Mesothelioma News: February 4th is World Cancer Day

Today, February 4^th, is World Cancer Day, a day designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) on which individuals across the globe are invited to learn more about one of the leading causes of death worldwide. WHO and the International Union Against Cancer believe that at least 84 million people may die from cancer by the year 2015 unless interventional measures are taken.

The theme for 2010 is “Cancer Can Be Prevented Too,” and the focus is on “simple measures” that can be taken in an effort to prevent certain types of cancer. WHO recommends that people avoid smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products, adhere to a healthy diet and exercise plan, protect themselves from diseases like HPV that may lead to cancer, and limit their intake of alcohol, among other precautions.

Certain forms of cancer, including some types of leukemia as well as mesothelioma, are considered to be quite rare, but still contribute to the “global burden” of cancer. Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that manifests in the mesothelium, or lining of the body’s internal organs. About 2,500 people in the United States will be diagnosed with mesothelioma this year, but thousands more worldwide will also face this disease. Attributed to exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring and carcinogenic mineral, mesothelioma has no cure and is particularly aggressive.

Mesothelioma generally develops in the pleura, or lining of the lungs, but in some instances may be found in the pericardium, or lining of the heart, as well as the peritoneum, or lining of the abdomen. Mesothelioma has a latency period of as many as fifty years, but once it is diagnosed, patients rarely survive for more than two years. While some palliative mesothelioma treatment methods, including chemotherapy, are effective for short-term relief of symptoms, no cure exists.

The only way to avoid a mesothelioma diagnosis is to avoid exposure to asbestos. Found in common household materials such as attic insulation, drywall, ceiling tiles, and even some brands of duct tape, asbestos was widely used up until the eighties, when the U.S. federal government and the Environmental Protection Agency drafted asbestos-usage regulations. Homes and other structures built prior to these laws most likely contain asbestos, which may become airborne and be inhaled or ingested if it is disturbed or damaged. In other parts of the world, asbestos use is not regulated at all, and the onset of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases is even more rampant. While there are regulations, the use of asbestos in the U.S. has not been banned, and in Canada – specifically Quebec – the export of asbestos remains a profitable industry, despite the inherent health risks.

For those who wish to spread awareness of World Cancer Day, the International Union Against Cancer, or UICC, provides information on their website. People can send e-cards, download resources and reports, and place banners on their websites to educate and inform. E-cards feature messages specifically geared towards those who practice unhealthy and potentially cancer-causing habits such as tobacco smoking and indoor tanning, with messages that encourage them to adopt healthier habits in an effort to prevent the development of cancer.

For more information about World Cancer Day, please visit http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_cancer_day/en/index.html. For additional information about mesothelioma cancer, please visit Mesothelioma.com, a leading Internet resource for mesothelioma information. Mesothelioma.com is accredited by the Health On the Net Foundation as a reliable source of health and cancer content on the web.