Mesothelioma Caregivers at Risk for Depression
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Mesothelioma Caregivers at Risk for Depression

ByHolly Zink

People who care for someone with malignant pleural mesothelioma are at risk for depression and trouble attending work. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. Most patients with mesothelioma are elderly and male. Treatment for mesothelioma is difficult and the five-year survival rate is poor. A MPM diagnosis is extremely difficult for a family. Both the patient and their caregivers can feel hopelessness and uncertainty. Mesothelioma Caregivers at Risk Researchers from the United Kingdom wanted to find out how taking care of someone with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) affects the person who takes care of them. The researchers wanted to know things like who the…

Meeting the Needs of Mesothelioma Patients and Caregivers
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Meeting the Needs of Mesothelioma Patients and Caregivers

ByHolly Zink

A study published earlier this year found that mesothelioma patients and their caregivers have many unmet support needs. Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the lining of organs like the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. Most patients with mesothelioma are elderly and male. Treatment for mesothelioma is difficult and the five-year survival rate is poor. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating for a family. Patients and their caregivers can experience hopelessness, blame, and psychological distress. They also face uncertainty around financial issues and medical concerns. The painful symptoms of mesothelioma are a huge source of stress, as well. There is not much information currently available about the psychosocial support needs of people living with mesothelioma and…

Bill Will Support Firefighters with Mesothelioma
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Bill Will Support Firefighters with Mesothelioma

ByAlex Strauss

A New Hampshire legislator is pushing to fund a mandate that would help support firefighters who contract malignant mesothelioma. A U.S. Fire Administration/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study of nearly 30,000 firefighters released last October found that firefighters are diagnosed with mesothelioma at twice the rate of the general public. This is believed to be due to their inadvertent on-the-job exposure to asbestos, the cause of mesothelioma. According to the report, “Given that asbestos is the only known causal agent for malignant mesothelioma, and firefighter exposures are probable, the excess is likely to be a causal association.” A group called the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire has worked with State Representative Laura Pantelokas, D-Portsmouth, to introduce…