In 2010, the U.S. Congress first declared September 26th as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Mesothelioma is a devastating disease, a type of cancer of the tissue that lines the lungs, abdomen, and other organs. The main cause of this hard-hitting cancer is asbestos exposure, making awareness key to prevention and early diagnosis.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that forms in the thin lining of your body covering your internal organs – the mesothelium. Pleural Mesothelioma develops in the tissue around the lungs, while Peritoneal Mesothelioma develops in the tissue in the abdomen. The symptoms will vary depending on where the cancer develops.
- Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma include:
- Shortness of breath,
- Chest pain,
- Persistent and painful coughing,
- Unexplained weight loss,
- Fatigue, and
- Unusual lumps under the skin on your chest.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
The symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma include:
- Abdominal pain,
- Nausea,
- Swelling of the abdomen,
- Unexplained weight loss, and
- Fatigue
There are other rare forms of Mesothelioma, such as Pericardial Mesothelioma, which develops around the heart lining, and Mesothelioma of Tunica Vaginalis, which develops in the tissue around the testicles. However, the primary risk factor for developing all forms of Mesothelioma is a personal history of asbestos exposure.
- Mesothelioma Treatment
The treatment your doctor will recommend for Mesothelioma will depend on the location of the cancer, its stage, and your health. Often Mesothelioma isn't diagnosed for decades and only in later stages of the cancer, making treatment difficult. Treatment options may include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies that attack cancer cells' vulnerabilities.
Mesothelioma Awareness Day
National Mesothelioma Awareness Day aims to bring awareness, attention, and funding to the treatment and prevention of Mesothelioma. The nonprofit Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation started this campaign in 2004, and Congress formally recognized the day in 2010.
To help this year, the Mesothelioma Foundation has a webpage with a list of ways you can support the cause, including:
- Paint the world mesothelioma blue by wearing blue and sharing photos,
- Share social media posts from advocates like the Mesothelioma Foundation,
- Update your Facebook profile with a Mesothelioma Awareness Day frame,
- Ask your state or locality to provide a Mesothelioma Awareness Day proclamation,
- Contact the local media and pitch a story about Mesothelioma Awareness Day, and
- Take photos of landmarks that light up blue on September 26th.
Call the Cheek Law Firm
If you or a loved one faces a Mesothelioma diagnosis from asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to compensation. Give the Cheek Law Firm a call today and set up a free consultation to discuss your legal options. Contact us at 504-304-4333 or online.