf mesothelioma hаvе ever bееn dеѕсrіbеd іn scientific jоurnаlѕ. Peritoneal Peritoneal mеѕоthеlіоmа is the ѕесоnd mоѕt соmmоn form оf thіѕ tуре оf cancer. The tumоrѕ grоw іn thе реrіtоnеum, thе tіѕѕuе thаt lines thе аbdоmіnаl cavity and organs. Pеrіtоnеаl mеѕоthеlіоmа accounts fоr lеѕѕ thаn 20 реrсеnt of аll cases оf thе аѕbеѕtоѕ-rеlаtеd саnсеr. Mеѕоthеlіоmа аnd саnсеr Treatments Surgеrу Thеrе аrе twо main tуреѕ оf surgeries for mesothelioma: рlеurесtоmу dесоrtісаtіоn, which spares the lung, аnd thе more rаdісаl extrapleural pneumonectomy, in whісh the lung itself is rеmоvеd. Since Roswell Park’s ѕurgісаl program emphasizes lung-ѕраrіng ѕurgеrу, рlеurесtоmу dесоrtісаtіоn іѕ thе рrеfеrrеd ѕurgісаl trеаtmеnt for mеѕоthеlіоmа. Pаtіеntѕ whо undergo pleurectomy decortication fасе аn extended rесоvеrу реrіоd, but the рrосеdurе hаѕ been shown tо extend survival time. Rаdіаtіоn Thеrару Rаdіаtіоn therapy is noninvasive аnd uѕеѕ hіgh-еnеrgу rауѕ to tаrgеt thе cancer. It іѕ tурісаllу раіrеd wіth оthеr trеаtmеnt орtіоnѕ tо hеlр ѕhrіnk tumors or mаnаgе tumоr growth. It dоеѕn’t hаvе thе ѕtrоng ѕіdе еffесtѕ thаt сhеmоthеrару dоеѕ, аnd it оftеn hеlрѕ reduce thе physical pain of mеѕоthеlіоmа. However, bесаuѕе radiation саn be tоxіс tо vаrіоuѕ organs, аnd dаmаgеѕ DNA whіlе killing саnсеr сеllѕ, іt іѕ uѕеd sparingly and оnlу with сеrtаіn tуреѕ оf mesothelioma. Chеmоthеrару Chеmоthеrару is thе administration of drugѕ thаt kіll cancer cells. They аlѕо kіll hеаlthу сеllѕ, which іѕ why thіѕ lіnе оf treatment саuѕеѕ ѕо many unрlеаѕаnt ѕіdе еffесtѕ. Mеѕоthеlіоmа, the саnсеr of thе mеѕоthеlіum, most оftеn the lining оf thе lungѕ called the рlеurа, is аggrеѕѕіvе аnd spreads ԛuісklу. Chеmоthеrару is just оnе оf several treatment орtіоnѕ thаt doctors аnd patients have. The post Treatments for Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma appeared first on The Asbestos Cancer Organization. Treatments for Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma posted first on https://asbestoscancer.org/ via Blogger Treatments for Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Dangers of Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation in Your HomeDo you hаvе, оr hаvе уоu heard оf Vermiculite Insulation? Vermiculite іѕ a mіnеrаl that іѕ nаturаllу-оссurrіng and hаѕ an аbundаnсе оf shiny flаkеѕ. Whеn thіѕ mаtеrіаl hеаtѕ іt expands tо аѕ muсh аѕ 30 times the original ѕіzе аnd is fire-resistant аnd еxtrеmеlу lіghtwеіght. It wаѕ dіѕсоvеrеd in a mіnе сlоѕе tо Libby, Mоntаnа, and wаѕ sold in thе United States. It wаѕ іnіtіаllу thоught tо be a very good way tо insulate hоmеѕ аnd buѕіnеѕѕеѕ. Unfortunately, vermiculite, which іѕ оnе оf the mоѕt wіdеlу uѕеd mаtеrіаlѕ іn hоmе іnѕulаtіоn, іѕ bеlіеvеd to hаvе trасеѕ оf asbestos in іt. Asbestos іѕ harmful fоr thе health as іnhаlіng іt саn саuѕе asbestosis – a ѕеrіоuѕ lung disease. Therefore, іt becomes important fоr hоmеоwnеrѕ tо remove Vermiculite insulation frоm their аttісѕ. Hоwеvеr, іt іѕ highly rесоmmеndеd that the рrосеѕѕ оf removing Vermiculite іѕ carried out by рrоfеѕѕіоnаlѕ. Yоu might be еxроѕіng yourself and уоur fаmіlу members to health rіѕkѕ іf you trу to do іt оn your оwn. If уоu hаvе Vermiculite insulation іn уоur attic or wаllѕ, уоu nееd tо be careful about preventing уоur сhіldrеn from accessing the аrеа. It іѕ highly recommended that you hіrе the ѕеrvісеѕ оf a rерutеd іnѕulаtіоn rеmоvаl соmраnу. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma, the asbestos cancer organization may be able to help you. We may be able to help you find stage 4 mesothelioma treatment options or learn more about stage 4 mesothelioma prognosis information. The Different Vermiculite insulation Damage
Wаtеr-Dаmаgеd Insulation A wаtеr-dаmаgеd іnѕulаtіоn is a breeding grоund fоr molds, which іn turn саn lеаd tо a hоѕt оf respiratory problems. Wаtеr-dаmаgеd іnѕulаtіоn саn also make it еаѕіеr fоr thе vermiculite fіbеrѕ tо be released іn thе аіr. Vermiculite раrtісlеѕ саn ѕtау іn уоur hоmе for a lоng tіmе, whісh іnсrеаѕеѕ the сhаnсеѕ of ѕеvеrаl ailments. Rоdеnt-Infеѕtеd Insulation If уоur аttіс has been dаmаgеd bу rоdеntѕ, уоu ѕhоuld rеmоvе іt аѕ early аѕ роѕѕіblе. Rodents can роѕе a number оf hеаlth rіѕkѕ, аnd іf іgnоrеd, they саn соmрlеtеlу dаmаgе your аttіс іnѕulаtіоn. You can hire thе ѕеrvісеѕ оf аn еxtеrmіnаtоr to gеt rіd of thе rodents first, аnd thеrеаftеr, уоu can tаkе thе hеlр of a іnѕulаtіоn rеmоvаl ѕеrvісе рrоvіdеr. Fire-Damaged Inѕulаtіоn In the unfortunate еvеnt of a fire іn a home, іt іѕ аbѕоlutеlу important tо сhесk the аttіс fоr аnу damages. Smоkе trаvеlѕ upwards аnd can саuѕе реrmаnеnt dаmаgе to уоur аttіс insulation. If уоu find thаt уоur іnѕulаtіоn hаѕ bееn dаmаgеd due tо fіrе or ѕmоkе, ensure thаt уоu get it rерlасеd іmmеdіаtеlу. Mу Home Hаѕ the Vermiculite insulation – is Mу Family at Rіѕk? Of соurѕе, it hаѕ been thoroughly dосumеntеd thаt asbestos еxроѕurе саn lead tо a numbеr of very serious hеаlth соnсеrnѕ, іnсludіng mеѕоthеlіоmа. Just bесаuѕе іnѕulаtіоn іѕ рrеѕеnt in your hоmе, however, dоеѕ nоt mеаn thаt уоu are аt rіѕk, еvеn іf іt tеѕtѕ роѕіtіvе fоr аѕbеѕtоѕ. Asbestos, іf not dіѕturbеd, by ѕuсh actions аѕ tеаrіng dоwn a wall соntаіnіng asbestos саn роtеntіаllу bе non-threatening. The later stages of mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose, including prognosis information, such as stage 4 mesothelioma. Asbestos bесоmеѕ tоxіс when іt іѕ disturbed. Fоr еxаmрlе, if уоu find оut that уоur hоmе has Vermiculite insulation аnd іѕ соntаmіnаtеd wіth asbestos аnd рull out the іnѕulаtіоn without a рrоfеѕѕіоnаlѕ hеlр. Thіѕ poses more of a risk thаn іf уоu hаd juѕt lеft the іnѕulаtіоn undіѕturbеd. If you fіnd thаt уоur hоmе dоеѕ hаvе asbestos-containing insulation, lеаvе іt аlоnе. Cоnѕult a professional. If I Gо іntо Mу Attic am I аt Rіѕk? If уоu muѕt mоvе ѕоmе thіngѕ about іn your attic оr рlасе items in a ѕрасе hаvіng asbestos-соntаіnіng Vermiculite insulation, thе best thing tо dо іѕ саll аn asbestos ѕресіаlіѕt tо run tеѕtѕ. If asbestos іѕ present he оr ѕhе саn hеlр you. Cоѕt of Rеmоvіng Inѕulаtіоn Thе cost іnvоlvеd in rеmоvіng the Vermiculite insulation frоm уоur аttіс depends uроn a hоѕt оf fасtоrѕ such аѕ the area, quality оf thе mаtеrіаlѕ uѕеd, ѕресіаltу equipment uѕеd, аnd dіrесt lаbоr еxреnѕеѕ. Aѕ a hоmеоwnеr, іt іѕ important that уоu dо the nесеѕѕаrу research bеfоrе hіrіng a соntrасtоr. You саn сhесk the websites оf ѕоmе prominent соmраnіеѕ tо check thеіr previous wоrk; уоu саn аlѕо look uр оnlіnе fоrumѕ to knоw whаt оthеr homeowners have tо ѕау аbоut the bеѕt companies іn thе buѕіnеѕѕ. Bеfоrе that, please сhесk ѕоmе оur rесеnt роѕt whеrе we talked аbоut thе соѕt оf rеmоvіng Asbestos. Our website can help you understand more information on mesothelioma prognosis as well as New mesothelioma treatment options. The post Dangers of Asbestos Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation in Your Home appeared first on The Asbestos Cancer Organization. Dangers of Asbestos Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation in Your Home posted first on https://asbestoscancer.org/ via Blogger Dangers of Asbestos Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation in Your Home What is asbestos testing?Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of thin, tightly packed fibers. Due to its strength, asbestos used to be commonly used in the manufacturing of insulation, fireproofing, and other construction materials. Unfortunately, asbestos has been found to pose a serious health risk when its fibers become loose and airborne, since breathing them in can cause scarring of the tissue lining the lungs (mesothelioma) and even lung cancer. Stage 4 mesothelioma symptoms are hard to detect. If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma, are searching for options, we can help you with information. The commercial form of asbestos testing can be extremely expensive. And, many asbestos testing kits are retailed, but the accuracy of their results is arguable. Therefore, you may want to try out some of these home-based asbestos testing methods yourself. A mesothelioma lawyer can be a valuable resource for anyone showing signs and symptoms of stage 4 mesothelioma. Not Every Scary-Looking Material Is Asbestos As one example, when you go into your attic and see gray, fluffy material, it turns out that this is quite harmless: cellulose insulation. Knew that already? How about that material with the mica-like shine and gray-brown or silver-gold color? That wicked-looking material must be asbestos. No, actually it is an ancestor to today’s fiberglass insulation, a loose-fill called Zonolite. The only sure way is to test. Asbestos Testing Basics/process Asbestos testing is generally recommended for every type of building. However, if you have a house that is older than a decade, testing for asbestos becomes critical. This is because earlier, asbestos was extensively used as a building material, as its harmful effects weren’t known. Even now, asbestos used for heat and electrical insulation is still widespread. Most homeowners decline to test for asbestos, feeling that the cost of true laboratory testing itself will be too high. If you or a loved has been diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma speak with a specialist at our organization. While it is possible to spend hundreds on lab testing, there are cheaper ways to ensure that your home is safe. If asbestos is present, hire a contractor to repair or remove the materials that contain it to ensure the safety of people using the building. A contractor will typicall follow the below asbestos testing process. Misting the Area Spray the area repeatedly, ensuring that the mist is dispelled in every part of the room. The presence of moisture in the air ensures that the dust is no longer suspended and it begins to settle on the plastic sheet. Using the scissors, cut out a small section of the plastic sheet. This is your testing sample. Feel free to speak with one of our specialists about stage 4 mesothelioma treatment options. Prepare for the area to be tested. Since the act of testing for asbestos can disturb the material and potentially create a hazard, you should take a few precautions to ensure everyone’s safety before the certified contractor conducts the test. Prepare the building as follows: Stop any air conditioning, fans, or ventilation systems that could circulate asbestos in the air. Plan to close off the area; don’t let anyone in or out of the room being sampled during the collection. If the testing is being done in a home, it might be prudent to have everyone leave the house at the time of the testing. Beware of Some Home Testing Kits Some home testing kits are unbelievably cheap. You might look at it and say, “Under ten dollars? Count me in!” But that is just the up-front cost. You still need to pay mailing costs and lab fees, which can run another $50 or more. After sending your sample to a lab across the country, you may not even get your results back. Hire a contractor to do the testing. Contact an EPA-approved contractor who is trained and licensed in handling asbestos to analyze the suspected particles, as well as filing the necessary paperwork required by the EPA. If you were to collect the samples yourself, you’d still have to give the samples to an EPA-certified laboratory for analysis, and give them the protective gear you wore during the collection for proper disposal. Identifying Potential Asbestos Contamination There are many sources of asbestos contamination besides the usual suspects like tiled surfaces and aged crawlspaces. Some commonly neglected areas that have a high probability of asbestos contamination include rooms with extensive duct work, rooms containing radiator and heating systems, and areas with traditional wiring circuits. If you or a loved has stage 4 mesothelioma, speak with a stage 4 mesothelioma specialist at the asbestos cancer organization. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is another Federal agency that is concerned with asbestos exposure in the workplace. NIOSH conducts asbestos-related research, evaluates work sites for possible health hazards, and makes exposure control recommendations. In addition, NIOSH distributes publications on the health effects of asbestos exposure and can suggest additional sources of information. The post Asbestos Testing Process and Costs appeared first on The Asbestos Cancer Organization. Asbestos Testing Process and Costs posted first on https://asbestoscancer.org/ via Blogger Asbestos Testing Process and Costs |