According to the AP report, details of the settlement were not disclosed by Olsen’s family. The notice of settlement was filed in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, according to the AP report.

Merlin Olsen was a native of Logan, Utah. He played football for Utah State University and earned All-American honors during his junior and senior years. He went on to play professional football as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, where he was part of the “Fearsome Foursome” in the 1960s. Following his pro ball career, he worked as a sports broadcaster for both NBC and ABC.

Olsen is perhaps best remembered among younger generations for his television career outside the sports booth, with roles on the popular TV shows “Little House on the Prairie,” and as the title character in “Father Murphy,” and on “Aaron’s Way.” Additionally, he appeared in a number of television commercials throughout the years.

On December 8, 2009, Utah State University announced it would name its football field after him – Merlin Olsen Field. Sadly, he did not live long enough to see a USU team play on the field bearing his name.

Sources:
The Herald Journal (Logan, Utah)
ESPN.com

SOURCE: myMeso › Merlin Olsen family settles asbestos lawsuit

This is the second year the Meso Foundation has spearheaded the Today Show awareness effort. Festivities will kick off on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. with a gathering at Bill’s Bar and Burger Rockefeller Center. Meet the Meso Foundation staff and volunteers. Everyone who attends this event will receive an orange “curemeso.org” t-shirt to wear the next morning to attract attention of the TV crews.

Monday, Sept. 26, Meso Warriors will meet on Rockefeller Plaza at 5:30 a.m. ET. If you were not able to attend the meet and greet at Bill’s Bar and Burger on Sunday night, you can get your orange “curemeso.org” shirt from a Meso Foundation volunteer that morning. The foundation also will have a limited number of pre-made signs available. The show starts at 7 a.m. ET, but places on line in the Plaza cannot be held, so make sure to get there early to stand with the other Meso Warriors.

For more information, visit www.curemeso.org. You also can view a list of recommended Meso Awareness Day Hotels in New York City that are located close to Rockefeller plaza.

SOURCE: myMeso › Meso warriors will assemble on the Plaza for Mesothelioma Awareness Day

In addition to publishing the study, The Lancet prepared a podcast featuring an interview with Dr. Prezant. He said mong the priorities of this study was to ensure that it included every firefighter who was employed at the NYFD that was at 9/11, and also everyone who was employed as a firefighter at the NYFD. They examined data sets including what types of cancers the firefighters had, and where it was reported, and made sure that there were no duplications in the records to make sure no cancer was counted twice. They compared results among exposed firefighters, non-exposed firefighters and a similar general population, as well as the time period during which the screening was done to make sure screening methods were similar.

The study indicates an increased risk for the development of all cancers, combined, in firefighters exposed to the toxic dust, smoke and fumes at the Ground Zero site on 9/11, Dr. Prezant said. He said data shows a 19 percent increase for WTC-exposed firefighters, compared to non-exposed firefighters.

Listen to the podcast.

SOURCE: myMeso › Listen to an interview with lead author of NYFD cancer study

The legislation was signed into law in January, and and established a $2.8 billion federal fund that is supposed to provide health care and compensation for people who were sickened following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center as a result of their exposure to dust and debris at and around the site. The legislation may cover first responders, as well as workers who helped clear the site in the days, weeks and months following the terrorist attack.

However, cancer was excluded as a covered condition. The exclusion was announced in July, following a review by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which said there was “too little scientific evidence linking cancer to time spent amid the dust and wreckage.”

This, despite research that indicated from the beginning that the dust resulting from the burning and collapse of the World Trade Center buildings contained such known carcinogens as dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as asbestos, which is linked to the development of mesothelioma.

With the release of new data gathered with the added perspective of time, there is a call for further review of the policies governing the compensation fund, to expand coverage for cancer. Many believe incidences of cancer linked to WTC site exposure will only increase as more time passes. Researchers note that “many cancers, including mesothelioma and other malignancies related to the known toxins found at Ground Zero, can take decades to develop,” according to a Huffington Post report.

Fred Blosser, a public affairs officer with NIOSH, told the Huffington Post the agency will review the new studies, and plans to conduct a second periodic review in early to mid-2012.

George Wong, a police officer who worked at the World Trade Center site during 9/11,  died recently after a 2-year battle with gastric cancer. On his death certificate, doctors  listed the cause of death as “9/11 toxins,” but the New York health department still maintains there is no conclusive link between illnesses and 9/11 toxins. His cause of death was questioned by the medical examiner, and the City took the officer’s body for further examination following his wake. Watch the video.

SOURCE: myMeso › People exposed to toxins at WTC site during 9/11 call for cancer coverage

According to The Lancet, “Respiratory illnesses and post-traumatic stress disorder are known to be increased in those who survived the World Trade Center disaster, but data reported in this issue show that 9 years after the attacks, rescue and recovery workers continue to have substantial physical and mental health problems.”

While it is too early yet to find evidence of increased mortality among these workers, the research indicates that “An excess of cancer cases is reported in firefighters who survived the disaster..” according to The Lancet.

The study, titled “Early assessment of cancer outcomes in New York City firefighters after the 9/11 attacks: an observational cohort study” was published in Volume 378, Issue 9794 of The Lancet. Researchers studied cancer incidence and its potential association to exposure of New York City firefighters to known and suspected carcinogens at Ground Zero. The study examined the effect of these possible carcinogens on FDNY first responders in the first 7 years after 9/11/01.

According to the report, the study included 9,853 men who were employed as firefighters on Jan. 1, 1996. Researchers determined that “on and after 9/11, person-time for 8,927 firefighters was classified as WTC-exposed; all person-time before 9/11, and person-time after 9/11 for 926 non-WTC-exposed firefighters, was classifed as non-WTC exposed.” Explaining their methods, researchers state in the report, “We estimated the ratio of incidence rates in WTC-exposed firefighters to non-exposed firefighters, adjusted for age, race and ethnic origin, and secular trends, with the US National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) reference population.”

In its Findings summary, the report concluded that cancer incidence in firefighters exposed to toxins at the World Trade Center was about 1 in 10, while cancer incidence in the general male population in the U.S. was about 1 in 19. This incidence among the non-WTC-exposed firefighters also was about 1 in 19. This leads researchers to believe there is a “modest excess of cancer cases in the WTC-exposed” group.

However, researchers also caution that there has been a relatively short time period since the events of 9/11 and the exposures, while many cancers, such as mesothelioma, may have long developmental periods. They recommend continued follow-up including cancer screenings and prevention strategies.

Read the full FDNY post-9/11 cancer assessment.

The Lancet has a full report on the events of 9/11 in this special section.

SOURCE: myMeso › Studies continue to show increased cancer risk for 9/11 first responders

Asbestos, of course, has been shown to cause lung cancer, particularly deadly pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. Asbestos also can affect the lining of the abdomen, causing peritoneal mesothelioma. Although some people diagnosed with mesothelioma are having success with radical or experimental treatments, there is as of yet no known cure for the disease.

Watch The Daily Show segment, titled “Ored to Death.”

Thank you to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) for letting us know about this coverage!

More information:
Canadian Crossing

SOURCE: myMeso › The Daily Show shines a light on Canadian asbestos mining, exporting

After a quick investigation, DNRE spokesman Robert McCann told the Free Press the agency discovered the City had not completed required asbestos inspections on the properties scheduled for demolition. The City also had not notified the state – which is required by law – of the planned demolition. The planned project was halted April 5, and City officials met with DNRE representatives to learn what they should do.

According to the Free Press, representatives from the City said they were unaware they were violating any federal regulations, and said the City has not had a history of inspecting buildings for the presence of asbestos before demolition under past administrations. The current Mayor is Dave Bing.

Some demolition occurred before DNRE officials were able to call a halt; however, subsequent asbestos testing did not find any asbestos present. The project is under the direction of the City’s Buildings and Safety Engineering Department. The houses planned for demolition are located in southwest Detroit. The City still plans to demolish 3,000 structures by the end of this year, and 10,000 structures during the next four years.

Federal regulations require that businesses or individuals planning demolition first test the structure for the presence of asbestos, remove any asbestos that is found using approved abatement procedures to ensure the safety of workers and the public, and provide a 10-day notice to the DNRE before beginning demolition. Violations could incur fines of up to $27,500 per day, and jail time. It was not noted in the Free Press story if the City is in danger of being prosecuted for its violations.

However, public interest in the story did raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure, which can result in mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the chest and lungs, the lining of the abdomen, or the lining of the heart. As a result of reader interest, the newspaper published a helpful Q&A about asbestos exposure the following day.

SOURCE: myMeso › Detroit demolition plan halted due to asbestos concerns

The study included 12,781 workers who were present at the WTC site between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 24, 2001, which is 91.6 percent of the workers that were present. The report notes that the event exposed the workers – as well as those living and working in the surrounding area – to a dense cloud of pulverized building materials and chemical byproducts, including pulverized glass and cement, insulation fibers including asbestos, and toxic chemicals.

According to a report in The New York Times that summarizes the study findings, this is the first study to document long-term harm in a large group of firefighters and emergency medical workers who worked at Ground Zero. All of the subjects of the study had had previous lung function tests, providing a baseline for the study.

The study was authored by Dr. David J. Prezant, chief medical officer in the Office of Medical Affairs at the New York City Fire Department. The study was approved by the institutional review board at Montefiore Medical Center.

Results of the study revealed that firefighters, who had heavier exposure to dust by the nature of their work had greater first-year declines than EMS personnel, especially for firefighters who were present in the morning on 9/11, when the dust cloud was most intense after the buildings fell. However, researchers noted they were surprised to see “little or no recovery of average lung function during the 6-year follow-up period.” In fact, they noted continued decline in lung function among the study groups.

Normally, the study notes, “smoke inhalation during firefighting causes relatively mild and reversible respiratory impairment.” Additionally, according to the report, long-term effects of firefighting on pulmonary function also are normally mild.

The average loss of lung function for 9/11 rescue workers is about 10 percent. Most of the loss occurred within the first year after 9/11 exposure, with little or no subsequent recovery.

Thousands of workers injured at Ground Zero have been fighting for compensation from the City of New York. Last month about 10,000 plaintiffs reached a settlement agreement totaling $657.5 million, but a judge rejected the settlement shortly afterward, saying it did not provide enough compensation for the plaintiffs. The matter is now back in negotiations, and a new hearing is set for Monday, according to the Times.

SOURCE: myMeso › Study reveals persistent, significant reduction in lung function for 9/11 responders, workers

It is the purpose of Asbestos Awareness Week to raise public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos and the dangers of asbestos exposure in the United States and around the world. Microscopic asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested, and imbed themselves in the body where they can cause diseases such as asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs, and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that can affect the chest and lungs, the abdomen or the heart.

The U.S. Congress has recognized a National Asbestos Awareness Day or Week for the past six years. The awareness effort is a project of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), which is the largest organization in the United States serving as the voice of asbestos victims. The ADAO lobbies for the complete ban of asbestos and asbestos-containing products in the U.S. It is estimated that within the next decade 100,000 workers around the world will die of an asbestos-related disease. That equals 30 deaths each day.

For more information, visit ADAO online.

SOURCE: myMeso › Mayor Todd Strange declares Asbestos Awareness Week in Montgomery, AL

The clinical trial involves 60 patients at 12 centers in Australia.It is a single arm, unblinded study for patients with mesothelioma who have progressed on platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy. BNC105 will be administered on days 1 and 8 of 21-day cycles. Treatment will continue until disease progression. The primary objective is to determine the tumor response rate.

Principal investigator for the trial is Dr. Anna Nowak, professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Australia and consultant medical oncologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. According to information on the company’s web site, Bionomics has already commenced Phase II testing of the anti-cancer properties of BNC105 in renal cancer in the United States. The commencement of this Phase II trial follows a successful BNC105 Phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced cancers at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Western Hospital, Austin Health and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Dr. Nowak says, “Mesothelioma remains a substantial problem in Australia and other parts of the world. An early clinical trial of BNC105 suggested some promise in mesothelioma. This Phase II trial will provide hope and an opportunity to participate in a research study for people with mesothelioma who do not have other options for treatment.”

Dr. Deborah Rathjen, CEO and Managing Director of Bionomics, says the company expects to report interim results of this study in mesothelioma patients in early 2011.

In 2005, Bionomics reports there were 597 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in Australia and in 2006 there were 486 deaths attributed to mesothelioma.

More information about the clinical trial is available online. Inquiries may be directed to:

Bionomics Limited
Dr Deborah Rathjen
CEO & Managing Director
+61 8 8354 6101 / 0418 160 425
drathjen@bionomics.com.au

Monsoon Communications
Rudi Michelson
+61 3 9620 3333

SOURCE: myMeso › Bionomics begins Phase II clinical trial of mesothelioma med in Australia

The five-year study is being directed by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health, and funded by a $4.9 million grant from the Minnestoa state legislature. The new cases bring the total number of former miners diagnosed with mesothelioma to 63.

Mesothelioma has traditionally been linked exclusively to asbestos. However, an investigation into the link between taconite mining – which takes place in what is known as Minnesota’s Iron Range, – began when state health officials noted an unusually high incidence of mesothelioma occurring in taconite mine workers. Mesothelioma occurs at twice the expected rate in the Iron Range.

As part of the study, researchers are screening workers and their immediate families. To date, they have interviewed about 1,000 people, and would like to double that number.

Taconite is an iron-bearing, flint-like rock. Processed taconite pellets are used in the steel making industry.  To process taconite, the ore is ground into a fine powder, the iron is separated from the waste rock using strong magnets and the powdered iron concentrate is combined with bentonite clay and limestone and rolled into pellets. The Mesabi Iron Range region of Minnesota is a major taconite production area.

More information is available at the project’s official web site for Minnesota Taconite Workers Health Study.

Pictured above are processed taconite pellets. Source: Wikipedia

SOURCE: myMeso › Iron Range study finds four new cases of mesothelioma

On March 26, the ADAO praised the U.S. Senate for passage of the sixth annual resolution establishing National Asbestos Awareness Week. Senate Resolution 427 also urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate Americans about the severe hazards of asbestos exposure.

The ADAO is the largest organization in the United States serving as the voice of asbestos victims, and lobbies for the complete ban of asbestos and asbestos-containing products in the U.S. Asbestos exposure is linked to the development of a number of diseases, including asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs; and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest, abdomen or the heart. According to statistics compiled by ADAO, in the next decade it is estimated that 100,000 workers around the world will die of an asbestos-related disease. This equals 30 deaths each day.

ADAO co-founder and CEO Linda Reinstein said, “We are grateful to the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing S. Res. 427 that will increase public awareness about asbestos, a known human carcinogen. For the past six years, ADAO has seen that a week of awareness enables agencies, institutions and organizations to promote regulatory compliance and enforcement. Americans deserve and want to know how to prevent asbestos in their homes or in the workplace.”

Asbestos Awareness Week 2010 will be held April 1-7. Visit ADAO online for more information about asbestos and its commercial use; how to prevent exposure in homes, schools and workplaces; early warning symptoms and medical treatment options; and to find out more about why asbestos is still not a banned product in the U.S. and how it is used in common household products.

SOURCE: myMeso › Asbestos is no joke – Asbestos Awareness Week begins today

UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw

Earlier this month, Chris Hahn, executive director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) expressed his support for the recent announcement from the UK that it plans to not only endorse compensation for mesothelioma victims, but to promote research and treatment. In a news release, Hahn praised the U.K. for its recognition “that society’s obligation and moral responsibility to remedy the tragic legacy of decades of asbestos use requires funding research to develop effective medical treatments.” Then, he asked the all-important question: “Will the United States follow?”

Hahn’s praise and plea followed remarks by the U.K.’s Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw, who has been outspoken about the government’s role in caring for workers harmed by asbestos on the job.  Straw issued a statement Feb. 25, 2010, in response to an ongoing debate over the government’s decision on the question of compensation for pleural plaques.

Although pleural plaques, which are small areas of fibrosis in the pleura of the lung caused by asbestos exposure, indicate that a person has been exposed to asbestos, they generally do not cause any significant change in lung function. As a result, the Law Lords on Oct. 17, 2007 determined that people who have pleural plaques, but no other asbestos-caused illness, are not eligible for any compensation for medical treatment or other financial claims. The debate over pleural plaques sparked a national debate about asbestos disease.

Although subsequent research did not provide enough evidence to overturn the Law Lords’ ruling, it has provided significant information about asbestos disease, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. The government also is establishing a number of policies to make it easier for those who are diagnosed with mesothelioma or serious asbestos disease to receive compensation more quickly. Additionally, the research has encouraged the UK government to take a stronger stand on mesothelioma research and treatment.

According to Straw’s statement, “The fact that the UK has one of the highest rates of death from mesothelioma in the world is a legacy of our industrial heritage and the part that asbestos played in it. Just as the UK was a global leader in the asbestos industry, we must now become a global leader in research into asbestos-related disease.”

The government of the UK is calling for the creation of a National Centre for Asbestos-Related Disease, which will be a “collaborative network of funded researchers whose core purpose would be to advance medical research into the prevention, cure and alleviation of asbestos-related disease – primarily mesothelioma,” according to Straw. He said the insurance industry has pledged £3 million toward this research effort.

Benefits of such a concentrated and cooperative research and treatment program would not only benefit mesothelioma patients, but also would significantly reduce the costs of litigation, death and disability benefits, and health care costs, Hahn points out.

“This is exactly what the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has been urging in the United States the past ten years,” Hahn says. “Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are a fundamental problem of social justice. And a just solution to that problem requires medical research to develop effective treatments to end the suffering and save lives. It is encouraging to see that the U.K. is getting it; we hope the U.S. will catch up soon.”

Read Hahn’s statement.

For more information, visit the Meso Foundation online at www.curemeso.org.

SOURCE: myMeso › Meso Foundation commends U.K. efforts on mesothelioma, urges U.S. to follow suit

The program was designed to help OSHA learn about key areas that will enhance and encourage the efforts of employers, workers and unions to identify and address workplace hazards. The agency asked for feedback about emerging unaddressed health and safety issues, how to improve efforts to engage stakeholder in program and initiatives, and for help in identifying priorities.

Ms. Reinstein, who lost her husband Alan to mesothelioma in 2004 as a result of his exposure to asbestos in the workplace, was joined on the panel by others who had lost loved ones to workplace hazards. Overseeing the panel discussion was David Michaels, Assistant Secretary, OSHA; and Deborah Berkowitz, Chief of Staff, OSHA.

“ADAO urges OSHA to move from helping to control to preventing asbestos exposure, and we urge you to help disseminate other government agencies’ information … to increase awareness and support for best practices and encourage compliance,” Reinstein told the panel. She pointed out that OSHA’s own web site estimates 1.3 million employees in construction and general labor have faced “significant asbestos exposure.”

Reinstein also took the opportunity to ask OSHA’s leaders to support pending legislation that calls for a complete ban of asbestos in the U.S.

“Clearly, one life lost to asbestos disease is tragic, but hundreds of thousands of lives lost is unconscionable,” she said. “OSHA has the opportunity – and the responsibility – to protect Americans from these preventable diseases. We count on you to push this forward, and we would encourage and ask that Secretary (of Labor Hilda L.) Solis support asbestos ban legislation to prevent asbestos-caused diseases to protect workers and their families on behalf of the tens of thousands who have lost their life.”

Transcripts of the meeting are available on the OSHA web site.

A web cast of the meeting, including Panel 1, which features Ms. Reinstein, also is available by visiting OSHA online.

SOURCE: myMeso › ADAO provides a voice for workers at ‘OSHA Listens’ hearing

The settlement agreement has been in the works for about two years, taking place among a great deal of confusion and disagreement about the city’s responsibility for injured workers. The city had claimed it was immune because injuries occurred during a national emergency or civil defense situation. However, injured workers and their families argued they were employed by the city and entitled to compensation as they would be for any injury incurred on the job.

According to the Times report, 95 percent of the plaintiffs in this case must accept the terms of the settlement for it to take effect. Each plaintiff’s case will then be examined individually to determine how much compensation that person will receive, which lawyers estimate could run anywhere from a few thousand dollars to as much as $1 million. Individual compensation will depend on the severity of illness and level of exposure to contaminants at the World Trade Center site.

A variety of health screening and tracking programs were established in the days and months following the September 11 tragedy. Workers and others who simply lived and worked near the disaster site began complaining of a variety of illnesses, especially respiratory problems. There is an official World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program, as well as studies conducted by the New York Fire Department and other organizations.

Some health problems presented immediately following exposure to the site, such as respiratory distress, while others are only just showing up in those who worked at the site. It is now known that the Ground Zero site was contaminated with asbestos at levels at least two times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s “safe” level. Because of the long latency period between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma – an average of between 10 and 50 years – the true effect of asbestos exposure may not be known for years to come.

Some of the plaintiffs involved in the current settlement are not yet ill, but fear they will develop illnesses in the future as a result of their exposure to the toxins like asbestos. According to the Times, the settlement provides a $23.4 million insurance policy to cover possible future claims.

SOURCE: myMeso › 9/11 rescue, cleanup workers reach health care settlement with City

Olsen was a star defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams football team, who went on to a television acting career. He played Jonathan Garvey on the series Little House on the Prairie and was the title character of Father Murphy. He also appeared on Fathers and Sons and Aaron’s Way, and filled the role of sportscaster at both CBS and NBC.

Online celebrity news magazine TMZ broke the news in December that Olsen and his family had filed a lawsuit against several companies, including NBC Studios, NBC Universal and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, claiming they were responsible for exposing him to asbestos, which causes mesothelioma. Also named in the suit are Sherwin Williams and Lennox Industries, whose products Olsen says he was exposed to during jobs in his youth.

Read his obituary in the Los Angeles Times.

On December 8, 2009, his alma mater, Utah State University, where he was selected twice as an NCAA All-American, among other honors, announced it would name its football field after him – Merlin Olsen Field. How truly sad that he will never see a team take the field that now bears his name. Watch the tribute video created by the university at the announcement:

What a sad loss of a man who truly seemed to care genuinely for others, for his family and his community. He will be genuinely missed.

SOURCE: myMeso › Mesothelioma claims the life of Merlin Olsen

A special part of the Symposium activities is Advocacy Day, during which meso patients and their families travel to Capitol Hill to meet with their Senators and Representatives to ask for increased funding for mesothelioma research and treatment, and for the complete ban of asbestos in the United States.

I had the pleasure of attending this event last year and it is truly an amazing experience. There are touching tributes to those who have lost the fight against mesothelioma, and inspiring stories from those who are winning this battle. You can also gain so much knowledge from the many physicians and researchers who present programs. Many of them are open and available to talk with attendees throughout the conference as well.

You can find more information, including a video and archives of last year’s Symposium presentations, at www.curemeso.org/symposium. You can also view the agenda and register at the web site.  Or, call the Meso Foundation toll free at 877-363-6376.

SOURCE: myMeso › Registration now open for Meso Symposium

The award was established in memory of singer-songwriter Warren Zevon, author of such hits as “Werewolves of London,” who died of mesothelioma in 2003. Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that is linked to asbestos exposure. It most often affects the lining of the chest and lungs, but may also affect the lining of the abdomen or, more rarely, the heart.

Warren Zevon’s son, Jordan Zevon, is involved with ADAO as its spokesman. Variety quotes him as saying, “My father would be enormously honored to have had the opportunity to pay tribute to Army Archerd.”

Archerd was a columnist for Variety for more than 50 years, penning his “Just for Variety” column until September 2005. Even after he retired the famous column, Archerd worked as a blogger for Variety. He was one of the most popular and well-respected writers in the entertainment industry, and broke many exclusive stories. He died of mesothelioma on Sept. 8, 2009. It is believed he was exposed to asbestos during his service in the Navy during World War II.

Variety quotes his widow, Selma, as saying, “The tragedy of asbestos disease is a story that unfortunately continues to be written for many families. I hope that Army’s legend of making a difference through his work can help give an even louder voice to the efforts to write its end.”

ADAO was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. It seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO’s mission includes supporting global advocacy and advancing asbestos awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment, and resources for asbestos-related disease.

For more information about ADAO or the annual Asbestos Conference, visit ADAO online at www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.

SOURCE: myMeso › Variety columnist Archerd to be honored at ADAO conference

The resolution is sponsored by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.). Co-sponsors and key supporters are Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.).

A news release from the ADAO quotes the organization’s Co-Founder and Executive Director Linda Reinstein as saying, “We are grateful to the U.S. Senate to have the opportunity to help raise the level of public awareness about the prolific dangers of asbestos and further unite doctors, scientists, and public health advocates during National Asbestos Awareness Week for this important effort. During the past six years, ADAO has seen the progress and indeed, this confirms what Americans deserve and want. We know asbestos prevention and education will save lives and dollars.”

The ADAO was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. It seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO’s mission includes supporting global advocacy and advancing asbestos awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment, and resources for asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos is a known human carcinogen and exposure can cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. According to the ADAO news release, studies estimate that during the next decade 100,000 workers around the world will die of an asbestos-related disease. This equals 30 deaths per day.

The ADAO annually holds a conference in conjunction with National Asbestos Awareness Week. The Sixth Annual International Asbestos Conference is set for April 10, 2010, in Chicago, Ill.

For more information about ADAO or for conference registration, visit ADAO online at www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.

SOURCE: myMeso › ADAO praises senate for asbestos awareness resolution

According to the news report, university spokeswoman Kesha Williams says that other ECSU buildings could potentially contain asbestos, as the material was commonly used in construction prior to the 1970s. However, the material is generally not dangerous unless it is disturbed. The university was proactive in securing an asbestos abatement company to safely remove the existing asbestos during its remodeling of the library and theatre buildings.

During processes like remodeling and demolition, materials containing asbestos may release microscopic fibers that can be inhaled into the lungs. Inhaled asbestos fibers may cause asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs, or mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that may affect the lining of the chest and lungs, the abdomen, or, more rarely, the heart.

The news report says Clean Air Environmental, Inc., a Winston-Salem based company, has been contracted to remove the asbestos from the library and theatre buildings. Project manager Omar Martinez told the paper that the company is currently completing the second phase of what it expects will be a three-part asbestos removal process. He told the reporter that the company is using “negative airs and amended water to capture any [asbestos] fibers” and workers double-bag hazardous materials and properly dispose of the hazardous waste to ensure the safety of workers, students and others on campus in the area of the project.

Energy-saving equipment planned for the library and theatre buildings include new lighting fixtures and an upgraded heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit.

SOURCE: myMeso › University theatre, library closed for asbestos removal

While South Korea enjoyed a boom in urban development from the 1960s through the 1980s, it is becoming evident the country’s lax rules on asbestos regulation may have exposed millions of people to health hazards. According to the TIME report, Seoul did not place a full ban on asbestos manufacturing, import and use until last year. It also had no regulations in place for the safe removal of existing asbestos during demolition and remodeling projects.

Now, trade and labor unions in South Korea are calling for the government to take responsibility for workers it knowingly exposed to deadly asbestos, and who are now suffering as a result.

Due to the long latency period between exposure and the development of mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases – which can be as long as 20-50 years – South Korean health officials are bracing for a future epidemic. It is predicted that the incidence of mesothelioma diagnoses in the region will not peak until around 2030.

SOURCE: myMeso › Mesothelioma cases on the rise in South Korea

Debbie provided a link to a story published in November 2009 by ABC News that outlines the work of specialists at Austin Health Centre in Victoria. The treatment, spearheaded by Dr. Malcolm Feigen, a radiation oncologist at the Centre, uses high doses of radiotherapy, concentrated on specific areas of the lining of the lungs to target mesothelioma tumors.

According to the ABC report, 13 patients participated in a pilot program to test this new targeted radiotherapy treatment. Most had some surgery prior to the radiotherapy treatment, and some also had chemotherapy before or after the treatment, although Dr. Feigen believes the patients showed the most benefit primarily as a result of the radiotherapy regimen.

Participants in the U.S. clinical trial at the Mesothelioma Center receive a multi-modality therapy that incorporates surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy in combination.

Listen to the interview with Dr. Feigen about the Australian research, which was broadcast on ABC’s AM morning current affairs program.

SOURCE: myMeso › Australian doctor researching radiotherapy for treatment of pleural mesothelioma

Projects funded by the 2009 Grant Awards include vaccine studies offering hope of targeted treatment without drastic side effects; a novel investigation of the role of hormones in mesothelioma treatment; developing pathway targets synergistic with current first-line therapy Alimta/Cisplatin; and a study specifically focusing on improved detection and treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma (affecting the lining of the abdomen). Visit the Meso Foundation online for details of each study.

Each year, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation funds critically needed research to develop more effective treatments and ultimately, a cure. The Foundation has provided more than $6 million in grant funding, advancing mesothelioma science through promising studies around the world. The Meso Foundation’s funding objectives are to directly fund basic research and support clinical trials in worthy, peer-reviewed projects as well as to stimulate additional federal research funding opportunities.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is a nonprofit collaboration of patients and families, physicians, advocates, and researchers dedicated to eradicating the life-ending and vicious effects of mesothelioma.

You can help! There are many ways to get involved with the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. These include signing up to receive and respond to Action Alerts, which are specific campaigns for particular aspects of mesothelioma advocacy efforts; visiting your government officials to lobby for mesothelioma funding and awareness; volunteering in the meso community both locally and nationally; education; sharing your meso story; and donating to mesothelioma research.

For more information or to make a donation, visit the How You Can Help page at www.curemeso.org. The Meso Foundation is the recipient of the Charity Navigator “Four Star Charity” award and is recognized as the 2009 Great Nonprofits winner in the category of Cancer Fighters.

SOURCE: myMeso › Meso Foundation announces 2009 Grant Awards

An investigation into the link between taconite mining – which takes place in what is known as Minnesota’s Iron Range – began when state health officials noted an unusually high incidence of mesothelioma occurring in taconite mine workers. Mesothelioma is traditionally linked only to asbestos exposure. There is a theory that the taconite mineral may contain similar fibers to asbestos mineral.

Researchers began screening workers and their immediate family members in July. According to the news report, researchers say the study is on track. They would like to see about another 1,000 people, however. Analysis of the respiratory is estimated to take another 18 months.

This screening is one part of the comprehensive five-year study. There are four health studies associated with the project, including a mortality study under the direction of the Minnesota Department of Health and related to miner deaths; a cancer rate incidence study; a respiratory health assessment for miners or former miners (and expanded to include spouses or other close family that may have had secondary exposure to taconite dust), and an occupational exposure study.

SOURCE: myMeso › Minnesota study of Iron Range workers continues

Olsen was a professional football player for the Los Angeles Rams team, and later had a successful career as a sportscaster and actor, most notably on shows “Little House on the Prairie” and “Father Murphy.”

According to the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the defendants “were engaged in the business of manufacturing, fabricating, designing, assembling, distributing, leasing, buying, selling, inspecting, servicing, installing, repairing, marketing, warranting and advertising a certain substance the generic name of which is asbestos.”

News reports say Olsen, with wife Susan by his side, is fighting his mesothelioma and currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Read the complaint.

SOURCE: myMeso › Football, television star Merlin Olsen diagnosed with mesothelioma

According to the Times, the language is even more precise, calling for coverage for “individuals exposed to environmental health hazards recognized as a public health emergency in a declaration issued by the fedearl government on June 17.” This declaration and date, of course, coincides with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s designation of Libby as a Public Health Emergency area.

The Times quotes Baucus as saying the language is not only intended for the people of Libby, but for anyone in the future whose town is affected by a similar tragedy that affects the health and well-being of its people. He said the legislation would provide a safety net to “help people when they need it most.”

Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate passed their versions of the health care reform bill last year. It is now up to the 111th Congress as a whole to reconcile the two bills so that they may be presented to President Obama for his signature.

Congressional leaders say they hope to accomplish this by the end of January.

SOURCE: myMeso › Baucus inserts coverage in health care bill for those affected by Libby asbestos

MyMeso has a Facebook page, and I invite you to join us. You can visit our page here: http://tinyurl.com/ydl5xhd

Our good friend Debbie Brewer in the UK is online on Facebook. Just search for her name and you’ll come to her profile. She recently has started a Facebook fan page for Dr. Thomas Vogl, the groundbreaking researcher who is pioneering chemoembolization as a treatment for mesothelioma. Those familiar with Debbie’s story know that she has had great success with chemoembolization under Dr. Vogl’s care. You can visit his page here:  http://tinyurl.com/yeq5969

There also is a group set up to honor Debbie herself! You can find it by clicking this link: http://tinyurl.com/ychey9g

There is a special event planned for this Friday, Jan. 15, to celebrate Debbie, as well. “Raise a Glass to Debbie” asks everyone to raise a toast in honor of Debbie’s work as an activist for mesothelioma awareness and the fight for a cure. The event will occur between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. and it doesn’t matter where in the world you are – the UK, the U.S., Australia, or any point on the globe – just join in!

There are so many wonderful support groups on Facebook. Two of these that my regular readers know I talk about a lot are the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) (find them here: http://tinyurl.com/ybhmn9j) and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (http://tinyurl.com/ybv2uut).

SOURCE: myMeso › Facebook spreading mesothelioma awareness

Taylor was recently honored for his accomplishments at the Celebrate Princeton Invention reception, held Dec. 18. He developed Alimta in partnership with scientists at Eli Lilly and Co.  after spending more than 40 years on the Princeton faculty. However, he began research that would lead to the mesothelioma drug’s development while a graduate student at Cornell University.

According to a Princeton news release, Taylor became fascinated by reports of a compound obtained from spinach and liver that had a unique chemical structure with a nucleus previously only observed in the pigments of butterfly wings. The compound from liver, now known as folic acid, he found was essential for the synthesis of DNA and RNA, and for the growth of cells.  Taylor observed that changes to the structure of folic acid could transform it from a growth-promoting to a growth-inhibiting compound, and dedicated his career to determine how it could be used to kill cancer cells.

Since its approval by the FDA in 2004, the drug has received three additional FDA approvals, most recently in July when it became the first chemotherapy approved for use as a maintenance therapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer. Alimta has been successful in improving the quality of life and extending the lifespan of millions of cancer patients in nearly 100 countries around the world.

Taylor has previously been honored with the ACS Heroes of Chemistry Award, the International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry Senior Award in Heterocyclic Chemistry, and the Research and Development Council of New Jersey’s Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award for Invention.

SOURCE: myMeso › Alimta developer to be inducted into Chemistry Hall of Fame

In the feature, Debbie talks about how she moved from what was presented to her as a death sentence to her new outlook of happiness, hope and survival. Debbie was diagnosed in November 2006, at which time she thought she might be seeing her last Christmas. Doctors estimated she had only six to nine months to live.

As most of you know, Debbie refused to accept the prognosis that she had only months to live, instead actively seeking alternative medical treatments that might take a fresh look at her cancer and provide her with new options. Primarily, she found Prof. Thomas Vogl at the University Clinic in Frankfurt, Germany, who administers a therapy called chemoembolization. In this therapy, chemotherapy drugs are introduced directly to the tumor area through a catheter into the lung.

Because the treatment is still in clinical trial stages, Debbie had to travel to Germany for each treatment, not available in the UK, and paid for travel expenses and medical care from her own pocket. However, results were amazing, and Debbie’s tumor shrunk by more than 80 percent, putting her in full remission.

Despite a recent setback, when a September check-up showed cancer in her lymph node had increased in size (the tumor in her lung remains stable), she is optimistic. She lobbies energetically for mesothelioma and asbestos awareness, and also to bring chemoembolization to the UK so that more people might try this new therapy that has shown so much success in her case.

The paper quotes Debbie as saying, “Christmas is the time of year I celebrate being here. ”

We love you, Debbie, and we are SO glad to celebrate another Christmas with you, and we look forward to spending 2010 with you!

Read the full article.

SOURCE: myMeso › UK meso survivor Debbie Brewer featured in Plymouth paper as story of hope

W.R. Grace & Company operated the mine. In 2009, the company and several of its officers were brought up on criminal charges, but a jury returned a verdict of “not guilty.” Many following the trial closely said the government botched its case against the company, and others argued Grace’s deep pockets simply outpaced the efforts of a handful of government lawyers.

The aquittal was another in a long line of emotional blows for Libby residents, who hoped to see W.R. Grace finally brought to justice for the devastation of their hometown, their families and loved ones. Generations of Libby residents have already died of mesothelioma, and many more are currently suffering from mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and a host of other ailments caused by longterm exposure to asbestos.

On June 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finally declared a public health emergency in Libby. This designation – the first of its kind in American history – will allow the government to increase funds to provide for medical treatment for Libby residents, and for research into asbestos disease. According to the Missoulian, Libby has already received $6 million, which is designated for patient screening and care, and the town is set to receive an additional $2 million for health care and home care assistance. The paper reports the asbestos health care clinic – the Center for Asbestos Related Diseases (CARD) – and the local hospital are planning expansions.

At the beginning of December, a series of town hall meetings were held, hoping to address important questions about safety and health, including whether or not the government’s clean-up efforts are truly making any difference.

For residents who already have seen husbands, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands and wives die terrible deaths from asbestos disease, it is too little too late. They try to remain strong, but they are angry, and sad, and it’s hard to hold onto hope.

Read the full article by Missoulian reporter Micheal Jamison.

SOURCE: myMeso › Future tied up in past as asbestos deaths continue in Libby

Please share the following video with your family and friends, and fellow mesothelioma warriors, and help raise awareness about the many lives touched by mesothelioma.

You can visit the Meso Foundation online to make a donation to help this organization fund mesothelioma reserach and continue providing patient services, or mail your contribution to:

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
P.O. Box 91840
Santa Barbara, CA 93190-1840

You may specify a loved one in whose memory the contribution is made, which will be acknowledged on the Tribute Wall, displayed at the annual International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma in June 2010. Contributions over $100 also will be acknowledged in the Meso Foundation Annual Report. There is much more information online about how you can help. Please visit them today!

SOURCE: myMeso › Make a resolution to help cure mesothelioma

You are invited to add the name of your loved one to ADAO’s master list, either in memory or in honor of someone you love. This project is conducted in conjunction with the Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR). View the list, or email acor@AsbestosDiseaseAwareness.org to add a name to the list.

Linda Reinstein, ADAO’s co-founder, says, “Since founding ADAO in March 2004, thanks to the efforts for our all-volunteer organization, we have grown beyond our initial expectations. Our passion and commitment to preventing asbestos exposure, offering support and resources and remaining unwaveringly committed to banning asbestos and funding research for a cure has gained momentum and recognition on The Hill. You have been heard! Thank you for your continued support of ADAO, ‘the voice of the victims,’ as together, change is possible.”

Please join the mesothelioma community on Monday and light your candle in memory of those whose battle has sadly ended, and make plans to celebrate the life of a meso warrior on January 4.

SOURCE: myMeso › Join ADAO in lighting a candle in memory of those lost to mesothelioma

According to the Herald report, this Phase II study comes on the heels of a successful Phase I clinical trial of Bionomics’ BNC105, which was administered to patients with advanced cancers at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Western Hospital, Austin Health and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Bionomics has contacted the Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG) and the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC) to conduct the clinical trial. No date has yet been set for the trial start.

BNC105 is described as “a novel anti-cancer agent which is both a vascular disrupting agent (VDA) and an inhibitor of cancer cell proliferation.”

For more information about the Phase II clinical trial of BNC105 for mesothelioma patients in Australia, email clinicaltrials@bionomics.com.au. You can also find out more information about ongoing clinical trials in Australia and New Zealand by visiting the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) at www.anzctr.org.au.

SOURCE: myMeso › Bionomics set to begin Phase II clinical trial following initial success of cancer drug

NBC-2 quotes John Iglehart from the FDEP as saying, “We take asbestos very seriously because it is such a human health threat.”

The suspected asbestos-containing material was observed among some filler materials on the work site. It is believed the material is leftover water pipes recycled from another project. If the pipes contain asbestos, it will mean they ought to have been properly disposed of, using protective measures in handling a hazardous material. It is illegal to recycle these types of materials and use them in other projects.

According to NBC-2, the project’s lead contractor, Posen Construction, may have improperly disposed of the pipes and then used them in the recycled fill material. The news agency says this is not the first time Posen has been cited for such environmental violations. In fact, they report, Posen Construction has been cited at least 24 times since July 2008 and fined at least $12,000.

The Florida DEP is currently testing the chunks of suspicious material obtained from the job site, but a FDEP investigator says a surface inspection reveals fibers consistent with asbestos. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it is released into the air and inhaled, which is a possibility if the materials on the site are crushed or broken.

Until FDEP makes a final determination, the $25-million project is on hold. If asbestos is found, NBC-2 reports, “the next step will be determining who is responsible, how it happened and most immediately – cleaning it up.”

Read the full story and watch a video of the news coverage.

SOURCE: myMeso › Florida overpass construction halted to test for asbestos

The town hall meeting, which was held Dec. 6, featured a panel discussion about the deadly fallout from town’s vermiculite asbestos mine, which was operated for years by W.R. Grace & Company. Even those who didn’t work in the mine were exposed to asbestos, as dust from the mine covered the surrounding area, railroad tracks and roads used to transport the materials. Asbestos was even used as filler for gardens and ballparks.

According to the Daily Inter Lake report, more than 300 deaths have been linked to asbestos exposure from the vermiculite mine. A special health clinic established by the EPA after the story broke about the widespread asbestos disease affecting Libby area residents is currently treating about 2,800 patients with varying levels of asbestos disease.

Dr. Brad Black, who oversees patient care at the clinic, called the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD), says it’s impossible to really determine how many people have been affected by asbestos in Libby, because around 80,000 people “came and went in Libby while the mine was operating,” the paper reports.

Because of the long latency period of asbestos disease – which includes conditions such as asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs that impedes lung function and limits breathing, and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or, more rarely, the abdomen or heart – which is sometimes as long as 30 or 40 years, Black estimates cases will continue to emerge well into the future, through the year 2030.

Since the asbestos contamination of Libby was brought to light, it has been a roller-coaster ride for area residents. The EPA has spent more than $206 million to date to clean up residential and commercial properties. In June, Libby was declared a public health emergency, which is the first time the agency has made such a determination under the 1980 Superfund law. This will allow more money to be put into the town’s cleanup efforts.

However, there are still lingering questions about just how effective these cleanup efforts really are. The EPA has divided the Libby Superfund site into eight geographical units, and has so far only completed cleanup on two of those units. However, some scientists argue that the type of asbestos affecting Libby – amphibole – is much more toxic than chrysotile asbestos, and that cleanup efforts are being conducted using old research on the wrong type of asbestos.

The Daily Inter Lake reports that EPA officials have admitted they are using toxicology assessments from 1985 data on less toxic asbestos, not Libby asbestos. This is despite a more recent study completed in 2003, which “established exposure benchmarks for mesothelioma and lung cancer based on asbestos epidemiologic studies,” the news agency reports.

According to the paper, federal government risk assessment standards say cleanup efforts are necessary when there is evidence of one death per 10,000 people. In Libby, where the population is around 10,000 people, there have already been 31 deaths just from mesothelioma. This doesn’t even take into account the suffering and death from other asbestos-related diseases.

The asbestos contamination also has been a see-saw on the legal front. In May, W.R. Grace & Co. and several of its top leaders were acquitted of criminal charges related to the widespread asbestos disease affecting its residents. Nearly 800 people still have pending civil suits against the company, which have been delayed by bankrupcy claims on the part of Grace. The company is expected to emerge from bankruptcy in January.

Testimony resulting from the bankruptcy trial in October revealed that there is a 59 percent probability of death for Libby residents exposed to asbestos dust.

“No other place on the planet has that,” the Daily Inter Lake quotes attorney John Heberling, who is representing asbestos clients.

This is a fascinating and tragic series of stories, and I encourage you to visit the Daily Inter Lake online to read the full series. It includes a feature on Gayla Benefield, who, along with compatriot Les Skramstad, began the campaign to expose the Libby contamination and lobby for justice for the town. Here are just a few of the links:

What is a safe dose for Libby?
What’s next for Libby?
Asbestos victims try to stay upbeat
Advocate’s work for asbestos victims spans 35 years
Grace lawsuit claimants still in limbo

SOURCE: myMeso › Montana newspaper series takes a look at Libby today

A champion for the rights of workers who have developed pleural plaques as a result of exposure to asbestos in the workplace is Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn. In a meeting at the House of Commons on Nov. 27, he argued the issue of pleural plaques is “immensely important” to workers and pensioners, and insisted it is the duty of members of both sides of the House to overturn the “disgraceful and unjust decision by the Law Lords to bar this terrible illness from classification as a designated illness for compensation purposes,” according to a report in The Chronicle.

Hepburn also told the Commons that pleural plaques sufferers are 1,000 times more likely to develop a more serious form of asbestos-related cancer. Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity and lungs (pleural) or the lining of the stomach (peritoneal). It may also rarely affect the lining of the heart (pericardial). There is no known cure for mesothelioma.

During the heated debate, The Daily Mirror reports that statistics were revealed that show mesothelioma rates in the UK have nearly doubled in 10 years. According to the news source, hospitals treated 7,349 cases of mesothelioma in the past year, compared to 3,773 cases during the timeframe of 1998-99. The Mirror calls mesothelioma an “asbestos timebomb,” citing the disease’s long latency period.

The Mirror quotes Hepburn as saying, “We’re seeing the legacy of workers exposed to asbestos in the 1960s.”

SOURCE: myMeso › Startling statistic revealed during UK pleural plaque debate

In addition to providing educational information, advocacy support, a special remembrance ceremony and networking opportunities, each year the conference honors individuals or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding work and dedication to asbestos awareness related activities. ADAO has announced this year’s honorees:

• The Honorable Richard Durbin, United States Senator – Tribute of Hope Award
• Dr. Hedy Kindler – Selikoff Lifetime Achievement Award
• Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD), Libby, Montana – Tribute of Unity Award
• Fernanda Giannasi – Tribute of Inspiration Award
• June Breit (posthumous) – The Alan Reinstein Memorial Award

At the conference, the ADAO also will announce the recipient of the Warren Zevon “Keep Me in Your Heart” Memorial Tribute.

“I’ve received countless requests for my father’s song, ‘Keep Me in Your Heart,’ to be used at memorials for asbestos victims,” said ADAO Spokesperson Jordan Zevon. Jordan is the son of Warren Zevon, acclaimed singer and songwriter, who died of mesothelioma in 2003. “You can imagine how proud it makes me to know that my father’s Grammy winning song has touched so many families, but it is bittersweet because of the nature of those requests. In his honor, I will continue to work with ADAO to ban asbestos to spare future generations from the same fate.”

“As we get closer to a full asbestos ban, we are encouraged, yet simultaneously reminded that the reverberations of asbestos exposure can last decades,” said Linda Reinstein, Co-Founder and Executive Director of ADAO. “Our annual conferences drive home the importance of the need for increased awareness, education and research.”

Additional conference details are available on the ADAO web site, and online registration is available at http://www.adao.eventbrite.com.

The International Asbestos Awareness Conference is made possible with the support and collaborative efforts of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS).

SOURCE: myMeso › Registration now open for ADAO Sixth Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference

This issue is available to download online. If you are having trouble downloading the newsletter, or just want an original hard copy, please let me know. I have some extra copies of the newsletter graciously provided to me by the Meso Foundation that I would be happy to send to you. You can also subscribe by visiting the Meso Foundation online at www.curemeso.org. There also is an archive of past newsletters on the site.

Another exciting resource available at the Meso Foundation web site is a video library of presentations from the Symposium. There were so many great speakers, and this is a truly valuable resource for excellent educational information. The video library also provides access to the slides used by conference speakers. There really is a fantastic amount of information here on topics ranging from Advocacy & Advancing the Mission, to Integrative Medicine, Nutrition, Cancer and the Immune System, Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Pleural Mesothelioma, Clinical Trials and much more.

While on the Meso Foundation web site, please join their online Mesothelioma Community, which will allow you to exchange information with others through a Bulletin Board, as well as read a number of blogs touching on a wide variety of topics. You can also subscribe to an e-newsletter that will keep you informed about all the great work the Meso Foundation is accomplishing in its mission to find a cure for mesothelioma.

If you have any questions or need assistance, you may call the Meso Foundation at (805) 456-7272 or call them toll-free at 877-END-MESO.

SOURCE: myMeso › Awareness, educational materials available from Meso Foundation

According to its web site, the ADPH is the largest, oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world, and has been working to improve public health since 1872. The association “aims to protect all Americans and their communities from preventable, serious health threats and strives to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States.”

“We can’t let history repeat itself,” Reinstein said in the news release. “APHA renews our optimism that a federal asbestos ban is imminent.”

The APHA resolution for the elimination of asbestos includes a brief history of the known links between asbestos and adverse health effects, including malignant respiratory disease, including asbestosis, lung and other cancers, specifically mesothelioma. It also states that the organization opposes legislation that would limit the right of victims of asbestos disease to recover damages from asbestos manufacturers, and supports the Bruce Vento Ban Asbestos and Prevent Mesothelioma Act of 2008.

In order to strengthen its stance on asbestos, the resolution not only calls for the complete ban on the manufacture, sale, export or import of asbestos-containing products, but also recommends the U.S. Congress should direct research funding to identify public health hazards resulting from asbestos mining or excavation of minerals that occur naturally with asbestos. It urges the U.S. Surgeon General to warn and educate people annually about the public health issues related to asbestos exposure (building on a similar warning issued in April this year) and to “disseminate widely and annually its asbestos warning to all federal and state health, consumer, labor and environmental protection agencies.”

The resolution also recommends that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issue an annual statement to alert workers in high-risk occupations to the dangers and adverse health risks associated with asbestos.

Other recommendations address testing existing structures for the presence of asbestos, and asking the government to take a harder stance against asbestos manufacturing, sale and exportation by other nations, as well as by corporations, calling for a global ban on asbestos.

The ADAO news release quotes Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH, who is Chair of the ADPH Occupational Health and Safety section, as saying, “With this new policy, the ADPH is joining the World Federation of Public Health Associations and other international organizations calling for a global ban on asbestos mining and manufacturing, and the dangerous practice of exporting asbestos containing products.”

Read the ADAO News Release.

Read the full APHA Resolution.

SOURCE: myMeso › ADPH calls for ban on asbestos, warnings for workers

This week, Debbie started radiotherapy on the lymph node. She tells me that the radiotherapy treatment is a 3-week course, Monday to Friday, and depending on how the lymph node responds could go to 5 or 6 weeks.

Doctors also did a biopsy on her right groin area, which was the site where Dr. Vogl introduced the chemoembolization procedure. There is some question about whether the mesothelioma could have seeded at the induction site. Debbie says Dr. Vogl – who is pioneering the chemoembolization treatment at the University in Frankfurt – is hopeful and optimistic that this is not the case. However, the treatment is still experimental, so it is hard to know what to expect, she says. The chemoembolization treatment was done six times, each time in the same area.

The biopsy was done on Tuesday, with doctors taking two samples. Debbie is now waiting on the results.

She is in good spirits and keeping a positive outlook, so I’m sure she’d appreciate the continued well wishes and encouragment. She promises to let us know when she receives the results. You can also read more about Debbie’s story, and the other goings-on in her life, at her own blog, Mesothelioma & Me.

SOURCE: myMeso › Debbie remains upbeat as she undergoes radiotherapy

If you have a Twitter account and would like to share this video, please re-Tweet @ Linda_ADAO Excellent 90 second video on asbestos fiber inhalation produced by ANROAV, AMRC and A-BAN http://tinyurl.com/yhqsdzd

SOURCE: myMeso › Video shows effects of asbestos in the lungs

Cold Truth is an original investigative journalism reporting site created by Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Andrew Schneider, who broke the story of the asbestos poisoning of Libby, Montana, among others. According to his report, serpentine was chosen as the state rock of California in 1965, “in order to promote the then-lucrative asbestos mining industry.”

The proposal to ask California’s government to change the official state rock was presented and supported by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), which is headquartered in California. The organization has dubbed the effort the “Drop the Rock” Campaign, and urges statewide action while building awareness about cancer-causing asbestos.

According to a news release from ADAO dated Oct. 21, Resolution 6223 is “Urging the State Legislature to repeal the designation of serpentine, the host of asbestos, as the official state rock, in support of world eradication of asbestos for public health as urged by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.”

The resolution from Manhattan Beach represents the first official request to the California legislature to remove the rock. ADAO notes that Chrysotile asbestos, which is often found in serpentine, causes cancers and respiratory diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

“California has the dubious distinction of being the state with the highest recorded number of asbestos-related deaths and the death toll will continue until the United States Congress passes legislation banning asbestos,” said ADAO Executive Director and Co-Founder Linda Reinstein in the news release. “We have a strategic plan in place and look forward to working with asbestos victims and their families, the John McNamara Foundation, the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, and political leaders as we move throughout California to repeal serpentine as the state rock.”

The ADAO news release quotes Manhattan Beach Mayor Portia Cohen as saying, “It is unthinkable to have Serpentine as the State Rock of California when more than 7,000 people in our state alone have died from asbestos since 2007.”

Read Resolution 6223.

SOURCE: myMeso › California asked to find non-lethal official state rock

Here is a sample Facebook and Twitter message the ADAO is asking you to post. Ask your friends to re-Tweet, too!

Asbestos is a carcinogen. Ban asbestos now. Send your Congressional Representatives a letter from www.banasbestos.us. Please RT!

Mesothelioma and other asbestos-releated diseases are preventable! Raise awareness and help eliminate this deadly substance in the U.S.!

SOURCE: myMeso › Tweet for asbestos ban!

“For every life lost to asbestos, a shattered family is left behind.”

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, which Linda established in 2004 along with co-founder Doug Larkin,  is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving as the voice for all asbestos victims. Its mission includes education, outreach, networking for asbestos victims, and especially working to accomplish a complete ban of asbestos in the United States. ADAO has gotten a U.S. Senate resolution to officially declare April 1 as Asbestos Awareness Day, and hosts an annual Asbestos Awareness Day Conference to increase awareness and help prevent future exposure.

This year, the Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson supported National Asbestos Awareness Week, the first week of April, and issued a statement about the deadly health hazard posed by asbestos.

Since co-founding ADAO, Linda has globally united countless individuals and families who have been affected by asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. She also has worked to produce awareness materials including a slide show called “Asbestos Kills,” and other educational materials including an internationally distributed online book, “Reflections,” which features articles from renowned global experts.

Last week, the ADAO launched a new resource center page on its web site, and issued a call to action for those of us in the mesothelioma community to push for a complete ban on asbestos in the United States by contacting our Congressional representatives.

There is an easy way to do it – just visit www.banasbestos.us and click on the link that says “Write Your Congressman,” which is on the home page. This will take you to a form you can fill out, and it will automatically send the message to your Congressional delegates. Remember, YOU shoud be THEIR voice on Capitol Hill!

“I need them to feel our pain,” Reinstein said. “Asbestos victims – patients, families, caregivers -  are turning their anger to action, across the nation, working for the difference we can make, together.”

Pictured above, Linda Reinstein with her and Alan’s daughter Emily. The flag is in recognition of Alan’s military service to his country.

SOURCE: myMeso › ADAO founder draws from personal loss to fight asbestos disease, raise awareness

ADAO has dedictated its National Asbestos Awareness Resource to the memory of June Breit, who is well known in the mesothelioma community, and who recently lost her battle with the disease, as well as to the thousands of other victims “silenced by asbestos.”

According to the information on the resource page, “Asbestos can cause cancer and irreversible lung damage. Asbestos has no warning properties — you can’t see it smell it or taste it. Avoid asbestos exposure, and consult the CPSC, EPA, NIOSH, ILO and WHO guidelines, regulations and laws.”

The resource page also includes information from a statement issued by Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Long in April, in commemoration of Asbestos Awareness Day, which outlines the health hazards of asbestos and which urges Americans to become more aware of these dangers and to protect themselves from asbestos exposure.

The ADAO is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to serve as the united voice for all asbestos victims, to unite asbestos victims and educate the public and medical community about asbestos-related disease, to support research that leads to early detection, prevention and a cure; to ensure equitable compensation for victims and their families, and to ban the use of asbestos.

For more information and to participate in this awareness outreach effort, please visit the National Asbestos Awareness Resource page today, and make use of the many tools available there!

SOURCE: myMeso › ADAO Bulletin calls for more urgency in fight to ban asbestos

Dr. Ohar told conference attendees that her goal is to try to discover why some people may be exposed to asbestos and never develop any type of asbestos disease, while others may develop asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. She had already collected blood samples and DNA from 6,000 people exposed to asbestos for an epidemiologic study. Of that number, she said, 250 people developed mesothelioma.

“What is different in those people?” she wondered.

The next phase of the study is a genome study involving the 250 patients who did develop mesothelioma. In addition, Dr. Ohar is seeking additional participants.

A news release on Oct. 5 announced that FirstHealth of the Carolinas, a comprehensive health care network serving 15 counties in the mid-Carolinas, will partner with the Wake Forest School of Medicine to encourage participation in the study, which is investigating the development and progression of asbestos-related lung diseases and cancers. The FirstHealth Clinical Trials Department will work on this project.

Dr. Ohar is the study’s principal investigator. In the news release she says, “Families have been devastated by this disease, but what is surprising is that despite the strong association of asbestos exposure to mesothelioma, only a small number of people exposed to asbestos actually develop mesothelioma. Over years of research, we have determined that there is a strong tendency for mesothelioma to run in families and it tends to be associated with a family history of cancer, which suggests a genetic susceptibility.”

The mesothelioma study requires the collection of one ounce of blood from the participant and the completion of a tw0-page survey, both to be conducted at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital’s Chest Center of the Carolinas.

The study will examine associated environmental factors and genetic markers of people diagnosed with mesothelioma, basically identifying how frequently encountered environmental pollutants affect the body and determining the genetic factors that make some families more susceptible than others to mesothelioma and other forms of cancer.

If you or a a friend or family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and are interested in participating in this study or have questions, please call FirstHealth Clinical Trials at 910-715-2200 or Dr. Jill Ohar at 866-487-2344 or 336-716-8426.

SOURCE: myMeso › Participants sought for mesothelioma genetic study

The study was conceived as a result of an unusually high incidence of mesothelioma in taconite mine workers. Mesothelioma is currently linked exclusively to asbestos exposure. To day, more than 58 Iron Range mine workers have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

In July, researchers began health screenings of former taconite workers and their families. To date, a little more than 100 people have participated in the screenings, although reserachers hope to examine around 1,200 people during the course of the study.

The call for more participants apparently raised some concerns among area residents about the program’s success. However, a report by KQDS Fox 21 News assures the public that the study is progressing as planned, and that the call for more participants is a natural part of the process.

The news report quotes Nancy Tekautz, who is a field supervisor for the taconite workers respiratory health study, as saying her clinic is nearly booked. “We believe the response has been very good and we just want to encourage it to continue,” she told KQDS.

KXMB News reports study director Dr. Jeffrey Mandel has sent about 300 letters to a random sampling of current and former Iron Range taconite workers, asking them to participate in the study. Participants will provide a medical and occupational history and submit to simple medical tests.

Researchers assure miners and their families that all study participants and individual medical information will remain confidential. For more information, visit the Minnesota Taconite Workers Health Study web site, or call the University of Minnesota toll free at 1-888-840-7590.

SOURCE: myMeso › Minnesota mesothelioma study calls for more participants

The Meso Foundation is urging the mesothelioma community to contact their House Representative to urge him or her to co-sponsor the bill. Representative McCollum still needs 13 more co-sponsors to complete the passage of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day in both the House and the Senate.

The news release quotes Chris Hahn, Executive Director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, “Thanks to the concern of Sen. Murray and Congresswoman McCollum, and their introduction of the federal ‘National Mesothelioma Awareness Day’ resolution, we hope that mesothelioma will finally become part of a broad national conversation about its tragic impact in our society and the critical need to fund reserch to develop treatments and, ultimately, find a cure for mesothelioma.”

Your help is urgently needed to encourage House Representatives to co-sponsor this resolution. Visit the Meso Foundation’s “Action Center” at www.curemeso.org/action to send an email to your congressional representative.

SOURCE: myMeso › Meso Day resolution passes in Senate, pending in House

According to the CRCH web site, the Center was originally a part of the Pacific Biomedical Reserach Center before becoming a freestanding independent institute in 1981.

Carbone was selected to head the Center by the university’s Board of Regents, which is comprised of 15 board members, the Chronicle reports. According to the news story, Carbone was elected to a three-year term, and began his new position Sept. 1, 2009. He had previously served as interim director beginning in December 2008 when the Center’s previous director resigned.

According to the Chronicle, Dr. Carbone is “deemed an authority on malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer related to asbestos exposure. Dr. Carbone and his team have comprehensively studied the impact of genetics, environmental carcinogens and viral infections on mesothelioma development and have subsequently worked to develop preventative and therapeutic treatments.”

An October 2008 story about Carbone published by MidWeek, an Oahu-based publishing company, noted that the physician previously discovered that many people who develop mesothelioma are genetically predisposed to developing the cancer. He and his team conducted extensive studies in Turkey, near the small village of Cappadocia.

Dr. Carbone is the recipient of the 2008-2010 Landon Foundation-AACR (American Association for Cancer Reserach) INNOVATOR Award for International Collaboration in Cancer Reserach for his project, Gene Environment Interaction and Early Detection of Mesothelioma in Cappadocia, Turkey.

SOURCE: myMeso › Mesothelioma researcher to head Hawaii cancer center

A news release from Sen. Murray’s office quotes her as saying, “The dangers of asbestos went unrecognized for far too long, wtih tragic results for so many workers and families across the country who developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. National Mesothelioma Awareness Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of efforts to treat this deadly disease and support the victims and their families. I am committed to continuing my work fighing to ban asbestos in the United States and educating the American public about the deadly consequences of asbestos exposure.”

The release also quotes Rep. McCollum. She says, “Too many Americans don’t know that asbestos exposure remains a problem. Enacting National Mesothelioma Awareness Day (H.R. 771) is an important step towards educating the nation about the causes of this deadly disease. I will continue to work with Senator Murray and my colleagues in the U.S. House to finally ban asbestos and provide real help for those suffereing from mesothelioma and their families.”

Here is the full text of the resolution:

Whereas there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos;

Whereas millions of workers in the United States have been, and continue to be, exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos;

Whereas the National Institutes of Health reported to Congress in 2006 that mesothelioma is a difficult disease to detect, diagnose, and treat;

Whereas the National Cancer Institute recognizes a clear need for new treatments to improve the outlook for patients with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases;

Whereas the need to develop treatments for mesothelioma was overlooked for decades;

Whereas even the best available treatments for mesothelioma typically have only a very limited effect, and a person diagnosed with mesothelioma is expected to survive between8 and 14 months;

Whereas mesothelioma has claimed the lives of such heroes and public servants as Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., and Congressman Bruce F. Vento;

Whereas many mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos while serving in the Navy;

Whereas it is believed that many of the firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers who served at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, may be at increased risk of contracting mesothelioma in the future; and–

Whereas cities and localities throughout the United States will recognize September 26, 2009, as ‘‘Mesothelioma Awareness Day’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate designates September 26, 2009, as ‘‘National Mesothelioma Awareness Day’’; and calls on the people of the United States, Federal departments and agencies, States, localities, organizations, and media to observe National Mesothelioma Awareness day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

For more information, visit Senator Murray online.

SOURCE: myMeso › Congressional resolutions designate National Mesothelioma Awareness Day

The report quotes Sen. Kean as saying, “We don’t have a cure or standard treatment yet for mesothelioma, so we need to learn more about this disease and spur the development of effective treatments.” He says that designating a statewide annual recognition of Mesothelioma Awareness Day will help ensure that the public and policymakers do not forget the importance of mesothelioma awareness, and help promote funding for research.

* * *

The Kansas City Tribune features a touching story about Wendell and Elizabeth Mason. Wendell passed away as a result of complications from mesothelioma in December 2006 at age 65. He was employed for 25 years as a truck driver and insulation fabricator, where it is believed he was exposed to asbestos on the job.

The story, written by Tom Bogdon, says Wendell’s widow, Elizabeth (Beth), and his three grown children will wear t-shirts featuring a photo of Wendell on Saturday to draw attention to Mesothelioma Awareness Day. They also have obtained a proclamation from Olathe, Kansas, Mayor Michael Copeland declaring Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the city.

The report quotes Beth Mason as saying, “We want people to stop and think. Asbestos is still out there. We don’t want other families to go through what we’ve been through. Wendell and I were robbed of our retirement together.”

Read the full story at the KC Tribune’s web site.

SOURCE: myMeso › Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the news

I think it was Cheryl who introduced herself first, and I was delighted to hear she was from my home state, Alabama, about two and a half hours north of Montgomery, in Anniston. When I told her I was from Montgomery, she was ecstatic to finally find someone with a meso connection in her home state.

Cheryl lost her husband, Virgil, to mesothelioma on May 31, 2005, just two days after their 40th wedding anniversary. She began attending the Meso Foundation conference almost immediately, urgently needing to connect with others who might understand what she was going through, and to make sense of a disease that took her best friend and love of her life before either of them fully realized what was happening.

Virgil first began to notice something was wrong in late March 2004, when he had a severe pain in his side. His hobby was restoring vintage automobiles, and he had been working on a friend’s car, so he thought he had possibly just bruised a muscle while working. But shortly after that he developed a terrible cough.

“It was a whole-body cough,” Cheryl recalls. “Like from head to toe.”

Virgil went to see his doctor, who thought the cough might be related to a drug he was taking following a heart catheterization, which he’d had earlier that year.

“The doctor said it would take 60 days or so to get the drug out of his system, so basically for two months we did nothing,” Cheryl says. “The pain in his side persisted, and the cough got worse. Right up until this time, after his heart problems, he had been dedicated to cardiovascular exercise and eating right. He was probably in the best shape he’d been in for years. He would actually get onto to me about exercising more and eating right,” she recalls with a laugh before turning sober again. “So this was just odd. He kept feeling sicker and sicker.”

He went back to the doctor, thinking maybe there was something wrong with his heart. Tests showed his heart was fine, and doctors sent him home and told him to just continue to exercise and eat right.

But Virgil began having trouble breathing. It was September by now. He visited the doctor again, and was referred to a pulmonary specialist for a thoracentesis. They found fluid in his lungs, but tests came back negative for cancer or any type of infection. But the fluid came back almost immediately.

Cheryl was getting really worried.

“He was used to being active, but now he could hardly get around. He had no energy,” she remembers. “We had requested referrals to see some doctors in Birmingham, because he was dying in front of me. I knew there was something more going on, and I couldn’t understand why nobody could tell us. We had two more thoracenteses and still no diagnosis. The local doctors said they didn’t know what was wrong with him.”

At this point, Cheryl decided to call Birmingham, and talked to a nurse at UAB Medical Center. She got a referral for a pulmonary specialist, and made an appointment for Virgil the following week. But when they got to see the doctor, he said Virgil actually should see a thoracic surgeon, and gave them another referral. They gathered all Virgil’s test results and visited the thoracic surgeon on December 14. An initial theory was that Virgil might have a collapsed lung and scar tissue.

“Virgil had really gone downhill,” Cheryl said. “He was aging. Things had fallen apart in nine months, since the first symptoms.”

Doctors decided to do a thoractomy, but because it was Christmastime, they decided to wait until January, telling Virgil and Cheryl to go home and enjoy the holidays with their family. He finally had the surgery Jan. 4, and they first heard the word mesothelioma. But the diagnosis still wasn’t definite until about 10 days later.

“At that point it was stage 2+ or 3-. It was already advanced. We were referred to a doctor for chemotherapy, but still nobody was really telling us much about what this diagnosis meant. We had no idea.”

Virgil underwent a series of chemotherapy treatments, and then on April 20 began receiving radiation at a cancer center in Birmingham.

“By then, his breathing had deteriorated and they’d put him on oxygen,” Cheryl said. “He’d really not been able to lie flat since September. He had to prop up in a recliner or on a pallet on the floor.”

On May 19, a Thursday morning, Virgil woke Cheryl and told her something was wrong and that he felt he needed to go to the hospital. They went to UAB. On May 21, the doctor came in and told them Virgil was not improving, and that he didn’t have long to live. She estimated two and half to three months, and advised them to get their affairs in order.

“This was the first time anyone really talked to us about dying. Everyone was telling us he had time, that there was all this time.”

They called in Hospice care, and their daughter, Pam, came to visit, bringing their grandson and making a video of Virgil and the boy. On May 30, Virgil began doing worse, and passed away the next day. This was just nine days after they’d first been told that Virgil’s condition was terminal, and about 15 months since his first symptoms.

Cheryl was in shock. “He was 60 years old and had been in prime health,” she says. “When he died, he looked like he was 90. I didn’t even realize how bad he looked because I guess I saw him every day. Months later, I watched the video Pam had made just before he died, and then I really saw it.”

Virgil’s illness had been such a whirlwind; Cheryl wasn’t quite sure what to do after his death. She still couldn’t quite believe it had even happened. She was angry, that Virgil went so long with no diagnosis and no treatment. She felt guilty, like she ought to have somehow known more, or done more. And she felt alone.

Some time after Virgil was diagnosed with mesothelioma, Cheryl found the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of mesothelioma through outreach, education and funding research efforts to find a cure. She also connected with Sue Vento, the widow of Sen. Bruce Vento of Minnesota, after whom the pending “Bruce Vento Ban Asbestos and Prevent Mesothelioma” legislation before the U.S. Congress was named.

“She emailed me and I think called me, too,” Cheryl says. “She sent me a book on meso as well. She was the calm in the middle of my storm, and has kept in touch with me during this time via emails.”

Following Virgil’s death, Cheryl decided to attend the Meso Foundation’s annual International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, and packed her bags for the trip to Washington, D.C. Many of her friends couldn’t understand it, but she says it was something she had to do.

“I somehow found MARF and the main reason I went to the conference that first year was to have someone to share this pain, and try to come to some conclusions,” she said. “You feel like you didn’t do something you should have. We had never heard of the word until they told us the diagnosis.

“I really felt like … when you lose your husband, who had been my friend, before he was my sweetheart – we’d known each other since we were 12. I felt if there was some way I could reach out to someone else it would help me as much as maybe I could help them. I felt there was that need in my heart, to find out as much as I could about the disease,” Cheryl says. “It was wonderful to know that people were surviving. But it makes me angry that Virgil didn’t have a chance.”

She had a chance to meet her “rock,” Sue Vento, at that first conference as well. Since that time, Cheryl has attended the Symposium for three years in a row, where she is active, joining others in visiting Capitol Hill to ask Congress to ban asbestos, and to fund mesothelioma research. She is also active in her community, talking to people about the dangers of asbestos exposure and about mesothelioma. She takes brochures about mesothelioma to doctors’ offices, hoping to increase knowledge among the medical community, hoping that someone else may be diagnosed early enough for treatment.

“Now I have contact with more people who are battling mesothelioma, and I learn that most people also have never heard of it. At the time, you just have to hang in there, and you can fall apart later. So I try to connect and just try to help someone, to let them know that someone is there who understands what they are going through. And it helps me too,” she says.

“I share my story every chance I get. I wear an awareness pin. People need to know asbestos is out there and it’s killing people.”

Outreach is hard. Every time she shares Virgil’s story, the pain is fresh again. But Cheryl is determined, and she’s willing.

“Mesothelioma patients and their families are victims,” Cheryl says. “They are victims of asbestos. And all of this COULD and SHOULD have been avoided!”

SOURCE: myMeso › Victims of asbestos — Virgil and Cheryl’s story

We need your support today for the Federal Government to issue a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day Proclamation! Representative Betty McCollum in the House of Representatives is about to introduce a National Proclamation of Mesothelioma Awareness Day. She needs as many co-sponsors in the House of Representatives as possible by 12 noon tomorrow (September 24th, Eastern Time).

To ask your Representative to support Representative McCollum in raising awareness for mesothelioma in our country, please visit our Action Center (www.curemeso.org/action) and send an email now! Together we can raise public awareness of this tragic disease and of the need to develop treatments and a cure!

SOURCE: myMeso › Meso Foundation issues urgent call for support

Her father first started getting sick a couple of years ago, Mary recalls. He had a constant cough, and began losing weight and experiencing shortness of breath. He went to see his primary care physician, and was diagnosed with pneumonia. This happened several times, and always the story was the same. He even had fluid on his lungs, and he would have a short hospital stay, and even though the fluid was tested, there was no diagnosis and he would return home, Mary says.

“We had not heard of mesothelioma before he got his diagnosis,” Mary says. “The doctors didn’t seem to have any sense of urgency to find out what was going on. I began looking on the internet, and he had seven of the nine symptoms for mesothelioma.”

At that point, Mary insisted her father receive a biopsy to find out what was going on with the recurring fluid in his lungs. On June 2, 2009, they received the diagnosis – epithelioid pleural mesothelioma. By the time he was diagnosed, he was already in stage 4. Despite trying chemotherapy, he passed away by August 15.

“The system failed my father,” Mary says. “There was just no sense of urgency.”

A Navy veteran, her Dad was being treated at the VA medical center for an atrial fibrillation, and had been on coumadin for a few years. When he began having his bouts of pneumonia, the doctors at the VA called for an MRI / PET scan, and his May 12 test records indicated a suspicion for mesothelioma. But her parents couldn’t read the paperwork, and the primary care physicians somehow missed the notation, Mary says. He had several thoracenteses, yet never had a diagnosis for mesothelioma until Mary insisted on a biopsy nearly a month later after reading about meso online.

“I was the internet MD at this point,” she says. “It drove my father crazy,” she recalls. By the time he was diagnosed, her Dad, who was 6’1”, weighed only 132 pounds.

Despite the advanced state of his mesothelioma and the toll it had already taken on his body, Mary says her dad immediately began talking to the doctors about treatment options. “He went through this whole process wanting to fight it,” she says. “He did not give up until the very end, and was willing to do anything necessary. He was definitely a warrior.”

Even while his illness sapped his strength and breath, and his chemotherapy caused him physical pain, he barely let it show, Mary says. He was still the rock of the family, looking after his wife of 55 years, Betty, along with his five kids, Mary and her sisters Lisa, Linda and Midge, and their brother Billy; as well as 8 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, all of whom live in Texas, spread out in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas.

“He put a strong face on it, even though he was struggling to breathe every day,” Mary says.

Now, the family is working to raise awareness, hoping to help other families make the diagnosis earlier, and to prevent exposure to asbestos in the first place.

“It seems like after we found out about my Dad’s diagnosis, we heard more about mesothelioma. I was watching the news after my father’s diagnosis and they were talking about Libby, Montana. Speaking to two of my friends, I found that their fathers had died from meso, and one girl’s grandmother died of mesothelioma. A contractor right here in our building, his mother is living with meso and his father passed away as a result of meso. It seems like it’s all around me.”

Mary and her family are working on awareness efforts in their cities. Mary got Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell to sign a petition declaring Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the city, and she is working with Texas State Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr., whose father also died of mesothelioma, to create a proclamation in her father’s honor. Her goal is to get a permanent designation for Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the state of Texas.

Additionally, Mary is working with her local running clubs to establish a “Miles for Meso” event similar to the one that is taking place in Alton, Illinois, on Sept. 26 this year. She hopes to have that established and hold the inaugural race in time to celebrate Meso Awareness Day – and her Dad’s birthday – in 2010.

SOURCE: myMeso › Mesothelioma Awareness Day holds special meaning for Texas family

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that most often affects the lining of the chest and lungs, but which also may affect the lining of the abdomen or, more rarely, the heart. It is caused only by exposure to asbestos. The latency period for mesothelioma is generally long, spanning 10 to 50 years from the time of exposure to any symptoms developing, making it hard for mesothelioma sufferers to pinpoint when they were exposed. There is currently no know cure for mesothelioma.

In the past, mesothelioma was seen primarily in older men, who had worked in factories, as insulators, or in shipyards, where asbestos was commonly used. However, today, the disease is being diagnosed more frequently in younger people and more often in women. Most of these cases are the result of secondary exposure, such as family members exposed to asbestos dust on the clothes of someone who worked with the substance. It could also be the result of environmental exposure. Mesothelioma has become everybody’s problem.

Asbestos is still not completely banned in the United States.

SOURCE: myMeso › Mayor Todd Strange declares Mesothelioma Awareness Day in Montgomery

“My oncologist is putting me in the Meso box again, and I am not going there,” she told me in an email this morning.

She’s posted the medical records on her blog, Mesothelioma & Me, so please visit her site to check out the full report. According to the findings section, the scan detected “a new 5mm nodule and several smaller new nodules withing the lower left lobe.” However, the scan does not show any growth or changes in the existing areas where they knew there was tumor previously.

It’s been a rough several weeks for Debbie, as she only recently was released from the hospital after suffering a bad case of swine flu and pneumonia! In her blog, she says she is hopeful the increased lymph node could be related to the infection and pneumonia from her illness rather than cancer cells.

Debbie experienced wonderful success in the treatment of her mesothelioma under the care of Dr. Thomas J. Vogl, who she began seeing in May 2008 for an experimental new treatment, chemoembolization. Under his care, her tumor (which she calls Theo) shrunk an amazing 83 percent. Debbie must travel to Germany to participate in the clinical trial at J.W. Goethe University Hospital at Frankfurt University.

Debbie said she has contacted Dr. Vogl about her latest test results, and will consult with him about treatment following a P.E.T. scan.

We know that Debbie is an ultimate fighter and wonderful advocate for mesothelioma awareness and for justice for victims of asbestos disease. Please send her some well wishes! You can contact her through her blog or email her at phu_phita@hotmail.com. I know she’d love to hear from you!

I will keep you posted!

SOURCE: myMeso › Worrisome news for Debbie in UK; please send her your support

A CBS News investigative report spoke with individuals and families coping with this second disaster, a disaster that robs them and their loved ones of health and quality of life. Rescue workers, very few wearing any type of special gear, toiled day after day in dusty clouds of toxins including asbestos, jet fuel, mercury, lead and pulverized cement and glass. According to the CBS News report, health officials say such multi-chemical exposure as these workers experienced is “unprecedented.”

A variety of health screening and tracking programs were established in the days and months following 9/11/2001, when workers and even people who simply lived and worked near the disaster site began complaining of a variety of illnesses, particularly respiratory distress. To date, according to the CBS report, about 43,000 people have been physically screened for 9/11-related health issues, 28,000 are participating in the official World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program, and an additional 18,000 people in a similar program operated by the New York Fire Department.

Many 9/11 responders are angry, saying they have to wade through mounds of regulations, restrictions and other roadblocks to fight for access to care and compensation. Many who die are not classified as technically having died “in the line of duty,” and their families are denied those benefits.

Physicians say it is difficult to definitively link health conditions to 9/11 exposures because of the wide variety of toxins present on the site, and the varying levels of exposure among workers to amounts and types of chemicals and other substances. Some trouble signs presented immediately, such as respiratory distress, while others, such as immune system cancer multiple myeloma, and colon cancer, are now showing up in responders age 45 and younger.

Some diseases could take even longer to develop. Mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen and/or heart, is a result of asbestos exposure. It is now known that the 9/11 site was contaminated with asbestos at levels at least two times higher then the EPA’s “safe” level. The latency period for mesothelioma averages between 10 and 50 years, so the effect of this asbestos exposure may not be known for years to come.

How tragic that one of the most tragic days in recent American history should be borne the hardest by those who were bravest, those who dedicated their lives to caring for their fellow man, who rushed into the danger zone while others rushed away. My heart goes out to these brave souls, and I pray that they are not forgotten.

There is a link below to the comprehensive CBS News report about this. There is a wealth of information at this site, including video interviews with 9/11 responders, medical reports about 9/11 health issues, and links to resources and information about World Trade Center responder health programs and studies. I urge you to add a comment at the CBS web site voicing your support for more programs to help these brave folks.

Source: CBS News

SOURCE: myMeso › As we remember 9-11, the disaster’s first responders suffer from toxic exposure

The study, Mortality of Older Construction and Craft Workers Employed at Department of Energy (DOE) Sites, was funded by the DOE and involved a medical screening program that began in 1996 and followed older construction workers at four DOE nuclear weapons complex sites. Sites in the study were Savannah River Site (SRS), South Carolina; Hanford near Richland, Wash.; and facilities at Oak Ridge, Tenn., and Amchitka, Alaska.

The study indicated Hanford workers were 11 times more likely to develop mesothelioma, and three times more likely to develop multiple myeloma, a cancer found in white blood cells. Additionally, Hanford workers died of asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs resulting from asbestos inhalation, at rates 30 times higher than the general population. The study also found higher rates of deaths from cancers of the trachea, bronchus and lungs among Hanford workers.

According to the report, significantly excess mortality was observed for all cancers, lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis at all four sites studied. Additionally, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was in excess at Oak Ridge and multiple myeloma was in excess at Hanford. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was significantly elevated among workers at the Savannah River Site.

Workers participating in the study, called the Building Trades National Medical Screening Program, were followed to determine their vital status and mortality experience through Dec. 31, 2004. There were 8,976 workers included in the initial screening program, all of whom had participated in the building trades at the sites. Their data was gathered between 1998 and 2004, and compared to the National Death Index.

Approximately 31 percent of the people in the study – or close to 3,000 workers – had done construction work at the Hanford facility. Since the beginning of the study, 266 Hanson workers had passed away, and 94 of those deaths were attributed to cancer. That number reflects 14 more cancer deaths than would be expected in the general U.S. population.

According to its web site, the Building Trades National Medical Screening Program was developed to identify health problems caused by hazardous substances that workers may have been exposed to while working on a Department of Energy site. It is led by the CPWR, The Center for Construction Research and Training, in Washington, D.C. The consortium includes the University of Cincinnatie Medical Center (Ohio), Duke University Medical Center (N.C.), and Zenith Administrators, Inc., Seattle, Wash. The program is sponsored by the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO and endorsed by various state and local Building and Construction Trades Councils.

Additional sources:

Seattle PI
Aiken Standard
The News Tribune

SOURCE: myMeso › DOE construction workers report high incidence of mesothelioma

According to a report by the Associated Press, it is believed Archerd contracted mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos during his military service, as asbestos was widely used to insulate vessels for decades. He began his journalism career with AP before moving into writing for the entertainment industry, and he was among the first journalists to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

According to a story by ABC News/Reuters News Service, the entertainment writer was so influential in the industry that when he criticized some derogatory lyrics penned by Michael Jackson in the 1995 song “They Don’t Care About Us,” the “King of Pop” called Archerd personally to let him know he planned to re-record the song.

Archerd is survived by his wife, Selma, a son and two stepsons.

SOURCE: myMeso › Entertainment world loses famed columnist Archerd to mesothelioma

Registration fee for the event is only $15 (prior to Sept. 16; $20 after Sept. 16, $25 day of the event), with all proceeds going to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, which is the national non-profit dedicated to ending the suffering caused by mesothelioma by funding mesothelioma reserach, educating patients and advocating for federal mesothelioma funding.  The event is sponsored by Simmons Law Firm, which has pledged to match every entry with an additional $15 donation to the Meso Foundation.

The race is open to everyone of all ages, from serious runners to walkers and families. The event will be coordinated by the Metro Tri Club. There will be cash prizes, and every participant registered before Sept. 16 will receive a commemorative hi-tech running t-shirt.

You can REGISTER ONLINE or download a registration form at the web site and mail it along with your registration fee to:

Miles for Meso
c/o Metro Tri Club
P.O. Box 42
Roxana, IL 62084

Checks should be made payable to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.

The 5K race will be a timed, competitive event, and the 5K fun run/walk will be a great chance for runners, walkers, families and others to show their support for a great cause.

For more information visit the official web site at www.milesformesothelioma .org.

SOURCE: myMeso › Miles for Meso fundraiser race set for Sept. 26

The villain was a chemist who created fireproof asbestos clothing for herself and her henchmen. They would then set fires and rob banks. Her nemesis was the Human Torch, and she created asbestos bullets to puncture his defenses.

One of the oddest parts of the story is that apparently when the health hazards of asbestos exposure became more widely know, the comic chose to have The Asbestos Lady herself succumb to asbestos disease. TIME reports the character was revealed to have cancer in 1990.

This is probably one of the weirdest things I’ve ever come across in relation to mesothelioma and asbestos disease.

SOURCE: myMeso › Even Marvel comic super-villain dies of asbestos disease

I was also contacted by a woman in Texas, who hoped that I could put her in touch with another woman who had lost her husband to mesothelioma. Her anniversary was approaching, and she needed to reach out to someone who would understand. Of course Cheryl willingly contacted her to lend an ear.

Then, on Friday I posted a story about a photographer in Australia, Chris Ireland, who has created an exhibition of stunning images of mesothelioma widows, called Breathe. The fourteen portraits capture the sadness and strength of these suffering ladies, and also hope to capture a bit of the men they loved. Ireland spent two years on the project, becoming closely acquainted with each of the ladies he photographed. I contacted Chris and was delighted to learn that he does have plans to bring the exhibit to the UK and to the U.S. in the coming months, and I hope that myMeso can be a part of that. I will keep you posted.

Next, I came across a story in the Morgan County Herald, a community newspaper based in McConnelsville, Ohio, which featured the story of Karen Huffman, who recently donated $3,000 to her area Kiwanis-Jaycees for the construction of a new walking trail at the community park in Malta in honor of her late husband, Danny, who passed away from mesothelioma on July 31, 2006, just four months after his diagnosis.

According to the report in the Herald, Mrs. Huffman says her husband most enjoyed his daily walks, not just for exercise, but as his quiet time to commune with God. She said he walked two or three miles each day except Sunday. It was during one of these walks that he became breathless, and unable to make it back to his home. At that point, she says, he couldn’t deny something was terribly wrong.

“Danny would have been the first walker on that trail,” the Herald quotes Mrs. Huffman as saying about the new park.

I wonder, as I read this latest news, why it seems there are so many stories of this kind around me now. Have they always been there, but my work with mesothelioma has made them more visible to me? I hope that it means that there is more awareness in the United States, and around the world, of mesothelioma, and the dangers of the asbestos that causes it.

I hope, somehow, that this site can make connections or provide the news that will bring some sort of ease, or at least a sense of community, of not being alone. It is a terrible sisterhood these women share. But perhaps just knowing there is someone else who understands will bring a small measure of comfort.

SOURCE: myMeso › Meso widow donates $3000 for walking trail in memory of her husband

The exhibit debuted at the Australian Centre for Photography on July 17 (ended Aug. 22) and will next be featured at Latrobe Regional Gallery beginning Sept. 5 and running through October 4.

According to a World News Australia report about the project, Ireland was inspired with the idea for the exhibit after learning about mesothelioma in his mid-teens when a friend’s father passed away from the disease. He feels that the fact that mesothelioma is currently incurable adds to the poignancy of the loss, and says he hopes that by sharing these ladies’ stories, he can help raise awareness about the dangers of exposure to asbestos.

The World News quotes Ireland as saying, “…these ladies have gone through pain, they deserve to be heard and other people should avoid the same process.”

More information about the exhibit, including its striking images, can be found at Chris Ireland’s web site.

The Latrobe Regional Gallery is located at 138 Commercial Road, Morwell VIC. The exhibit will be open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

SOURCE: myMeso › Australian photographer captures emotions of meso widows in touching exhibit

According to the research summary, the objective of the study was to evaluate the perioperative and long-term outcomes associated with extrapleural pneumonectomy for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. Other forms of mesothelioma include pericardial, which affects the lining of the heart and is extremely rare; and peritoneal, which affects the lining of the abdomen. Mesothelioma is atributed almost exclusively to asbestos exposure.

According to the Multimedia Manual of Cardiothoracic Surgery, extrapleural pneumonectomy was introduced in the 1940s for the treatment of extensive infections of the lung and pleural space. Over the past 20 years, the extrapleural pneumonectomy technique has been modified and applied to the treatment of locally advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma, achieving substantial reductions in mortality. The surgery involves the removal of the lung with visceral and parietal pleurae, pericardium and diaphragm.

Researchers selected 70 patients between October 1994 and April 2008 to undergo the procedure. Prognostic factors included age, gender, side of disease, asbestos exposure, histology, positron emission tomography, date of surgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, completeness of cytoreduction, lymph node involvement, peioperative morbidity, adjuvant radiotherapy and pemetrexed-based chemotherapy.

The mean age of patients was 55 years. The median survival was 20 months, with a 3-year survival of 30 percent. Analyses showed improved survival for patients with asbestos exposure, negative lymph node involvement, and receipt of adjuvant radiation or postoperative pemetrexed-based chemotherapy.

The study was conducted by physicians from the University of Sydney, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; The Baird Institute for Applied Heart and Lung Surgical; Department of Medical Oncology, Sydney Cancer Center, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; and Department of Radiation Oncology, Sydney Cancer Center, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; all in Sydney, Australia.

SOURCE: myMeso › Study supports extrapleural pneumonectomy to treat select mesothelioma patients

James Hardie was one of Australia’s largest manufacturers of asbestos building products, and was alleged to have known the dangers of asbestos for decades.

The current proceedings came about as a result of ASIC’s investigation of matters identified by the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Medical Research and Compensation Foundation. James Hardie established the foundation, which was intended to compensate families who lost loved ones to asbestos disease, in 2001. The inquiry into the MRCF was established in 2004, and the commission found that James Hardie industries deliberately underfunded the victims’ compensation fund

According to a report by Nonee Walsh of ABC News, who has been following the story since 2003, James Hardie has spent about $25 million so far fighting the ASIC’s case, while asbestos victims and their families have been simultaneously negotiating for new funding for the foundation. Payments to the new asbestos compensation foundation are currently suspended.

Walsh also noted that Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos disease in the world, including asbestos-caused lung cancer, mesothelioma. In 2003, when the sale of all asbestos products was finally banned in Australia, the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission went on record as saying there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure.

The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, and there is currently no known cure. Mesothelioma most often affects the lining of the chest cavity and lungs, but also may affect the lining of the abdomen or, more rarely, the heart. Asbestos exposure also causes a variety of other diseases, including asbestos, a severe scarring of the lungs.

It is estimated that the levels of asbestos disease will not peak in Australia until 2020, when it is expected that there will be 13,000 cases of mesothelioma and up to 40,000 cases of other asbestos-related lung cancer and disease.

The New South Wales Supreme Court imposed financial penalties totaling $750,000,  and said the company directors and executives named in the case will be barred from serving other boards of directors for between 5 and 15 years.

According to the ASIC, the James Hardie decision underlines the responsibility of companies to assess and check the veracity of statements make to the market. ASIC Chairman Tony D’Aloisio said, “The decision is another important step in improving corporate governance in Australia and that improvement will add confidence to the integrity of our markets.”

The matter will return to the Court on August 27, at which time the Court will make orders reflecting the penalties. The defendants will then have 28 days to appeal the findings.

SOURCE: myMeso › James Hardie executives handed penalties in asbestos compensation fund case

According to information on ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, this is a randomized phase III trial. Video-assisted surgery removes part of the tissue layer covering the inside of the chest cavity, which researchers think may be effective in treating pleural effusion and cause less damage to normal tissue. Talc pleurodesis may keep fluid from building up in the chest cavity. It is not known at this time which thereapy is more effective.

The primary objective of this study, as stated in the project outline, is to compare the effectiveness of these two modes of treatment in terms of 1-year survival, in patients with suspected or proven malignant mesothelioma.

Secondary goals of the study include comparing the control of pleural effusion, comparing procedure-related complications, comparing symptoms and quality of life of these patients at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, comparing the length of hospital stay, the exercise tolerance level of these patients at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, and to determine the cost to the health service, in terms of resources used for procedures, hospital bed usage and cost of primary and secondary care over 12 months.

Recruiting locations in the UK are Basildon University Hospital, Gelnfield Hospital (Leicester), Guy’s Hospital (London), Papworth Hospital (Cambridge) and Royal Hallamshire Hospital (Sheffield). Principal investigator for the study is Robert Winter, MD, Papworth Hospital.

This study is identified in the U.S. at clinicaltrials.gov by ID number NCT00821860.

For contact and recruiting information, visit the Clinical Trials information page at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT00821860.

SOURCE: myMeso › Mesothelioma clinical trial in UK recruiting participants

This important legislation authorizes a five-year program to reduce the mortality rate of lung cancer, which continues to be the number one cancer killer.

Even though mesothelioma is not technically classified as “lung cancer” because it affects the lining of the chest and lungs, and can also affect the lining of the abdomen and the heart, I am excited to see real progress being made in this area. Funding for research and treatment of lung cancer can only benefit victims of mesothelioma – pleural in particular, affecting the lungs – as well as other asbestos-related diseases that affect the lungs, such as abestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs.

The bill will require the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Defense and Veterans Affairs to combine forces on a comprehensive, coordinated plan of action with funding authorized for five years to accomplish mortality reduction goals.

Of particular interest is a requirement in the bill directing the Secretaries of Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to implement an early detection and disease management program for military personnel who are at high risk of lung cancer because of exposure to carcinogens during active duty. As the mesothelioma community knows, many veterans, particularly those who served in the U.S. Navy, now suffer from mesothelioma as a result of the widespread use of asbestos on Navy vessels for years.

According to the LCA, the bill includes specific authorizations of $75,000,000 for certain National Institutes of Health (NIH) agencies in FY10 and authorizes such additional sums as may be necessary for all the cited agencies to accomplish the goal for FY2010 through FY2014.

Read more at the LCA web site.

SOURCE: myMeso › Lung cancer awareness takes big step forward

Here at myMeso, we have had great support for both Mesothelioma Awareness Day and Asbestos Awareness Day (April 1) from the City of Montgomery in the past. This year, we are hoping to expand our efforts, and share this important message with even more folks throughout our community and across the state. I’ll keep you posted as our plans develop. If you’d like any help in your area, please let me know, and I’ll be glad to lend a hand, or certainly contact the good folks at the Meso Foundation.

In addition to Meso Awareness Day, there are a few other upcoming mesothelioma and asbestos awareness events – go ahead and mark your calendar!

• The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) has announced its Sixth Annual International Asbestos Awareness Day (AAD) Conference will be held in Chicago, Ill., April 9-11, 2010. Registration starts January 1, 2010. The theme is “Science and Technology Proves Asbestos is a Carcinogen.” This great conference features tons of expert speakers, as well as a heartfelt Remembrance Brunch to honor those who lost their lives to asbestos disease. Visit the ADAO web site for more information, and make plans now to attend.
• The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) announced the 2010 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma will again be held in Washington, D.C., and the event will return to the Omni Shoreham Hotel, which was a wonderful host for the event this year. Dates are June 10-12, 2010.

I will provide more information about both of these events as details are announced, but it’s never too late to make your plans. These events provide a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the dangers of asbestos, and the progress being made in research and treatment of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. They also are a wonderful way to network and make connections with other people who are fighting the battle to prevent and cure mesothelioma.

SOURCE: myMeso › Mark your calendar for mesothelioma, asbestos awareness events

This week, a story in The Republican reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide assistance to an Easthampton, Mass., town to clean up soil that is contaminated with asbestos. The affected land is the former site of a vermiculite insulation factory operated by W.R. Grace. Although the facility closed 20 years ago, it has left a legacy of danger for residents.

According to The Republican report, Grace shipped more than 250,000 tons of vermiculite ore from its Montana mine to the Easthampton factory over a period of about 40 years.

The cleanup comes as a result of city plans to extend a scenic trail into the area, and also hopes to install a new sewer line. According to The Republican, the cleanup effort involves a span of about 1,000 feet that would be the location of the trail extension and sewer project. It is estimated that soil may have to be removed to a depth of 6-12 inches, although the EPA is still examining the area.

Asbestos exposure is linked to mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the chest and lungs, or, more rarely, the abdomen or heart. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. There is currently no known cure for meso.

SOURCE: myMeso › EPA assisting in asbestos cleanup in Massachusetts

Warnex is a life sciences company providing laboratory services to the pharmaceutical and health care industries. The company will market the miRview™ products and will send samples gathered from the tests from Canada to the Rosetta Genomics laboratory in Philadelphia for analysis. Warnex has three facilities, located in Laval and Blainville, Quebec, and Thunder Bay, Ontario.

We’ve written about the miRview™ products on this site in the past. They include miRview™ mets, which can identify the primary tumor site in patients presenting with metastatic cancer; miRview™ squamous, which differentiates squamous from non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); and miRview™ meso, which leverages microRNA’s high specificity as biomarkers to differentiate mesothelioma from other carcinomas in the lungs.

All three of the miRview tests utilize MicroRNA technology. According to Rosetta Genomics, microRNAs (or miRNAs) are recently discovered, naturally occurring, small RNAs that act as master regulators and have the potential to form the basis for a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics. This is because microRNAs have been shown to have different expression in various pathological conditions, the observation of which can provide a novel diagnostic tool for many diseases.

According to Rosetta Genomics, the miRview™ meso product is a highly accurate test that can help physicians to more easily identify mesothelioma, which can be hard to differentiate from other cancers. The test also can help rule out a meso diagnosis in patients who have been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the lung and who also have been exposed to asbestos, which is known to cause mesothelioma.

SOURCE: myMeso › Warnex will distribute mesothelioma biomarker test in Canada

The contest asked for reviews throughout the month of July, and was sponsored by GreatNonprofits, GuideStar and Planet Cancer. Awards were presented to organizations in various geographical areas, and also to some organizations based on their annual budget, so that organizations with smaller operating funds would not have to compete against those with major funding. The Meso Foundation, based in Santa Barbara, Calif., was named Best of West.

The Meso Foundation is a collaboration of patients, families, physicians, advocates and researchers working to find a cure for mesothelioma. They provide education for patients and families, raise awareness about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, connect people into a supportive community, and raise funding for mesothelioma reserach.

According to a news release on the Meso Foundation web site, Perla Ni, CEO and Founder of GreatNonprofits is quoted as saying, “There are so many great nonprofits that don’t have an advertising budget and are not household names. Through this first-ever list of top-rated cancer nonprofits, you can see how some of these nonprofits literally have saved lives. Donors and volunteers who are interested in fighting cancer can now see which nonprofits are really making a difference.”

Visit the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Great Nonprofits review page to read testimonials from people served by this great organization at http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/mesothelioma-applied-research-foundation-inc.

A complete list of the 2009 GreatNonprofits Cancer Fighters Awards is available on the Cure Meso web site at www.curemeso.org.

SOURCE: myMeso › Meso Foundation named to list of top-rated cancer fighting nonprofits

The study was headed by Shinji Sasada of the Department of Thoracic Malignancy, Osaka Prefectural Medical Center for Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Osaka, Japan. Scientists compared specimens obtained using the IT knife, as compared to standard flexible forceps (SFF) during semirigid pleuroscopy, and resulting diagnoses, in 20 patients. Subjects all had unexplained pleural effusion.

Results revealed that the IT knife biopsy was superior to SFF in 8 of 20 patients, produced diagnositc yields from specimens in 85 percent of cases (17 of 20 cases) versus 60 percent of cases using SFF (12 of 20 cases).

Researchers conluded that “electrocautery biopsy using the IT knife during semirigid pleuroscopy has great potential for diagnosing smooth abnormal pleura which are difficult to biopsy with SFF.”

SOURCE: myMeso › New technology improves mesothelioma diagnosis from biopsy

This week, university researchers announced they are ready to begin recruiting current and former taconite workers on Minnesota’s Iron Range, and their spouses, to participate in a screening program.

Preliminary research actually began in Summer 2007, but got a boost from the legislature’s funding, allowing the study to expand significantly. The funding established the Minnesota Taconite Workers Lung Health Partnership task force.

There are four health studies associated with the project:

• a motality study under the direction of the Minnesota Department of Health related to miner deaths
• a cancer rate incidence study
• a respiratory health assessment for miners or former miners
• an occupational exposure study

According to an update in the Star Tribune, which serves the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, “since last year, researchers have been collecting data they need to determine why Iron Range miners die from mesothelioma at higher rates than others.”

Researchers hope to recruit around 1,200 current and retired workers for the new screenings, plus about 800 of their spouses.

Mesothelioma has been linked exclusively to asbestos exposure, so this study seeks to determine what similarities may exist in the taconite mining industry and the taconite mineral that produce high incidences of mesothelioma among its workers.

SOURCE: myMeso › Minnesota mesothelioma study to begin testing taconite miners

The principal investigator for the studay is Dr. Raffit Hassan of the NCI Center for Cancer Research.

According to the NCI bulletin, researchers hope an experimental immunotoxin called SS1 (dsFv)-PE38 (or SS1P) can improve the outcome of patients with unresectable (or inoperable) mesothelioma. Clincial trial information says that SS1P is a “genetically engineered biological agent in which part of a bacterial toxin is linked to an antibody that recognizes the protein mesothelin.”

Mesothelin is the protein found on the surface of epithelial mesothelioma cells and other types of cancer cells. It is hoped that combining SS1P with chemotherapy will lead to increased antitumor activity, as compared with either treatment alone.

“Given the marked synergy between SS1P and chemotherapy in preclinical studies, combining them could potentially result in increased antitumor activity in patients,” Dr. Hassan is quoted in the Bulletin.

For more information, see the Entry Criteria.

Find trial contact information online or call the NCI Clinical Trials Referral Office at 1-888-NCI-1937. The call is toll-free and confidential.

SOURCE: myMeso › Clinical trial for pleural mesothelioma

The findings were part of an article published in the July 19 edition of the Guardian, which says medical researchers now believe that the danger of asbestos exposure may have been “seriously underestimated.”

Asbestos disease – particularly mesothelioma – is a looming epidemic in the UK, expected to peak in the middle of the next decade, resulting in about 5,000 deaths each year, according to figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Many of these deaths will be a result of secondary exposure, in addition to more typical industrial type exposure, the agency says.

The Guardian article says “patterns of premature fatalities” among such professions as electricians, plumbers, garage mechanics, and even teachers and hairdressers” are now being reported.

Additionally, the government’s Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) estimates that as many as 90,000 people each year may be developing pleural plaques – an early indicator of asbestos contamination in the chest cavity and lungs. There is a debate currently raging in the UK to determine whether or not people diagnosed with pleural plaques are eligible to sue for compensation for their injury. A 2007 House of Lords judgment barred these claimants, saying pleural plaques “do not alter the structure of the lungs or restrict their expansion.”

However, proponents for the rights of those with pleural plaques to sue point out that this early asbestos disease could develop into more serious diseases including asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs, and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer.

According to the Guardian, more than half of all work-related deaths from six major cancers in the UK are related to asbestos. Additionally, studies estimate that as many as 125 million people around the world work in asbestos-contaminated offices and factories, even if asbestos is not actively used in any manufacturing or other activity at that facility.

Now, the IARC study says “sufficient evidence is now available to show that asbestos also causes cancer of the larynx (throat) and of the ovary.”

SOURCE: myMeso › IARC study links abestos exposure to throat and ovarian cancers

Asbestos industry documents from as early as 1924 indicate that manufacturers knew there was a danger to workers who inhaled asbestos fibers.

Then in 1953, Dr. Irving Selikoff, a pulmonary specialist, began studying the link between asbestos exposure and lung disease. He noted a much higher percentage of lung disease among workers who inhaled asbestos fibers. Selikoff’s groundbreaking findings about of the occupational danger of asbestos expsoure was published in 1964.

And yet, it wasn’t unitl the mid-1970s that asbestos use was widely banned, and even today, its use is not completely banned.

Selikoff hoped his findings would make the future brighter for workers, protecting them from such devastating illnesses as those suffered by the generations who had come before.  Sadly, Selikoff passed away in 1992, before ever seeing asbestos eliminated in America, or seeing the threat of mesothelioma become a thing of the past.

With such clear evidence of the link between asbestos and mesothelioma, why is this still even a question??

SOURCE: myMeso › Selikoff study proved link between asbestos, mesothelioma in 1964

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen, and makes up about 10-15 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses. The more common form of mesothelioma is pleural, which affects the lining of the chest and lungs. All mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

The current “best practice” for the treatment of mesothelioma is a multi-modality approach, which is a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, along with immunotherapy.

“It’s a sequence of treatments that make sense,” Dr. Chabot explained.

However, Dr. Sugarbaker pointed out, only a small fraction of mesothelioma patients receive multimodality treatment.

“So many more things could be done to manage the treatment of this rare disorder,” Dr. Sugarbaker said. “We should have accumulated many thousands of data points on people with peritoneal mesothelioma. Unfortunately, a majority of patients in the U.S. do not get to a treatment center.”

There are still only a handful of treatment centers that specialize in mesothelioma, and even then there are distinctions in the treatment of peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma that narrows the field even further. Also, there are not a large number of physicians currently treating mesothelioma, and no established surgical training programs specifically for this field to develop more doctors experienced in mesothelioma treatment.

Awareness also is still an issue. Many patients are diagnosed too late for effective treatment.

Even if awareness is high and a patient is diagnosed early enough to be a viable candidate for successful mesothelioma treatment, the logistics of receiving treatment can be difficult. Most of the centers for mesothelioma treatment are located on the East Coast. There is one on the West Coast, but almost no options in the Midwest or other areas of the country. Treatment is usually extended over many months, making it necessary for patients to relocate to be near a treatment center if they are not lucky enough to live nearby.

“People often move and rent temporary housing. People live in trailers,” Dr. Chabot said. “More advocacy is needed to provide patient and family support for treatment. The travel issues for people who need treatment are huge.”

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, which sponsors the annual Meso Symposium, is laying the groundwork to facilitate discussions and establish a collaborative strategy, simply by bringing together the experts in this field. There is an emphasis now on forming a consortium to establish a new standard of care, and to try to combine the knowledge of the existing research and treatment centers, and to expand access to that research and treatment.

But, the experts acknowledge, there is still much to do.

SOURCE: myMeso › Access to mesothelioma treatment limited, difficult

This annual symposium is “for everybody” affected by mesothelioma. This includes patients, caregivers and family members, and those who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma, as well as advocates and scientific and medical experts. The event is designed to provide education about new research and treatment, to assist meso patients and their families and loved ones with coping skills and a network of support, and provide advocates with the tools to help make an impact in the effort to raise awareness about mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos exposure, and to raise funds for research.

“I don’t think any community knows more about holding onto hope in the midst of difficult circumstances than mesothelioma patients and their families, ” said MARF executive director Chris Hahn. “But there is still a perception of mesothelioma as an orphan disease. It is overlooked, by the government, by the average person, despite the huge presence of asbestos in our society,” he said.

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the chest wall or, more rarely, the abdomen, and, in very rare instances, the heart. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, and may have a latency period of up to 40 years or more from the time of exposure until symptoms manifest. It is difficult to diagnose, and often is misdiagnosed until too late for effective treatment. Even if diagnosed early, treatment is often difficult, and there is currently no known cure.

The Mesothelioma Applied Reserach Foundation is the largest independent program for mesothelioma reserach and support in the world. It operates a competitive grant program that awards up to 10 grants, or $10 million, each year to research projects most likely to lead to better treatment.

The Foundation is a non-profit organization whose main mission is dedicated to “eradicating the life-ending and vicious effects of mesothelioma.”

MARF needs funding. This is the only organization dedicated to the research and treatment of mesothelioma, but it is facing the same struggles that many other charitable foundations are facing in this tough economy – donations are down, funding is stretched thin. The foundation received 59 grant applications in 2008 – programs that WANT to explore and investigate mesothelioma in search of earlier diagnosis, better treatment methods and, ultimately a cure. But the Foundation was only able to fund five new programs in 2008.

It is estimated that 3,300 new cases of mesothelioma will be diagnosed each year.

Mesothelioma, once considered an industrial disease affecting primarily older men, is being diagnosed in younger and younger people. In 2008, a 3-year-old girl was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is everybody’s problem. We cannot afford NOT to support mesothelioma research.

For more information about the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and how to make a donation, visit them online.

The Foundation also needs volunteers. There are a number of ways you can help, from advocacy efforts to planning a fund-raising event, to simply helping put out the word about mesothelioma and the effects of asbestos exposure. You can find that information on their web site, too.

This was my first experience at the Symposium, and it was emotionally and intellectually exhausting, and inspiring, and motivating. I met some amazing people who, despite being personally devestated by mesothelioma, are determined to keep fighting. I’m amazed by this great group of folks.

I plan to add many more stories from information presented at the conference, and from the people I met there, in the next several days, so please check back! It’s too much to tell in one post!

SOURCE: myMeso › Mesothelioma community rallies to raise awareness, find a cure

The highlight of the events yesterday happened early in the day, but its effect reverberated for the rest of the day and into the evening’s banquet. The Tribute of Hope Ceremony was held yesterday morning. Those who had lost someone they love to this horrible asbestos-related cancer brought a photograph of their loved one and added it to a photo collage. The names of all those who had lost their battle were listed on panels lining the walls – too many panels – and grieving folks filled the space around them, lighting candles in memory of someone dear who didn’t have to die.

Although the rest of the day was filled with informative seminars about reserach, treatment, nutrition, wellness and coping, the weight of that wall could not be forgotten. Candles glowed and you couldn’t help looking over, reading the list, hating mesothelioma and wondering just WHY nobody seems to know about this lurking killer.

This is why we need more awareness.

The day ended with a Gala Celebration of Hope. Awards were presented to those who have done outstanding work in the fight against mesothelioma. From MARF, here is a list of those honored this year:

• The Pioneer Award emphasizes the contributions of Dr. Robert Taub, MD PhD, whose treatment protocols and vision have shown remarkable results and have been the basis of hope for many mesothelioma patients.
• The Bruce Vento Hope Builder Award, named for the late Minnesota Congressman who died from mesothelioma in 2000, acknowledges the support and initiatives of Terry Lynch, International Vice President, Political & Legislative Director and Health Hazard Administrator of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers.
• The Volunteer of the Year Award honors Craig and Shelly Kozicki for being an inspiration to the mesothelioma community through their continued dedication in raising research funds and providing support and hope to others faced with mesothelioma. Craig, who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1998, died in May of this year.

At the close of the awards presentation, a microphone was passed around the room to allow mesothelioma patients in attendance to share their stories. There were stories of victory and remission, tears and fears, laughter, and anger. A cry began to ring out as each fighter took the microphone. Turning, they would point at the looming Tribute Wall and declare, “I am not going on that wall!!!”

SOURCE: myMeso › Tribute of Hope at Meso Symposium

The day began with a briefing from Chris Hahn, the executive director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF), with latest numbers about federal funding for meso research (WAY below every other cancer) and information about goals for new legislation. A bill to ban asbestos and fund meso research has been before the Senate for the past SEVEN YEARS. In 2008, S774, more commonly known as the Bruce Vento Ban Asbestos and Prevent Mesothelioma Act, passed the Senate, and in 2008 its companion, HR3339/6903, made it to committee in the House of Representatives, but never made it to the floor. It died in committee when the session ended and we now have to start all over.

Beginning at 11 a.m., I met with aides from Congressman Bobby Bright‘s office, as well as the offices of Senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions. I was disappointed that I was unable to meet with any of the legislators personally, but two of the aides were particularly enthusiastic about our efforts, and the third was amenable, so I have high hopes. Now I will simply begin to pester people until we finally see some legislation! I left copies of our petition in support of these efforts with each of the Congressional offices, so I hope they will listen to our voices!

Tomorrow the sixth annual International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma will address the latest topics in mesothelioma research and treatment. 170 people attended the Advocacy Day today, and 230 people will attend the conference tomorrow and Saturday, the largest number yet.

Chris Hahn told us, “The way that we’re going to cure this disease is through community. On Advocacy Day, each person’s voice makes a real difference, and each of you speak for hundreds who could not be here.”

I hope our legislature is listening.

SOURCE: myMeso › Asking for support of mesothelioma funding, asbestos ban

More updates to come – the Symposium continues through Saturday afternoon.

SOURCE: myMeso › MyMeso goes to Washington

H.B. 211 would enact section 5.2239 of the Revised Code to read as follows:

Sec. 5.2239. The month of September is designated as “Mesothelioma Month” to bring attention to mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs, and is commonly linked to asbestos exposure.

Rep. Yuko has a special passion for supporting quality of life initiatives for Ohio’s working families. He has established himself as an advocate for increased health care access, and is strong supporter of Multiple Sclerosis awareness. IN 2006 he introduced and achieved passage of H.B. 379, which designated March as MS Awareness Month in the state of Ohio. He is chair of the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

If you live in Ohio, please contact your legislative Representative and ask him or her to support this bill designating September as Meothelioma Month in Ohio!

Contact the Ohio Legislature.

SOURCE: myMeso › Ohio legislature considering Mesothelioma Month designation

In a news release from his office on Capitol Hill, Kucinich says, “Asbestos is a highly toxic material that has no place in construction projects here or anywhere else, especially when viable alternatives are available.” In the past, asbestos was used for fire protection, but there are other modern materials available now that preclude the necessity for using asbestos. Still, it is included in many construction materials today, including roofing shingles.

The statement was spurred by a letter of inquiry that Kucinich spearheaded, to urge The World Bank to finalize a construction guidance that would drastically reduce the use of asbestos in new construction projects. The report was commissioned in 2006, and completed in 2008, but its release has been stalled. Kucinich, joined by four other members of Congress, urged World Bank to release the guidance immediately.

The World Bank is not a bank in the usual sense, but  is a source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries worldwide. It is made up of two development institutions owned by 185 member countries. The World Bank carries out projects and provides a wide variety of analytical and advisory services to help meet the development needs of individual countries and the international community.

Regarding asbestos, the 2009 Guidance says, “Health hazards from breathing asbestos dust include asbestosis, a lung scarring disease, and various forms of cancer … Mesothelioma, a signal tumor for asbestos exposure, occurs among workers’ family members from dust on the workers’ clothes and among neighbors of asbestos air pollution point sources. Some experimental animal studies show that high inhalation exposures to all forms of asbestos for only hours can cause cancer.”

Kucinich says, “Global asbestos use is on the rise at the very time it should be eliminated.”

Read the full text of the 17-page Guidance on Asbestos.

SOURCE: myMeso › Kucinich works for asbestos eradication

During the Tribute Ceremony, MARF will create a collage of photos of these loved ones who have passed away. I would be more than honored to carry your photo to Washington to add to this Tribute. You may send your photo electronically, by email, and I will make color prints to add to the collage. Please let me know if you would be interested in this. You can email mymeso@gmail.com or email me directly at wendi.lewis@beasleyallen.com.

On Thursday, I also will have the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill to ask our congressional representatives to provide federal funding for mesothelioma research and treatment, and for the ban of asbestos. Please take a moment to sign the petition for these endeavors – there is a link on our home page.

I look forward to attending the Symposium next week, and will be blogging from the conference, which will provide a wealth of information about the latest progress in mesothelioma research and treatment. The conference begins on Thursday, June 25, with the visits to Capitol Hill, and continues through Saturday featuring distinguished physicians, researchers and advocates. I’m sure there will be a lot of valuable information to share.

God bless you all!

SOURCE: myMeso › May I remember your loved one at the Meso Symposium Tribute Ceremony?

Debbie was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2006, at which time her doctor gave her only a few months to live. That was when Debbie began looking for new treatments. She began chemoembolization in May 2008.

Chemoembolization, which is being pioneered by Dr. Thomas J. Vogl at J.W. Goethe University Hospital at Frankfurt University, introduces chemotherapy directly into a tumor, where it is basically sealed off so that it is concentrated in the area of need. The clinical trial started three years ago, and will continue for about two more years. The treatment is only available at the clinic in Germany.

Recently, BBC News featured Debbie and her efforts to bring chemoembolization to the UK, and beyond.

Watch the video.

SOURCE: myMeso › Debbie hopes to make groundbreaking mesothelioma treatment more widely available

John’s story touched a lot of people, and did so much to help raise awareness about lung cancer, which is the leading cancer killer. His strength and determination to fight this disease, and his evident love for his family, his friends, and life itself, touched so many people.

While mesothelioma is not usually considered traditional “lung cancer,” as it most often affects the lining of the lungs but can also affect the lining of the stomach or, more rarely, the heart, we still rally around the lung cancer community in its call for more research, more funding and more awareness. Today, we join the Lung Cancer Alliance in remembering this remarkable man who, as he fought his own personal battle, also dedicated himself to fighting the stigma of lung cancer, and fighting for a cure.

This morning Matt Lauer presented a tribute to John Atkinson on The Today Show. Take a moment to watch this short video tribute to a remarkable man. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

SOURCE: myMeso › Remembering John Atkinson

This is truly wonderful and amazing news, particularly for a cancer like mesothelioma, which has no known cure. This sounds pretty darn close for Debbie, who is considered in remission with this amount of tumor gone.

Those who have been following Debbie’s story and have read the Q&A with Dr. Vogl we posted on this site know that chemoembolization is a procedure currently in clinical trials. The process involves introducing chemotherapy directly to the tumor, and basically trapping it there, concentrating it where it is most needed. Dr. Vogl is head of the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at J.W. Goethe University Hospital at Frankfurt University.

The clinical trial is currently treating between 300 and 400 patients with primary and secondary lung cancer annually, and about 20 mesothelioma patients.

For more information, see the Q&A with Dr. Vogl.

Read more of Debbie’s story at her blog, Mesothelioma & Me.

SOURCE: myMeso › Theo loves Germany – Debbie’s tumor continues to shrink!

According to the journal summary, the findings are based on a small number of patients, so researchers are approaching these results with caution and anticipate more study to confirm the results. The team examined mesothelioma in 2,567 five-year survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma, who had been treated with radiation alone, chemotherapy alone, or a combination of the two.

The study indicated that mesothelioma risk was almost 30 times greater in Hodgkin lymphona patients treated with radiation than in the general population.

The journal article was summarized by HemOncToday, which reports clinical news in oncology and hematology. The publication says the median follow-up period for patients included in the radiation-mesothelioma study was 18.1 years, at which time researchers found 13 patients had malignant mesothelioma at least five years after being treated for Hodgkins lymphoma.

HemOncToday reports there were no cases of mesothelioma among patients treated with chemotherapy alone, but that patients treated with both radiation and chemotherapy were almost 44 times more likely to develop malignant mesothelioma.

Harry S. Jacob, MD, HemOncToday chief medical editor, provided this perspective:

“Seminal studies by Scripps Research Institute investigators demonstrated that asbestos with high-iron content (as opposed to low-Fe level asbestos) was more likely to cause mesotheliomas in miners. In vitro iron-asbestos promoted oxygen radical generation that altered DNA, providing rationale for the epidemiologic studies. The combination of radiation-mediated oxygen radicals plus lung iron asbestos (or tobacco-mediated iron deposition) may underlie these findings.”

SOURCE: myMeso › Link between radiation and mesothelioma?

A recent report in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette says the scientists, led by Alexandru Biris, assistant professor and the chief scientist at the university’s Nanotechnology Center, have developed a technique for attacking cancer cells by injecting them with nanoparticles a few thousand times smaller than the diameter of a human hair, then heating the particles with low-frequency radiation. The heat kills the cancer cell completely. The nanotechnology scientists are working in cooperation with physicians from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences department.

The Gazette article quotes Dr. Piotr Grodzinski, director of the National Cancer Institute’s Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer as saying the concept of using nanoparticles to treat cancer isn’t new, but that the type of nanoparticle developed by the Little Rock team is groundbreaking. The Little Rock team usues a highly magnetic cobalt particle surrounded by layers of graphitic carbon.

Scientists at the UALR Nanotechnology Center have had promising results from initial research, killing about 98 percent of cervical cancer cells used in the study. Before they can move into clinical trials with human beings – at least two years away – they must investigate a number of issues, including how the technique will affect surrounding tissues and how to reduce the toxicity of the metals used in the nanoparticles, among others.

It is the mission of the Nanotechnology Center at UALR to “advance the science of Nanotechnology through research and outreach and accelerate technological innovations into practical applications for society.” The Center received $5.9 million in funding from the Arkansas State Goverment in 2006, which helped the program garner an additional $1.9 million in federal grant funding.

Read the full article online at the UALR Nanotechnology Center web site.

Nanotechnology has raised safety concerns in the past as a concern for mesothelioma. Last May, this site featured information from an article published in the scientific journal Nature Nanotechnology, which likened the effect of carbon nanotubes to asbestos fibers when introduced into the body.

The UALR Nanotechnology Center acknowledges that as with exposure to asbestos, nanotubes can be potentially dangerous if the tiny fibers are inhaled, noting that manufacturers, lab researchers, suppliers and other professionals who handle nanotubes are at risk and should use protective clothing. The Center also recommends appropriate ventilation in areas where carbon nanotube fibers may become airborne. Scientists are still examining the possible connection between carbon nanotubes and mesothelioma.

SOURCE: myMeso › Nanotechnology offers hope for cancer cure

Today I heard from two people who are looking for ways to help raise awareness of mesothelioma and funds for research. One lives in California and the other in New York. If you know of any events in these areas in the coming weeks, please email us at myMeso – you can just click that green “Contact Us!” button on the home page, or you can email me directly at wendi.lewis@beasleyallen.com.

Also, if you send us information about an event, please include information about where the proceeds will go (either to an individual or an organization) and let us know how people can donate even if they cannot attend the event. Many people in the meso community will still want to help, even if they aren’t able to travel to your area to participate.

I look forward to helping you get the word out about your mesothelioma awareness event!

SOURCE: myMeso › Please let us know about your mesothelioma events!

Shortly after her return, abdominal pain sent her back to the hospital. She was good enough to email me to let me know she had suffered from a condition called illeus, which is when the intestines become paralyzed. She stayed in the hospital in Texas for a few days until finally coming home again on May 13. She said she’s focusing on getting stronger and gaining weight, but is frustrated by the  setback after all her hard work to recover from her surgery.

You can check in on Shanna’s progress by reading her journal on the CaringBridge web site and email her some encouraging words at goddesslorraine@aol.com. I know she’d really appreciate hearing from some folks in the meso community!

There was a fundraiser in her honor last weekend, and there’s an ongoing effort in Texas called “Cooking for the Cure” to help raise money for Shanna’s treatments.  Cheri Travis, who is one of the organizers of Cooking for the Cure, reports Shanna is scheduled for another surgery in August, so fund raising efforts continue.

Cooking for a Cure was started by Cheri and two other friends who like cooking, and wanted to use their interests and talents in the kitchen to raise money for Shanna. They gather at one person’s house and prepare food, which they distribute in exchange for donations.

“It’s really spread by word of mouth of people who buy our food,” Cheri explained in an email to me. “Plus, we have fun doing it and helping raise funds for our friend.”

The group is based near Victoria, Texas, so if you live in that area, check out this unique project!

Cheri said there also is another fund raising benefit in Shanna’s honor planned for September 18 in Victoria. I’ll let you know the details when I have them.

In the meantime, if you live near Victoria and would like to purchase food from Cooking for the Cure, you can email Cheri at cetfrog@gmail.com.

Or, if you would still like to make a donation to help with Shanna’s treatment, you can send it to:

Cooking for the Cure
17114 Eagle Hollow Drive
San Antonio, TX 78248

SOURCE: myMeso › Cooking for the Cure benefits mesothelioma patient

The Foundation was established to bring awareness to the issue of lung cancer, and to eradicate the disease through research, education, early detection, prevention and treatment.

Lung cancer awareness groups are joining in this effort, and asking everyone who supports the issue of lung cancer awareness to SEND AN E-MAIL to the Oprah Winfrey Show voicing your support for this topic.

Although mesothelioma is not generally addressed when people talk about more traditional “lung cancer,” it most often affects the lining of the lungs, and research into the causes and treatments of lung cancer can also raise awareness of mesothelioma and help lead to treatments for meso as well, so I’m hoping the members of the meso community will support these efforts.

Please log on to the Oprah.com Plug Form right now to let the show’s producers know why you think lung cancer should be discussed on the show. Please mention the Bonnie J. Addario Foundation’s “big letter” and encourage them to read it, and to add YOUR voice to this call.

Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of both men and women, and yet it is funded at much lower rates than other types of cancer. There is an overwhelming 85 percent mortality rate as a result of lung cancer.

SOURCE: myMeso › Ask Oprah Winfrey to talk about lung cancer

Penned by Bruce Ingraham, a resident of Butte and president of the Asbestos Contractors and Consultations Association of Montana, the column points out that vermiculite asbestos mined in Libby was shipped throughout the state of Montana and across the country by railcar. He notes that nearly 90 percent of mesothelioma cases reported in Montana occur in communities along the railroad lines, where, he says, “literally trainloads of vermiculite were used as attic or wall insulation in your home or your neighbor’s home.”

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer most often affecting the lining of the lungs, but which also may in rarer instances affect the lining of the abdomen and/or the heart. It is solely caused by exposure to asbestos. There is currently no proven cure for mesothelioma.

Among the materials Mr. Ingraham includes on his list of asbestos hazards are boiler pipes, floor tile, linoleum, popcorn texture, ceiling tile, drywall compound, plaster and window putty. He notes that asbestos is present in many construction materials even in structures built as late as the 1990s.

Part of the problem in Montana, he says, is that compliance with the state’s Department of Environmental Quality Asbestos Control Program (ACP) is voluntary when it comes to residential projects, and that there is widespread noncompliance. Homes and apartments with less than four units are exempt from asbestos regulations, Ingraham says.

On its web site, the ACP says that the State of Montana has a specific homeowner asbestos exclusion rule for homeowners conducting renovation or demolition projects. Under this rule, homeowners are not held to the state’s asbestos abatement laws as long as asbestos-containing materials will not affect anyone besides the owner himself, or anyone outside the homeowner’s private property.

The ACP notes that the exclusion rule only applies to the homeowner, and does not extend to any contractors hired by a homeowner. According to the ACP, “Contractors who conduct demolition, renovation, remodeling, or asbestos abatement activities in a home are obligated to follow OSHA regulations and other applicable regulations. According to OSHA, the contractor must exercise due diligence by inspecting for asbestos to determine whether materials that will be impacted contain asbestos.”

But because compliance is not required on residential projects, these regulations are very often overlooked, Ingraham says. All too often, he says, the presence of asbestos is ignored by homeowners and contractors, and as a result, hundreds of Montana workers are exposed to asbestos without their knowledge, he says.

“In some Montana communities, the noncompliance rate for asbestos is 90 percent,” Ingraham writes.

SOURCE: myMeso › Column warns Montana residents of asbestos dangers

Shanna Kurtz was diagnosed in 1999, at age 20, after suffering from several years of unexplained abdominal pain. Doctors who originally suspected a fibrosis tumor discovered a grapefruit-sized tumor in her abdomen, which was diagnosed as peritoneal mesothelioma.

Shanna’s journal on CaringBridge.org documents her experiences through the last several years as she has fought to keep this cancer at bay. It is heartbreaking to read about someone so young who has to face this experience. In one journal entry from October 2008, she reflects on how it feels when people tell her how strong she is, when she doesn’t have any other choice. She states frankly that she is jealous of people who have the option to choose what they will do with their lives, and reflects on so many doors that are closed to her.

Despite the inevitable depression, Shanna is remarkable. Upon her diagnosis told her only about 20 percent of patients survive beyond a couple of years. Determined to be in that 20 percent, she is beating the odds.

Most recently, Shanna’s journal chronicles a surgery on March 26 in Washington, DC, at the Center for Surgical Oncology at the Washington Cancer Institute, Washington Hospital Center.  Dr. Paul Sugarbaker removed a number of tumors, including one that had covered part of her liver. Following the surgery, the doctor filled her abdomen with chemotherapy medication in a process called postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The solution comes into contact with areas the tumor has touched, in an effort to erradicate those cells and prevent recurrance.

Shanna was in the hospital for a little over a month, finally returning home to Cuero, Texas, on May 7.

This weekend, there will be a benefit in her honor, to help offset the medical expenses of the surgery. The event will feature a bike ride and barbecue. The bike ride will leave from Grace Lutheran Church in Victoria, Texas, on Saturday, May 16, at 2 p.m., and will be followed by an evening of dancing, an auction, food and music, which will start around 4 p.m. at Lindenau Dance Hall, which is about 33 miles from Victoria. Cost to participate is $30.

If you are in the area, please attend this event!

In addition to the weekend event, there is an ongoing project called “Cooking for the Cure,” in which three friends prepare food in exchange for a donation to help Shanna. In its first month, the project raised more than $1,100.

For more information about Cooking for the Cure or the Shanna Kurtz Benefit Barbecue, or to make a donation to help Shanna, contact Cheri Travis at cetfrog@gmail.com.

SOURCE: myMeso › Weekend benefit for Texas girl fighting peritoneal mesothelioma

A federal grand jury charged the company and executives in February 2005 with knowingly exposing workers at its vermiculite asbestos mine, and residents of the nearby town of Libby, Montana, to deadly asbestos fibers. A June 2008 Supreme Court decision upheld the grand jury’s findings and allowed the case to proceed to trial.

However, on Friday, May 8, a jury aquitted the company and five of the executives of all criminal charges. Two company executives had already been dismissed during the trial proceedings.

Asbestos exposure is linked to serious health problems, including asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs, and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and, more rarely the stomach and/or heart. Studies of former W.R. Grace & Co. miners, and residents of nearby Libby, have indicated that 227 people have died to date from asbestos disease, and there are more than 1,800 active cases of asbestos disease. Of that number, 77 deaths are attributed to secondary, non-occupational exposure, affecting people who never worked in the mine.

W.R. Grace & Co. is based in Columbia, Maryland, and is worth $945 million, according to the Reuters report. The news agency reports the stock value has now doubled in 2009, at $13.06 per share, after a four-year low of $2.96 in November.

SOURCE: myMeso › W.R. Grace stock surges following aquittal

Asbestos exposure causes serious disease, including asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs that worsens with time and impairs the ability of its victims to breathe, and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and, more rarely, the stomach and heart.

According to the report in The Missoulian, statistics compiled by the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD), located in Libby, indicate that to date 227 community members have died from asbestos disease, and there are more than 1,800 active cases resulting from exposure to the deadly fiber. The newspaper notes that “the study also attributes scores of deaths to non-occupational asbestos exposures, and finds that 77 people who never worked at Grace’s mine in Libby have died of asbestos disease since 1998.”

David Uhlmann, who is former chief of the Justice Department’s environmental crimes section, who was instrumental in developing much of the early indictment against Grace, said the Government’s case against Grace was severely limited by the court, which did not allow much of the evidence to be presented to the jury. This included some of the most incriminating internal memos, he said.

The Post quotes Uhlmann as saying, “The verdict is a fair reflection of the evidence that jurors were allowed to hear. But the question that hangs over this case is what would have happened if the government were allowed to present all of the evidence that it had amassed in this multi-year investigation.”

According to a report in The Washington Post, in a court filing the government acknowledged it “has committed discovery violations in this case,” which led to many rulings excluding its evidence and weakening its case against Grace.

The Missoulian reported the reaction of two Libby residents familiar to our readers – Gayla Benefield, who was perhaps the first to raise the outcry about the dangers of deadly asbestos in the town, said the company has “gotten away with murder.” And the paper quotes our friend Mike Crill, who worked in the asbestos mine and has lost family members to asbestos related disease and suffers himself from asbestos disease.

The Missoulian says Mike cried upon hearing the verdict. The paper quotes him: “What did they die for? What am I dying for?” Crill sobbed. “They are guilty of killing us.”

SOURCE: myMeso › Jury aquits W.R. Grace & Co. of criminal charges

Among Rosetta’s products is miRview™ meso, which is described as a “cutting edge molecular diagnostic test that uses microRNA to differentiate malignant pleural mesothelioma from peripheral adenocarcinomas of the lung or metastatic carcinomas involving the lung and pleura.” According to the company, accuracy for this test has been 95 percent for sensitivity and 96 percent for specificity in identifying mesothelioma.

Obviously, the sooner mesothelioma can be identified, the sooner a correct course of treatment can begin.

You can watch a video from the company’s web site with 3-D animation that demonstrates how microRNA diagnostics work to detect mesothelioma.

You can also download a brochure that explains how miRview™ meso works in more detail.

According to RNAi News, a publication that spotlights technology for functional genomics, this week Rosetta Genomics announced that it has closed a deal with Prometheus Laboratories that will give Prometheus the U.S. market rights to Rosetta’s three microRNA-based diagnostics, which includes the meso diagnostic. The other two products are miRview Mets, which is designed to determine the source of cancers of unknown primary origin, and miRview Squamous, which is designed to differentiate squamous from non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

The deal will provide Rosetta with funding for research and development, and the company will receive royalties on net product sales from Prometheus, RNAi News reports. The companies also will jointly develop two additional miRNA-based gastroenterology diagnostics.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure that most often affects the lining of the lungs, although it can also affect the lining of the stomach and/or the heart.

SOURCE: myMeso › MicroRNA technology provides early diagnosis of mesothelioma

The trial began Feb. 19 in U.S. District Court. A federal grand jury charged W.R. Grace & Co. in February 2005, along with seven of the company’s executives and managers. In June 2008, a Supreme Court decision upheld the grand jury’s findings and the court date was set. The company and its executives are charged with knowingly exposing workers at the Libby, Montana mine, and residents of the town of Libby, to hazardous asbestos.

The asbestos is found in vermiculite, which was mined in Libby for many years. Hundreds of people in Libby have died as a result of asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs, and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and, less commonly, the stomach and/or the heart.

W.R. Grace defense lawyers are currently presenting their case to the court. It is estimated that the case will go to the jury by the end of next week.

If you are interested in following this case, there is an excellent blog site, Grace Case, which is a joint project of the School of Law and the School of Journalism at the University of Montana. The site provides reports from the courtroom from either a news or legal analysis standpoint, depending on which students are filing the posts.

SOURCE: myMeso › Two W.R. Grace executives dismissed from case

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, which when they are inhaled remain in the body. Asbestos exposure can also cause asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lungs, and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and, less commonly, the stomach and/or the heart.

Bang said the high rate of mesothelioma death in Maine could come from any of three sources: asbestos used in homes or other buildings as insulation prior to the substance being largely (although not completely) banned in the late 1970s; naturally occurring asbestos deposits where Maine borders New Brunswick and Quebec; or exposure in the workplace.

According to the NIOSH study, some of Maine’s largest employers used asbestos, including paper companies, chemical companies, and the shipyard inudstry. Bang says a study recently released by the National Cancer Institute places people formerly employed by the shipyard at the most elevated risk from asbestos disease including mesothelioma.

There also is danger to those working in the construction industry, as many products still contain small amounts of asbestos, as it is not yet entirely banned in the United States.

According to the MPBN report, Bang says mesotheioma deaths in the United States is expected to peak in 2010, about 40 years after companies began limiting or avoiding the use of asbestos.

Please help ban the use of asbestos in America. SIGN OUR PETITION!

SOURCE: myMeso › Maine leads nation in mesothelioma deaths

The ad references fire alarms, most likely referring to a Feb. 13, 1975 fire that broke out on the 11th floor of the North Tower. But it hits a little too close to home after the events that would take place a little over 25 years later.

On the anniversary of the 2001 tragedy last year, we discussed the ongoing studies being conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygeine on the effects of exposure to the dust released in the catastrophe. The study included close to 5,000 samples of airborne asbestos collected by the EPA in lower Manhattan between Sept. 11, 2001 and Jan. 22, 2002, many of which exceeded “safety” standards.

It is ironic that the ad for asbestos prominently features the tag line “when life depends on it, you use asbestos.”

In 1981, the asbestos industry was already under scrutiny for the link between asbestos and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, and sometimes the stomach and/or heart. Most recent studies by the National Cancer Institute show that people with even brief exposure to asbestos are at risk. There is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure.

We recently have added a petition to this site urging the U.S. Congress to finally support a total ban of asbestos in the United States, and to provide funding for mesothelioma research. Please sign the petition, and add your voice to this fight.

The New York State Department of Health has been collecting information about deaths among World Trade Center responders, recovery workers and volunteers since shortly after the tragedy.

As of June 2008, the program had identified 382 people who worked at the WTC site who had passed away, and confirmed 204 causes of death, including 30 deaths resulting from respiratory and intrathoracic organ disease. In an updated report released in December 2008, the number of deaths of people who worked at the WTC had jumped to 713 people, with 548 confirmed causes of death. The number of deaths attributed to respiratory and intrathoracic organ disease is noted at 56, accounting for 14.1 percent of the deaths.

Of course, these numbers are general, and not specifically linked to asbestos inhalation, but the report does note that 30.2 percent of the confirmed causes of death of people who worked at the WTC are releated to “exposure to harmful substances or environments,” and 27.3 percent specifically related to “ingestion of substance.”

SOURCE: myMeso › Creepy ad touts benefits of asbestos, features photo of WTC