Suicide Prevention in Mesothelioma

Suicide Prevention in Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Cancer patients who receive surgery have a higher risk of suicide up to three years after their treatment. Researchers from Massachusetts and California looked at data from 1,811,397 patients between 2000 and 2016. Patients who receive cancer surgery should be closely monitored for psychological distress. Social support from family, friends, and peers can help, too. Psychological Effects of Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of internal organs like the lungs. The current treatment options can be invasive and may not be effective. It can be a lonely disease for caregivers and patients. Only about 2,500 Americans receive a mesothelioma diagnosis each year making it one of the rarest types of cancer. In many cases,…

New Tool to Measure Mesothelioma Stress

New Tool to Measure Mesothelioma Stress

ByHolly Zink

Researchers from Italy have created a tool to measure psychological distress in patients with malignant mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It is unique among cancers because of the combination of medical, psychological, social, and legal factors. The clinical characteristics of mesothelioma can make this disease especially difficult for patients and families. It can take decades for symptoms to appear, and they are often difficult to treat. Because of this, the prognosis usually is not very good for patients. The fact that asbestos exposure typically occurs at work is also difficult for patients to deal with. Unlike other cancers, mesothelioma patients can blame governments or companies for their disease. This can lead to feelings of…