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

ByHolly Zink

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…

Predicting the Risk of Death from Mesothelioma
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Predicting the Risk of Death from Mesothelioma

ByAlex Strauss

New research suggests that the risk of death from mesothelioma does not always hinge on disease type or overall health. Researchers in Brazil and at Mayo Clinic have identified some subtle mesothelioma risk factors that only pathologists can see. These factors go beyond the characteristics of the mesothelioma cells themselves. The study shows the environment around the tumor, the number and type of immune system cells at the tumor site, and even how many cells are in the tumor can all impact the risk of death from mesothelioma.  Understanding the Risk Factors for Mesothelioma Asbestos exposure causes most cases of mesothelioma. But not everyone who encounters asbestos gets cancer. Genes and certain lifestyle factors may influence whether an exposed person…

Drinking and Mesothelioma Risk: How Much is Too Much?
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Drinking and Mesothelioma Risk: How Much is Too Much?

ByAlex Strauss

The findings of a major new study on cancer and alcohol suggest there may be an even stronger link between drinking and mesothelioma risk than previously thought. The Japanese study included more than 120,000 drinkers and non-drinkers. It tracked which participants got any type of cancer over a 15 year period. Cancer diagnoses were correlated with participants’ drinking habits.  The report found that even light drinkers faced a higher incidence of cancers like malignant mesothelioma. It is one of the largest studies to connect cancer incidence, drinking and mesothelioma risk.  Even Light to Moderate Drinkers Face Risk Scientists have known about the connection between drinking and mesothelioma risk for some time. But the problem of alcohol consumption and cancer had…