New medical research, which has isolated a gene that appears to protect against lung cancer, has been welcomed by Asbestos campaigners as a potentially massive breakthrough.
Mesothelioma, which is caused by ingesting asbestos dust, has resulted in the deaths of many former manual workers in the UK. Around 2000 people every year are diagnosed with the disease, resulting in a great cost to the NHS and terrible suffering for patients, who have to undergo chemotherapy and other cancer battling medical procedures.
Breakthrough offers hope
Ed Yong from Cancer Research UK commented that: “This study fills in another example of the lung cancer puzzle.
The families of mesothelioma victims also welcomed the news and hoped that the breakthrough would also lead to progress in isolating a gene which will protect against the asbestos related disease.
“This breakthrough could have very significant implications for research into mesothelioma.
Personal injury claims
Mesothelioma is one of the foremost causes of personal injury claims related to work in the UK and many thousands of families have won compensation from their loved-ones former employers.
Patricia Eccles washed her husband Alfred’s clothes regularly for 10 years and the dust that built up on the ex-pipe fitters uniform caused her to develop the disease.
“I’m angry with the company and myself, and feel guilty since Patricia caught the disease from my clothes. Eccles.
With the destruction caused each year by the disease, it is vital that progress is made towards preventing future cases and this looks more likely after this research according to Anne Craig.
“I think this may possibly potentially be great news for those with mesothelioma, plus their loved ones,” she added.
Mesothelioma Survival – What Are the probability?
Every year, about 3000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States alone.
However, this kind of cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages. Once it is detected and diagnosed, it is oftentimes in its advanced stage and too late for a definitive cure. According to reliable sources, less than 10% of mesothelioma sufferers get the chance to survive more than 5 years, while about 40% of sufferers survive more than a year after diagnosis.
* The current stage of the cancer. The stages of mesothelioma range from Stage One, which primarily means that the tumor is localized in the chest lining, to Stage Four, meaning that the tumor has spread to other critical organs.
* The histology (cell structure and type) of the cancer. Mesothelioma cancer can come as epithelial, which has better prognosis, sarcomatoid, biphasic or desmoplastic.
The malignant forms of mesothelioma are oftentimes diagnosed in sufferers above the age of 55.
* The size and location of the tumor (whether the tumor is operable or not.)
* The extent of the symptoms, such as whether fluid buildup has been observed in the lungs or abdomen.
Mesothelioma is a serious condition which demands immediate medical attention. Although there is no proven cure for mesothelioma, various treatment options are available to prevent the disease from spreading and also to reduce pain and distress for the victim.
These treatment options may increase the chances for mesothelioma survival. According to various studies, victims administered with chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, or a combination of any two or three, have a survival rate of at least 18 months after undertaking the procedures.
Today, many experimental treatments are being evaluated right through the world in controlled clinical trials. These include Photodynamic Therapy, Immunotherapy, Heat Therapy and Gene Therapy.
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