Getting a cancer diagnosis is never good news. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer with only 2,000- 3,000 new cases diagnosed in the US each year and most cases can be traced to occupational asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is considered incurable, but in recent years doctors have learned how to better treat and diagnose this particular cancer.… Continue reading What to expect after a mesothelioma diagnosis
Category: living with mesothelioma
Job Discrimination Protection for Cancer Patients
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offer protection against discrimination on the job. You are protected against discrimination from your employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The act also emphasizes that, if necessary, you should be provided “reasonable accommodations” in order to continue with your job. Under… Continue reading Job Discrimination Protection for Cancer Patients
Get medical advice
Individuals that experience symptoms associated with occupational diseases should seek medical advice as soon as they notice symptoms. The sooner these types of diseases are diagnosed and treated the better the prognosis is for patients. There are doctors who specialize in occupational medicine but they are very rare. Of the 800,000 physicians in the United… Continue reading Get medical advice
How to Manage Late Effects of Chemotherapy Drugs
Once a cancer patient’s treatments have ended, there is still a chance that he or she can experience side effects. Some side effects can continue after treatment or surface months or years after treatment. There is not a lot of concrete information that is known about cancer treatment side effects, but they can vary by… Continue reading How to Manage Late Effects of Chemotherapy Drugs
Rash as a Chemo Side Effect
Chemotherapy drug treatment can cause a patient to experience rashes on the back, chest, arms, neck or face that may look like a rosacea or acne type condition. A patient usually experiences rash side effects that are mild to moderate. Rash side effects do come with an infection risk factor. In some cases if the… Continue reading Rash as a Chemo Side Effect
Constipation
Chemotherapy drug treatment can cause a patient to experience constipation, or the uncomfortable passage of hard, dry stools that are infrequent. Some symptoms include bloating, cramping, increased gas and pain. About 50 percent of cancer patients experience constipation. Other side effects can occur from this condition such as decreased appetite and nausea. Drugs That Cause… Continue reading Constipation
Fatigue as a side effect
Chemotherapy drug treatments can be effective, but they also seem to be linked to intense fatigue. Drugs that often cause cancer-related fatigue are vinblastine, cisplatin and vincristine. The severity of fatigue may vary by individual, but almost 90 percent of cancer patients experience some level of fatigue related to cancer treatment at some time during… Continue reading Fatigue as a side effect
Oral Mucositis – Sores in Mouth and Throat
Some chemotherapy drugs can cause sores in the mouth or throat because they inhibit the replacement of the healthy cells. The condition that causes sores in the mouth is known as stomatitis, and a comparable condition in the throat is known as pharyngitis. The lining of the mouth starts to become pale and dry. As… Continue reading Oral Mucositis – Sores in Mouth and Throat
Religion and Spirituality
Some patients may take solace in their religious or spiritual beliefs after receiving their diagnosis. Patients can often experience an outlet of their pent-up emotions through prayer and meditation. Many studies have shown that patients who employ such practices have better psychological outlooks during treatment than those who do not. Also, many clergymen have been… Continue reading Religion and Spirituality
Side Effects of Treatment
Another major issue that patients deal with on a consistent basis during treatment is the side effects of the various remedies. Radiation therapy can cause hair loss and digestive problems. Chemotherapy sessions can leave a patient feeling lethargic and depressed. Prescription medications can cause mood fluctuations and disruptions in sleep patterns. Some other side effects… Continue reading Side Effects of Treatment