As a previous post highlighted, workers in Ohio and elsewhere could be subjected to harmful conditions in the workplace. In some cases, this means that he or she is breathing in harmful particles, causing the worker to suffer a serious workplace illness. While no one expects to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, the unfortunate reality is that a worker could be diagnosed with this serious, life-threatening illness.
Cancer research has had its ups and downs, successes and setbacks. Nonetheless, this research makes it possible to treat diseases like mesothelioma and provide individuals with a more realistic outlook when it comes to treatment plans and the ability to fight this disease. When a person was diagnosed with a rare cancer, such as malignant mesothelioma, advancements for treatments were unfortunately far and few between. This illness has an aggressive progression and patients are likely to have a poor prognosis.
In order to develop an innovative treatment plan, funding need to be put in place. And thanks to a boost in research funding, mesothelioma and other cancers are getting the attention they deserve. Although mesothelioma is considered a rare cancer, impacting roughly 3,000 Americans each year, the reality is that most are not diagnosed with this disease until they are in the later stages. Typically, these patients are given 15 months, limited chemotherapy options and surgery not being an option.
The good news is that thanks to an increased push for research, a breakthrough immunotherapy has been developed. While this has been tested on the more common cancers, it has been evolved to help address more rare cancers, including mesothelioma. In order to more viable treatment plans, research has also expanded the diagnostic testing for this cancer. By diagnosing earlier, those suffering from the disease might have more of a fighting chance.
Being diagnosed with a workplace-related illness is a shocking and life-altering situation. One hopes to have options to fight the disease; however, this is not always possible. Nonetheless, those diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other workplace illness needs to take the time to understand their rights and the possibility of seeking benefits such as workers’ compensation.
Source: Pennmedicine.org, “Advancing Treatments for Mesothelioma and Other Rare Cancers,” March 28, 2018