Following a milestone birthday celebration, a mother’s visit to a gynecologist leads to the discovery of a mysterious illness baffling the medical community “I don’t accept death,” says Jill Litton, with genuine seriousness behind her soft laughter and calm voice. “My family needs me, and I have to keep living my best so I can…
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How Effective Is Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma? New Study Shows Positive Success Rates
In a study published in the December 2022 edition of Clinical Lung Cancer, researchers and physicians from Kaiser Medical Centers in northern California found significant improvements in survival rates for malignant pleural mesothelioma treated with immunotherapy. The average life expectancy for mesothelioma is 12-21 months. Researchers found patients who received immunotherapy drugs as part of…
Fight Song
Photo credit: Bryon Miller Longtime professor by day and professional musician by night, the co-founder of the Panza Foundation reveals the defining moments of the last decade as a mesothelioma patient “I’ve learned that you must fight, embrace the absurdity, and remember that luck plays a huge role in the outcome. You were unlucky to…
Can Spiritual Practices Help Improve a Serious Medical Diagnosis?
Can Spirituality Make a Difference in Patients With a Serious Illness? Over the last 20 years, several published studies have confirmed that patients who are diagnosed with serious illnesses such as mesothelioma have a better prognosis when they regularly participate in spiritual practices. In a study spearheaded by Harvard University, researchers determined that healthy people…
Mesothelioma Nurses: Nursing Care for Cancer Patients
Mesothelioma nurses are a specific type of clinical nurse specialist with expert training in caring for patients suffering from this rare and fatal form of cancer. Regarded as leaders in the field of health care, cancer clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses who have earned a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. These…
Veterans Day 2022: Honoring U.S. Veterans With Mesothelioma
Celebrated on November 11 each year, Veterans Day honors those who served in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans risk their lives to defend our nation. While some have died in the line of duty, others are currently facing serious health problems like mesothelioma. In commemoration of Veterans Day 2022, learn how you can honor…
Mesothelioma, Medicine, and Money: How Does Inflation Influence Health Care Costs?
Just as concerns around the coronavirus pandemic seemed to simmer, Americans began to experience a new challenge affecting their daily lives: consumer inflation. According to an October 2022 report published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer inflation rates have increased by 8.2% so far this year. That means the cost of living, from…
Asbestos and Talc: Exploring the Potential Perils of Talcum Powder
Two minerals that have become associated with certain forms of cancer are asbestos and talc. Although they sometimes are discussed together, asbestos and talc are two different substances. What Is Asbestos? Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has the potential to cause cancer. Prolonged exposure to asbestos, particularly from breathing in tiny particles of…
New Mesothelioma Blood Test May Offer a Cheaper and Faster Diagnosis
Diagnostic testing for mesothelioma — a rare and aggressive form of cancer caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos — is administered through various methods, including blood samples, imaging scans, needle biopsies, and ultrasounds. However, these mesothelioma diagnosis tests are often performed once doctors have ruled out the possibility of other lung-related diagnoses with similar symptoms,…
