When you are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, your life is changed in more ways than one. In a split second, the plans you’ve made for your life-and the lives of your family members-are drastically and definitively altered. One way to aid yourself and those around you in the coping process ahead is to get informed. Your doctor and the rest of your medical care team can help you to find the information you need to learn about your disease. You can also find great resources here, like the simple Q & A offered below.
Question: What causes mesothelioma, and how did I get this disease?
Answer:
Asbestos exposure is the identified cause behind approximately 10,000 diagnosed cases of several serious illnesses in the U.S. each year-including asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma and other cancers. Asbestos is a known and dangerous carcinogen-or cancer-causing substance-that was widely used throughout much of the 19th and 20th century. Most people experienced what is called occupational exposure, primarily in the construction and automotive industries as well as the U.S. Military.
Question: What can I expect my prognosis to be?
Answer:
Mesothelioma is a terminal condition-meaning that there is currently no known cure-although, several factors may affect how long a person is expected to live after being diagnosed. The younger a patient is and the better a patient’s health at the time of diagnosis, the more favorably he or she is expected to respond to treatment measures. Women are also shown to statistically fare better with the disease than men (who are, incidentally, diagnosed at a much higher rate of occurrence).
The stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis also plays a large role in mesothelioma life expectancy, as early-stage cancer is much easier to treat than cancer that has advanced and quite likely spread throughout the body.
Question: Which treatments are available for mesothelioma, and how will I know which one is right for me?
Answer:
There are three conventional modalities used to treat patients with mesothelioma-surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Recent studies have shown multimodality treatments-such as surgery followed by chemo, radiation therapy or both-are the most effective options in combating mesothelioma. Your doctor can help you understand which treatments you are eligible for-based on the type and extent of your cancer, as well as your physical health-and which ones might work best for you.
Question: How can I begin to secure my families future now that I am living with malignant mesothelioma?
Answer:
One of most important first steps you can take towards establishing a solid financial future and lasting security for your dependents is to contact about filing a mesothelioma lawsuit. By collecting settlement or trial award from the company or companies liable for exposing you to asbestos and causing your illness, you can get immediate help covering your treatment and medical care costs and also establish a trust to provide for the needs of your loved ones.