Alternative Cancer Options with Vitamin C or Interleukin-2

Integrative Regulatory Therapy with Vitamin C

Some patients have types of cancers that are inherently resistant to conventional cancer treatments; other patients express a preference for integrative cancer treatment approaches. For these patients, the IRT-C protocol offers a good option. IRT-C exploits the discovery that, in very high concentrations achievable only by intravenous administration, vitamin C (ascorbate) can generate large amounts of potential cytotoxic free radicals that many cancers are selectively sensitive to, owing to a deficiency ofantioxidant enzymes. By boosting tumor oxygenation and co-administering a catalytic form of vitamin K, the IRT-C regimen further amplifies the capacity of vitamin C to generate severe oxidative stress in tumors.

The very good news about the IRT-C approach is that it does not harm normal healthy tissues, which have adequate antioxidant defenses; thus, IRT-C is virtually free of side effects. The home treatment care program prescribed by the IRT-C includes measures to slow cancer multiplication, inhibit tumor-supportive angiogenesis, suppress the formation of new metastases, and fortify anti-cancer immune defenses.

Integrative Regulatory Therapy with Interleukin-2

Our recently introduced IRT-IL regimen is essentially a modification of the IRT-C protocol that exploits the recent exciting discovery that subcutaneous injections of the immune-boosting hormone interleukin-2 (IL-2) synergize with supplemental melatonin in amplifying anti-cancer immune defenses and prolonging high-quality survival. Patients in this protocol receive the high-dose intravenous vitamin C regimen, designed to kill antioxidant-deficient tumor cells, that is the centerpiece of the IRT-C regimen. But they also receive daily subcutaneous IL-2 injections as a complement to nocturnal melatonin supplementation. The at-home regimen employed with IRT-IL includes several injections of IL-2 per month (patients are trained to give their own injections, much like diabetics are trained to inject insulin), as well as other immune-boosting measures such as melatonin, probiotics, and cancer therapeutic measures (which actually enhances immune system capacities by selectively killing immunosuppressive Treg Cells which are immune cells resistance to treatment).

Although the at-home regimen used with IRT-IL, like that used with other Oasis protocols, is also intended to slow cancer growth, block angiogenesis, and prevent formation of new metastases, it has been slightly modified to exclude certain nutraceuticals and drugs that may not be compatible with optimization of immune capacities. 

Stage 4 Cancer Treatment

Alternative Cancer Treatments for Stage 4 Cancer Patients

A cancer is said to be in Stage IV when it has spread from its site of origin to distant organs, this progression is also known as metastasis. Unless a metastasis is singular—meaning it has only spread to one specific site—and accessible, it usually means that the cancer is no longer curable with localized therapies such as surgery or radiotherapy.

Some types of stage IV cancer can be attacked effectively with chemotherapy; other types are poorly responsive to the cytotoxic drugs that are currently available. Even when a cancer shows a good initial response to chemotherapy - shrinking or disappearing - in most cases the cancer eventually grows back, this time in a form that is less responsive to the chemotherapy. This evolution of chemo-resistance is not a mystery, because it is well known that the chromosomes of cancer cells are prone to undergo frequent changes (genetic and epigenetic). All cancer cells behave differently and thus their response to chemotherapy drugs varies. Successful chemotherapy will kill a high proportion of the responsive cells in a tumor - but the less responsive cells are prone to survive and give rise to new tumors that will be much harder to kill with the initial chemotherapy.

When stage IV cancer continue to progress despite repeated attempts of conventional cancer treatment, most doctors are prone to throwing up their hands, telling the patient that "I've done all I can", and suggesting that the patient find a good hospice and get his or her affairs in order.

A high proportion of the patients who come to Oasis of Hope have stage IV cancer and have already been through this discouraging process. But at Oasis of Hope they encounter doctors who are eager to work with them and to fight for them as long as they are willing to fight for themselves. At Oasis there truly is Hope for patients with stage IV cancer. 

Survival Statistics |Cancer Treatment Center

Though the scientific basis for the IRT protocols have been substantiated in this book, for many, it all comes down to survival statistics. Recently, we analyzed the survival of the first group of patients who have been treated with our relatively new IRT-Q and IRT-C protocols. Because these protocols have been in place for only several years, we obviously have not been able to calculate 5-year survivals yet, but we have been able to determine meaningful 1- and 2-year survivals for the most common types of cancer treated with the IRT-Q protocol. For the current IRT-C protocol, which has now been in use for a little under 2 years, we have had enough experience to calculate 1-year survivals in breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. Since most patients who come to Oasis of Hope have advanced metastatic disease when they get here, we have restricted this analysis to patients who were stage 4 at the time of diagnosis, so that our results can be compared objectively with those of other medical centers. Stage 4 usually means that metastases are present in distant organs. Also, we have included only those patients who were sufficiently healthy to complete at least 3 courses of therapy, which usually takes about 3 months. In patients diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, we have also done a separate analysis for those patients who arrived at Oasis of Hope within 6 months of their diagnosis. For many of these patients, Oasis of Hope was their first treatment option.

Tables I, II and III display our results. The results of "conventional treatment" which we have included for comparison are derived from the National Cancer Institute's recent (2007) SEER Survival Monograph – "Cancer Survival Among Adults – U.S. SEER Program, 1988-2001". This publication provides average cancer survival rates in major regions of the United States. Unfortunately, this volume does not provide 2-year survivals rates for colorectal cancer, so in this case we have used the 2-year survival results of a major medical center in Toronto. The results seem reasonably concordant with the 1-year results published in the SEER monograph.

Table I. Survival Rates for Stage IV Cancer, IRT vs. Conventional Treatment
Type of Cancer	Oasis IRT-Q Survival %				Conventional Treatment Survival %*
	1-yr	2-yr	3-yr	4-Year	1-yr	2-yr	3-yr	4-Year
Breast**	100	90	84	78	65	44	32	25
Breast	92	73	60	51	65	44	32	25
Lung	70	43	30	18	20	6	3	<2.0
Ovarian	94	88	76	65	62	43	30	23
Colorectal	66	46	32	26	43	22	13	10
*National Cancer Institute: US SEER Survival Monograph 2007 **Oasis of Hope was the first treatment option

It is clear that, in terms of survival, Oasis of Hope patients are doing better than those receiving the average standard of care in the U.S. In particular, survival in lung cancer is strikingly better. We are not doing as well with colorectal cancer. This cancer is typically resistant to available chemotherapies. But, even here our results appear to be superior to conventional treatment. Note also that our results with stage 4 breast cancer patients who came to Oasis soon after diagnosis are quite good – a doubling of two-year survival relative to conventional therapy.

With respect to the admittedly preliminary results of the IRT-C protocol, it is encouraging that, even without chemotherapy treatments, our patients have been doing better than those on conventional therapy.

Admittedly, we can’t claim that many of these patients have been "cured" – in the sense that the cancer has been eliminated and won’t come back. But it does seem that we are making some progress toward the goal of turning advanced cancer into a chronic disease that can be managed in the long term – rather like diabetes – as opposed to a rapid death sentence. And remember that our IRT protocols are in a constant state of evolution – barely a month goes by that we don’t add some new element to our regimens, or modify them in a way that seems likely to improve their efficacy. So we are cautiously optimistic that we are on the right track, and that our results will continue to improve over the coming years.

SURVIVAL RATES FOR STAGE 4 CANCER IRT-C
Type of Cancer	Oasis IRT-C		Conventional Treatment*
	1-Year Survival(%)	2-Year Survival(%)	1-Year Survival(%)	2-Year Survival(%)
Breast**	87	73	65	44
Breast	78	62	65	44
Lung	72	44	20	6
Colorectal	73	41	43	22
*National Cancer Institute: U.S. SEER Survival monograph 2007 **Patients in whom Oasis of Hope was the 1st treatment options

SURVIVAL RATES FOR STAGE 4 IRT-Q vs. IRT-C
Type of Cancer	Oasis IRT-Q		Oasis of Hope IRT-C
	1-Year Survival(%)	2-Year Survival(%)	1-Year Survival(%)	2-Year Survival(%)
Breast*	100	90	87	73
Breast	92	70	78	62
Lung	76	41	72	44
Ovarian	94	88	N/A	N/A
Colorectal	65	42	73	41
*Oasis of Hope was the 1st treatment options

These results are promising and suggest that Oasis of Hope should continue to evaluate new therapies and find ways to integrate new proven modalities into a comprehensive cancer management program that can improve the prognosis of a patient, his quality of life, and his ability to engage in normal activities. This is the commitment of the members of the Oasis of Hope Health Group.

Cancer Treatment Center | Oasis of Hope

Cancer Treatment Center | Oasis of Hope
As one of the most renowned institutions for the treatment of cancer with integrativeand alternative cancer treatments, Oasis of Hope strives to provide healing through research, review and analysis of the most recent discoveries in oncology.

Our world-class research group and experienced medical staff collaborate to identify, develop and implement effective protocols for cancer treatment. Patients at Oasis of Hope are enrolled into the main protocol known as Integrative Regulatory Therapy. IRT is subdivided into three basic protocols: IRT-Q (Alternative cancer treatment with low dose chemotherapy),IRT-C (Alternative cancer treatment with megadose Vitamin C and K), and IRT-IL (Alternative cancer treatment with interleukin). These protocols are chosen based on the patient’s medical needs. At Oasis of Hope doctors and scientists work with you to develop a comprehensive andindividualized cancer treatment plan to help improve your prognosis and quality of life. To learn more about our Alternative Cancer Treatment Center, please read our book in our research page titled "Integrative Regulatory Therapy: A multi-focal strategy for cancer control".

Medical Support for Veterans with Mesothelioma

 diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating for anyone. For veterans, it is also disheartening to learn that this deadly asbestos cancer is often the result of exposure to asbestos while serving their country. But while the diagnosis is hard to swallow, regardless of how the disease developed, getting medical support and care is of the utmost importance and should be in the forefront of the mind of anyone who develops the disease.

Mesothelioma is often diagnosed in its latest stages, so seeking appropriate treatment quickly is essential. Fortunately there is much medical support available for veterans with mesothelioma. First, it is necessary to locate an oncologist who is trained and skilled in the treatment of this disease. Because mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, not everyone is trained to treat it. Look for a thoracic oncologist who can suggest not only the propermesothelioma treatment, but also recommend enrollment in clinical trials. The ailing veteran deserves every chance possible to extend his or her life.

Take time to find out where to receive the best medical support. Veterans don't need to limit themselves to VA hospitals. While veterans' networks may be able to suggest facilities where mesothelioma care is top-notch, it is largely up to the individual as to where to seek treatment. Specialists are located throughout the country. Generally, there are more meso specialists in urban areas and regions that have historically been most affected by the disease, including towns where naval shipyards are or were located.

Because mesothelioma cancer is most often diagnosed after it has done much damage, treatment options may be limited and medical support may include chemotherapy,radiation, or mesothelioma surgery and - in some cases - a combination of all three (multi-modality therapy). Many individuals also turn to alternative therapies, especially when seeking palliative care - which is treatment meant not to cure but to keep the patient comfortable. Palliative measures may include massage, meditation, acupuncture, and other non-traditional therapies.

Veteran-run organizations, like the Veterans Benefits Network, can help former U.S. Armed Forces members who are suffering from mesothelioma determine where they can seek treatment and how they can get the benefits they've earned, especially now that they are ill. Claim information is available from this network as are contacts for both medical and legal help. Many of these organizations also offer chat rooms or discussion boards where veterans with mesothelioma and other diseases can learn about and discuss their options for medical support with others like them.

Because mesothelioma has entered the spotlight more prominently in recent years, options for treatment and medical support for veterans with the disease continue to grow. Research also continues at a brisker pace, with more dollars being allocated to those who have dedicated their careers to studying the disease and coming up with new and better treatments for meso victims. Because of this, treatment has improved greatly over the last few years and stands to progress even further within the next decade or so.

Mesothelioma Treatment

For your convenience, we have consolidated mesothelioma treatment information for your review. This section is updated on a weekly basis.

Conventional Therapies

Conventional therapies include mesothelioma surgery,radiation and chemotherapy. You should keep in mind that if you choose one course of action for mesothelioma treatment, you may preclude other courses. All of your options should be considered as soon as possible.

Stage of the disease at diagnosis, as well as general patient age and health, will determine what type of mesothelioma treatment each patient is eligible for. Surgery is more likely in those diagnosed with stage 1 mesothelioma or similarly early-staged disease. Diagnostic surgeries like mesothelioma biopsy, and palliative surgeries like pleurocentesis, are more common in patients with more advanced disease.

Chemotherapy options include the FDA-approved combination of Alimta and Cisplatin, as well as other drugs which are currently in active clinical trials. Other drugs showing positive results in trial include Gemcitabine and Navelbine. Conjunctive treatments include the approach which combines one conventional therapy with another such as surgery in combination with chemotherapy. Multi-modal mesothelioma treatment includes heated intra-operative chemotherapy which applies a potent dose of chemotherapy to the surface of the actual affected area.

Experimental Therapies

Several forms of mesothelioma treatment such as the drug Alimta®, gene therapy,immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy and multimodality therapy are still in their experimental stages. We invite you to read the following articles on experimental therapies for malignant mesothelioma.

Alternative Treatments

Many of those being treated for serious illness find comfort in different alternative therapies such as massage and acupuncture. These untraditional methods of disease management can complement conventional therapies and allow the patient to be more at peace and comfortable during this difficult time. Meditation and Yoga are common methods used by many to reach a state of relaxation, and release endorphins, our body's natural pain relievers.

The majority of these treatments are based upon patient preference but patients undergoing mesothelioma treatment are encouraged to utilize one or many of these options, which can dramatically improve patient stamina and strength while undergoing treatment for mesothelioma. Nutritional supplements and other health enhancers should also be considered by all patients undergoing mesothelioma treatment, as the disease can deplete strength and general immune health.

Treatment by Stage

This section lists typical treatment strategies based on the stage (using the Butchart staging system) of a pleural mesothelioma. Stage one mesothelioma can be treated with any number of  different methods, depending on the patient's health, including surgical resection of the disease or more advanced procedures like extrapleural pnemonectomy and lung pneumonectomy. Patients diagnosed with advanced-stage disease will likely manage their disease and its symptoms through some combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and alternative therapies.

Mesothelioma Doctors

We have become familiar with medical doctors who specialize in aggressively treatingmesothelioma cancer. Some of these doctors will review your medical records for free to see if you are a candidate for their mesothelioma treatment protocol.

Some of the more notable mesothelioma doctors include Dr. David Sugarbaker of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Valerie Rusch of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, andDr. Harvey Pass of the New York University Medical Center Division of Thoracic Surgery. Each of these oncologists have an acute knowledge of the behavior and pathology of malignant mesothelioma and its treatments. It is likely that if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you will be referred by your personal physician to a larger scale comprehensive cancer center like those discussed here.

Cancer Centers

Top Cancer Centers for mesothelioma treatment have been listed alphabetically by state for your convenience. Listings include contact information and Web site links where available.

Some of the most exciting and advanced mesothelioma treatment techniques are being researched and explored through the International Mesothelioma Program at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Harvard University Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston under the auspices of Dr. Sugarbaker. Multi-modal therapies, including combination therapies including advanced surgical procedures in conjunction with chemotherapy are some of the many exploratory therapies being researched at the IMP. Exciting studies are also arising out of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the University of California San Francisco under the auspices of Dr. David Jablons.

Clinical Trials

Information about current studies of promising new or experimental mesothelioma treatments. Several clinical trials are actively recruiting patients of malignant mesothelioma. Patients undergoing mesothelioma treatment should strongly consider participating in a clinical trial. Mesothelioma survival rate can be dramatically extended in those who are treated with as-yet unapproved/experimental therapies. Given the lack of a mesothelioma cure, participation in clinical trials among mesothelioma patients is common. A patient's ability to participate in a clinical trial will be dependent on a number of factors including age, general health, and stage of disease at diagnosis.

Ask Your Doctor

As you deal with your cancer and the process of treatment, you need to have honest, open discussions with your cancer care team. We have listed some questions that you might want to ask in this section. We urge not only patients undergoing mesothelioma treatment, but also family members and loved ones to read this section carefully, and pursue answers not only these questions but all mesothelioma treatment-related questions with your oncologist or mesothelioma specialist.

Mesothelioma Research

Selected abstracts relating to malignant mesothelioma from PubMed, the National Library of Medicine's search service.

Mesothelioma Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you and your family deal with issues that arise when dealing with cancer. Get access to a wide range of information from financial consulting and counseling services to sleep disorder and patient hair loss resources. You can even find providers of these services in your geographic area.

Mesothelioma Alerts

We know how important it is for those diagnosed with mesothelioma to be kept informed about the latest mesothelioma research. This treatment alert section contains articles regarding the most recent advances in mesothelioma treatment and the medical breakthroughs that are helping to improve longevity and quality of life in mesothelioma patients.

Source

National Cancer Institute - Treatment Options for Malignant Mesothelioma
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malignantmesothelioma/Patient/page5

Asbestos Cancer

sbestos cancer, or the type of cancer most commonly associated with asbestos exposure, is a malignancy that occurs in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart. A mesothelioma diagnosis is generally classified as one of the following three types: pleural mesotheliomawhich occurs in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura, peritoneal mesothelioma which occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum and pericardial mesothelioma which occurs in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium.

Asbestos, which has been used for, quite literally, thousands of years as a fire-retardant and insulation material has long been connected to sickness, though not necessarily cancer until the last 50 years. Illnesses in those who were frequently exposed to asbestos could be traced back to ancient times, when slaves who were known to have worked with asbestos were valued less because of a high incidence of respiratory failure.

Once asbestos was classified as a known carcinogen, the Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission imposed strict regulation on its use in commercial and industrial products. Unfortunately, many of the companies producing asbestos products were well aware of the hazards which asbestos posed and continued to expose workers and laborers to the harmful fibers.

What Causes Asbestos Cancer

Asbestos cancer is referred to as such because development of mesothelioma is conclusively linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used for centuries in a number of different industrial capacities and asbestos jobsites. While it was quite useful, unfortunately it was also carcinogenic, leading to most asbestos products being banned in the late 1970's.

Pleural mesothelioma is caused by inhaled asbestos fibers which lodge in the pleura and lung wall. Because they are quite durable, they cannot be broken down by chemical means or expelled by other body functions. Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by either ingested asbestos fibers which lodge beneath the digestive tract or fibers which affect the lymph nodes. Pericardial mesothelioma's causal relationship with asbestos is uncertain but physicians and researchers believe the microscopic asbestos fibers actually enter the bloodstream through the lungs and become affixed to the lining of the heart in transfer. Asbestos fibers on this delicate tissue cause a sustained inflammation of the area, causing harmful scar tissue and asbestos cancer cells to develop.

Asbestos Cancer Treatment

A mesothelioma prognosis is not always encouraging in malignant mesothelioma cases. Often, many patients die within 18 months of their diagnosis, depending on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis and the extent to which the cancer has metastasized. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer and the locale of the disease within the body often restrictsmesothelioma surgery. In most cases, patients will be given chemotherapy and radiation to slow the disease and ease symptoms of the disease. Additional relief from asbestos cancer symptoms can often be found using alternative treatments.

Asbestos Cancer Surgery

Depending on the location of the cancer, generally asbestos related malignancies can be difficult to resect because the latency period over which the cancer goes undetected can often extend into the time period where the tumor develops through its preliminary stages. Later stage cancers, and particularly those related to asbestos, will often not be resectable malignancies. While diagnosis of early stage asbestos cancer is uncommon, certainly those eligible for surgical removal will often have the cancer resected. Adjuvant chemotherapy is often administered after surgery to complement the resection.

Pleurectomy and Extrapleural pneumonectomy, both extensive surgeries, are often used in the treatment of pleural asbestos cancer. Surgery is much less common in malignant peritoneal and pericardial cancer, as the origin of the tumor is difficult to access without endangering the survival of the patient.

Asbestos Cancer Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the most frequently utilized treatment mechanism for the control of asbestos cancer. Drugs like Alimpta, Cisplatin, and Gemcitabine have all been used with varying degrees of efficacy to halt or slow the spread of malignant mesothelioma and lung carcinomas. Ongoing clinical trials continue to test new drugs and drug cocktails for the management and treatment of asbestos cancer. Recent trends suggest that researchers are making strides in determining approved treatment regimens not only for malignant pleural mesothelioma, but also peritoneal and pericardial cancers.

Currently, the only FDA-approved chemotherapy regimen for the asbestos cancer malignant pleural mesothelioma is a combination of Alimta and Cisplatin, delivered intravenously, with 21 days between each subsequent injection. Asbestos lung cancer carcinomas are also treatable with chemotherapy. Because asbestos cancer incidence of this type is much more prevalent (and not necessarily directly attributable to asbestos exposure), there are many more chemotherapy options available to patients.

Asbestos Cancer Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation is popular among patients receiving treatment for pleural and peritoneal cancer. Pericardial cancer patients may also utilize radiation in the control of their cancer, but in lower dosages considering the region's proximity to the heart. Radiation therapy is considered useful for palliation as well to prevent malignant cells from taking hold again following surgery.

As part of developing studies into the control of asbestos cancer through radiotherapy, researchers have begun utilizing brachytherapy to control mesothelioma tumor spread and growth. Brachytherapy is an internal radiation source implanted in the affected area which has shown promise in clinical studies in reducing tumor mass and slowing. Every year,mesothelioma survival rates are extended further and more funding is now being invested in research to evaluate new options for treatment of mesothelioma. Researchers hope to one day find a cure for mesothelioma.

Diagnosis of Asbestos-Related Cancer

Asbestos cancer diagnosis, including diagnosis of mesothelioma and lung carcinoma, can be difficult because symptoms of the disease can closely mimic those of other more minor respiratory complications. Symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or chronic cough may lead physicians to suspect mesothelioma, particularly if the patient has a knownasbestos exposure history.

Diagnostic tools include CT scans and MRIs for patients where asbestos cancer is suspected. In most cases, these imaging scans will be able to provide a picture of the tumor, but a biopsy will likely be required to determine a conclusive diagnosis of mesothelioma rather than other lung carcinomas. In cases where pleural or peritoneal effusions have manifested in the patient, draining these and extracting the fluid through pleurocentesis can allow oncologists to test the fluid for the presence of malignant cells.

Compensation for Asbestos Cancer

Unfortunately, it has come to light in recent years that many manufacturers of asbestos products were fully aware of the harmful nature of asbestos fibers and continued to expose hundreds of thousands of laborers to the toxic mineral. Asbestos products were prevalent in naval shipyards, power plants, oil refineries, and in ventilation/steam fixtures. Asbestos was also common in home construction materials, automobile parts, and thousands of other products.

While asbestos is now known to be highly toxic, there is a great deal of latency associated with asbestos cancer. Asbestos-related inflammation takes decades to develop within the lung and pleura before this inflammation translates into malignant tumor growth. Those exposed even forty to sixty years ago may still be at risk.

Fortunately, you may be eligible for financial compensation if you have been diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer or other injury. While prognosis for asbestos related cancer is often poor, those who have been exposed negligently are able to secure compensation for their treatment as well as for their families in their battle with terminal disease. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related disease, we urge you to fill out the brief form on this page. We'll send you an up-to-date information packet on new treatment options for mesothelioma, how to obtain compensation for your injuries, and important timelines associated with legal recourse for asbestos cancer patients.

Additional Topics in this Section

Asbestos Disease

While the asbestos cancer mesothelioma is the most harmful of the illnesses causes by exposure, asbestos has also been linked to lung cancer, asbestosis, and other respiratory complications.

Asbestos Types

There are two major sub-classifications of asbestos types. These are serpentine and amphibole. The singular serpentine variety is called chrysotile. Crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite are amphibole varieties.

Asbestos Alternatives

Once the nexus was established between asbestos and cancer, companies were implored to utilize asbestos alternatives. Learn about specific alternatives in this section.

Asbestos History

As stated above, asbestos has been used for many years for the purposes of insulation, prevention of heat transfer, and durability in industrial and construction materials.

Asbestos Facts and Statistics

Learn more about specific asbestos facts and statistics in this comprehensive section of our website.

Asbestos Disease in Pets and other Animals

Asbestos disease is known not only to affect humans, but has also been known to affect domestic pets and other animals. Asbestos is easily inhaled, and pets are not immune to the harmful damage caused by asbestos fibers. Learn more about how asbestos can affect your pets or other animals in this section.

Sources

National Cancer Institute - Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos

American Cancer Society - Asbestos - What Is Asbestos?
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_1_3x_asbestos.asp

Veterans & Mesothelioma

Among all those individuals in the United States stricken with mesothelioma cancer, veterans represent the group of people with the highest rate of the disease. The reason why is simple. Asbestos, the only known cause of mesothelioma, was used by the U.S. military for literally hundreds of applications. From the 1930s until the late 1970s, veterans - especially those who worked aboard ships or in shipyards - were regularly exposed to hazardous asbestos, a naturally-mined substance whose sharp fibers can be inhaled and can penetrate the lungs, causing scarring and, eventually, pleural mesothelioma. While pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, veteran asbestos exposure has also been connected topericardial mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma, which affect the lining of the heart and abdominal cavities.

The branch of the service one served in does not matter. Asbestos was present in many locations owned or frequented by members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Because exposure was unavoidable for some, mesothelioma remains one of the most serious diseases affecting veterans, particularly those who served between World War II and the Vietnam Conflict.

Navy

U.S. Naval veterans are the most seriously affected by asbestos of any group of military men and women. In fact, mesothelioma navy cases are among the most common incidence of the disease in the United States. This is because these were most often the individuals who worked both aboard ships and in shipyards. Ships were strewn with asbestos. The mineral could be found in many parts of each ship, from the galley to the gun rooms. Because of its excellent heat-resistant properties it was used in insulation, to cover pipes, as an adhesive, in floor and ceiling tiles, in gaskets and valves, and wrapped around boilers - just to name a few of its many uses. Members of the U.S. Navy were exposed daily and it was not unusual for them to breathe in airborne fibers, which would later result in a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Army

Even though members of the U.S. Army didn't generally serve aboard ships, they were still exposed to a variety of asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos was inexpensive and readily available, so the government used it in many of the buildings that lined the Army bases in this country and overseas, mainly as insulation. As buildings aged, the material became damaged or crumbly, resulting in airborne dust and the inhalation of tiny, sharp particles of asbestos. As a matter of fact, anyone living or working in an old or ill-repaired base facility - even today - may be susceptible to developing asbestos cancer.

Marines

Traditionally, the U.S. Navy and the Marines have enjoyed a close relationship, working side by side, especially in times of war. For that reason, many Marines served on U.S. naval ships, incurring many of the same dangers face by Navy veterans. Asbestos exposure in the tight quarters of ships caused some U.S. Marines to develop mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused cancer. As with members of the Army, Marines may have also encountered asbestos in buildings in their camps or bases.

Air Force

Members of the U.S. Air Force may have encountered asbestos-containing parts in airplane engines, brakes, and other pieces of equipment that were insulated with the mineral to make them more fire and heat resistant. Anyone who serviced or repaired these planes or machinery may have inhaled asbestos dust on a regular basis. In addition, the mineral was used in housing for members of the United States Air Force and their families, largely because it was cheap and easy to come by.

Those who have been affected by military asbestos exposure should seek help from one the many mesothelioma clinics and cancer centers across the United States. Those who have developed asbestos-related health complications may be eligible for financial compensation through the assistance of a mesothelioma attorney. To find out more about newmesothelioma treatment options, clinical trials, and financial compensation programs for those eligible, please fill out the brief form on this page and we'll rush you a detailed mesothelioma information packet free of charge.

Additional Topics in this Section

Veteran Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma has affected Veterans of the armed forces in great numbers. Even though their tour of duty occurred several decades ago many are just now discovering that they have developed this asbestos-related disease.

Veteran Asbestos Exposure

Learn more about the asbestos exposure risk that Veterans faced in shipyards, on ships and at U.S. military bases while serving their country.

Veteran Medical Support

There are many treatment options and avenues available to Veterans seeking medical support for mesothelioma. The number of mesothelioma Navy cases is high as many of our nation's Veterans worked aboard Naval vessels or in shipyards where asbestos was present.

Veteran Treatment Centers

Veteran hospitals and treatment centers run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offer a complete range of medical services for Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. Read more in this section.

Healing Resources for Veterans

There are a number of healing resources designed for Veterans who face specific post-deployment issues that can worsen with the development of serious health issues like mesothelioma.

Veteran Resources

The VA provides a range of resources for Veterans suffering from severe illnesses like mesothelioma or other diseases. Learn more about Vet Centers, Community Living Centers, Domiciliaries and more.

Veterans Blog

Read posts by Douglas Karr, Petty Officer Second Class, U.S. Navy Veteran on the Mesothelioma.com Veterans Blog.

Asbestos Exposure in Iraq

U.S. troops who served in Iraq may have been exposed to asbestos during their tour of service and may be at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Veterans and Hepatitis

Hepatitis C is a serious health concern for many of our country's Veterans. Learn more about the disease, how it gets transmitted and how it can be diagnosed and treated.

Veteran Legal Support

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma might be eligible to receive financial compensation for lost income or medical expenses. Read more about Veteran legal rights and how a mesothelioma attorney can help with Veteran-specific issues.