Hollywood columnist Army Archerd died of mesothelioma this week.  Archerd was a legendary reporter who is remembered fondly for his work at Daily Variety, where he wrote about Hollywood stars for over 50 years. Archerd collapsed on Monday and passed away on Tuesday. He was 87 years old.

Army Archerd was diagnosed with mesothelioma five years ago. In a Chicago Tribune news story, Archerd’s wife noted that doctors who diagnosed him with mesothelioma ascribed it to his asbestos exposure while working in a shipyard when he was in the Navy during World War II.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that currently has no cure. Mesothelioma attacks the lining of various organs and areas of the body, causing victims tremendous pain and suffering. It’s also called asbestos cancer due to asbestos exposure being a cause of mesothelioma. The first signs of mesothelioma can take between 10 and 50 years to show up after a person has been exposed to asbestos. There is treatment available, but, again, there is no cure.

People who worked in the construction, ship building and general industries can be at risk for mesothelioma, as these industries were affected by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was a commonly-used material in construction in the 1900s up until 1978, used in roofing materials, siding, pipes, boilers and even automobile brakes. What’s more is that workers who endured years of asbestos exposure also put their families at risk — asbestos fibers could have been tracked into their homes by shoes and clothing.

Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma are nothing short of serious. Army Archerd is one of many, many people affected by mesothelioma, and he will no doubt be missed. Archerd’s passing brings up the importance of mesothelioma victim’s rights and knowing what should be done if you or a loved one has mesothelioma. To speak with someone to find out more information, call 1-888-370-0121.

Mesothelioma is a deadly disease that develops very quickly.  Sadly, and all too often, the life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient can be measured in months, not years or decades.  Strangely, however, this rapid advancement can occur after a lengthy latency period of up to 50 years wherein asbestos fibers can lay in the lining of the lungs without ill effects.  Because of its rapid onset and lethality, it’s essential to diagnose mesothelioma as early as possible in order to maintain a relatively high quality of life.

A typical mesothelioma diagnosis could begin with a patient noticing symptoms including chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and wheezing.  The patient might pay a visit to her general practitioner.  At this point, the general practitioner could decide to refer the patient to a specialist, who might run a series of tests to determine the source of the symptoms.

Mesothelioma Tests

Though this is not the only way a diagnosis is performed, some typical procedures follow.  One such procedure might be a chest X-ray.  This simple X-ray is often capable of detecting any major abnormalities in the patient’s lungs, such as a thickening of the pleura, the membrane that surrounds the lungs.  Pleura thickening is a sign of mesothelioma, but it could also mean something else, so further tests are often needed.  One such test is the CT scan, which provides a 3-D image of the scanned area.  Its goal is to detect the position of any tumor or pleural thickening.  Two other procedures which require samples are pleural aspirations and biopsies.  The pleural aspiration uses a syringe to take a sample of any fluid found in the pleura, which can then be checked for mesoethelioma cells.  A biopsy involves passing a specially designed needle through the skin and into the tumor or thickened pleura with the intent of searching for traces of the cancer.

Get Your Mesothelioma Tests Quickly, and Take Action

Being subjected to these tests can be stressful, and waiting for results can be an anxious time, but it can be a better tactic to undergo them as soon as possible.  An early warning, combined with aggressive treatment, can mean the difference between measuring the rest of your life in years as opposed to mere months.  Your quality of life might also be improved, as well.

It can be an important question to ask: Are you at risk for Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is typically associated with asbestos exposure, a naturally occurring but dangerous material that was very popular in construction projects (typically used as a fire retardant or as insulation) up until 1972. Asbestos isn’t a threat if it’s undisturbed. But if it has been disturbed, its small fiber particles can become airborne, and people can inhale them into the lungs or stomach, where the body is unable to break them down.

Mesothelioma a rare form of cancer that currently does not have a proven cure, though there is treatment. It’s associated with asbestos exposure due to the fact that over 90% of Mesothelioma cases are linked to exposure to asbestos. The pleura membrane surrounding the lungs or the lining of the abdomen is affected by Mesothelioma.

Those at risk for Mesothelioma may have worked in conditions that exposed them to asbestos. Those who worked in the construction industry, shipping industry and general industry may be at risk for Mesothelioma. Manufacturing asbestos-related products is the most common situation. It should be noted that even though restrictions and bands on the vast majority of asbestos products and uses had restrictions and bans put on them by the government, white asbestos, or chrysotile asbestos, is still used. White asbestos are used in ceiling tiles, as an ingredient in asbestos-cement compound, and in roofing tiles. Additionally, workers who repair automobiles, especially workers who do mostly clutch and brake repairs, could sometimes be at risk.

Today, too, construction workers can be exposed to asbestos when they work on buildings that contain insulation installed prior to 1972. In this case, workers’ employers must follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) standards and guidelines to monitor the potential for exposure to mesothelioma-linked hazards.

These are examples of situations that could cause you to be at risk for Mesothelioma. If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos or if you think you’re at risk for Mesothelioma, get help. You can also get more information by calling 1-888-370-0121.