Understanding Survival in Asbestos-Linked Cancers: How Asbestos Exposure Matters

Understanding Survival in Asbestos-Linked Cancers: How Asbestos Exposure Matters

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos, and it’s tough to beat. But, some people with this cancer live longer than expected. A recent study in a science journal called Toxics looked at patients with mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer. All of them had been around asbestos between 2009 and 2021. The Hidden Impact of Asbestos The study found some interesting things. People who got exposed to asbestos at work not only lived for a shorter time but also had lower chances of surviving longer. This compares to those who were around asbestos in the environment. They found that the longer someone worked with asbestos and the closer they were to it, the less time they lived with both…

Decoding the BAP1 Gene: How Family History Can Influence Tumor Risks
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Decoding the BAP1 Gene: How Family History Can Influence Tumor Risks

A group of doctors and scientists from Europe and the UK got together to create guidelines to help people with changes to their BAP1 gene. This gene helps prevent tumors in our bodies. Changes in this gene can make people more likely to get different kinds of tumors, like mesothelioma. These changes run in families and are passed down from parents. BAP1 Gene Changes and Their Link to Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure, but having certain BAP1 gene changes can make someone more susceptible to this disease. These gene changes are passed down in families and can be tested for. If someone has the gene change, their family members can also…

Promising Drugs for Controlling Mesothelioma Growth
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Promising Drugs for Controlling Mesothelioma Growth

A team of researchers are looking for ways to see if they could slow down the growth of mesothelioma cells. They tested two drugs called auranofin and palbociclib to stop mesothelioma from spreading in a patient’s body. The team is from the Minneapolis VA Health Care System and the University of Minnesota. Advancing Treatment Options for Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Most cases of mesothelioma are pleural (about 2,000 cases a year in the U.S.) and peritoneal (less than 1,000 cases a year in the U.S.). Pleural mesothelioma is found in the lungs while peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the abdominal cavity. The usual treatment involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Immunotherapy…

Italy’s Battle Against Mesothelioma: National Case Tracking
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Italy’s Battle Against Mesothelioma: National Case Tracking

A study by Italian researchers shows how tracking mesothelioma cases at a national level can help to measure the impact of asbestos exposure. Unveiling the Toll of Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer, and it is also rare. The cancer grows in the lining of internal organs like the lungs. It is hard to diagnose and treat, and the outlook for patients is usually poor. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been found throughout the world. It used to be widely used in construction and manufacturing before its toxic effects were discovered. Many countries banned the use of asbestos, but other countries continue to use this dangerous material. How…

Mesothelioma: Unraveling the Impact of Asbestos Exposure and Predicting Future Trends
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Mesothelioma: Unraveling the Impact of Asbestos Exposure and Predicting Future Trends

Mesothelioma cases have been decreasing around the world over the past 30 years, finds researchers from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The Changing Landscape of Mesothelioma Their goal was to look at how the burden of mesothelioma has changed over time and make predictions about future trends. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is hard to diagnose and treat. It is caused by exposure to a toxic mineral called asbestos. There are different types of mesotheliomas depending on where in the body it develops. Mesothelioma that grows in the lining of the lungs is called pleural mesothelioma. When it grows in the lining of the abdominal cavity, it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has also been found around…

Genetic Counseling for Mesothelioma: What You Need to Know
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Genetic Counseling for Mesothelioma: What You Need to Know

People with a family history of thoracic cancers like mesothelioma should think about getting genetic counseling. This is the recommendation of researchers from the United States and the United Kingdom. They explored what we know about how changes in a person’s genes passed down through their family can increase their chances of developing cancer. The Power of Genetic Knowledge Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. It most often occurs in the lungs or in the abdominal cavity. With the best conventional treatments, people with this cancer typically have a median survival of a little over a year for mesothelioma in the lungs and about five years for mesothelioma in the abdomen. There is…

International Mesothelioma Risk for Workers with Asbestos Exposure

International Mesothelioma Risk for Workers with Asbestos Exposure

Workers around the world are still at risk for asbestos exposure, finds a study conducted by a team of researchers from Brazil. This is concerning because asbestos is very toxic to humans. It can cause mesothelioma and other related diseases in people who inhale or ingest the small fibers. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that can take decades to appear after a person is exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been used since ancient times. It is fire-proof, nearly impossible to corrode, and can be woven into other materials. In modern times, asbestos is often used in manufacturing and construction. Because it is so toxic, many countries around the world have banned the use of asbestos. But there are still other…

Mesothelioma and the Importance of Asbestos Disposal Management
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Mesothelioma and the Importance of Asbestos Disposal Management

Asbestos disposal is important to preventing cases of malignant mesothelioma. A review by an international team of researchers outlines three ways that asbestos can be managed safely. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found around the world. It was very popular as a manufacturing material because it is impossible to set on fire or corrode, and it can be woven into other materials. Since it is found naturally in the ground, it is also a cheap material. Despite these attractive qualities, asbestos is dangerous because it is toxic and causes cancer. It is classified as a known human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the International Agency for…

New Tool Measures Past Exposure to Asbestos
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New Tool Measures Past Exposure to Asbestos

A new Italian study supports the most reliable tool for determining past exposure to asbestos. The study has confirmed what thousands of mesothelioma patients already know. Exposure to asbestos puts them at high risk for malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been found throughout the world. It was once called the “magic mineral” because of its seemingly magical properties. Because of its heat-resistant properties, it served as an insulator in factories, schools, homes, and ships. Thousands of workers have come in contact with the material daily, in some cases, for decades. Asbestos is toxic and cancer-causing for human beings. It causes mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of…

Amount of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Survival
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Amount of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Survival

Many clinical researchers have asked the question: “Does the amount of asbestos exposure affect prognosis?” But every researcher comes to a slightly different conclusion. Many have looked at this question. But few can agree on the answer. Recently there were two articles in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology that proposed two opposite endings on this topic. One said that “the amount of asbestos in the lungs may directly correlate with shorter survival in patients with mesothelioma.” And the other said, “the amount of asbestos in the lungs does not influence survival.” A new article in the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer compares notes from all the different studies. Dr. Michele Carbone from the University of Hawaii Cancer…