Mesothelioma in Veterans

Mesothelioma is a fatal type of cancer that can ultimately lead to death after being diagnosed. The onset of mesothelioma is usually because of occupational asbestos exposure. Hundreds of thousands of veterans were exposed to asbestos in their jobsites such as shipyards and Navy during military service and have developed mesothelioma cancer. It was the major cause of asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma in veterans.

Who are at Risk of Mesothelioma?
Retired military servicemen and women, especially those who worked in the Navy and shipyards may have been frequently exposed to asbestos during the construction of buildings. In addition, those who performed maintenance on vehicles are also at great risk of mesothelioma. Military servicemen who were exposed to asbestos might brought the fibers home on their skin and clothing. This might have transferred the fibers to other family members, developing risk for mesothelioma. Moreover, those who worked with asbestos-laden materials are also at high risks for developing asbestos related disorders including asbestosis, mesothelioma cancer, and lung cancer.

Asbestos Exposure in Veterans
Formerly, asbestos was highly used for its fire proof and heat resistant capabilities as the health risks associated with asbestos were not known. If truth be told, it was considered as a valuable mineral fiber and was commercially used before 1970s. Veterans who have worked in asbestos jobsites between 1940 and 1970 have a risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. Moreover, Navy personnel and workers employed in shipyards from the 1930s till 1970s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Symptoms in Veterans
Veterans suffering from mesothelioma usually have the following common symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Frequent coughing
• Fluid in the lungs
• Sudden weight loss

Although it is quite difficult to diagnose as mesothelioma symptoms are closely mimic with other respiratory illnesses and it's usually misdiagnosed with pneumonia or influenza. Veterans account for an estimated 30% of all mesothelioma patients.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options
Since, symptoms of mesothelioma do not usually appear until several decades. When asbestos fibers enter the body they become lodged in the lining of the lungs, causing lesion which can lead to the development of the cancer. Mesothelioma treatment for asbestos related diseases depends upon the stages and type of the disease.

Mesothelioma in Veterans - Care, Compensation and Treatment
Anyone who was a US military veteran that has developed mesothelioma cancer is eligible for assistance, compensation and treatment from asbestos manufacturers or any companies that are responsible for your asbestos exposure. Veterans can contact mesothelioma attorney that help them file a claim against the company responsible for their asbestos-related illness.

Author Bio:
Rachel Smith is a web enthusiast and professional webmaster. She loves to write about mesothelioma research findings that help people and their loved ones suffering from mesothelioma.

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Posted in: cancer,Exposure in Veterans,Fluid in the lungs,Guest Post,mesothelioma,Mesothelioma Treatment,Risk of Mesothelioma,Shortness of breath,Sudden weight loss,US military,Veterans

Fitness Inspiration for Cancer Patients

Those who have cancer may feel like the treatments are more draining than the disease itself. These can sap their energy, making them feel weak and tired all of the time. They may even feel nauseous and sick. This is not the way that they want to live, and they will be glad to know that it is not the way that they have to live. Something that many people do not realize is that exercise can really help them to overcome these feelings. It can help them to regain their strength and to feel better.

Increased Strength
First of all, exercise can help them by increasing their muscle mass and making them physically stronger. The body will be weak already, so this strength can help them to feel like they are able to be more active. They will be able to do more things, showing them that their life can still be as fulfilling as they desire.

Better Blood-Flow and a Higher Heart Rate
Any exercise gets the heart working. This helps to prevent blood clots and other such problems. The rising heart rate can also make them feel less lethargic. This is one of the reasons that cancer patients have been shown to have a lower risk of a reoccurrence of cancer if they are exercising frequently.

An Improved Outlook
Exercise can just help people to feel better in an emotional sense. They will be more awake and alert. This will improve their mood. It can also help them to connect with those around them.

The Best Exercises
Some exercises are ideal for cancer survivors. One such exercise is simply stretching. Increased flexibility helps with blood flow and allows more exercises to be possible. Resistance training with weights or machines is also a good idea since patients will have often lose muscle mass during their treatment. They could also have gained fat, and having larger muscles will help them to burn it off. As they start to feel better, aerobic exercises such as walking or swimming are encouraged. These can also help to reduce fat.

How To Stay Motivated
When someone is not feeling well, it can be hard for them to want to do anything, let alone work out. They need to keep the positives in mind so that they can be encouraged to continue working out. They need to set goals for themselves. Even small goals, such as walking for a mile, can be helpful. Furthermore, they could reward themselves when they accomplish certain things. They should also think of exercise as a way of showing cancer that it cannot rule their life.

Many doctors and patients have noticed the benefits of exercise and healthy living throughout cancer treatment. Many hospitals have open fitness classes, and some gyms offer course designed for cancer patients or survivors. No matter what, patients with an unfavorable cancer prognosis, lean towards some sort of exercise routine. They are fun, social, and exciting ways to learn how to challenge the body.

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Posted in: Best Exercises,cancer,cancer prognosis,cancer survival,exercise,fitness classes,fitness instractor donna bishop,Guest Post,Increased Strength,Weight Loss and Diet

Mesothelioma - Some Risk Factors

Mesothelioma is a deadly lung cancer that is most frequently caused by asbestos exposure. It can manifest in the lungs, the lining of the abdomen and the pericardium. It is estimated that almost 80% of all diagnoses are made because of exposure to asbestos. Although mesothelioma is directly linked to asbestos exposure but there are some other risk factors that can be a cause of mesothelioma.

Workplace Exposure
One of the major risk factor for developing mesothelioma is asbestos exposure at work. Occupations such as mining, insulation manufacturers, shipbuilding, pipefitters, railroad workers and those who are in construction are at high risk. Because of its insulating and heat-resistant nature, asbestos was once commonly used in insulation, flooring, cement and many other common products. Individuals who had prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers are at a greater risk.

Non-Occupational Risks
Families of those who are exposed to airborne asbestos particles as well as those who live near industrial plants or mines are at an increased risk.

Zeolites
Zeolites are microporous crystalline solids which are chemical similar to asbestos. Zeolites are widely used for the preparation of advanced materials and in nuclear reprocessing. Accoridng to clinical studies, it has proved that long term persistence of Zeolites (fibrous erionite) can lead to malignant mesothelioma. This will make zeolites a solid suspect in the formation of mesothelioma.

SV40
SV40 is a polyomavirus that is found in both monkeys and human, is also another risk factor of this fatal disease. Clinical findings suggest that experimental animals were developed mesothelioma when injected with SV40. Researches also showed that traces of SV40 have also found in the biopsy samples of mesothelioma patients.

Radiation
According to some recent clinical research it has been discovered that ionizing radiation is another risk factor for developing mesothelioma. Radiation exposed individuals such as patients exposed to the diagnostic X-ray contrast medium "Thorotrast," or atomic energy workers chronically exposed to lower levels of radiation are at also at risk of developing this disease.

Smoking
Although smoking is not the direct cause of mesothelioma development, but studies show that smokers exposed to asbestos are much likely to develop the cancer than non smokers with the same exposure. It is probably due to those cigarettes that were sold earlier by P. Lorillard Tobacco Company, which contained asbestos in the filters. Each cigarette contained approximately 10mg of asbestos material, putting these smokers at high risk for developing life threatening disease.

Since mesothelioma is incurable, but taking some precautionary steps will reduce your risk of exposure to asbestos, thereby decreasing your risk for developing mesothelioma.

Author Bio:
Rachel Smith is a web enthusiast and professional webmaster of MesotheliomaResourceOnline. She loves to write about mesothelioma research findings that help people and their loved ones suffering from mesothelioma.

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Posted in: cancer,Family Health,Guest Post,heat resistant,lung cancer,mesothelioma,Radiation,Risk Factors,Smoking,Workplace Exposure,Zeolites

Screening has failed, the check it yourself breast cancer survival guide

There is growing disquiet in the medical community. The NHS breast-cancer screening programme, which invites all women to have three-yearly X-rays (mammograms) from the age of 50, has been said by some doctors to 'do more harm than good'.

This, coupled with the fact that one woman in eight now develops the disease 5,000 more diagnoses a year than a decade before and reports that many cases are dismissed by GPs who don't recognise symptoms, makes for confusing reading.

What all experts agree on is that early diagnosis is key to successful treatment. 'When a breast cancer is picked up through a routine screening mammogram, it's often cured,' says Lester Barr, a consultant breast cancer surgeon at the Christie Hospital in Manchester.

'When the disease is picked up through discovering a lump, the chances of a cure drop as the cancer is likely to be more advanced.'

Mr Barr admits that screening, which was introduced in 1988, could be improved but women should not be put off having mammograms. 'There is an argument that screening catches tiny tumours that would never have grown, meaning women go through unnecessary worry and treatment. And perhaps we need to better target women who are at risk.

'All women need to make sure they are doing enough themselves to ensure early detection. There are still women who know surprisingly little about how a breast should feel and look.' Here, Britain's leading experts give their essential guide that every woman should read.

LOOK FOR FAMILY PATTERNS
Breast cancer is hereditary in ten per cent of cases so it is vital for a woman to know her family history, says Professor Gareth Evans, consultant in genetic medicine at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester. 'Look for any patterns on one side of the family such as a mother, grandmother, aunt and first cousin who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. If there are at least two first-degree relatives – ie a mother and sister – who have had the disease, the risk is greater,' explains Prof Evans. The younger a woman is diagnosed the more likely it will be that her breast cancer has been caused by an inherited defective gene.

IF THERE IS HISTORY, GET A GENE TEST
The rogue genes, known as BRCA 1, BRCA 2 and P53, can be identified through a blood test. But this can be done only if a woman has a living relative who has had breast cancer and can provide a blood sample. Those who carry the genes have an 85 per cent risk of getting breast cancer. The options for women with a strong family history or who have been identified as carrying the faulty breast-cancer gene include yearly MRI scans and mammograms on the NHS. 'Together these can pick up 90 to 95 per cent of breast cancers early,' explains Prof Evans. 'But some women opt for a pre-emptive strike by having their breasts removed.'

Prof Evans is leading a study into the use of the drug tamoxifen, which may reduce the risk of breast cancer by 40 per cent. 'Do'’t take the contraceptive pill if you have a strong family history as the drug has been linked to an increase in risk,' says Dr Anne Trigg, a consultant medical oncologist at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London.

ALL WOMEN MUST BE BREAST AWARE
Mammograms are not effective for women under the age of 50 as the breast tissue is still too dense. If there have been isolated incidents of breast cancer in the family, you can always consult your GP for an examination. 'Aside from lumps, they are looking for areas of the breast that feel subtly different from the rest  limpness, a harder area or a breast that feels more granular,' explains Mr Richard Sainsbury, consultant breast cancer surgeon.

Unexplained tiredness can be early symptoms of the disease. 'It's not necessary to do constant self-examinations,' says Mr Sainsbury. 'But be aware of any changes – particularly heaviness, distortions, or a change in size or shape.'

A RED RASH IS A RED ALERT
'Inflammatory breast cancer, which accounts for between one and five per cent of breast- cancer cases, can make the skin red and swollen, but it is often misdiagnosed as cellulite or a skin infection,' Dr Trigg says. 'Look out for a new and itchy rash around the nipple, discharge from the nipple or any difference in shape and size. It could be normal but always get it checked by your GP. And always check armpits for lumps.'

CHECK MONTHLY AFTER YOU HIT 30
Dr Trigg says: 'From the age of 30, self-examination should be done once a month, midway through the menstrual cycle.'

Using the pads of the fingers, feel in small circular motions round the breast and then move in smaller concentric circles until you reach the nipples.
Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side.
Do this lying down, and then feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting.

'In the ten years leading up to the menopause, breast tissue begins to turn to fat and this can cause benign cysts,' adds Mr Sainsbury. 'Cancer can be ruled out by mammogram or biopsy. See your GP, who will refer you to a specialist.' Be familiar with the appearance of your breasts, checking that they are their usual shape, size and colour and appear symmetrical.

THE QUESTION: TO HRT OR NOT TO HRT?
At present women of 50 are called for a three-yearly mammogram through the NHS screening programme. But Prof Evans says: 'A third of breast cancers are picked up in the three years between mammograms.'

Self-examination is vital after the age of 50 when breasts may look different. A loss of volume can cause dimpling in the skin and as this can also be a sign of breast cancer, get it checked.
Prof Evans tells menopausal women with a family history to avoid hormone-replacement therapy as artificially raising hormone levels can increase risk of breast cancer. The hormone oestrogen, which can drive some forms of breast cancer, is produced by fatty tissue. So the fatter you are, the bigger the risk.

AFTER SCREENING STOPS . . .
Screening stops at the age of 70. If women wish to continue, then they can request it, explains Barr. He says: 'By the age of 80 any lump is likely to be breast cancer. Women should be aware of any changes.'

By ANGELA EPSTEIN

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Posted in: breast cancer,cancer,cancer survival,Christie Hospital,Diseases,Family Health,mammograms,self-examination,St Mary's Hospital,symptoms,therapy,Women's Diseases,X-rays