Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Update for October 22, 2010

Leslie Controls on the Fast Track to having its “Pre-Packaged” Bankruptcy Plan Approved­Could Begin Paying Claims by Early 2011

Leslie Controls, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CICOR International, Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2010 citing overwhelming liabilities for current and future asbestos injury claims.

Since the early 1900’s, Leslie was a major manufacturer of industrial water heaters and steam control systems. Leslie was a large supplier of valves and other steam equipment to the United States Navy during World War I and World War II. Leslie’s products, which were often equipped with asbestos gaskets, insulation and packing, were responsible for exposing thousands of Americans to harmful asbestos fibers.

Upon filing for Chapter 11, Leslie received temporary immunity from all pending and future lawsuits brought by asbestos illness victims. Leslie will be entitled to permanent immunity upon certification of its bankruptcy plan by the bankruptcy court and approval by a Federal District Court. The one consolation to asbestos injury victims is the requirement that Leslie’s bankruptcy plan provide for the funding of a trust and a system for compensating claimants based on factors including the severity of their illness.

Leslie made substantial progress toward its emergence from bankruptcy when it obtained the asbestos claimant votes necessary for approval of its bankruptcy plan earlier this month. For the plan to be affirmed by the courts, bankruptcy law requires approval by at least 75 percent of current asbestos claimants. The vote on Leslie’s plan was completed on September 27, 2010, and on October 8, 2010 the balloting agent reported to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court that more than 75 percent of claimants had voted in favor of the plan.

Based on the progress to date, CIRCOR is targeting the plan’s affirmation by the courts and Leslie’s emergence from bankruptcy for the fourth quarter of 2010. Accordingly, it is conceivable that Leslie’s bankruptcy trust could begin processing claims by early 2011.

If the trust begins paying injury claims within a year of Leslie’s filing for bankruptcy, this would rank as one of the faster completions of this process among all asbestos bankruptcy trusts. By comparison, of the nine other companies which currently have proposed bankruptcy trusts pending approval, one has been in bankruptcy for over ten years, two over nine years, and another two over six years.

Leslie’s progress can be attributed to its use of a “Pre-packaged” bankruptcy plan. As compared to other bankruptcies, where the company files and thereafter begins negotiating a plan of reorganization with creditors, a pre-packaged approach involves negotiating a plan before the company files bankruptcy. Under a pre-packaged approach, the company is able to negotiate with creditors under less formal conditions, often behind closed doors, and deliver a plan of reorganization satisfying applicable rules at the same time the company files bankruptcy.

Check back often to Mesothelioma Bytes for breaking news about the Leslie Trust and other active and pending asbestos bankruptcy trusts.

Also, for information on how asbestos bankruptcy trusts came to exist, how trust claims are processed and the current status and future outlook of these trusts, see our comprehensive guide to asbestos bankruptcy trusts entitled: “Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly.”

Beware of “Madison Avenue” Meso Lawyers

Nowhere to Hide

It’s late at night, you’re dozing off with the TV on, the screen goes dark and is soon filled with words in white lettering, as an all too serious narrator begins reading: “If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, call the number on your screen now…”

Now it’s morning, you’re settling in with a cup of coffee, your eyes are on the newspaper but you’re listening to CNN when, once again, the all too familiar voice beckons: “If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, call the number on your screen now…”

Now you’re up and dressed. Before leaving the house, you flip over to the Weather Channel for a quick check of the forecast, but before you can get your “Local Weather on the 8’s”, you’re forced to once again endure the barely human voice: “If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, call the number on your screen now…”

You’re at an intersection waiting for the “Walk” signal when your view is eclipsed by a large bus pulling over at a nearby bus-stop. On the back of the bus is a large rectangular sign with the image of a man with a weathered face and stoic expression, wearing a hard-hat, next to which you see the text: “If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, call 1-800…”
These days there’s no escaping “Madison Avenue” meso lawyers and their seemingly limitless advertising budgets.

“Scorched Earth” Campaign for Meso Victims

So who are these “Madison Avenue” meso lawyers who are saturating our airwaves, billboards and bus placards with their distasteful attempts to reach the one out of every 103,000 Americans who will be diagnosed with mesothelioma this year?

Typically, they are national firms which, curiously enough, don’t even specialize in the handling of mesothelioma cases. Instead, many of these firms handle a wide array of cases including pharmaceutical cases, tobacco cases, securities fraud cases, Chinese drywall cases, mold cases, medical malpractice cases and various forms of class action cases. Many of the firms have only recently jumped on the “mesothelioma bandwagon,” adding these cases to their diverse practices.

Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk

Any law firm with a large marketing budget can hire an advertising firm to produce a slick (usually not-so-slick) TV commercial and run demographic studies on the times and channels to run the commercials where they will have the best chance of reaching their “market.” But does possessing the so-called savvy to market legal services the same way others market “male enhancement” products qualify a law firm to represent a family struggling with mesothelioma?

In order to effectively represent a family afflicted with mesothelioma, a law firm must have the knowledge and experience necessary to quickly educate the family about the full extent of their medical options and assist them in getting prompt attention from the physicians who have developed an expertise in the treatments they are interested in (See our article “Should Lawyers Advise Their Clients on Treatment Options” Published in Asbestos Magazine).

Because of a mesothelioma patient’s limited life expectancy, efforts must be made to bring the case to trial as soon as the court will allow. These efforts, not surprisingly, are met with great resistance from defense attorneys whose billable rates incentivize them to make the case drag on as long as possible so that the mesothelioma patient never sees his or her day in court. Again, meeting and overcoming these unique challenges requires attorneys who are experienced and have a proven track record in handling mesothelioma cases.

Are “Madison Avenue” meso lawyers up to these challenges?

Can a family struggling with mesothelioma afford to risk that they’re not?

Click here for the full article.

California City Ignores Dangers of Asbestos, Approves Mountain Biking Facility on Asbestos-Rich Soil

Last month, the San Luis Obispo, California City Council approved a donor agreement with a mountain biking group to develop a recreation facility in a city-owned area with soil type rich with asbestos.

The group, Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers, hopes to build a bicycle skills course in the Stenner Springs Natural Reserve, a 363-acre area four miles north of San Luis Obispo. Much of the landscape of Stenner Springs is made up of serpentine soil, a type of material which state and federal governments have designated as a source of naturally occurring asbestos. Asbestos is known to cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the linings of the lungs that is nearly always fatal.

Though serpentine soil is relatively common in California, scientists and government regulators have recently stepped up efforts to study the effects of naturally occurring asbestos in dust and warn people of the danger.

In a study released in 2009 by the University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, dust from serpentine soil is cited as a potential cause of cancer. The study says, “People may inhale or swallow dust containing asbestos fibers. These fibers can cause cancer and other diseases by remaining in the lungs or traveling to the lining of the lungs or the abdominal cavity.”

The California Air Resources Board identified asbestos as a toxic air contaminant with no safe threshold level in 1986.

“In general, people are not aware of the dangers of serpentine soil,” said Toby O’Geen, a soil scientist at the University of California, Davis. “I wouldn’t make a trail over it unless they import trail material. If they are laying down bicycle trails over crushed rock and soil and don’t put down a layer of topsoil, the risk may be much higher.” He added: “There’s no way to know how much of a problem you have unless you take samples.”

According to Neil Havlik, natural resources manager for the city of San Luis Obispo, the city hasn’t tested for asbestos at the site. Havlik said the state air resources board only requires asbestos testing when a grading project is larger than an acre. “My guess is there is asbestos there, but it’s far below the threshold,” Havlik said, adding that the construction of the bicycle skills park won’t require much below-ground work. “Asbestos is a concern in certain circumstances,” he explained. “Our expectation in this particular project is that the ground disturbance is very minor.”

However, according to the environmental impact study that’s part of the project report, one of the few potentially significant environmental impacts of the project is “substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil.” Due to a fire in the area in 1994, the mineral soil under the future location of the bicycle skills area has been exposed, Havlik said during the council meeting.

According to the 2009 asbestos study: “No one knows how many fibers are needed to cause lung cancer or other diseases. Heavy and frequent occupational exposures are more likely to cause the disease than are nonoccupational exposures; however, a lifetime of exposure to low levels is also recognized as a potential hazard. Environmental health scientists have suggested that children have a higher risk of exposure than adults in the same environment due to their faster breathing rates, time spent outdoors, and greater time for disease to develop.”

The 84-page report detailing the city’s plans for the Stenner Springs area mentions asbestos only twice: “Serpentine carries the risk of asbestos. Be sure to patrol erosion areas, as these areas are subject to asbestos.”

Both the study and the federal government’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry advise people living or working near naturally occurring asbestos to “walk, run, hike, and bike only on paved trails and pave over unpaved walkways, driveways, or roadways that may have asbestos-containing rock or soil.” They also advise that recreational activity in serpentine soil in outdoor areas be restricted to “outdoor areas with a ground covering such as wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, grass, asphalt, shredded rubber, or rubber mats.”

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

4 Tips to Help You Win Your Case

The main reason why victims of asbestos related diseases file lawsuits is to help victims of asbestos related illnesses as well as family members of asbestos victims, get their deserved compensation for their losses. This money can help victims pay for such things as medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional agony caused by these diseases.

Exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of different illnesses, namely asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma cancer. If you've been diagnosed with the mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness you should file a claim to receive an asbestos settlement.

There been many asbestos settlements in the United States over the years resulting in billions of dollars awarded to the victims of asbestos exposure. There are many other litigation cases that are still pending.

These are four important tips to help you win your case:

1. First and foremost, you must be diagnosed with mesothelioma or another related disease. Courts are more likely to give it monetary compensation to victims of mesothelioma rather than to victims of other asbestos-related diseases. It is better for you to be diagnosed by a qualified an duly registered physician or a qualified oncologist.. If you have not yet been diagnosed but believe that you may have an asbestos illness, don't go to a discount facility to be tested. Many of these are run by lawyers trying to find new clients and a diagnosis at one of these can ultimately hurt your case once you go to court.
2. You must file your asbestos settlement with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. You can find lawyers in bar associations, in the Yellow Pages, on the Internet, and by word of mouth sources, and various other places. The Internet can be a great place to look for an attorney since you may be able to find background information on the litigation firms. You should interview the asbestos attorney to find out if they are good enough to win your case. You'll want an attorney has experience with asbestos settlement cases and one you can trust. Your interview of the asbestos attorneys should also afford you the opportunity of asking the lawyers questions on the mesothelioma cases they have actually represented in court and the kind of settlements they have won for their clients.
3. After you find an experienced attorney that you can trust, you'll need to gather the necessary information you will need to prove your case. Some information that you might be asked to collect would be a list past job duties that exposed you to asbestos, how long you worked at this job, contact information of your bosses and co-workers, products that you came in contact with the might of contained asbestos, all the damages that you've suffered, as well as all doctor reports relating to your illness.
4. In order to win an asbestos settlement you must also be patient and strong. Your case may or may not go to trial but this can be a very difficult process to go through especially when you are already weakened by the effects of the cancer on your body. But take courage and be strong , the law is on your side.

For more information on mesothelioma lawsuits and mesothelioma visit http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

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By Bello Kamorudeen

History, Hazards and Dietary Advice

History of asbestos

There are four main types of asbestos; Amosite (brown fibers), Anthophyllite (gray fibers), white Christie, and blue Crocidolite. Chrysotile has curly fibers while the other three have rod like fibers. These fibers fragment into dust quite readily and waft into the air. They can adhere to skin or clothing and are easily swallowed or inhaled.

Half a century ago, asbestos was hailed by many as a miracle product. They said nearly anything could be made from this mineral. It as used as an additive to reinforce mortar and plastics. Asbestos fibers can also be separated into fine threads that do not conduct electricity and are unaffected by heat or chemicals.

Use of asbestos drastically increased during World War II. Shipbuilding incorporated asbestos extensively in freighters and support vessels to insulate boilers, steam pipes and hot water pipes. Asbestos became the miracle construction material as it was readily obtained, processed, and transported. After WWII cars used asbestos in brake shoes and clutch pads. Asbestos found its way into residential and industrial building materials, water supply, sewage materials, ceiling and floor tiles, and vermiculite garden materials to name a few products.

In the 1970's, following the discoveries of the health dangers of asbestos dust inhalation, the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission prohibited the use of asbestos in several products that could liberate asbestos fibers into the environment during use. Regulations governing the use of asbestos and public concern since 1970 have created a significant drop in the use of asbestos in the United States. The same pattern has been seen in most of the developed world.

In 1989 all new uses of asbestos were banned by the Environmental Protection Agency while any old uses before that year were still allowed. The EPA suggested that schools inspect for damaged asbestos and eliminate any exposure or enclose it in protective barriers. Vermiculite, widely used in horticulture, became a concern of the EPA . They recommended outdoor use, limiting the amount of dust used, and keeping vermiculite damp.

Health hazards

Asbestos may create serious health hazards such as coughing, lung damage, shortness of breath, and lung cancer. Most people do not become sick in the early stages of contact but usually need continued exposure. This often means on jobs such as mining, milling, manufacturing asbestos products, and the building construction industry. Firemen, demolition and destruction workers, drywall removers, and anyone else involved in trades that involve destruction of buildings, ships, and automobiles are also exposed to the hazards of asbestos.

Over a number of years continual exposure to asbestos can cause very serious health problems, such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of carcinoma of the membrane that lines numerous cavities of the body, including the lungs, abdomen and heart, and has been associated with exposure to asbestos dust. In mesothelioma, the cells of the mesothelioma metastasize and damage adjacent organs and tissues.

Mesothelioma may not develop for a long period of time, often as long as twenty-five or thirty-five years before full blown symptoms appear. Not all workers who have been exposed will develop diseases, but workers who have been exposed to it may bring fibers on their clothing, hair, shoes, and skin home to their families. To circumvent this risk, most industries require workers to bathe and change their clothing before they leave work.

Dietary advice for Mesothelioma patients

Doctors and nutritionists may recommend a special cancer diet because many mesothelioma patients tend to lose their appetites due to worry over their condition. Also, those who are undergoing treatment may choose not to eat because of the unpleasant side effects they may experience. Chemotherapy and some medications may cause an imbalance of nutrients that must be corrected in order to keep the body as strong as possible and to keep the patient from losing an excessive amount of weight. Other side effects of mesothelioma treatment can include nausea, vomiting, constipation,dry mouth and a change in the sense of smell or taste.

In our childhood we were all told to eat our vegetables. Forcing down cabbage and sprouts was supposed to make us bigger and stronger. Well, so it is for mesothelioma patients. Diet is often an overlooked subject for cancer patients, but eating the right nutritional foods for strength and energy is just as important as taking the proper medication.

Mesothelioma patients undergoing treatment must follow a special cancer diet devised by their nutritionists. The details of every patient's mesothelioma diet will vary. Some patients will need to incorporate more fat into their diets, while others may need more protein. Cancer diets involve eating the correct amounts of protein and calories as well as drinking the right amount of water to keep the ailing body replenished and energized. The body needs plenty of nourishment when it is going through chemotherapy or even when the patient is taking certain medications.

It is important that patients devise a cancer diet under the guidance of their doctor and nutritionist to ensure that they obtain the proper amount of nutrients to improve their quality of life.

Protein is important for any cancer patient because it helps repair tissue damaged by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Protein also helps maintain a strong and healthy immune system, lowering a mesothelioma patient's risk of infection after aggressive cancer treatments. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing protein in a cancer diet with cheese, milk, ice cream, yoghurt, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, meats and fish.

Fats are an essential part of the cancer diet because they supply the body with the necessary energy it needs while undergoing treatment. The amount of fats a cancer diet should consist of is dependent on a mesothelioma patient's age and body size. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing caloric intake with such foods as butter, milk, cheese, honey, sugar, granola and dried fruits.

Water is another essential component of the cancer diet. Without a significant amount of water, the body will dehydrate. It is important that anyone undergoing cancer treatment drink sufficient water to keep their bodies hydrated and replenished.

Article supplied by Michael Aldridge. For a complete and extensive guide to mesothelioma, please visit our web site at http://www.mesothelioma.informatee.com

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By Baymaster

Understanding the Relation Between Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

By David Hooper

An understanding of asbestos is necessary before we try to understand mesothelioma lung cancer. Asbestos, a natural fibrous mineral, used commonly in construction process and manufacturing industries is detrimental to human health. Continuous inhalation of its fibers enhances the susceptibility to respiratory disorders and can lead to many dangerous diseases. A leading example of such dangerous disease is Mesothelioma lung cancer. Actually, mesothelioma lung cancer is misnomer because mesothelioma cancers affect the lining of lungs (pleura) and abdomen and not the lungs. Since mesothelioma cancers mostly affect the lining of the lungs, it is generally called mesothelioma lung cancer. The workers who had worked in industries such as shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and asbestos production are vulnerable to mesothelioma cancers.

Mesothelioma and the Role of Carcinogens:

What is mesothelioma cancer and how does the lining of the lung become cancerous? Cancer is a tumor that is malignant in nature. Tumor is formed when there is abnormal cell division and cell multiplication in the cancerous cells. Exposure to carcinogens or cancer-causing material like cigarette smoke, asbestos and silica dust is instrumental in this abnormal cell division and formation of tumor.

Mesothelioma cancer is directly linked to asbestos exposure. However, those already exposed to asbestos have a greater chance of developing lung cancer if they are exposed to other carcinogens such as cigarette smoke. A study reports that the workers with a history of asbestos exposure and cigarette smoke are more prone to lung cancer than the non-smokers and those with no history of asbestos exposure.

Complications Associated with Mesothelioma Cancer:

Normally, the latency stage for asbestos-related diseases in general and mesothelioma cancers of the lining of lung in particular, 20-50 years, which makes detection of Mesothelioma a complicated issue. This situation is further aggravated particularly where the worker is also addicted to cigarette smoking. By the time, the disease shows its symptoms, a considerable exposure to additional carcinogens linked to cigarette smoking has already taken place. This makes a worker more vulnerable to lung cancer besides the vulnerability to mesothelioma cancers.

Mesothelioma Cancers and Legal Redress:

The Government is conscious of the ill effects of asbestos exposure and the seriousness of mesothelioma cancer. The employees working in factories with significant risk of asbestos exposure are eligible for Mesothelioma compensation, if the exposure is the cause of Mesothelioma. There has been a spate of lawsuits for seeking compensation for mesothelioma and lung cancers. In many cases, the courts have awarded heavy sums as compensation against the asbestos manufacturing companies.

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

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All About Mesothelioma Cancer

By Michalle Law

Mesothelioma cancer is considered to be the rarest and deadliest types of cancer, and usually affects the mesothelial tissues of the body organs, normally abdomen and lungs. It develops malignant and cancerous cells in mesothelium, which is the protective cell covering many internal organs of the body. It can even damage other body organs by spreading out the damaged cells to them.

The main cause of this type of cancer in about 50-80% cases is exposure to the asbestos. People involved in occupations like constructions jobs in insulators, shipyards and boiler makers are at a risk of catching asbestos disease. It is a very restrained form of cancer which provides only few symptoms that can be noticed until the disease becomes enormously advanced.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most usual type of the cancer, indicated by chronic coughing, shortness of breath in combination with common cold and allergies. Other pleural mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, coughing blood, fatigue, wheezing, swollen lymph node, loss of appetite, loss of weight and lung infection.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is another form of the cancer, which generally affects the covering around the intestines and the stomach. Symptoms of this type of cancer include weight loss, fever, anaemia, pain in abdomen, swelling in abdomen or bowel obstructions. Another type of the cancer is pericardial mesothelioma, the symptoms of which including palpitations, persistent coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath.

It has been estimated that about 2000 new cases of this type of cancer are diagnosed every year. It is to be noted that only a professional cancer expert can diagnose mesothelioma. The disease starts in small lumps in the pleura membrane, that may not be scanned on X-rays, until they are advanced and grown up in large size. The symptoms of the disease may not come into view until 30-50 years of exposure to asbestos.

The treatment options available for this type of cancer are:

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy with doxorubicin or adriamycin has been 20% responsive in cases of mesothelioma.

Radiation Therapy: This disease is quite moderately responsive towards radiation therapy also. It can improve the quality of life of the patient, as it can reduce shortness of breath and pain in the body, while it can not cure the problem.

Surgery: Surgical choices like removing the cancer tumour by cutting out the lun or decortication have also not been very successful so far.

Photodynamic therapy: In this process, the cancer cells are given an intravenous photosynthesizer, which are afterwards activated in order to destroy the cells with the help of a laser light of specific wave length. This therapy is still in its experimental stages.

The average survival time of a patient from the time of observance of the cancer is about 4-24 months, however, with proper care, some patients have also been seen living for many years. Therefore, it is advisable for those who are working in asbestos prone localities to regularly consult a doctor and go for regular check ups, so that any possibility for the cancer can be diagnosed at an earlier stage.

Eirik Comm is the professional freelance writer. He's also the webmaster of Healthyliveworld.com

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Mesothelioma A Hidden Danger for Veterans

By Bill Cass

The brave men and women who have served their country are modern day heroes. Fighting for freedom has never come easy, nor does it now. According to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, there are currently 25 million individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces?THANK YOU!!

Unfortunately, literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions of these heroes were exposed to asbestos-containing materials during their services, and are only now ? sometimes as late as 50 years later ? experiencing what that can mean.

What is asbestos?

These days, asbestos is a well known carcinogen. This fiber consists of long, thin fibrous crystals and may be mixed with other substances in order to resistant heat, electricity and chemical damage, making it at one time a popular insulator and fire retardant.

Why are veterans at risk?

Due to these characteristics, asbestos was widely used by every military branch with the intention of protecting service men and women. It was so useful that it was mandated for wide spread usage prior to being phased out in the 1970s, after its risks became public. In the Armed Forces, it was used mainly for insulation purposes, but has also been used in over 300 consumer and building products. The Navy primarily used asbestos between the 1930s and 1970s, fitting nearly every ship with it, and covering nearly all shipyards with numerous asbestos-containing materials. While the material may have saved lives in the past by preventing fires, there may now be a price to pay for those lives in the form of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can be either malignant or benign. Malignant mesothelioma is the most hazardous form of asbestos cancer and is deadly in most cases. This cancer affects the mesothelium, a lining that protects the heart, stomach, lungs, and other organs by making a special fluid that lubricates the organs and allows them to move.

What materials and products contained asbestos?

Asbestos was used in various materials and components, including but not limited to:

--Cement

--Flooring products

--Insulation

--Steam pipes

--Gaskets

--Brakes and Clutches

--Boilers

Who could be affected by asbestos?

Many veterans could be affected by asbestos, as its wide spread usage was mandated between the 1930s and 1970s. At-risk occupations in the service include:

--Navy personnel below the deck

--Construction workers

--Shipyard workers

--Boiler room workers

--Machinery repairmen

--Literally all sailors because asbestos was used in their navigation rooms, sleeping quarters, and mess halls, just to name a few.

Possibly even more disturbing, the spouses and children of serving men and women could have been inadvertently affected due to secondary exposure from asbestos fibers carried home in uniforms and other accessories. These fibers could then be inhaled by whoever came in contact with the contaminated clothing, thereby placing that individual at risk.

Is there any compensation involved?

Unfortunately, there is no disability eligibility for serving men and women unless you can prove that the mesothelioma was due to asbestos exposure during active duty. Due to the delayed manifestation of the disease, this can be very difficult to prove. However, there may be recourse available, if you research your situation.

As a veteran of our Armed Forces, you realized many of the dangers involved in protecting this country, and again that service is very much appreciated. However, if you are suffering from lung-related issues, or feel that you may have been exposed to asbestos during your time in the service, you should see your doctor immediately. As with many cancers, mesothelioma has a better prognosis if it is detected and aggressively treated in its early stages.

The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Cancer Resource Center is focused on bringing an easy to use and extremely informative website to those searching for information on mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. With our informative videos and accurate, board-certified-oncologist reviewed articles, we trust you will find this to be a true resource.

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Asbestos and Lung Cancer

By David Hooper

Asbestos and lung cancer, yes it is true that asbestos is a major reason for the cause of this deadly disease. Before we analyze the interrelationship between asbestos and lung cancer it is necessary to understand what is asbestos and what are its health implications.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral in the form of bundled fibers. Asbestos fibers are heat and chemical resistant and are poor conductor of electricity. These qualities make it fit for commercial use. Industries use four types of Asbestos: Chrysolite or white asbestos, Crocidolite or blue asbestos, Anthophyllite or gray colored fibers and Amosite or brown colored fibers. These asbestos fibers break into tiny dust particles and thus easily inhaled or swallowed which can cause serious health disorders. Lung cancer caused from asbestos is one such example.

Health Hazards of Asbestos

Regular exposure to asbestos can result in several serious diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma cancers and asbestosis. Asbestosis is as lung disease that produces shortness of breath, coughing and permanent damage to lungs and Mesothelioma-a rare cancer of membrane covering the chest and abdomen, and cancers of larynx, oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract and kidney.

Regular exposure of asbestos results in occupational diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Since 1940, millions of American workers, working in shipbuilding companies, mining and milling of asbestos, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products, insulation in construction and building trades, and brake repair were exposed to asbestos. Demolition workers, drywall removers and firefighters are also at risk of being exposed to asbestos that may cause lung cancer in them.

Due to stringent norms and improved work practices, today's workers face negligible risks of lung cancer from asbestos. Although heavier and longer exposure time is held responsible for the risk but investigators found that brief exposures could also lead to infection. Not only the workers but also their families are at risk of asbestos diseases and lung cancer. Para occupational exposure occurs because asbestos fibers are brought into the house by means of shoes, clothing, skin and hair of workers. To avoid this exposure workers are required to take shower and change their clothing before leaving their workplace.

The difficult portion of asbestos related diseases and asbestos related lung cancer is that they can lie dormant in the body for 10-40 years before manifesting. This makes it difficult to diagnose the disease in its early stages. When the diseases are manifested and diagnosed, it is too late and chances of survival of victims are very bleak.

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

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Mesothelioma Claim

Mesothelioma Claim - Things You Need to File Your Claim

You have a right to file for a mesothelioma claim if you have been diagnosed with any asbestos-related injury. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness and most of the people who have been inflicted with this illness find themselves bed-ridden and no longer able to work. This results in a drastic change in lifestyle and financial situation that is always too much for the patient and his family to carry on their own. Not to mention the pain and physical suffering that go with it. A successful processing of mesothelioma claim will help alleviate most of that.

What is involved in the filing of this kind of a claim? The following are the steps you will have to take in filing your claim :

1. Find a good attorney who can help you file your mesothelioma claim. Any of the asbestos lawyers in your state with a specialized expertise in mesothelioma will help you with the filing of a mesothelioma claim.
2. Once you choose among the many asbestos lawyers, be sure that you provide him or her with the following information:

• Were you exposed to asbestos in your workplace? Where? When?
• Medical records that confirm your mesothelioma infliction
• Did your company inform you of the potential hazards of asbestos?
• Did your company hold you responsible for your asbestos exposure?

These things are essential in the successful filing and processing of your mesothelioma claim. When facts and documents back up your claim, asbestos lawyers would find it easy to assist you and you will surely be compensated accordingly, especially if negligence of the company you worked for is proven. The law particularly dictates that employers must all the time exercise responsibility in protecting their employees, most especially if hazardous substances like asbestos are involved in the work place.

Once asbestos lawyers have proven negligence on the part of the employer, such that no warning for risk of mesothelioma has been exercised, this can be a very good ground for a successful mesothelioma claim.

Asbestos lawyers involved in such cases must also get some evidence that you have lost your income due to this debilitating illness. This will be the basis of your compensation in your mesothelioma claim. The amount will also take into consideration the income you have lost in the past as well as possible loss in the future. In the event that a patient has already died due to asbestos exposure, his or her relatives can still file for a claim.

So, get yourself a fair mesothelioma claim by looking for any of the good asbestos lawyers in your area. Get the compensation you and your family deserve and start the healing process now.

The Asbestos Attorney Center is a great place for useful information about mesothelioma claim and asbestos lawyers in general, packed with the latest practical information about asbestos health issues and law.

Article by Karen Jacob Prime

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Jacob_Prime

Mesothelioma Patients

Caring For a Mesothelioma Patient

It is estimated that approximately 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Because the latency period (the period of time between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma) is long, people who were exposed to asbestos even decades ago are currently developing the disease. Another variable that is extremely important to a patients out look is his or her overall health at the time of diagnosis. Generally the healthier a patient is, the better he or she will react to cancer treatments, and the greater the chances of longer survival. It may take some time for the diagnosis to be made.

A mesothelioma patient is an individual who has been exposed to toxic asbestos fibers in the last fifty years. Workers in the factory, construction, custodial, automotive, railroad, and shipyard industries are all at risk for developing mesothelioma.

As a mesothelioma patient, you will confront medical costs and related financial demands in addition to the emotional and physical problems of having a serious disease. Diagnosing and treating mesothelioma is expensive. There are a number of changes that are expected to occur in a mesothelioma patient. A lung transplant is a possible treatment option for a mesothelioma patient whose respiratory health has deteriorated to a level at which doctors predict that the patient will not live long without a healthy replacement lung. However, lung transplant surgery is a major undertaking.

Some doctors and medical centers have extensive experience with treating mesothelioma patients. Some cancer centers have experience with all types of cancer. Most often, the hospice care is provided to a mesothelioma patient at his or her home, allowing patients to spend their last days in the comfort of their homes their families present.

For the caregiver of a mesothelioma patient, life will change drastically. This person will not only work tirelessly to physically tend to the mesothelioma sufferer, but will also be involved in numerous decisions about this person and their disease. Most reports indicate that the average age of a mesothelioma patient is 60.

There are groups available to support loved ones of mesothelioma patients. Consult with your doctor to find the best support groups for you and your loved ones.

Learn more about Mesothelioma and Asbestos related disease here Asbestos Related Disease as well as Mesothelioma Patient.

Article by Renee Dietz

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Renee_Dietz

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, more precisely malignant mesothelioma, is a rare form of cancer that develops from the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs, the mesothelium. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. It has also been suggested that washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases the risk of other asbestos-induced cancers.

2,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the UK and the number of people who die from it is expected to rise to a peak between 2011 and 2015. This is because the disease can take 15-40 years to develop, and blue and brown asbestos (thought to be the most likely types to cause mesothelioma) were banned only in the late 1908s.

There are different reasons that make diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer in its early stages really difficult. The first reason is the symptoms. Mesothelioma cancer symptoms can have a latency period from 20 to 50 years after the first exposure to asbestos, which only means that by the time the symptoms start showing up, the cancer is already in its advanced stage. Even when the symptoms are already present, the diagnosis remains to be a slow process. This is because there are different diseases that mirror the signs and symptoms found in patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, and because of this, this disease is often the last stop - often when the patient does not mention about the possibility of asbestos exposure.

One study found those 3 years after diagnosis, 1 in 10 people had survived, and after 5 years, survival rate was 1 in 20. However, other studies found a much better survival rate, with one study finding that 1 in 3 mesothelioma patients survived for 5 or more years, although this study only looked at people with epithelioid type tumors.

There is currently no cure for mesothelioma, but a range of drugs and treatments such as chemotherapy can help to delay the symptoms of the disease.

An Intricate Form of Cancer

Mesothelioma is an intricate form of cancer that grows in the covering around the lungs, heart, and abdomen. The disease is caused due to harmful mineral asbestos. Exposure to asbestos in the workplace, in schools where asbestos is used in the walls, at home while washing clothes with asbestos can lead to this dreadful disease. The most bizarre thing is that it is diagnosed after many years of exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is a cluster of minerals that is present in nature. It is remarkably resistant to heat. It was used on a large scale in various industries due its resourcefulness and power. Asbestos contact, in 80% cases is responsible for the dangerous disease. Asbestos when heated releases fibres in the atmosphere. These fibres enter the membrane of lungs and lead to the development of deformed cancer cells.

This hostile cancer is of three types, Pleural-mesothelioma which affects the area around the lungs. The signs are huskiness, continual cough followed by pain in chest many times diagnosed as pneumonia. Pericardial-mesothelioma disturbs the membrane of the heart. Uneven heart beat, pain in the chest, low energy, are common symptoms. Peritonial-Mesthelioma crashes the lines of abdominal cavity resulting in soreness and unrestrained cancer cell growth.

The diagnosis of the disease can be done by x-rays and through scanning. A detailed check up of the patient is carried out to detect the growth of the cancer cells. Biopsy is the definite test for more accuracy as in this a tissue of the body is carefully studied with the help of microscope. Mesomark is a latest and unbeaten blood test for perfect diagnosis of this disease. Once the extent of the disease is confirmed the treatment can be started by the doctor.

The disease can be treated by several methods. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are commonly recommended. Combination of two or more treatments is preferred at most of the times. In many cases the diagnosis is too late for surgery. Efforts are now being made by doctors to increase the life span of the patients with new innovative treatments like angiogenesis, gene therapy, and immunotherapy.

Mesothlioma disease treatment is very expensive. For those who lost their earning members or those who are going through the trauma of this ailment, it is difficult to manage fees for the cure. In this case it is always good to seek consultation of an attorney. Attorneys help the victims to get their compensation from companys for hospital fees, chemotherapy, surgery treatments and expenses for burial.

Article By Shailesh Vyas

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shailesh_Vyas

Overview of Malignant Mesothelioma

Over a period of time, the world has witnessed variations of a disease that is caused by the frequent inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers - mesothelioma. The asbestos fibers are known to get lodged within the lung tissues. A variety of related diseases are caused due to prolonged and constant exposure to asbestos like malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The most fatal of these diseases is mesothelioma, which culminates in death.

Malignant mesothelioma attacks the membranes and lining of large cavities in our body. The serous cavities houses important and major bodily organs like lungs, heart and abdomen. The serous membranes surround the cavities and protect these organs from abrasion and friction specially during the functioning of the organs like heart beating and breathing. The specialised cells are referred to as mesothelial cells which form the mesothelium which is the tissue layer of serous membranes. The cancer which occurs in this tissue is referred to as mesothelioma.

In case of pericardial mesothelioma, the lining which surrounds the heart is affected. In case of pleural mesothlioma which is the most widespread form of malignant mesothelioma, the lung cavity is affected. Nowadays, mesothelioma is considered as cancerous or malignant. They actually begin as a small tumour and then rapidly spread to the various organs and tissues.

It is very difficult to detect asbestos symptoms, especially when the disease is in its early stages. The abnormalities that develop when the disease begins may not appear in the x-ray of the lungs. It is only at a much-advanced stage of mesothelioma or asbestosis that the abnormalities appear distinct and more prominent.

The symptoms of this disease are not noticeable up to fifty years from the first instance the person was exposed to the asbestos fibers. The symptoms depend largely on the kind of mesothelioma it is. A person suffering from this disease may experience chest pain, dyspnoea, weight loss, anemia, swelling, bowel problems, night sweats, fever and persistent cough.

The treatment options will vary depending on the kind of asbestos disease the patient is suffering from. Mesothelioma can be treated with the appropriate surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is another very serious asbestos disease. The symptoms of this disease are not noticeable up to fifty years from the first instance the person was exposed to the asbestos fibers. The symptoms depend largely on the kind of mesothelioma it is. A person suffering from this disease may experience chest pain, dyspnoea, weight loss, anemia, swelling, bowel problems, night sweats, fever and persistent cough.

It is very difficult to detect asbestos symptoms, especially when the disease is in its early stages. The abnormalities that develop when the disease begins may not appear in the x-ray of the lungs. It is only at a much-advanced stage of mesothelioma or asbestosis that the abnormalities appear distinct and more prominent.

In advanced asbestosis, the chest x-ray will be able to show up the abnormalities and the evident opacity in the affected lung. These symptoms could appear as linear shadows that the x-ray will reveal.

The treatment options will vary depending on the kind of asbestos disease the patient is suffering from. Mesothelioma can be treated with the appropriate surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Recent Study Reveals Treatment Factors Associated With Long Term Survival for Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer which, like pleural mesothelioma, is caused by exposure to asbestos. Instead of attacking the pleura that surrounds the lung, this type of mesothelioma attacks the lining which surrounds the organs of the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma is very rare, accounting for only approximately 500 of the 2,500 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed per year.

Prior studies have revealed that treatment utilizing cytoreductive surgery to remove all visible tumor in combination with intraoperative or perioperative high-dose regional chemotherapy to kill any remaining tumor cells offers the best prognosis and has become the standard of care in treating peritoneal mesothelioma.

In an effort to identify the factors that contribute to long term survival, an analysis of 211 cases of peritoneal mesothelioma from 1992 and 2010 was performed by doctors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Patients treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy showed median survival of 38.4 months, with 41% surviving at least 5 years, and 26% surviving to 10 years. The use of the chemotherapy agent Cisplatin resulted in prolonged survival in all patient groups over the use of mitomycin-C which in the past was the most common agent used.

Women tended to respond better to the treatment than men. Age and completeness of resection or tumor removal also contributed to the most favorable response. Ultimately, the stage of the disease played a key role in patients’ response to treatment.

Peritoneal mesothelioma tends to offer a better prognosis than pleural mesothelioma due to the location of the disease which is surgically more accessible, but if left untreated is just as aggressive as pleural mesothelioma. Patients exhibiting the longest survival rate had regular post treatment follow-up and additional treatment at the onset

of any recurrence of the disease.

Read the full abstract here.

Peritoneal patient profiles:

• Tammy Jordan - 13 Year Survivor
• Michael Winkelman - 11 Year Survivor
• Paul Zygielbaum - 10 Year Survivor
• Sue Huff - 7 Year Survivor
• Tom Bradford - 5 Year Survivor