Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr. made a significant difference as the United States Chief of Naval Operations for almost thirty years. He pushed for change and democracy in the system while he served in command.
During his stint, there has been a great increase in casualties akin to asbestos exposure mainly in shipyard workers and tradesmen. Records show an alarming 20,000 deaths due to mesothelioma in 1970 to 1979 along with those who were unable to work, disabled or then opted for immediate retirement.
Admiral Zumwalt was presumably exposed to asbestos on a number of occasions and at the age of 78 he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Even before he was diagnosed with the disease he already rallied against the use of chemicals harmful to the environment. His passion was brought about by his 42 year old son’s early demise from cancer. He was witness to the widespread mesothelioma and other asbestos influenced health issues during his administration. He actively participated in a campaign to protect both men and women of the Navy from environmental health threats.
Admiral Zumwalt joined a five kilometer run, which led to the discovery that he was suffering from mesothelioma. He had an unexpected shortness of breath during the event. A chest X-ray revealed a lung tumor after two months. Sadly, he died only half a year from diagnosis of the fatal disease on January 2, 2000. Today is the ten year anniversary of his death.
A valuable source of information for mesothelioma and other cancer patients is being promoted by The American Society of Clinical Oncology. The website contains facts for more than 120 kinds of cancer along with the signs and symptoms and treatment process for each. There are also beneficial articles for both patients and their families on how to deal with the disease.
The website cancer.net will guide patients and their families with instructions and guides on what to do when diagnosed with the cancer. There are also important information on new researches being done about cancer. If you would like to know more please visit www.cancer.net
A recent video featuring asbestosis or lung disease caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers was made by the Worker’s Compensation Board of British Columbia. It shows how almost undetectable asbestos fibers damages the lungs and could also progress to mesothelioma, cancer of the lungs.
Worksafe BBC functions towards advancing worker’s security and wellness while in their jobs at British Columbia which includes several provinces. Asbestos has claimed the lives of BC workers and the number continues to increase compared with other workplace causes.
The Harloff family will be honoring the life of their beloved Lloyd whose life was taken by mesothelioma. Linda van Amerongen recounts how his father remained so postive and alive despite suffering from this type of lung cancer. He continued to be present at family gatherings even after he was diagnosed back in January 2008, his battle lasted 3 months on April 25, 2008. He was known to have lived well and have best enjoyed the journey, that is to take the time for all that’s happening in your life no matter how big or small it may be.
A British scientist by the name of Trevor Ogden claims that the Ottawa government attempted to conceal reports about the health hazards associated with asbestos. The report was completed by a panel of experts including Mr. Ogden in March 2008 but it was only made available more than a year after. The report endangers Ottawa’s asbestos industry since it affirms that asbestos causes mesothelioma. Included in the report is the common contamination of chrysotile asbestos with tremolite fibers which also caused hundreds of casualties in Libby, Montana where it affected their vermiculite ore.
Thermochemical conversion is a recently developed method to aid the removal of asbestos especially in extensive projects. The method uses chemicals and heat which changes asbestos into volcanic materials that doesn’t release toxic fibers. EPA validates it as an option to dispose asbestos although it doesn’t confirm if the agency has released a complete authorization for asbestos abatement undertakings. Pennsylvania may have a use for this method in clearing a 60-acre location polluted with asbestos which may take 10 years long in order to clear around 3 million tons of asbestos spanning three municipalities.
Chrysotile Asbestos which is the most generally exhausted type in the United States is confirmed to cause different types of cancer including mesothelioma, laryngeal and even ovarian cancer according to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer or IARC. Ovarian cancer in its relation to asbestos exposure proves to be a significant recent discovery.
Medical practitioners and researchers have long gathered essential details that now benefit doctors and patients alike. Medical treatments and services can now be adjusted according to the specific needs of the people. Patient history and information are taken and used to create medical treatments ideally suited for each of us. A recent development involves genetic sequencing companies. A person’s genetic composition may influence and reveal relevant data that could serve him well. While this procedure still has to undergo further experimentation nevertheless more discoveries are being made for the advancement of medicine.
Toshiko Fukuda, a widow from Japan will publish a book containing a collection of her text messages to her deceased husband who was a victim of mesothelioma. A worker from a steel pipe factory, Toshiko’s husband Motoo was found to have the disease in 2006 which was brought by his exposure to asbestos. To cope with the loss and sadness of her husband’s death, she composed text messages for him whenever she wanted to talk to him and sent them through a cellphone she left at his home shrine. She wishes that people will learn more regarding the threats that go along with asbestos exposure through her book.
The Fourth Annual 5k Walk for Hope will be held on April 19, Sunday at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow NY. The event starts with a sign-in at 9 am and proceeds with the walk at 10 am. Janice Malkotsis organized the event a year after the death of his father, Joseph Lombardo in 2005 due to mesothelioma. She teamed up with Erica Iacono whose father suffered the same fate. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation will benefit from this great cause and will help increase concern and knowledge about mesothelioma and the risks from asbestos exposure. Donations are welcome from those who will not be able to participate but would still want to aid MARF. Donations can be sent through the following address: 5k Walk for Hope c/o Janice Malkotsis 130 Taft Avenue Merrick, NY 11566.
Since the beginning and throughout the 20th century information regarding asbestos and its link to cancerous diseases has been suppressed and hidden from the American public. The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Information Blog hopes to help and inform those actually suffering from the various types of mesothelioma.