North Carolina Personal Injury Blog

Even though the use of asbestos has declined in the United States and businesses that still deal with it have put strict safety guidelines into place, there's still a chance that people who currently or formerly worked around it will be diagnosed with mesothelioma. A mesothelioma diagnosis opens up a plethora of life changes that can be difficult to deal with.

While most people will focus on the effects of mesothelioma on the respiratory system, there are other ways that it can impact you. This is a rare cancer that spreads quickly, and it requires swift and aggressive treatment to try to slow it down. This, coupled with the knowledge that it is a fatal form of cancer with no known cure, can have a huge toll on the victim's mental health.

You went to your doctor after feeling unwell, you were sent to get multiple tests. You worried that you may have pneumonia or bronchitis, but you were in for a surprise. When you got the phone call that you needed to come in, you knew that something was wrong.

Not long after that, you were told that you had Stage 3 pleural mesothelioma, likely from your years of service in the military, and you would need to start treatment to help make you more comfortable. At this stage, there are some treatments you can try, but the likelihood of remission is low.

Learning that your loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma is disheartening and scary. One of the first things you're going to have to take care of is figuring out what your new role is going to be. More than likely, you're going to be thrust into becoming a caregiver.

Helping to care for someone who has a terminal diagnosis isn't easy. You're going to need to take things slowly while still ensuring that your loved one gets what they need. Remembering a few basic points might help you through this.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it's likely you are aware of its strong link with asbestos exposure. Most people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have worked in environments where they have been exposed to asbestos over a long period of time, for example, those who have worked in factories or on construction sites. The loved ones of those who have been exposed to asbestos may also have a higher likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to secondary exposure.

While mesothelioma is a rare and serious type of cancer, there are treatment options available. As with almost all types of cancer, research and development is rapid, meaning that survival rates and life expectancy rates are always improving. Patients diagnosed in the early stages have the best treatment options. The following is an overview of the main treatment options for mesothelioma patients.