Today across the United States, cancer patients, environmental advocacy groups, and clinical interest groups are recognizing Mesothelioma Awareness Day. While in recent years, knowledge of this disease has grown among clinicians and researchers; there is still relatively little public awareness or investment into the treatment of the cancer, which affects approximately between 2,500 and 3,000 people in the United States each year.
Representatives of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation appeared on NBC’s Today Show in Rockefeller Center, while other smaller organizations recognized the event in their own way. Various mesothelioma advocacy groups across the country, each affected in their own way by the disease, have organized events to recognize the day. From bike races, to 5K and 8K runs/family walks, these present unique fundraising opportunities for these organizations and the ability to build awareness of what is otherwise a relatively small clinical community.
Mesothelioma is considered an occupational disease given its association with asbestos exposure. Exposure to asbestos, the use of which is now regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, is the only known risk factor for the development of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure was common among pipefitters, shipyard workers and those in construction industries.
Exposure and asbestos-related disease among family members of those who worked in these industries has also been documented and even trended upward in recent years. Even as the use of asbestos is now regulated, exposure still occurs in older buildings and fixtures. Latency between exposure and development of mesothelioma is significant, with most being diagnosed 30-50 years following exposure.
Building awareness among the public, clinical communities, and government agencies will go a long way towards the investment into research for a cure and awareness of asbestos-related disease. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, but an aggressive one nonetheless. Even as treatment research progresses, typical prognosis is still extremely poor.
Mesothelioma Awareness Day was started by advocates from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation in 2004 and, to the benefit of current and future mesothelioma patients and their families, has been growing in size and outreach every year since.
Representatives of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation appeared on NBC’s Today Show in Rockefeller Center, while other smaller organizations recognized the event in their own way. Various mesothelioma advocacy groups across the country, each affected in their own way by the disease, have organized events to recognize the day. From bike races, to 5K and 8K runs/family walks, these present unique fundraising opportunities for these organizations and the ability to build awareness of what is otherwise a relatively small clinical community.
Mesothelioma is considered an occupational disease given its association with asbestos exposure. Exposure to asbestos, the use of which is now regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, is the only known risk factor for the development of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure was common among pipefitters, shipyard workers and those in construction industries.
Exposure and asbestos-related disease among family members of those who worked in these industries has also been documented and even trended upward in recent years. Even as the use of asbestos is now regulated, exposure still occurs in older buildings and fixtures. Latency between exposure and development of mesothelioma is significant, with most being diagnosed 30-50 years following exposure.
Building awareness among the public, clinical communities, and government agencies will go a long way towards the investment into research for a cure and awareness of asbestos-related disease. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, but an aggressive one nonetheless. Even as treatment research progresses, typical prognosis is still extremely poor.
Mesothelioma Awareness Day was started by advocates from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation in 2004 and, to the benefit of current and future mesothelioma patients and their families, has been growing in size and outreach every year since.
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