Mesothelioma and Asbestos Blog

Britain’s healthcare “watchdog� NICE, recently gave doctors clearance to use Eli Lily and Co’s medication Alimta to help treat mesothelioma.
Thus far, a cure for mesothelioma has not been found but using medications such as Alimta has proven to be beneficial for those suffering from the illness, according to
researchers.
Reversal of Decision Regarding Medication
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence was finally issued final clearance for the National Health Service to provide the medication after much debate surrounding the drug.
Alimta has been approved to be used on patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma and aren’t eligible for surgery.
The approval is a reversal of a 2006 NICE decision that the drug, also known as pemetrexed disodium, wasn’t cost-effective for the illness.
Mesothelioma Becoming More Common
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is associated with asbestos exposure and can take from 20-50 years to detect in patients.
People are often exposed to asbestos through the handling of products containing the substance or the inhalation or ingestion of the fibers.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, also known as the Meso Foundation, recently announced that it will give $1 million to researchers working at some of the top universities in the country.
The award is intended to help these researchers find a cure for mesothelioma, the rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Raising Money to Find a Cure
Yearly, the Meso Foundation funds top research programs around the world through its grant process that helps raise money for mesothelioma research.
The recent donation brings total funding at the foundation to $5 million.
“The areas funded are targeted therapies that might halt the development of mesothelioma cells, immunotherapy, novel transport systems to assist chemotherapy drug entry into the cell membrane and gene therapy,� explains Mary Hersdorffer, who works for the Meso Foundation’s Medical Liaison.
The Truth Behind the Disease
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that can painfully invade the lining of the lungs or heart and is caused by exposure to asbestos.
Research for the illness has taken a backseat to other forms of cancer and as a result, for those with the disease, it has been difficult to determine and treatments have been delayed.
Asbestos Exposure Remains a Problem
According to reports, asbestos exposure is still common in schools, homes and the workplace despite the known harm the substance can cause.
“For all those battling the disease today, the need is urgent,� says Chris Hahn, the Executive Director at the Meso Foundation.

Recent studies have proved that children are at as much risk for developing asbestos related illnesses, like mesothelioma, as adults.

Researchers from the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) have confirmed that asbestos is still present in many everyday products, including toys.

Test Results Unsettling

The findings are surprising to most, since federal law banned asbestos almost a quarter-century ago for use in children’s products.

The ADAO’s findings have encouraged many stores to remove products containing asbestos from their shelves.

Children at High Risk

Asbestos is hard for the body to break down when it’s inhaled or ingested, which can result in a consistent irritation within the body’s internal structures.

Children are most at risk for developing fatal diseases like mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos since they are less discriminatory about the things they inhale and ingest into their bodies.

When asbestos enters a child’s body, the inflammation of the substance could cause a harmful scar tissue for the duration of several years and eventually lead to the development of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma in Kids

Since health complications from exposure to asbestos could take many years to manifest, childhood exposure could potentially cause the person to develop mesothelioma in their twenties or thirties.

Although asbestos exposure is not uncommon in occupational settings, the potential for exposure, particularly with children, is disturbing.

According to experts, anything that contains at least one-percent asbestos is considered to be hazardous and should be avoided.