Why Screening Tests Are Important

 

Why Screening Tests Are Important

Getting the right screening test at the right time is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Screenings find diseases like cancer or diabetes early, before you have symptoms, and when they’re easier to treat. Which test you should have depends on your age and your risk factors. Learn more about the screenings your doctor may recommend for you.

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Mesothelioma lawyer in Kansas

Kansas is a primarily agricultural state. Generally, the mortality rate of asbestos victims is lower in Kansas than that of the nation at large; in the two decades preceding the 2000 U.S. census during which the population of the state increased slightly from 2.36 to 2.68 million people, 360 patients died from asbestos disease. mesothelioma victims outnumbered those suffering from asbestosis by a margin of approximately two to one.


The Environmental Working Group reports that Farmland Industries, Frontier Oil, and the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Company were three job sites at which employees were commonly exposed to asbestos.


In 2004, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment supervised an asbestos abatement project at the Farmland Industries ammonia plant located in Lawrence. Over the course of several months, about 16,600 linear feet was removed from pipe surfaces and an additional 8,500 square feet was taken out of tanks, vessels and exchangers that were used in the production of ammonia.


Asbestos was also a concern at the cooperative’s Coffeeville facility.


A recent study in Puerto Rico indicated that asbestos exposure is a serious risk for power plant workers; 13% of workers who were x-rayed showed some degree of asbestos scarring. Therefore, it should come as little surprise that the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Company should be listed as a major asbestos exposuresite. The plant itself is located in Burlington, a small town of fewer than 3,000 people.


Despite the plant’s listing as an asbestos exposuresite, however, there do not yet appear to have been any fatalities among the company’s employees; the reactor has only been online since 1985. The use of asbestos-containing materials was legal at the time (and still is), but there has probably not been enough time for mesothelioma symptoms to have developed. In addition, mesothelioma is a rare condition; not all who are exposed to asbestos fibers will develop this form of asbestos cancer.


The most asbestos-related deaths between 1979 and 1999 were recorded in Shawnee County, in which the state capitol and most populous city Topeka is located. Thirty-five patients succumbed to mesothelioma, versus 17 for asbestosis. Sedgwick County, where Wichita is located, was second with a total of 45 asbestos-related deaths. Of these, 35 were from mesothelioma, continuing the pattern in which deaths from mesothelioma substantially outnumber those from asbestosis.


The only counties in which this trend was reversed were Butler, Leavenworth and Riley Counties.


Although more people who are exposed to asbestos develop asbestosis than malignant mesothelioma, the death rate from asbestosis is usually substantially lower. The reason is that asbestosis, while serious and incurable, is not malignant. If caught early enough and if the patient is removed from the asbestos environment, the progression of asbestosis can be arrested with the patient able to live a reasonably normal life.


This is not true of mesothelioma, which is aggressive and invariably fatal; most who are diagnosed with this particular form of asbestos cancerdie within 18 months, on the average.


Although located in the center of the Great Plains, far from the geologically more active Rockies or complex geology of the Appalachian Range, there are three places in the eastern part of the state in which natural deposits of asbestos
(chrysotis) occur. Two of these sites are located approximately 35 miles northwest of Topeka amidst a cluster of small farming communities between U.S. Highways 77 and 75. The third is in the area of the town of Parsons in southeastern Kansas, about 20 miles north of the Oklahoma state line.


Today, between 25 and 30% of all Americans will get some form of cancer during their lifetimes. There are many reasons for this, including the modern lifestyle and the poisons that have been put into the environment – of which asbestos is a prime example. The number of clinics and hospitals that specialize in oncology have increased in response to the growing number of patients.


There does not seem to be many significant Kansas mesothelioma lawsuit in the high courts of the state of Kansas. A search through the Kansas Federal District Court records for any asbestos personal injury litigation or a Kansas mesothelioma lawsuit turns up no results. This might mean that Kansas mesothelioma settlements out of court or in lower court cases which are not appealed may be more prevalent in the state. There is known to be some related litigation in the state, including several lawsuits filed in 2007.


For example, in February, 2007, a Kansas mesothelioma lawyer working on behalf of the estate of Robert Briggs filed an asbestos-related wrongful death lawsuit in Madison County Circuit Court. Briggs died from mesothelioma in March, 2005, after working for Owens Corning and Jay Wolfe Pontiac in Kansas City for many years. The complaint named 94 defendant corporations as responsible parties, claiming that many of them knowingly exposed Briggs unnecessarily to asbestos fibers and products containing asbestos. Briggs’ family is seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages.


One of the most recent mesothelioma lawsuits in Kanasas was filed in late May, 2007, by Kansas mesothelioma lawyers working for a man named Hubert Johnston. Johnston had worked as a service station attendant and insulator in various locations for over forty years (from 1946 to 1990) and was exposed to asbestos during that time. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in March, 2007, and promptly filed suit against over 90 defendants, alleging that his condition was foreseeable by them since the products he was working with should have been known to contain asbestos. The lawsuit claimed that the defendants included asbestos in their products even when adequate substitutes were available. Johnston also alleged that the defendant’s provided no or inadequate instructions regarding safe methods for working with and around asbestos. His lawsuit asked for at least $250,000 in damages for negligence, conspiracy, willful and wanton acts, and negligent spoliation of evidence.


Some of the similarities in these two 2007 cases point to trends in mesothelioma lawsuits in Kanasas: For example, because there are over 90 defendants in each lawsuit, it can be assumed that in Kansas it is possible to sue multiple parties in for their part in asbestos exposure. This is unlike many other states in which only the last party to cause exposure is held responsible. Furthermore, both parties are seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages. After the results of these cases are determined by the courts, it will be easier to see the Kansas courts’ stance on awarding damages; however, it currently appears that it is at least possible to obtain both punitive and compensatory damages.


Those interested in seeking a Kansas mesothelioma settlement or hiring a Kansas mesothelioma attorneys should know that the statute of limitations for personal injury law in Kansas is two years with a discovery rule that states that this amount of time begins when the problem (in this case the mesothelioma) either was discovered or should have been discovered. However, even with the discovery rule, there is a clause saying that the statute of limitations runs out once ten years from the cause of injury has passed. This means that individuals who contract mesothelioma must be able to prove that substantial injury occurred due to asbestos-exposure within the prior ten years. Wrongful death cases fall under the same statute of limitations and follow the same discovery rule. There is no specific statute about asbestos in Kansas.

Mesothelioma Lawyers

Groundbreaking Mesothelioma Lawyers and Defendants
With dedicated attorneys and staff, lawyers have worked hard to ensure that clients receive high quality representation. The following are profiles of some well known mesothelioma lawyers that were instrumental in shaping mesothelioma litigation.

Fred Baron
Fred Baron, represented his first toxic tort client in the early 1970s. Then, he has built one of the largest toxic tort firms in the United States. Widely recognized as a trailblazer in the area of toxic tort law, one reporter noted,"[i]f the field of toxic torts were the frontier of the American West, Baron would have been driving the first wagon onto the plains." G. Taylor, "Outspoken Texan, Baron Establishes Toxic Tort Domain," Legal Times, Vol. VI, No. 25, at p. 10 (Nov. 21, 1983).

As a result of his work to protect the rights of victims of toxic substances, The National Law Journal has listed Fred as one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers in the U.S." (The National Law Journal, June 8, 2000). He has been honored as a lawyer who helped shape Texas law during the 20th century in "Legal Legends: A Century of Texas Law and Lawyering" (Texas Lawyer commemorative publication, June 2000) and has been named one of Dallas' top lawyers by D Magazine (May 2001 and May 2005). The University of Texas School of Law has honored him by establishing the Frederick M. Baron Chair in Law, which is held by a senior professor of the law school engaged in original research on lawyering and the civil justice system.

A life-long advocate of the environment, the consumer, and working people, Fred Baron has served as lead attorney in complex tort cases involving MTBE and TCE water contamination, radiation contamination, community lead contamination, toxic waste, and pesticide exposure.

Fred Baron has also been credited for his efforts in defeating class action settlements whereby defendant corporations attempted to settle mass tort claims for a fraction of what individuals would otherwise be entitled to recover through the legal system. Fred has twice led successful battles to convince the United States Supreme Court to de-certify nationwide class action settlements involving the "future claims" of asbestos-related injuries, or claims that might someday be brought by people who develop asbestos-related illnesses in the future. As a result of the United States Supreme Court's opinions in Amchem Products v. Windsor, 521 U.S. 591 (1997) and Ortiz v. Fibreboard Corp., 527 U.S. 815, 119 S.Ct. 2295, 144 L.Ed.2d 715 (1999), future victims of toxic injuries can no longer have their rights compromised by class action settlements in which they have no voice.

Mesothelioma: Facts about Mesothelioma

I have found a lot of article related with mesothelioma Cancer.
I hope this Article useful


Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells of the body. These are the cells that make up the outer lining for the body’s major organs, such as the heart, lungs and stomach. These linings are referred to as the mesothelium and this is how the cancer got its name.

Pleural Mesothelioma

The pleura are the tissue that covers and lines the lungs. These are referred to by the medical community as pleural membranes. The pleura are fibrous membranes and the space between them is the pleural space. The pleural protect the lungs by producing a lubricant that fills the pleural space. This lubricant also allows the lungs to move easily within the chest cavity as we inhale and exhale.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the disease. Since the lungs are so close to the heart, it is almost always affected. The pericardium is the lining found on the outside of the heart and allows it to move freely within the heart cavity.

The Peritoneum

The peritoneum is the tissue lining the abdomen. Its job is to protect the abdomen’s contents. It produces a fluid that acts as a lubricant so organs within the abdomen may move freely. Peritoneal mesothelioma is cancer of the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity. This form of mesothelioma is rarer than pleural mesothelioma.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is caused by unprotected exposure to asbestos and affects those who were put at risk for the last 50 years.

Who Gets Mesothelioma

The disease is most common in males who are between the ages of 60 and 70 years old. These men were constantly exposed to asbestos dust and fiber, which caused the mutation of the mesothelioma cells. Mesothelioma takes years to develop, which means early diagnosis is almost impossible.

Others at risk for mesothelioma are those who lived in the same household with someone who was constantly exposed to asbestos. Men carried asbestos dust and fibers into their homes on clothing. It was then breathed in by family members. This put them at risk of contacting mesothelioma and other diseases related to asbestos years after the fact.

Treatment

The success of treatment for mesothelioma isn”t high. The final stages of the disease are fatal. The earlier mesothelioma is diagnosed, the better the prognosis. If you or a member of your immediate family has ever been constantly exposed to asbestos in the workplace, be sure to contact your health care professional to find out exactly what your options are. You may be tested for the disease and get a clear bill of health.

mesothelioma

What is the mesothelium?

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

   1. What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

 The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

   2. What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

   3. How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

   4. What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

   5. Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.

The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.

There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

   6. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

 These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

   7. How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

 A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

 If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

 Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

   8. How is mesothelioma treated?

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

          * Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

          * Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).

          * Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).

      To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.

   9. Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?

      Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.

      People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER. Information specialists at the CIS use PDQ®, NCI's cancer information database, to identify and provide detailed information about specific ongoing clinical trials. Patients also have the option of searching for clinical trials on their own. The clinical trials page on the NCI's Cancer.gov Web site, located at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the Internet, provides general information about clinical trials and links to PDQ.

      People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI Publications Locator Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are common, noncancerous, teardrop-shaped growths that form in the nose or sinuses, usually around the area where the sinuses open into the nasal cavity. Mature nasal polyps look like seedless, peeled grapes.

Often associated with allergies or asthma, nasal polyps may cause no symptoms, especially if they're small, and require no treatment. But larger nasal polyps can block normal drainage from the sinuses. When too much mucus accumulates in the sinuses, it can become infected, which accounts for the thick, discolored drainage in the nose and down the throat that affects many people with nasal polyps.

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