We need to be aware of this devastating illness. It’s not only in our elderly due to uninformed exposure many years ago. It’s still an illness of young people, obviously not to be removed from our society for some time yet!
Today marks the observance of the 10th annual Mesothelioma Awareness Day. HeatherVon St. James reached out to me and other bloggers to bring awareness to this aggressive cancer that attacks the lining of the body cavity called the mesothelium. The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma and asbestos facts:
- Mesothelioma commonly sits dormant in the body for 20-50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.
- 80% of all mesothelioma cases occur within the lining of the lungs.
- Between 2,500-3000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year.
Here’s a little of what Heather told me in an email:
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 life saving surgery that included the removal of my left lung…
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