Cancer Information

Article Navigation

Click Here for more articles

Mesothelioma - Catch It Early To Avoid Big Trouble

by: Rick Hendershot

Many people have never heard of Mesothelioma and are unaware of its symptoms. Although considered a rare form of cancer, each year the number of cases grows. With the prevalence of this disease on the rise, it is critical to understand why and how Mesothelioma develops and what courses of action can be taken in the event of diagnosis. The following are some questions and answers that will provide you with information on Mesothelioma.

**What is Mesothelioma?**

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. The organs most commonly affected are the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. The most common form of Mesothelioma is Pleural Mesothelioma -- cancer of the lung lining. But cancerous cells are also found in the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and the lining around the heart (the pericardium).

**What causes Mesothelioma?**

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is often found in building materials used before the mid 1970�s. In addition, materials such as pipes, boiler insulation, floor, ceiling and roof tiles may contain asbestos. It is believed that even insignificant exposure to asbestos in environments such as asbestos mills, mines, shipping yards, some older Navy ships or even in patient's homes can result in mesothelioma. In many cases mesothelioma does not occur for decades after initial exposure to this cancer-causing asbestos. 2000-3000 cases of mesothelioma per year are currently being diagnosed. Family members of workers exposed to asbestos can also contract this disease through exposure to the worker's clothing. Like many other cancers, smoking greatly increases the risk of contracting mesothelioma.

**How much asbestos exposure will cause Mesothelioma?**

Generally, the probability of developing this form of cancer is directly related to the length of time you are exposed to asbestos. The health risk also increases with the intensity of the exposure to asbestos.

However, an exposure of as little as one or two months can result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. At the age of 48, Canadian Member of Parliament Chuck Strahl, was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma and traces the cause back to changing brake pads on logging equipment after he graduated from high school. Strahl's case is a good example of the fact that Mesothelioma has a latency period of anywhere from 20 to 50 years. Like thousands of others he developed the disease long after his exposure to asbestos.

**What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?**

Mesothelioma is a very subtle form of cancer providing only a few noticeable symptoms until it becomes extremely advanced. 75% of all mesolthelioma cases are Pleural mesothelioma - cancer of the lung lining. This type of cancer causes shortness of breath and/or chronic coughing that can easily be mistaken for allergies or a common cold. Mesothelioma is often discovered by accident when patients are being examined for these common symptoms. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include: chest pain, shortness of breath, chronic coughing that worsens over time, fatigue, wheezing, lung infection, hoarseness, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, chest or abdominal pain or blood in the phlegm from the lungs when coughing

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines and can be just as dangerous and deadly. Symptoms of Peritoneal mesothelioma include: pain or swelling in the abdomen, weight loss, bowel obstruction (blockage in the large or small intestines), anemia (reduced number of red blood cells) , and fever.

The onset of Mesothelioma is usually quite slow. Patients will begin to experience symptoms such as lower back pain and chest pain. Unfortunately, once Mesothelioma develops, it quickly becomes aggressive and treatment must be sought immediately.

**Can Mesothelioma be treated?**

Unfortunately, by the time most infected people become aware they have mesothelioma it has ceased being dormant and becomes extremely aggressive. Once it is no longer dormant, this type of cancer can travel quickly, and this makes it almost impossible to stop.

While there are treatments that are available in order to keep the patient comfortable, there is currently no cure for Mesothelioma, and as many as 75% of those who develop the disease will lose their life within one year. The remainder may last for up to an additional six months. Among the treatments that are used in order to reduce the effects of the disease are oxygen, postural drainage and pain killers. A wide range of treatment approaches are being tested, ranging from attempts to fortify the body's natural immune system to gene therapy which tries to attack the problem at the DNA level to homeopathy, herbs and acupuncture. But none have yet been shown to be very effective once the disease reaches the aggressive stage.

Given the generally poor prognosis for people who do not catch the disease in time, early detection is the best defence against Mesothelioma. If you have worked in an industry such as construction or suspect that you may have been exposed to asbestos, be alert for symptoms and contact your doctor immediately. Like all forms of cancer, detecting Mesothelioma at the earliest stage possible greatly increases your chances for survival.

About the author:
For more information about the early detection of Mesothelioma visit ==> Rick Hendershot is a writer and publisher of Linknet Promo Articles at and Power Listings at

Circulated by Article Emporium

Read Articles:

Is Common Sense or Research Needed to Cure Cancer?

How to care for yourself during Breast Cancer R...

Mesothelioma And Asbestos - The Killer Connection

Just How Dangerous is Asbestos?

All About Green Tea And Polyphenols

Mesothelioma � Your Basic Information

Mesothelioma: Symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancer

Can You Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

Cancer Diet - The Role of Fibre

Mesothelioma Cancer

Battling cancer

Sunlight for Your Life

Eating your way to a healthy body !!

Helping Someone With Cancer

Selenium May Help to Prevent Prostate Cancer

What Is Mesothelioma?

Cancer - The Missing Point

How to Cope With Cancer

The Importance Of Asbestos Disease Information

Mesothelioma - Catch It Early To Avoid Big Trouble

What Are The Four Stages of Mesothelioma Cancer?

You Can Stop Smoking

Honeybee Propolis: Good for Bees and Good for You

Leukemia 101 what you need to know about

How Second Hand Smoke Threatens Your Health

Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma: A Deadly Curse Of Asb...

Mammograms Are No Joke - They Can Save Lives

Mesothelioma: A Deadly Lung Cancer

Why Child Bearing Is Healthy

5 Myths About Protecting Yourself from Skin Cancer

Cancer and Chlorine

What treatments are currently being used for vi...

Mesothelioma - An Introduction

Dangers Of Smoking

Alternative medicine in food- Shallots

Acid Reflux/Heartburn - Simple Steps to Relief

Protect Against Mesothelioma by Avoiding Asbestos

Diseases of the Colon Caused by Constipation an...

Easy Steps to Prevent Mesothelioma

All about quercitin

Overall Risk of Cancer Cut By 37%...

The Power of the Pomegranate

Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye ?

Exercise for Immunity

Mesothelioma - Is Cancer Hibernating in You?

How Your Smoking Affects Your Loved Ones

Silent Death�Are You at Risk?

The Facts about Pericardial Mesothelioma

The Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Wonder Food For Women!

Light One Little Candle

Smoking Facts and Figures

Dr. Raymond Rife and His Miracle Machine

Can Washington Mesothelioma Attorneys Help My C...

Women�s Health: Cervical Smears

Mesothelioma Treatment

Keep Your Colon Clean

Why You Should Burn Body Fat.

Asbestos: Cause Of Deadly Mesothelioma

Press ReleasePrestigious Doctor Joins Comprehen...

More Article Pages 1 - 2 - 3

Cancer Diet - Minerals
by: Marilyn Bennett

A cancer diet needs a good balance of minerals because minerals are needed by all cells for proper function. Patients are often found to be mineral deficient, so this is an area of the diet that needs particular attention.

There are two classes of minerals. Macrominerals, such as the well known calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus, and microminerals, such as boron, chromium, copper, iron, iodine, germanium, sulfur, silicon, vanadium, zinc, manganese and molybdenum.

The good news is we will get most of the minerals we need, provided we are eating a diet based on a wide variety of fruits and veggies, with the addition of nuts, seeds and grains.

Where we can get in to trouble is that minerals are washed out of soils with constant rain, and modern fertilizers don't usually contain the wide variety of minerals we need. Organic gardeners usually use rock minerals on their soils and this results in organic produce have a much higher and broader range of minerals.

Germanium is one micromineral that cancer patients are often low on. It is essential for immune function and is critical to tissue oxygenation. Cancer grows rapidly where there is low oxygenation of cells. Germanium is found in broccoli, celery, garlic, onions, rhubarb, sauerkraut and tomato juice as well as aloevera and ginseng.

Iodine deficiency has been linked to breast cancer in more than one study. Seasalt contains iodine and a variety of minerals rather than the isolated highly processed iodine additive in table salt. Asparagus, garlic, lima beans, soybeans, sesame seeds all contain natural iodine along with the nutrients needed for good absorption.

Large amounts of brassicas eg brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, along with peaches, pears and spinach can block absorption of iodine, so ensure there is a balance of iodine rich foods in your diet.

Selenium has been linked to cancer. Selenium and Vitamin E work together to attack free radicals. Selenium is critical for pancreatic function, and pancreatic enzymes are critical to the bodies ability to fight tumour activity. This mineral is generally found in meat and grains, however countries such as New Zealand and much of America is known to have selenium deficient soils.

As there have been several studies showing that good selenium levels have significantly reduced the risk of cancer, this is one mineral you want to have enough of.

Food sources that should be included frequently in a cancer diet are: brazil nuts, broccoli, brown rice, brewers yeast, chicken, kelp, onions, salmon, seafood, tuna, wheatgerm and whole grains. Garlic, chamomile, ginseng and parsley are all easy to use concentrated forms that can be added to the diet daily.

A couple of warnings:

Be very careful about self-dosing with minerals as several of them will block absorption of others if the dose is too high.

Again, eating a variety of foods, with particular notice taken of those that have high mineral levels is the safest way to go. If you wish to explore mineral supplementation further, talk to your naturopath or nutritionist. But whatever you do, don't ignore the importance of these vital elements to your well being.

This Static Spot is open for sponsor

This Static Spot is open for sponsor