Paul Gleason had a remarkable career spanning four decades of acting both in film and television. He was also a recognized baseball amateur, poet and family man. At the age of 67, his brave and enduring struggle with the uncommon asbestos-induced cancer known as mesothelioma ended on May 29, 2006 - today being the three year anniversary of his death.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma disrupts mesothelial cells that compose a tissue lining which guards the body’s three biggest cavities namely the chest cavity, abdominal cavity and the heart sac. This type of cancer among others is brought about by exposure to asbestos.

He first dreamed of making it through baseball’s major leagues and for a time played in the minors when he chanced upon and starred in the 1961 film Splendour in the Grass which began his celebrated career in the entertainment industry.

There is no certainty as to the means and times he may have come into contact with asbestos fibers but with regards to the progress of the disease in the actor, it may well have started during his mid-20’s to mid-30’s.

Paul Gleason’s death calls more attention and emphasis for advanced medical research concerning the disease. Unfortunately, conventional cancer treatments are still ineffective in combating this type of cancer. Further examination is counted upon to eventually find a cure for this dreaded disease.

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