MESOTHELIOMA VICTIM SUPPORT

Cancer support groups offer camaraderie, sometimes the best medicine around for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma

September 3, 2010 – Being diagnosed with a debilitating cancer like mesothelioma can feel isolating and make a patient think like a victim, rather than a survivor.

Taking advantage of the many national and local mesothelioma support groups currently available at medical centers and on the Internet can help.

Participation in a group that offers mesothelioma support will relieve feelings of isolation by opening up communication lines with other patients who will share first-hand experiences and advice on everything from new cancer treatments to dealing spiritually with the disease.

Talking with others is strong medicine

According to Dr. Leo Buscaglia, the late University of Southern California professor, best known as the author of New York Times best-selling books on human behavior: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

His message can apply to many of life’s situations, but none more than being told you have an aggressive and rare cancer called malignant mesothelioma.

Talking about your disease is an important aspect of all mesothelioma victim support groups, and has shown to be beneficial to cancer patients in many ways.

First step: Choosing a mesothelioma support group

Mesothelioma support groups help ease the emotional toll of a diagnosis and assist patients in gathering up-to-date information on new mesothelioma treatment options and clinical trials. You are no longer a victim, but a patient with a mission.

Mesothelioma support groups instill in a patient the realization that they are not alone, and that there are others that face the same challenges. Drawing comfort and experienced advice from others in the same boat can be very strong medicine.

Your mesothelioma treatment center, or your mesothelioma doctor, can guide you to support groups. Many of these organizations can also be found on the Internet.

Mesothelioma support groups with a mission

Asbestos Awareness Disease Organization (ADAO). This organization was founded by asbestos victims and their families, and gives mesothelioma patients a united voice so that their rights are fairly represented. According to the organization’s Web site at http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/, ADAO’s mission is to: “Unite asbestos victims and educate the public and medical community about asbestos-related diseases; support research that leads to early detection, prevention and a cure; and to ban the use of asbestos.”

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF). This is a national organization funded by mesothelioma patients and family members. The Web site has a message board you can join to speak with other mesothelioma patients and their families. According to the group’s Web site at http://www.curemeso.org/, MARF’s three-pronged mission is to:

• “Offer hope and support to patients and families by educating them on the disease, helping them to obtain the most up-to-date information on treatment options and to connect with meso treatment specialists, and providing them assistance, emotional support and community with others;
• “Fund the highest quality and most promising meso research projects from around the world through rigorous peer-review; and,
• “Raise awareness of meso, and advocate that the public and private sectors partner in the effort to cure it by directing the resources needed to stop this global tragedy.”

Mesothelioma Essentials. This is a nonprofit organization that offers information, support and resources. The organization’s Web site also provides links to other mesothelioma support groups. Log on to: http://www.mesolung.org/support/index.html.

Develop a personal support team

Lastly, do not underestimate the importance of support from family and friends. Human connections become even more important and comforting during difficult times, and have shown to be beneficial to cancer patients in many ways.

You may want to consider counseling (individual, couples or family counseling) as a way to deal with emotions and concerns. Group counseling can also boost better communication between family members.

In addition to family and friends, mesothelioma patients should consider other human support sources, including religious leaders, counselors, other patients, and the support groups mentioned above that are dedicated to nurturing and saving those diagnosed with the signature asbestos-related cancer: mesothelioma.

Seek justice by obtaining compensation

Mesothelioma is most often contracted through occupational asbestos exposure – and usually through employers’ preference for profits over the expense of maintaining worker health safety. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and seek a free case review, please notify Weitz & Luxenberg through the communication form at left. We will pursue your claim with vigilance to help you pay for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering.

Please know, the firm works on a contingency basis, so there is no cost to you until we obtain a verdict or a settlement.