Steve McQueen was known for being an ultra-cool movie star as well as for his real life battle with mesothelioma which he lost on November 7, 1980 at the age of 50. Today is the twenty-nine year anniversary of his death.
His exposure to asbestos was attributed to several instances throughout his life. He worked at construction sites in his junior years and later on at shipyards scraping off asbestos from pipes while at service in the Marines. His fascination for race cars and motorcycles also implied exposure to asbestos through his use of safety helmets and driving gear required for the sport.
It was in 1979 when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. It not only affected his lungs but also advance to other organs in his body. He was informed by his doctors that nothing can restore one’s health when diagnosed with this disease since no medication or procedure had been invented yet. For lack of possible treatment choices he turned to odd practices involving fetal animal injections to consuming more than a hundred vitamins a day. McQueen found favor and hope when his status got better in October of 1980 although this did not last long. In November of the same year, he underwent a medical procedure to extract malignant masses found in his neck and abdomen. He endured the operation but failed to live through the following day.
Mesothelioma doesn’t choose its victims. Steve McQueen’s superstar status didn’t keep him from this fatal disease. And sadly a great number of mesothelioma patients don’t have the resources to put up with the expenses that go along with it. That is why it is so important to spread awareness concerning this fatal disease.
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Warren Zevon’s beginnings weren’t nearly as remarkable as his entire career as a musician. He was born to a Mormon mother and a Russian-Jewish father who earned a living through gambling. The music industry welcomed him in the 1960’s when he composed songs for the Everly Brothers and Linda Rondstadt. He is most celebrated for his 1978 song “Werewolves of London.” He worked together with diverse groups of artists like Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd and Little Feat. He also fostered friendships with authors such as Hunter S. Thompson, Carl Hiassen and Mitch Albom. He teamed up with a writer’s group who performed at different public events and book fairs known as Rock Bottom remainders. Members comprise of Dave Barry, Stephen King and Amy Tan.
Warren Zevron feared doctors and kept away from them until he could no longer put up with the pain and poor health he had. Mesothelioma was the reason for his discomfort but he declined medical care that he assumed would weaken him. He went on and finished “The Wind,” his Grammy winning album. He died on September 7, 2003 (today is the six year anniversary of his death), only two weeks short from the release of the said album. It hasn’t been established how he came into contact with asbestos. A lot of people were convinced it was due to heavy smoking but no connection has been established between smoking and mesothelioma.
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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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Stephen Gould’s life revolved around science and as a respected paleontologist and educator he paved the way for multitudes of people to better understand the riddles of evolution through his writings. He served as a faculty member at Harvard and there he penned informal academic essays employing out of the ordinary subjects to present common ideas in a fresh way.
His life’s work inspired many as well as his positive stance when diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma which affects a person’s abdomen. He found out in July 1981 that he was burdened with the disease but faced his condition with a positive attitude. He went on to study about mesothelioma and discovered that it usually takes only eight months after diagnosis till the disease fully consumes the life of its victim. He established a favorable disposition that he would last more than the expected time of survival for this type of lung cancer. He continued his commitment to the American Museum of National History in New York and composed some compelling books and other writings about evolution and science while bearing trial treatments. His positivity served him well although the disease eventually ended his life at the age of 60, on May 20, 2002. Today is the seven year anniversary of his death.
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A woman from Minneapolis has “beat the odds” and claims that she is cured from mesothelioma cancer.
39 year old Heather Von St. James was diagnosed with mesothelioma almost 3 years ago and underwent a radical surgery to remove her left lung, the pericardial lining around her heart, half of her diaphragm, a rib, and several lymph nodes. According to her surgeon, Dr. David Sugarbaker of International Mesothelioma Program in Boston, Heather is “disease-free.”
“I am the poster child for hope after mesothelioma,” said Heather.
The survival rate associated with mesothelioma is about 1%, and most patients suffering from mesothelioma break down to the disease in less than 2 years following their diagnosis.
Source: A rare survival story in a brush with a rare and deadly cancer
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