How to Prevent Occupational Exposure to Asbestos

Asbestos is a generic name for a group of dangerous fibers used in the construction business. Asbestos fibers can separate and be easily inhaled, causing considerable damage to the lungs and other organs. Asbestos is a highly-regulated material and many occupational safety measures are in place to prevent exposure to it. Following are some steps for avoiding occupational exposure to asbestos.

Repair the free flowing fibrous area. Many issues arise because the area that contains the asbestos has been damaged and the fibers are freely floating through the air. Repairing the effected area may include wrapping the asbestos, removing it and replacing it with a newer, less harmful substance, or enclosing the effected area.

Wear a HEPA filtered respirator that has been individually fitted for you. There are many respirators on the market to choose from. A dust particle mask is not sufficient protection from the airborne fibers. You should wear a mask certified safe by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Consult an OSHA specialist for more information.

Wet the asbestos when working with it. Wet fibers are heavier and fall to the ground or don't free-flow in the air. The point is to not inhale the fibers, so making the fibers heavy will help prevent this.

Train the employees on the dangers of asbestos. A major part of both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is to prevent exposures in the workplace through education.

Choosing Your Mesothelioma Cancer Doctor

When you have been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer such as mesothelioma, finding a mesothelioma doctor who is familiar with the disease and its treatment is an important consideration. Health care available at the local level may suffice if you choose “standard” care options such as chemotherapy, however, if you are looking into surgical evaluation or other specialized forms of treatment, it becomes more important to expand your search for doctors who deal with mesothelioma on a regular basis and have experience in the most up to date protocols available.

Second opinions are common when dealing with a rare cancer, and after listening carefully to your primary doctor’s opinions and treatment plans, you may wish to consult with a more specialized physician before making a treatment decision. By doing this, you can feel comfortable that you have explored every avenue possible and have information on every available option. Your primary doctor may be able to refer you to a specialist, or you can do this on your own as a “self referral”. In either case, you should be sure your primary doctor is aware that you are satisfied with the care you have been given thus far, but because of the rarity of the disease, you would like to be as thoroughly informed as possible. No good doctor should feel threatened that you want to seek a second opinion – it is simply being a good consumer.

A “specialist” is a physician who is licensed to practice medicine, has met certain education and training criteria in a specific field and has passed an examination given by a specialty board. These doctors are then “board certified” in their field. A physician may also choose a “subspecialty” to further increase their expertise and become board certified in the subspecialty as well. Nearly all board certified specialists are members of a medical specialty society that relates to their field of specialization.

Following are some examples of specialties and subspecialties as applies to mesothelioma treatment:

1. Surgery is a specialty that pertains to the treatment of disease by surgical operation on any area of the body. Doctors who conduct these types of surgeries are called general surgeons. An example of a surgical subspecialty would be a thoracic surgeon who deals specifically with diseases of the chest area.
2. 
   Medical Oncology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Medical oncologists treat cancer and most often manage treatment plans such as chemotherapy. They may also consult with or refer to other types of specialists.
3. 
   Radiation Oncology is a subspecialty of radiology. Radiation oncologists specialize in the use of radiation to treat cancer.

In order to make an informed decision when choosing your mesothelioma doctor, consider the following questions:

1. 
   Does the doctor have the education and training necessary to meet my needs, and does he or she have experience in treating mesothelioma?
2. 
   How many cases of mesothelioma has he or she treated in the past year? In their career?
3. 
   Has the doctor given you information on mesothelioma itself, and on the various treatment options you might be eligible for?
4. 
   Does the doctor listen to your concerns and treat you with respect?
5. 
   Does the doctor encourage you to ask questions and explain things in terms that you understand?

When choosing a mesothelioma doctor or surgeon, considering the following questions:

1. 
   Is the surgeon board certified?
2. 
   Does the surgeon belong to a medical specialty society such as The American College of Surgeons?
3. 
   How often does the surgeon perform the type of surgery you need?
4. 
   How many such surgeries has the doctor performed?
5. 
   Has the doctor explained the surgical procedure to you, as well as the risk factors, side effects, quality of life and success rates you might expect?

It is important to you and your family to have a good working relationship with whichever mesothelioma doctor you choose, and to be able to communicate and be involved in decisions regarding your medical care. Always trust your own feelings.

Mesothelioma Cancer Patient's Guide to Nutrition

At some point during our childhood we have all been told to eat our vegetables. Forcing down tasteless green beans and brussels sprouts were supposed to make us taller and stronger. Well, so it is for mesothelioma cancer patients. Diet is often an overlooked subject for cancer patients, but eating the right nutritional foods for strength and energy is just as important as taking the proper medication.

Mesothelioma cancer patients undergoing treatment must follow a special cancer diet devised by their nutritionists. Cancer diets involve eating the correct amounts of protein and calories as well as drinking the right amount of water to keep the ailing body replenished and energized. The body needs plenty of nourishment when it is going through chemotherapy or even when the patient is taking certain medications.

Doctors and nutritionists may also recommend a special cancer diet because many mesothelioma patients tend to lose their appetites due to worry over their condition. Also, those who are undergoing treatment may choose not to eat because of the unpleasant side effects they may experience. Chemotherapy, for example, and even some particular medications may cause an imbalance of nutrients that must be corrected in order to keep the body as strong as possible and to keep the patient from losing an excessive amount of weight. Other side effects of mesothelioma treatment include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, a change in the sense of smell or taste, and/or constipation.

Below are some of the important nutrients patients are encouraged to include in their mesothelioma diet:

1. 
   Protein is important for any cancer patient because it helps repair tissue damaged by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Protein also helps maintain a strong and healthy immune system, lowering a mesothelioma patient’s risk of infection after aggressive cancer treatments. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing protein in a cancer diet with cheese, milk, ice cream, yoghurt, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, meats and fish.
2. 
   Fats are an essential part of the cancer diet because they supply the body with the necessary energy it needs while undergoing treatment. The amount of fats (meaning the number of calories) a cancer diet should consist of is dependent on a mesothelioma patient’s age and body size. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing caloric intake with such foods as butter, milk, cheese, honey, sugar, granola and dried fruits.
3. 
   Water is another essential element of the cancer diet. Without a substantial amount of water, the body will dehydrate. It is important that anyone undergoing cancer treatment receive enough water to keep their bodies hydrated and replenished. The details of every patient’s mesothelioma diet will vary. Some patients will need to incorporate more fat into their diets, while others may need more protein. It is important that patients devise a cancer diet under the guidance of their doctor and nutritionist to ensure that they receive the proper amount of nutrients to improve their quality of life.

By Maggie Kay