MESOTHELIOMA SURVIVORS

Cancer treatments can strengthen the patient’s immune system and help stabilize mesothelioma

August 27, 2010 – According to the American Cancer Society, the average survival time for people with mesothelioma is four to 18 months; with only about one out of 10 mesothelioma survivors living five years or longer after being diagnosed.

Today, however, with the advent of new mesothelioma treatment options based on decades of medical research, more and more mesothelioma survivors are living past their predicted survival dates. These cases show today’s patients new paths for treatment and offer hope to them about their future.

Though the mesothelioma survivors who beat the odds by five years or more make up only 10 percent of all patients, there are cases where patients have lived even longer. Some mesothelioma survivors have written books on their treatment strategies, one of whom is cited below.

Mesothelioma survivors take a proactive approach

Why some mesothelioma patients are survivors and others are not has challenged medical experts for years. Educating oneself about the disease and working closely with your doctors has shown to aid in recovery.

Today, the most accepted theory in explaining why some patients beat the odds is that certain cancer treatments designed to strengthen the patient’s immune system help stabilize the disease.

Alternative treatments include patient participation in mesothelioma clinical trials that focus on immunology.

Books by survivors benefit new patients

A number of mesothelioma survivors have written best-selling books about their experiences to help provide patients with insights into alternative treatments that worked for them.

Paul Kraus, an Australian mesothelioma survivor, is the author of “Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient's Guide.” Free copies are available to newly diagnosed mesothelioma patients at his Web site: www.survivingmesothelioma.com.

Thirteen years ago, Mr. Kraus was diagnosed with peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma, a rarer and more challenging type of mesothelioma than the more common pleural (lung) variety. Mr. Kraus was diagnosed 35 years after occupational asbestos exposure in a factory.

In his book he describes taking a proactive approach to his disease by researching traditional mesothelioma therapies and alternative treatments. With newly acquired knowledge, Mr. Kraus collaborated with his doctors to create his own regimen to heal his mesothelioma. Today, 13 years later, he is still alive and reportedly enjoys a good quality of life.

Mr. Kraus became a vegetarian, added vitamins and supplements to his diet, and tried a treatment known as ozone therapy. Mr. Kraus believes the combination of all these treatments stabilized his cancer. Tests show he still has mesothelioma and his body is a bit weaker than it was before, but he has no pain and his doctors tell him he could continue living for many more years.

Legal options

Weitz & Luxenberg has defended the rights of asbestos-injured workers for nearly three decades. The firm is known coast to coast for obtaining record-setting verdicts and settlements for clients who were harmed by asbestos.

Please know, we always seek the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to, and there are no legal fees until we secure your compensation award.