was recently contacted by a lady named Heather who is a Mesothelioma
Survivor.
cancer to bring attention to it for the 10th Annual
Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Her brief
email said: “Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with mesothelioma; a rare
and preventable cancer caused only by exposure to asbestos. I had just
given birth to my daughter and I was given 15 months to live. After a
lifesaving surgery that included the removal
of my left lung, I have made it my life’s mission to spread awareness
about mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos. This Friday, September
26th, 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of Mesothelioma Awareness Day, and
has been the driving force behind the movement
to bring more attention and funding to this cancer. There is no more
innocent victim than a person with mesothelioma, they are sick as a
direct result of a product that is NOT banned in the U.S. This disease
has a life expectancy of just 18 months after diagnosis,
and symptoms may not be evident until 20-35 years after initial
exposure to asbestos.”
this information with you.
hate cancer. Let me say that again- I HATE cancer. And to learn that
this type of cancer is ONLY caused by a product that isn’t banned in the
US is sickening. As a cancer survivor myself, I can’t imagine why we would knowingly allow this product to still be used in certain products and circumstances since we KNOW it causes a deadly cancer.
*Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that attacks the lining of the body cavity called the mesothelium.
*THE ONLY KNOWN CAUSE is exposure to asbestos.
*Mesothelioma commonly sits dormant in the body for 20-50 years after initial exposure to asbestos.
*80% of all mesothelioma cases occur within the lining of the lungs.
The other two potential locations are in the lining of the heart and in
abdominal lining.
*On average, those diagnosed with Mesothelioma are given 10 months to live.
*Mesothelioma in women is increasing because many women experienced
second hand exposure from parents or spouses who worked closely with
asbestos.
So what is asbestos?
-A naturally occurring mineral that is classified as a KNOWN human carcinogen.
*On average, 30 million pounds of asbestos are still being used in the
US today. It can still be found in many homes, schools, and commercial
or industrial buildings.
*US Navy veterans who served during World War II and the Korean Conflict
have the highest probability of having asbestos related health
problems.
*On July 12, 1989, the EPA issued a final rule banning MOST
asbestos-containing products. In 1991, this was OVERTURNED by the Fifth
Circuit Court of Appeals. As a result of the Court’s decision, ONLY A
FEW ASBESTOS CONTAINING PRODUCTS REMAIN BANNED.
*This year alone, 10,000 Americans will die of asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer or mesothelioma.
*The EPA estimates that there are asbestos containing materials in most
of the nationals 107,000 primary and secondary schools and 733,000
public and commercial buildings.
www.mesothelioma.com
symptoms for up to 6 months before being diagnosed but usually the
symptoms are present for two to three months prior to a
mesothelioma diagnosis.
with pleural mesothelioma experience lower back pain or side chest pain,
and there are frequent reports of shortness of breath. Lower numbers of
people may experience difficulty swallowing, or have a persistent
cough, fever,
weight loss or fatigue. Additional symptoms that some patients
experience are muscle weakness, loss of sensory capability, coughing up
blood, facial and arm swelling, and hoarseness.
Read more:
http://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/#ixzz3ELr4379I
I was so glad to hear that Heather’s story had a happy ending. Join me today in praying for all those affected by this terrible disease. Pray for healing, pray for comfort, and pray for legislative change to happen so that this dangerous product can finally be banned in ALL circumstances.
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