Women hear about the various types of cancer and how to prevent them or limit their risk on a daily basis. However, women probably don't know very much about the cancer known as mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos. What women don't know about this fatal type of cancer CAN hurt them, and the need to better-inform women about the causes of mesothelioma is urgent.
Mesothelioma occurs in the mesothelium, or lining of the body's internal organs. There are three common types of mesothelioma: pleural mesothelioma, occurring in the lining of the lungs; periotneal mesothelioma, which manifests in the lining of the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the heart. Mesothelioma has one confirmed cause: previous exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is 100% fatal, but if one limits or avoids exposure to asbestos, their risk of developing this type of cancer is very small.
For women, second-hand exposure to asbestos is becoming a serious issue, as the number of women diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of washing asbestos-contaminated clothes that belonged to someone living in their home have increased in recent years. Women who live with an individual who may come into contact with asbestos while at work should take precautions when handling clothing that may contain asbestos fibers. If possible, they should wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth to prevent possible inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers (masks that doctors wear - the kind that fasten over your ears - are easy to find and will suffice). Clothing that may contain asbestos should be washed separate from any other items. While handling clothing that may contain asbestos, it is advisable to open a window or ventilate the room if possible.
The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center features a section dedicated to increasing awareness of mesothelioma in women: http://www.maacenter.org/mesothelioma/women/.
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"If the people we contact ask us, we are forthcoming as a rule. Despite law firm affiliation, our website provides important, up to date and reliable health information."
So then why don't you put that the MAACenter is sponsored by a law firm in the original article? It seems to me that would have solved this whole episode.
"I certainly understand your concerns. If there are further questions about the MAA Center or what we do, please email me: [email protected]."
I put your email address into Google, according to the results you're "Samantha Catalano" ... why don't you even bother to put your name in the original article? What are you hiding? In fact you won't even tell us who you work for.
None of this seems right at all.
December 23, 2008 - 11:52amThis Comment
Suggesting that women wear masks when laundering clothes is ridiculous. Why not have us panic about wearing gas masks if our homes might contain lead paint or throwing away any fish because of mercury concerns? This is another example of people getting all upset over nothing.
I've never heard of mesothelioma but it seems like something rare compared to breast or ovarian cancer.
Also you link to one website that is the maacentr but then you link to another site that isn't but deals with the same subject. That makes no sense to me. In fact I think something fishy is going on.
December 22, 2008 - 11:29pmThis Comment
My father's stepfather, an engineer who worked in the Naval shipyards in Alameda, CA, was exposed to heavy levels of asbestos over decades, developed Emphysema and Mesothelioma. Rather than admit his illness, he used to tell us that he just had chronic bronchitis.
My husband's uncle, a former NASA engineer, had also been exposed to carcinogenic substances during his career, and also during his hobby as a luxury homebuilder with his son (vermiculite, lead-based paint, asbestos, etc.). In case anyone is interested, while researching the probable connection between asbestos exposure and adult leukemia, I found a chart developed by the Collaborative on Health and the Environment that you can use to see risk levels of specific diseases by exposure to specific toxicants at a glance.
December 22, 2008 - 9:50pmThis Comment
Anonymous, I have to respond: yes, the MAA Center IS sponsored by a law firm. However, we do not work FOR this firm - a number of law firms choose to sponsor websites in an effort to provide information to the public. All of the information on our site is accredited by the Health On The Net Foundation, which means we are in compliance with their 8 principles and provide well-researched, valid medical information. Becoming HONcode certified is no easy task, and we are reviewed annually. We are very upfront about law firm sponsorship; if the people we contact ask us, we are forthcoming as a rule. Despite law firm affiliation, our website provides important, up to date and reliable health information.
I certainly understand your concerns. If there are further questions about the MAA Center or what we do, please email me: [email protected].
December 22, 2008 - 9:24pmThis Comment
Remember though the MAACenter is not a center at all.
I looked at their website, Sclano failed to disclose that it's a for profit site sponsored by a law firm in New York. They posted this article as a way of trying to attract more clients to one of the most abusive torts in American legal history.
I'm sick of the advertising and the soliciting. Do you people have souls?
BTW: Everyone please check out http://www.instituteforlegalreform.com/, this site has more information about why asbestos lawsuits are destroying our legal system and creating a junk industry.
December 22, 2008 - 9:11pmThis Comment
Tina - thanks for adding that information. I work for the MAA Center as a PR Coordinator and News Editor - my job is to reach out to different organizations and provide them with information about this deadly cancer. We work with ALL kinds of organizations, especially organizations that support firefighters, veterans, construction workers - all individuals who are considered to be at a heightened risk of asbestos exposure. I also make sure we're providing updated content & daily news stories on our site so that everyone is getting the best information possible. The MAA Center is also certified by the Health On The Net Foundation as a credible source of medical information, which we're really proud of.
sclano
December 22, 2008 - 10:52amThis Comment
Thanks for the great information and raising awareness about Mesothelioma.
For those not familiar with asbestos, it's the "name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers and can be separated into thin, durable threads. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been widely used in many industries." (Source: National Cancer Institute)
And according to the article, everyone is exposed to low levels of asbestos throughout their lives through environs. "Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water, and soil. However, most people do not become ill from their exposure. People who become ill from asbestos are usually those who are exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with the material or through substantial environmental contact."
Can you share, sclano, how you became involved in trying to raise awareness about Mesothelioma?
December 22, 2008 - 10:43amThis Comment