How do you know if you have got mesothelioma?

Being a rare form of cancer, Mesothelioma cannot be easily diagnosed. Because of its symptoms which resemble those of common ailments and diseases, mesothelioma is not readily recognized and most of the time, doctors are also not familiar with the disease. Another reason for difficulty in diagnosis of this cancer is its long latency period. The symptoms take around 20-50 years to appear. By the time they appear and the patient goes to the doctor for problems s/he is having, they forget to mention they have had exposure to asbestos in the past.

In most of the cases, by the time proper tests were run and the patient was diagnosed with mesothelioma, it was too late to do anything worthwhile and save the patients’ life

What percent of a settlement would the lawyer receive in a lawsuit for mesothelioma?

It would depend on what type of litigation is involved. Cancer from asbestos poisoning has long been at the fore of the legal community and has been handled as class action suits and on an individual basis. The usual attorney fee involved is between 33 - 40 % plus any out-of-pocket expenses for the lawyer.

How to take good care of Mesothelioma Patient

Mesothelioma Is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. These fibers under a microcope will show barbs similar to a fishook. there is no way to remove them or to correct the condition. I feel terrible having to say this to you, but all you can do is to stay close to patient and tell him/her every day how much you love and appreciate him/her. I worked in asbestos abatement for years, and through that training I learned what I do know about the condition. I'm certainly not a doctor.

Is money awarded to you in a mesothelioma lawsuit taxable?

Awards and settlements due to physical injury and physical illness are tax free.
Any part of the award that is for interest, lost wages, or punitive damages is fully taxable IF those amounts are stated separately.

How can you verify information on mesothelioma?

I claim no expertise in environmental medicine, but the first page of the blog looks genuine to me.
Your cousin may be entitled to compensation for negligence.
You have probably seen ads on TV that certain law groups want you to call them. I often wonder if the attorneys benefit from these class action lawsuits more than the victim. At least investigate other sources of compensation first.
Actually, the mesoblog's website cautions against responding to TV commercials and billboard ads. The page on legal advice is reasonable.

lternative treatment to cure and survive mesothelioma asbestos cancer

The ONLY treatment I've ever seen work (and work often!) is the Immuno Augmentive Therapy (IAT) Clinic in Freeport Grand Bahamas. They are run by British and Bahamian medical doctors, and are in my opinion by far the best alternative cancer treatment center in the world.
For some reason, their treatment (small injections you take several times a day containing immune system proteins) works especially well with mesothelioma, and they are well known for treating it, and often get referrels from Stateside and British MD.s.

What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is nothing but a cancer of mesothelium.Mesothelioma is predominantly noticed in pleura [the lining that covers the chest cavity and the lung]. The pericardium [the covering of the heart] and peritoneum [the covering of the abdominal cavity] are also affected by this dangerous cancerous growth.

Asbestosis - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Asbestosis

Asbestosis, also referred to as diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, is an occupational lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. (Asbestos fibers were commonly used in construction before 1975.) Asbestosis is a progressive, irreversible, restrictive lung disease. Find out about the signs, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention of asbestosis.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) is a non-profit organization that funds research into the cancer mesothelioma and engages in lobbying for asbestos related legislation.

To date, the Foundation has funded over $5 million in clinical research and organizes the annual International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma.