Cancer is always a difficult diagnosis to hear, and it can be harder to live with. Residents of Louisiana are statistically more likely to develop certain types of cancer than much of the rest of the United States, which includes lung cancer, stomach cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestos exposure is the main identified cause of mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of several thoracic organs. Fortunately, the threat of asbestos has been reduced significantly through abatement and removal in most construction and industrial settings. But lingering effects are still discovered in people with symptoms that may be confused with other health problems.
Early detection and early treatment are the best combination to beat mesothelioma. Aggressive forms of treatment may be unpleasant to the patient and his or her family, but they do show the best results. This includes a surgical procedure to remove tissue at risk and radiation therapy to prevent the cancer’s reemergence.
Other factors can make mesothelioma less likely to develop or more likely to recede. Good health and avoiding excess smoking, drinking or sugar consumption are associated with less instance of cancer and other serious health problems. Some observers have reported these lifestyle changes can also help cope with a mesothelioma diagnosis after it has been discovered.
Many patients with mesothelioma have sued for financial damages from the creators, manufacturers and users of asbestos after its health effects became clear. Legal representation is nearly as important as medical advice when someone is considering a lawsuit based on asbestos exposure and the poor health effects it can create.