What to Tell Children

The amount of information you should give them depends on their age and how grown up they are. Being honest is one thing but giving them all the information at once may be too much. Try spreading it out a bit to ease the shock of the inevitable outcome.

Questions can be answered on a 'need to know basis' initially but as more hospital visits are undertaken and the patient is unwell at times then more detail needs to be offered. Getting the same question over and over again from young children can be difficult at times but it should be realised that this is a normal part of their development.

Teenagers may have a particularly hard time as they now have to cope with additional strong emotions and extra responsibilities, as well as the usual emotions which are part of their development into adults. They may need to turn to others outside the family if they find it difficult to talk to family members e.g.family friend, teacher or counsellor.

Grief raises its head everywhere and it is important to reassure children that it is not their fault that this illness has happened. It seems to be common amongst children that they feel they are to blame and these feelings could last for some time.

Additionally, they may need to be put right about what they have heard from friends and other people as it may not be correct.

Children need to be dealt with sensitively but honestly. But manage the communication of information according to age, maturity and circumstances.

New Approaches to Mesothelioma Treatment

Medical technology is moving just as fast as consumer oriented technology, and the treatment concepts for mesothelioma are no exception. Because mesothelioma is a relatively rare disease compared to other forms of cancer, the therapies being tested are also focused on more common malignancies. But the focus of these mesothelioma treatment concepts is generally seeking new and more productive ways to destroy malignant cells and/or stop their reproduction.
The concepts under study for cancer treatment are startlingly different. In some ways they resemble engineering challenges, looking for the most effective way to cause or bring about a cellular reaction. Among them:

Mesothelioma and Women

Traditionally, malignant mesothelioma is a form of asbestos cancer that statistically affects men more often than women. This is not because women are less genetically pre-disposed to the disease, however. It is primarily due to the fact that historically, men worked more often at asbestos jobsites which put them in contact with dangerous asbestos. That said,mesothelioma disease has indeed been diagnosed in women, though on-the-job exposure is often not the reason for the development of the disease.

Some studies have also demonstrated that women who develop mesothelioma are much more likely to acquire peritoneal mesothelioma, the abdominal form of the disease, with the mesothelioma risk factors increasing five-fold with increasing exposure. This is noted in a study published in the journal, Chest. The reasons why are not clear but studies continue in hopes of discovering the answer to this question.

Malignant Mesothelioma. Risk Factors

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Mesothelioma: What is it?

Malignant Mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. It is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the sac lining of the chest (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). Virtually all cases of malignant mesothelioma are attributable to asbestos exposure.

An x-ray is often the first method used in the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Although mesothelioma typically cannot be seen on an x-ray, the tumor often causes a pleural effusion, or fluid collection between the lung and chest wall. This abnormal finding is associated with shortness of breath and warrants clinical followup. For confirmation of the disease a pathology specimen from a biopsy or operation is usually required. Like most cancers, malignant mesothelioma is best treated when it is diagnosed early. Mesothelioma progresses through stages.