Category: Featured News
On-Line Voting Is Open for the Mesothelioma Help Scholarship Contest
The judges have selected the top five essays in this year’s “Jan Egerton and Don Smitley Mesothelioma Scholarship,” and now the public can help select the order of the finalists. The public voting period runs through Nov.17.
College students from across the United States submitted essays about the history of asbestos, treatments for mesothelioma, and personal stories of mesothelioma patients. With 128 essays submitted, the judges spent countless hours reading and re-reading them.
The essays were judged by Jennifer Gelsick, whose father Don Smitley, one of the scholarship’s namesakes, lost his battle to mesothelioma last year, and Lisa Hyde-Barrett, a thoracic surgery nurse. Both of them write for “Faces of Mesothelioma,” offering differing insights into life with mesothelioma.
“Being a judge for the scholarship contest was an honor for me,” said Jennifer. “It was humbling to see how hard each contestant worked on their essay. I learned a lot about the history of mesothelioma and I enjoyed reading the personal stories that were shared.”
The top five finalists are:
- Erienne Overli – University of Nevada, Reno
- Fernando Salazar – University of New Mexico
- Jennifer Schnalzer – Rockland Community College
- Justin Hellier – Irvine Valley College
- Samantha Robeson – University of Delaware
This year’s top five finalists will use social media to garner votes to help them win a share of the scholarship money. In addition to helping with the cost of education, the scholarship organizers hope to spread the word of the dangers of asbestos and to educate college students and their families about mesothelioma.
“I do think the contest helps to spread awareness of the toll mesothelioma takes on families,” said Lisa. “The contest assures that the next generation has a base of informed students to continue to bring awareness to the disease.”
The scholarship prizes are:
- $5,000 – First Prize
- $2,500 – Second Prize
- $1,250 – Third Prize
- $500 – Fourth Prize
- $250 – Fifth Prize
- $100 – Honorable Mention (there are five Honorable Mention awards)
The finalists and honorable mention winners will be notified of their prizes at the end of the public voting period.
“I hope that you all realize how important it is to educate others on the dangers of asbestos and how mesothelioma impacts the lives of so many,” said Jennifer, when asked what message she has for the contestants. “It is an extremely important message that needs to be spread. Thank you on behalf of my family and the entire mesothelioma community.”
Mesothelioma Help is one of the Web’s primary resources for information on malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. The website provides in-depth coverage of the disease, as well as detailed information about the available diagnostic procedures and treatment options for mesothelioma sufferers.
See Mesothelioma Help to vote for your favorite essay.
Physicians Look for Clues About Why Women with Mesothelioma Live Longer
Mesothelioma is a long, hard battle for all who are involved with the diagnosis. Recent research may provide hope for women and men.
Earlier this year, the Annals of Thoracic Surgery reported women live longer with mesothelioma than men, even when they took into account factors like age at the time of diagnosis, the stage in which patients were diagnosed, and the treatment they received.
Researchers from Mount Sinai Health System and the Department of Population Health at North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital reviewed the records of more than 14,200 mesothelioma patients diagnosed between 1973 and 2009. Twenty-two percent were women. They looked at factors that can impact treatment outcomes:
- Age
- Year of diagnosis
- Race
- Disease stage
- Cancer-directed surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Vital stats (such as marriage status, number of children)
Overall, women with mesothelioma were found to live longer—as much as 13 percent longer. It’s logical to wonder if female hormones play a positive role in disease survival and if they hold a clue for future treatment, or if androgens contribute to mesothelioma’s rapid spread, as they do with prostate cancer.
Hormone Therapy is Linked to Longer-Term Survival of Lung Cancer Among Women
Another interesting discovery came from the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, which reported in March, that estrogen therapy significantly lengthened survival among women with non-small-cell lung cancer. Those who had progesterone added to their treatment lived even longer.
Researchers from Detroit’s Karmanos Cancer Institute reviewed records of 485 women they identified from the Metropolitan Detroit Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Registry. They gathered more information through interviews and other research. The women studied were treated between late 2001 and 2005.
Women who were treated with hormone therapy for 11 or more years had much better survival rates than those without, according to a summary published by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer:
- Women who received estrogen lived for 80 months (6.6 years) versus 35 months (2.9 years) for those who had no hormone treatment.
- Women who had progesterone and estrogen treatment lived 87 months (7.25 years).
“What has emerged from this study and other published findings is a complex relationship between hormone use and lung cancer outcomes, with variation based on years of use,” Ann G. Schwartz, PhD, MPH, the lead author of the Thoracic Oncology article told IASLC. “There is more to learn about survival differences between men and women; hormone use may contribute to those differences.”
As with any serious disease, Dr. Schwartz also noted that, “The largest impact on lung cancer outcomes will come from successful early detection and treatment.”
Current Findings on Hormone Therapy for Men
Men with prostate cancer are often treated with androgen-suppressing drugs, which lowers the hormones that contribute to the cancer. Estrogens can suppress androgen, but they are rarely used because of their side effects on men, including increased risk for heart attack and stroke.
Can androgen suppression play a role in treating mesothelioma? The National Cancer Institute sponsored research by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston that combined androgen suppression (hormone) therapy with docetaxel chemotherapy for prostate cancer patients. These patients lived eight months longer than those who didn’t have chemotherapy. Men in a more advanced stage of the disease showed the most positive results, according to an NCI press release.
“The results of this study are practice-changing,” said lead investigator Christopher Sweeney, M.B.B.S. “Perhaps this kind of therapy will benefit other diseases that predominantly affect men.”
Sources:
- Annals of Thoracic Surgery
http://secure.jbs.elsevierhealth.com/action/cookieAbsent - National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/features/when-a-friend-has-cancer - International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
https://www.iaslc.org/articles/hormone-therapy-linked-better-survival-after-lung-cancer-diagnosis-women - Journal of Thoracic Oncology
http://journals.lww.com/jto/Pages/default.aspx?PAPNotFound=true
The Man Behind the Mesothelioma Warrior: Ray Nye Discusses Caring for His Wife
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma face a long, demanding battle involving countless doctors’ appointments, extensive tests, surgeries, and chemotherapy treatments – and sometimes that is just the beginning since there are even legal matters such as estate planning. Managing the illness and all the appointments, on top of taking care of day-to-day living needs, takes the help of a dedicated caregiver.
Although most people picture mothers, wives and daughters as being caregivers, husbands and sons are now almost as likely to be a primary caregiver as their female counterparts.
Caregivers provide nearly constant care for mesothelioma patients as they endure often debilitating treatments. Caregiver duties can include grocery shopping, housekeeping, transportation, meal preparation, management of insurance forms, medical forms and prescriptions, and general care for the patient, as well as emotional support. For many caregivers, this is all done while trying to care for other family members.
Mavis Nye, of Seasalter, England who has been fighting mesothelioma for nearly five years, knows all too well how critical a caregiver is for her care and recovery. Her husband of 53 years, Ray, has been by her side throughout her battle, ensuring that she is cared for and that she doesn’t have to worry about anything other than her recovery.
When asked what day-to-day duties he does for Mavis, Ray said in an email to MesotheliomaHelp that his “list” varies according to how she feels. Although he always ferries her to and from hospitals, treatments and doctors’ appointments, when she is down — which usually happens for a few days during her chemotherapy treatments — Ray does nearly everything around the house. He takes over the feeding and walking of their dog, Louis, helps Mavis get dressed, and although not his strong suit, Ray even took up cooking whatever Mavis requests. But, in reality, Ray said, he does not really follow a list.
“I make it my business to do whatever Mavis asks for, whatever she needs, and if possible before she asks or even knows she wants it,” said Ray.
The Reality of Caregiving
According to the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), more than 90 million family caregivers, or two out of every five adults, in the U.S. fulfill a vital role on the care team. A 2012 article in The Independent, a British newspaper, reports that in England there were 6 million caregivers in 2012, and that number is expected to grow to over 9 million by 2037. About 42% of those caregivers are men, and one in five of full-time caregivers are forced to give up work and support a family member full-time.
Twenty hours per week is the average number of hours family caregivers spend caring for their loved ones, while 13% of family caregivers are providing 40 hours of care a week or more, according to the article “Caregiving in the United States” by the National Alliance for Caregiving, in collaboration with AARP. However, most caregivers do not keep track of the time involved, and whether it is a caregiving duty or simply part of a daily routine is not important to them.
Expert Insight
Ray Nye
“I have come to terms that it’s my place to do any extra work involved in caring. I don’t think about it anymore, it is just natural.”
A New Role for Older Men
For older men who have been in the traditional role as provider, taking on caregiving can be challenging. Not only do they struggle with giving up their jobs, or cutting down the number of hours they work, but they must quickly shift from being doted on to taking an active role in keeping the household running. For some, that can require picking up basic cooking skills or uncovering where the cleaning supplies are stored.
In Ray’s case, Mavis tried to make the transition for him as easy as possible. As soon as she was diagnosed with mesothelioma, Mavis went into “overdrive,” said Ray. She bought a new gas stove, because she thought their electric one was too complicated. She replaced their aging microwave with a new one so they did not have to worry about it breaking down. In addition, Ray said, “Mavis replaced saucepans, sorted all her old wardrobe and disposed of it, replaced bedding, and she even planned her own funeral.”
Handing off all the work to Ray is not easy for Mavis. “I still have to fight Mavis to do jobs because she is still so independent, and feels the need to keep going. So I take note and I move in when I see I am needed.”
Ray has an added role of supporting Mavis as she advocates for mesothelioma victims across the UK. With that comes a lot of appearances and appointments for Mavis, as well as requests from reporters. Ray plans out the travel plans, gets Mavis to her destination on time, makes sure she gets back home safely, and he is also her biggest fan.
“He never moans about the long days during my appearances, and he is behind me all the time as I raise awareness,” said Mavis. “I can’t thank Ray enough for always being there for me.”
Expert Insight
Elinor Ginzler, AARP
“Caregiving men, although fewer in number, are just as dedicated, diligent and determined to help their loved one live the best life that he or she can.”
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Caregiving and Associated Costs
Caregiving can require serious medical care as well. According to CAN, almost half of the caregivers must perform “complex medical/nursing tasks for their loved ones – such as managing multiple medications, providing wound care, and operating specialized medical equipment.”
For patients without caregivers, these tasks are typically handled by a medical professional, adding to the cost of the patient’s medical care. The U.S. and British governments acknowledge that caregivers are now crucial to providing care to patients. According to recent studies, U.S. caregivers provide nearly $450 billion worth of unpaid care each year. In England, Britain’s caregivers provide an estimated £119 billion ($197 billion U.S.) of care every year.
However, caring for a loved one suffering from mesothelioma can also come with an emotional cost. For many caregivers, the inability to save their loved one from mesothelioma often turns to guilt, anger and despair. Some even ask, “Why isn’t it me that is sick?”
For male mesothelioma caregivers, who were sometimes the source of the secondhand exposure of asbestos that led to their spouse’s cancer, that question is difficult to shake. Ray is no exception – he has that question in the back of his mind on many days. He and Mavis believe her source of mesothelioma is from washing Ray’s clothes that were covered with fine asbestos dust from work at a dockyard.
“I do often wish that it was me with mesothelioma rather than Mavis — she didn’t ask or deserve it,” said Ray. “It should be me with it. But we can’t change it.”
Honoring Caregivers
Jan Egerton, who lost her over 10-year battle to mesothelioma in January, relied on her husband for many years for support and care. In a blog entry in December, Jan wrote, “To the people who love us and care for us, it is hard, it is emotional and it is wearing you out. Having to care for yourself and someone you love is a task that people don’t understand unless they are doing it themselves. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for caring.”
Each year in the U.S., November is set aside as National Family Caregivers Month as a time to honor and thank all the caregivers. In 2013, President Obama declared in the presidential proclamation: “During National Family Caregivers Month, we thank these tireless heroes for the long, challenging work they perform behind closed doors and without fanfare every day.”
Like Ray, the men who step in to care for their wives do not even hesitate to do anything their loved one needs. For him, it is an honor and a privilege to care for someone who has always been there for him.
“Mavis has always been there for me in our relationship. There is no you or me, only us, and we help each other. I love her.”
Beginning with Mavis’ illness, Mavis and Ray have documented their journey with mesothelioma. Ray writes as a caregiver, whereas Mavis talks about the illness, treatments and her efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos. Below are the couples’ websites where you can follow them and learn how they manage their life with mesothelioma.
- OneStop Mesothelioma – Contains information and resources about mesothelioma and asbestos
http://onestopmesothelioma.co.uk/index.html - Living with Mesothelioma – Mavis’s Diary
- Ray’s Blog
- Meso Warrior – Mavis’s book available on Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/Meso-Warrior-Mavis-Nye-ebook/dp/B004EHZXL6
Sources:
- AARP – Caregiving: It’s Different for Men
http://www.aarp.org/relationships/caregiving/info-07-2010/ginzler-male-caregivers.html - Britain’s Army of Unpaid Carers
- The Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britains-army-of-unpaid-carers-being-pushed-to-breaking-point-7720677.html
Study Shows 427,000 Years of Life Lost To Mesothelioma over Past Decade
Asbestos exposure over the past 50 plus years has caused many innocent people to suffer, and die, from lung cancer. A recent study shows that over 427,000 years of life were lost from just 1999 to 2010 due to early deaths related to these diseases.
Mesothelioma & Asbestosis Continue To Be Threats
Even though asbestos is no longer widely used in the U.S., mesothelioma and asbestosis continue to pose threats to Navy veterans and those who shared homes with them. Asbestos was commonly used in industrial settings such as shipbuilding and construction.
According to research conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine (AJIM), more than 427,000 years were lost from 1999 to 2010 due to early deaths from mesothelioma and asbestosis – the two most deadly diseases caused by asbestos exposure:
- Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops from the cells of the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body. While most commonly seen in the pleura (the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), it can also arise in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), and the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart). It is an aggressive cancer that can spread across internal body membranes and is very difficult to treat.
- Asbestosis. Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory and fibrotic medical condition affecting the parenchymal (functional) tissue of the lungs that results in lung scarring and is generally caused by the inhalation and retention of asbestos fibers.
Despite government guidelines for using and handling asbestos over the past 20 years, NIOSH researchers found that the overall number of life years lost to mesothelioma and asbestosis has changed little between 1999 and 2010. In fact, each year, approximately 3,000 people, many of whom are Navy veterans, are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Navy Veterans & Civilians Who Worked With Them Are At Higher Risks
Navy veterans and the civilians who worked with them in shipyards (commonly referred to as yardbirds), are at higher risk of developing mesothelioma and asbestosis from exposure to asbestos – which was commonly used inside U.S. Navy ships and throughout the yards where ships were built, repaired and maintained.
The following occupations are some of the trades that navy veterans and civilians may be at a greater risk of contracting mesothelioma and asbestosis:
- Boilermakers
- Mechanics
- Crane operators
- Electricians
- Engineers
- Laborers
- Machinist/Mates
- Merchant Marine Seamen
- Painters
- Pipe coverers
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Welders
Asbestos-related diseases and symptoms don’t often appear until decades later. Many Navy veterans exposed years ago may have only recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis or other asbestos-related diseases.
The bottom line is that losing 427,000 years of life due to a dangerous product is simply unacceptable. Manufacturers of asbestos products used on Navy ships knew or should have known of the dangers of asbestos before it was used on ships – and should have warned others of the increased risks of developing serious illnesses that frequently lead to early death.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer from asbestos exposure, contact an experienced mesothelioma injury attorney who can analyze your situation and determine your legal options so that you can make an informed decision about what’s in your best interests.
Merchant Mariners at Risk of Mesothelioma – Even 50 Years after Asbestos Exposure
Merchant Mariners around the world have a lifetime risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of service on ships. Merchant mariners and Navy veterans exposed to asbestos 20, 30, 40 and even 50 years ago or more can be diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma – a fatal cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure which causes cell damage. Merchant mariners in the U.S. and Europe were heavily exposed to asbestos on merchant ships. A former UK merchant marine and asbestos handler is proof that symptoms can take many decades to appear. The mariner was diagnosed with mesothelioma 50 years after being exposed to asbestos.
Working in Clouds of White Asbestos Dust Meant Nothing at the Time
According to the Stroud News & Journal, Gordon Bennett served in the Merchant Navy for four years after leaving school in 1950 and did two years’ National Service in the Army. He then worked as a laborer at a company called Fibrecrete in Chalford Hill from 1958 to 1962. The company produced asbestos gutters, drainpipes, sheeting and other products. The combined exposures as a merchant mariner and laborer caused his mesothelioma.
Although Bennett had not been exposed to asbestos since 1962, he began having difficulty breathing and saw a doctor in April of 2013. He was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and passed away in October of the same year. A coroner determined that he died from the cancer as a result of asbestos exposure.
Merchant Marine Seamen Have Increased Risk of Cancer
Merchant marine seamen in the United States and around the world have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma because asbestos was widely used in the equipment of maritime and naval ships, cargo ships, tankers and freighters. It was used as insulation on boilers, equipment, and in gaskets and packings used in pump valves and machinery.
As in Bennett’s case, the onset of mesothelioma takes decades. Many Navy veterans and merchant seamen may not notice symptoms of asbestos-related disease until 20 years or longer after duty on a ship.
A study published in the Journal of Industrial Medicine by researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York analyzed 3,300 chest x-rays of U.S. merchant marine seamen. The researchers found that a third of them showed abnormalities in the lining of the lung – where mesothelioma typically develops from asbestos exposure.
If you served as a merchant marine seaman and have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have a legal right to seek compensation from the asbestos manufacturers that caused your disease in the form of medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation, pain and suffering or loss of consortium.
It is widely recognized that manufacturers knew about the dangers of asbestos, but failed to warn workers of its danger. As a merchant mariner, you also have the special right to seek compensation from the owners of the ship on which you served. That right is based on a special maritime law called the Jones Act. It gives merchant mariners the right to sue ship owners and imposes strict duties on ship owners.
Contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer today to discuss your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
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