Support National Cancer Research Month to Help Raise Vital Funds for ...

The American Association for Cancer Research announced its support of National Cancer Research Month throughout May. The month was designated as such by Congress 'in recognition of high quality, innovative cancer research.' This month is another opportunity to raise much-needed funding for mesothelioma research. Private donations are critical for enabling researchers and scientists to dedicate the time to focus on developing new therapies that could lead to a breakthrough for mesothelioma.

Each year, nearly 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer typically affecting the lining of the lungs. The asbestos-caused cancer is highly aggressive and is resistant to many cancer treatments, leading researchers throughout the world to spend countless hours searching for a new, effective treatment. There is no cure for the disease.

AACR proclaims that ' Cancer research saves lives,' and is using this statement as the focus for the month. Sadly, 28 people die of cancer every 2 minutes in the U.S. Finding new treatment options for mesothelioma and all cancers is dependent on continued research and successful clinical trials focused on testing the newly developed treatment approaches. However, in 2012 although there were 1000 cancer drugs in the pipeline, just 16 were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to AACR.

Completing a clinical trial and getting approval for an anti-cancer treatment can take more than seven years and over $1 billion, according to AACR. With these startling statistics, it is critical that all Americans do their part in the fight against cancer during the month.

The AACR asks the American public to:

Call on Congress to make cancer research a top national priority. Donate to the AACR Foundation for the prevention and cure of cancer or to another organization of your choice. Participate in a clinical trial as a cancer patient or as a healthy participant to help researchers obtain data. Get informed about the causes of preventable cancer to help decrease the number of cancer diagnoses in the country.

Many hospitals, including mesothelioma specialty centers such as The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and The Cancer Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center, acknowledge the importance of cancer research and use the month of May as a time to educate the public about the importance of funding cancer research.

The Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center of Seattle, held a lantern lighting ceremony on April 30 to honor loved ones and support lifesaving cancer research to kick off the month.

'Research is the necessary path to ending cancer,' said Dr. Larry Corey, president and director of Fred Hutchison in a press release announcing the importance of the May's research.'

'If we don't all step up and support cancer research we're going to keep losing friends, family and sadly, future generations to this disease,' added Amy Lavin, Obliteride's executive director. Obliteride is a bike ride fundraiser for Fred Hutchison to be held August 10.

Because mesothelioma is rarer than other cancers, there is typically less money devoted specifically to mesothelioma research, prevention and treatment. Every dollar makes a difference for mesothelioma research. To help the fight against mesothelioma, consider making a donation to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation in honor of Don Smitley who lost his life to mesothelioma in October. Contributions can be made in Don's memory at http://ift.tt/1k7gNvG.

The Meso Foundation is a national non-profit dedicated to ending the suffering caused by mesothelioma by focusing its efforts on funding mesothelioma research. Each year the Meso Foundation awards grants to the 'best and most promising' mesothelioma research projects.

Like National Cancer Research Month on Facebook and follow #NCRM14 on Twitter to show your support.

For more information about National Cancer Research Month see AACR.org.

Nancy Meredith is a blog and web content writer with more than 20 years of professional experience in the Information Technology industry. She has been writing about Mesothelioma for 4 years. Follow Nancy on Google+

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Lung cancer screening good but will cost Medicare $9.3 billion: Study

Lung cancer is the second most prevalent form of cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Although screening for the disease can potentially save thousands of lives, findings of a new study suggest that it would cost the Medicare billions of dollars per year should it cover lung cancer screening for heavy smokers who are at risk of the disease.

In the study which will be presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago from May 30 to June 3, researchers looked at Medicare beneficiaries who have history of heavy smoking and estimated the cost of implementing the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on lung cancer screening released in December last year.

The advisory panel recommended that current and former heavy smokers 55 years old and over undergo yearly low-dose CT scan. The screening cost is anywhere between $250 and $300 but can prevent up to 20 percent of lung cancer deaths. USPSTF's recommendation was based on evidence that the benefits of lung cancer screening outweigh the risks associated with overtreatment and overdiagnosis.

Study researcher Joshua Roth, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and colleagues, calculated the cost of the screening as well as the diagnostic work up and care that will be given to patients with newly detected cancer and found that the program would cost the Medicare $9.3 billion over a five-year period which translates to an additional $3 spending per Medicare member per month.

Although lung cancer screening is costly, Roth said that what's really important is to save lives. As of 2010, over 150,000 individuals in the U.S died from lung cancer, which comprise 28 percent of all cancer-related deaths.

'It may be true that lung cancer screening will increase the cost of care, especially in the short term,' Roth said. 'The primary issue is about saving lives. The goal of our healthcare should be to enhance our life and increase our longevity. Its goal should not be to save money.'

Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer, which does not often show symptoms until it has advanced. Individuals with a family history of the disease and those exposed to secondhand smoke and certain substances such as asbestos and radon are also at risk of developing lung cancer.

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£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

3:00pm Thursday 15th May 2014 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

Asbestos sheeting. The dust from asbestos causes the lung disease mesothelioma

VICTIMS of an asbestos-induced cancer in East Lancashire are beginning to take advantage of a new assistance scheme designed to compensate now-defunct firms whose insurers cannot be traced.

Dozens of people in the area have contracted mesothelioma after exposure to the material through working at factories and power stations, or in the building trade, from up to 40 or 50 years ago.

The symptoms only emerge after decades and routinely prove fatal - by which time related employers mhave gone out of business. But a new Mesothelioma Act has been passed giving eligible victims the chance to claim compensation packages of around £123,000.

An initial debate in the House of Commons had set the awards at around £115,000 but government sources say they have managed to reduce the administration costs of the scheme.

Mike Penning, Works and Pensions Minister, said: 'This will end years of injustice for mesothelioma victims and their families - who have had to endure this terrible disease with little hope of any compensation from the insurance industry.'

The compensation scheme is supported by the insurance industry and it is estimated that around 800 cases this year, and 300 every subsequent year up to 2024, will benefit.

Around £7,000 in additional legal fees will be available Eighty-six deaths were reported from mesothelioma in in East Lancashire in 2012, with higher proportions in Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley and Pensdle.

A number of asbestos-related deaths have been linked to working at the Garden Street gas mask factory in Blackburn during the war and the former Huncoat Power Station.

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£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

3:00pm Thursday 15th May 2014 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

Asbestos sheeting. The dust from asbestos causes the lung disease mesothelioma

VICTIMS of an asbestos-induced cancer in East Lancashire are beginning to take advantage of a new assistance scheme designed to compensate now-defunct firms whose insurers cannot be traced.

Dozens of people in the area have contracted mesothelioma after exposure to the material through working at factories and power stations, or in the building trade, from up to 40 or 50 years ago.

The symptoms only emerge after decades and routinely prove fatal - by which time related employers mhave gone out of business. But a new Mesothelioma Act has been passed giving eligible victims the chance to claim compensation packages of around £123,000.

An initial debate in the House of Commons had set the awards at around £115,000 but government sources say they have managed to reduce the administration costs of the scheme.

Mike Penning, Works and Pensions Minister, said: 'This will end years of injustice for mesothelioma victims and their families - who have had to endure this terrible disease with little hope of any compensation from the insurance industry.'

The compensation scheme is supported by the insurance industry and it is estimated that around 800 cases this year, and 300 every subsequent year up to 2024, will benefit.

Around £7,000 in additional legal fees will be available Eighty-six deaths were reported from mesothelioma in in East Lancashire in 2012, with higher proportions in Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley and Pensdle.

A number of asbestos-related deaths have been linked to working at the Garden Street gas mask factory in Blackburn during the war and the former Huncoat Power Station.

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£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

3:00pm Thursday 15th May 2014 in East Lancashire By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

Asbestos sheeting. The dust from asbestos causes the lung disease mesothelioma

VICTIMS of an asbestos-induced cancer in East Lancashire are beginning to take advantage of a new assistance scheme designed to compensate now-defunct firms whose insurers cannot be traced.

Dozens of people in the area have contracted mesothelioma after exposure to the material through working at factories and power stations, or in the building trade, from up to 40 or 50 years ago.

The symptoms only emerge after decades and routinely prove fatal - by which time related employers mhave gone out of business. But a new Mesothelioma Act has been passed giving eligible victims the chance to claim compensation packages of around £123,000.

An initial debate in the House of Commons had set the awards at around £115,000 but government sources say they have managed to reduce the administration costs of the scheme.

Mike Penning, Works and Pensions Minister, said: 'This will end years of injustice for mesothelioma victims and their families - who have had to endure this terrible disease with little hope of any compensation from the insurance industry.'

The compensation scheme is supported by the insurance industry and it is estimated that around 800 cases this year, and 300 every subsequent year up to 2024, will benefit.

Around £7,000 in additional legal fees will be available Eighty-six deaths were reported from mesothelioma in in East Lancashire in 2012, with higher proportions in Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley and Pensdle.

A number of asbestos-related deaths have been linked to working at the Garden Street gas mask factory in Blackburn during the war and the former Huncoat Power Station.

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£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

3:00pm Thursday 15th May 2014 in East Lancashire By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

Asbestos sheeting. The dust from asbestos causes the lung disease mesothelioma

VICTIMS of an asbestos-induced cancer in East Lancashire are beginning to take advantage of a new assistance scheme designed to compensate now-defunct firms whose insurers cannot be traced.

Dozens of people in the area have contracted mesothelioma after exposure to the material through working at factories and power stations, or in the building trade, from up to 40 or 50 years ago.

The symptoms only emerge after decades and routinely prove fatal - by which time related employers mhave gone out of business. But a new Mesothelioma Act has been passed giving eligible victims the chance to claim compensation packages of around £123,000.

An initial debate in the House of Commons had set the awards at around £115,000 but government sources say they have managed to reduce the administration costs of the scheme.

Mike Penning, Works and Pensions Minister, said: 'This will end years of injustice for mesothelioma victims and their families - who have had to endure this terrible disease with little hope of any compensation from the insurance industry.'

The compensation scheme is supported by the insurance industry and it is estimated that around 800 cases this year, and 300 every subsequent year up to 2024, will benefit.

Around £7,000 in additional legal fees will be available Eighty-six deaths were reported from mesothelioma in in East Lancashire in 2012, with higher proportions in Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley and Pensdle.

A number of asbestos-related deaths have been linked to working at the Garden Street gas mask factory in Blackburn during the war and the former Huncoat Power Station.

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Lung cancer not on many women's radar

Lung cancer not on many women's radar

TUESDAY, May 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. women still see breast cancer as a bigger killer than lung cancer, despite the fact that lung cancer kills more Americans each year -- women and men -- than any other cancer.

That's one of the findings from a new American Lung Association (ALA) survey of over 1,000 adult U.S. women.

The poll also found that many women may not appreciate the lung cancer risk to nonsmokers. And few were aware of just how deadly lung cancer remains, in a time of major progress against some other cancers.

According to Alana Burns, vice president of the ALA's Signature Cause Campaign, the poor survival rate may be one reason that lung cancer is not on women's radar.

'With breast cancer, there are so many survivors out there telling their stories and advocating,' Burns said. 'But more than half of women diagnosed with lung cancer are gone within a year. There is no legion of survivors talking about their experiences.'

In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, followed by lung cancer. But lung cancer is the top killer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer kills about 38 out of every 100,000 U.S. women each year. The death rate from breast cancer is 22 per 100,000.

But when the ALA survey respondents were given a list of cancers and asked to pick the top killer of women, 51 percent chose breast cancer. Only 22 percent chose lung cancer.

'It's pretty clear that breast cancer gets more press,' said Dr. Subhakar Mutyala, associate director of the Scott & White Cancer Institute in Temple, Texas.

Plus, he said, since there's routine screening for breast cancer, women and their doctors are talking about the disease.

But unless you're a smoker, your doctor is probably not going to bring up lung cancer, noted Mutyala, who reviewed the survey findings. And while it is possible to screen for lung cancer, he added, that's limited to certain high-risk groups.

Right now, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual CT scans for adults aged 55 to 80 who currently smoke or who quit within the past 15 years -- and smoked for at least 30 'pack-years.' That means one pack per day for 30 years, or two packs a day for 15 years, for example.

Smokers are not, however, the only people who get lung cancer. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with the disease never smoked, the ALA states.

But half of the women in the new survey said they were 'not concerned' about lung cancer because they'd never smoked. That included 68 percent of lifelong nonsmokers.

'Many people think of lung cancer as solely a smoker's disease,' Burns said.

Yet, she added, if lung cancer in nonsmokers were considered its own disease, it would rank among the top-10 cancer killers in the United States.

Burns and Mutyala said people should be aware of the risk factors for lung cancer in nonsmokers.

The top cause is exposure to radon gas, which can become concentrated in homes that are built on soil with natural uranium deposits. Other risk factors include chronic exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollution, and on-the-job exposure to pollutants such as diesel exhaust and asbestos. Researchers have also found gene mutations that play a role in some lung cancers.

The prognosis for people with lung cancer remains grim, according to the lung association. Less than half of women with the disease are still alive one year after they're diagnosed -- a statistic few women in the survey said they'd heard before.

Unfortunately, the cancer is usually diagnosed at a late stage. 'Only about 20 percent of lung cancers are operable when people are diagnosed,' Mutyala said.

To help improve that outlook, the ALA wants the U.S. National Institutes of Health to boost its funding for lung cancer research -- from the current level of $213 million per year, to $400 million by 2025. By comparison, current funding for breast cancer research tops $650 million a year, according to estimates from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

'That's despite the fact that lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined,' Mutyala said.

Burns said women can help by getting involved in efforts to raise awareness and funds. The ALA just launched a new website, dubbed Lung Force (lungforce.org), where people can find information on local charity events, share stories about their experiences with lung cancer, and get information on the disease.

'We want people to learn about the risks,' Burns said. 'This is something that's relevant to you. You should care.' More information

The American Lung Association has facts and figures on lung cancer.

Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

3:00pm Thursday 15th May 2014 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

Asbestos sheeting. The dust from asbestos causes the lung disease mesothelioma

VICTIMS of an asbestos-induced cancer in East Lancashire are beginning to take advantage of a new assistance scheme designed to compensate now-defunct firms whose insurers cannot be traced.

Dozens of people in the area have contracted mesothelioma after exposure to the material through working at factories and power stations, or in the building trade, from up to 40 or 50 years ago.

The symptoms only emerge after decades and routinely prove fatal - by which time related employers mhave gone out of business. But a new Mesothelioma Act has been passed giving eligible victims the chance to claim compensation packages of around £123,000.

An initial debate in the House of Commons had set the awards at around £115,000 but government sources say they have managed to reduce the administration costs of the scheme.

Mike Penning, Works and Pensions Minister, said: 'This will end years of injustice for mesothelioma victims and their families - who have had to endure this terrible disease with little hope of any compensation from the insurance industry.'

The compensation scheme is supported by the insurance industry and it is estimated that around 800 cases this year, and 300 every subsequent year up to 2024, will benefit.

Around £7,000 in additional legal fees will be available Eighty-six deaths were reported from mesothelioma in in East Lancashire in 2012, with higher proportions in Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley and Pensdle.

A number of asbestos-related deaths have been linked to working at the Garden Street gas mask factory in Blackburn during the war and the former Huncoat Power Station.

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£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

3:00pm Thursday 15th May 2014 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

Asbestos sheeting. The dust from asbestos causes the lung disease mesothelioma

VICTIMS of an asbestos-induced cancer in East Lancashire are beginning to take advantage of a new assistance scheme designed to compensate now-defunct firms whose insurers cannot be traced.

Dozens of people in the area have contracted mesothelioma after exposure to the material through working at factories and power stations, or in the building trade, from up to 40 or 50 years ago.

The symptoms only emerge after decades and routinely prove fatal - by which time related employers mhave gone out of business. But a new Mesothelioma Act has been passed giving eligible victims the chance to claim compensation packages of around £123,000.

An initial debate in the House of Commons had set the awards at around £115,000 but government sources say they have managed to reduce the administration costs of the scheme.

Mike Penning, Works and Pensions Minister, said: 'This will end years of injustice for mesothelioma victims and their families - who have had to endure this terrible disease with little hope of any compensation from the insurance industry.'

The compensation scheme is supported by the insurance industry and it is estimated that around 800 cases this year, and 300 every subsequent year up to 2024, will benefit.

Around £7,000 in additional legal fees will be available Eighty-six deaths were reported from mesothelioma in in East Lancashire in 2012, with higher proportions in Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley and Pensdle.

A number of asbestos-related deaths have been linked to working at the Garden Street gas mask factory in Blackburn during the war and the former Huncoat Power Station.

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£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

3:00pm Thursday 15th May 2014 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

Asbestos sheeting. The dust from asbestos causes the lung disease mesothelioma

VICTIMS of an asbestos-induced cancer in East Lancashire are beginning to take advantage of a new assistance scheme designed to compensate now-defunct firms whose insurers cannot be traced.

Dozens of people in the area have contracted mesothelioma after exposure to the material through working at factories and power stations, or in the building trade, from up to 40 or 50 years ago.

The symptoms only emerge after decades and routinely prove fatal - by which time related employers mhave gone out of business. But a new Mesothelioma Act has been passed giving eligible victims the chance to claim compensation packages of around £123,000.

An initial debate in the House of Commons had set the awards at around £115,000 but government sources say they have managed to reduce the administration costs of the scheme.

Mike Penning, Works and Pensions Minister, said: 'This will end years of injustice for mesothelioma victims and their families - who have had to endure this terrible disease with little hope of any compensation from the insurance industry.'

The compensation scheme is supported by the insurance industry and it is estimated that around 800 cases this year, and 300 every subsequent year up to 2024, will benefit.

Around £7,000 in additional legal fees will be available Eighty-six deaths were reported from mesothelioma in in East Lancashire in 2012, with higher proportions in Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley and Pensdle.

A number of asbestos-related deaths have been linked to working at the Garden Street gas mask factory in Blackburn during the war and the former Huncoat Power Station.

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£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

£123k for East Lancs victims of asbestos

3:00pm Thursday 15th May 2014 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

Asbestos sheeting. The dust from asbestos causes the lung disease mesothelioma

VICTIMS of an asbestos-induced cancer in East Lancashire are beginning to take advantage of a new assistance scheme designed to compensate now-defunct firms whose insurers cannot be traced.

Dozens of people in the area have contracted mesothelioma after exposure to the material through working at factories and power stations, or in the building trade, from up to 40 or 50 years ago.

The symptoms only emerge after decades and routinely prove fatal - by which time related employers mhave gone out of business. But a new Mesothelioma Act has been passed giving eligible victims the chance to claim compensation packages of around £123,000.

An initial debate in the House of Commons had set the awards at around £115,000 but government sources say they have managed to reduce the administration costs of the scheme.

Mike Penning, Works and Pensions Minister, said: 'This will end years of injustice for mesothelioma victims and their families - who have had to endure this terrible disease with little hope of any compensation from the insurance industry.'

The compensation scheme is supported by the insurance industry and it is estimated that around 800 cases this year, and 300 every subsequent year up to 2024, will benefit.

Around £7,000 in additional legal fees will be available Eighty-six deaths were reported from mesothelioma in in East Lancashire in 2012, with higher proportions in Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley and Pensdle.

A number of asbestos-related deaths have been linked to working at the Garden Street gas mask factory in Blackburn during the war and the former Huncoat Power Station.

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Asbestos exposure may have killed New Malden man at Princess Alice Hospice ...

Asbestos exposure may have killed New Malden man at Princess Alice Hospice five decades after exposure, inquest hears

2:40am Saturday 10th May 2014 in News By Nazia Dewji, Reporter

Princess Alice Hospice: Cares for people with terminal illnesses

A retired New Malden serviceman may have died after coming into contact with asbestos up to 50 years before, an inquest has heard.

Raymond Greengrass, 68, of Beresford Road, died on October 28 last year at Princess Alice Hospice from mesothelioma.

No family were at the inquest at West London Coroner's Court on Thursday.

Mr Greengrass's daughter wrote how her father believed the only time he may have come in contact with asbestos was working for a book supplier in Neasden as a teenager.

She said: 'He used to have to go down to the cellar and get the accounts.'

The inquest heard smoker Mr Greengrass refused antibiotics and preferred a symptom control treatment.

He went to accident and emergency the day before he was admitted to the hospice, where he died the same day.

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Lung cancer not on many women's radar

Lung cancer not on many women's radar

TUESDAY, May 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. women still see breast cancer as a bigger killer than lung cancer, despite the fact that lung cancer kills more Americans each year -- women and men -- than any other cancer.

That's one of the findings from a new American Lung Association (ALA) survey of over 1,000 adult U.S. women.

The poll also found that many women may not appreciate the lung cancer risk to nonsmokers. And few were aware of just how deadly lung cancer remains, in a time of major progress against some other cancers.

According to Alana Burns, vice president of the ALA's Signature Cause Campaign, the poor survival rate may be one reason that lung cancer is not on women's radar.

'With breast cancer, there are so many survivors out there telling their stories and advocating,' Burns said. 'But more than half of women diagnosed with lung cancer are gone within a year. There is no legion of survivors talking about their experiences.'

In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, followed by lung cancer. But lung cancer is the top killer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer kills about 38 out of every 100,000 U.S. women each year. The death rate from breast cancer is 22 per 100,000.

But when the ALA survey respondents were given a list of cancers and asked to pick the top killer of women, 51 percent chose breast cancer. Only 22 percent chose lung cancer.

'It's pretty clear that breast cancer gets more press,' said Dr. Subhakar Mutyala, associate director of the Scott & White Cancer Institute in Temple, Texas.

Plus, he said, since there's routine screening for breast cancer, women and their doctors are talking about the disease.

But unless you're a smoker, your doctor is probably not going to bring up lung cancer, noted Mutyala, who reviewed the survey findings. And while it is possible to screen for lung cancer, he added, that's limited to certain high-risk groups.

Right now, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual CT scans for adults aged 55 to 80 who currently smoke or who quit within the past 15 years -- and smoked for at least 30 'pack-years.' That means one pack per day for 30 years, or two packs a day for 15 years, for example.

Smokers are not, however, the only people who get lung cancer. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with the disease never smoked, the ALA states.

But half of the women in the new survey said they were 'not concerned' about lung cancer because they'd never smoked. That included 68 percent of lifelong nonsmokers.

'Many people think of lung cancer as solely a smoker's disease,' Burns said.

Yet, she added, if lung cancer in nonsmokers were considered its own disease, it would rank among the top-10 cancer killers in the United States.

Burns and Mutyala said people should be aware of the risk factors for lung cancer in nonsmokers.

The top cause is exposure to radon gas, which can become concentrated in homes that are built on soil with natural uranium deposits. Other risk factors include chronic exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollution, and on-the-job exposure to pollutants such as diesel exhaust and asbestos. Researchers have also found gene mutations that play a role in some lung cancers.

The prognosis for people with lung cancer remains grim, according to the lung association. Less than half of women with the disease are still alive one year after they're diagnosed -- a statistic few women in the survey said they'd heard before.

Unfortunately, the cancer is usually diagnosed at a late stage. 'Only about 20 percent of lung cancers are operable when people are diagnosed,' Mutyala said.

To help improve that outlook, the ALA wants the U.S. National Institutes of Health to boost its funding for lung cancer research -- from the current level of $213 million per year, to $400 million by 2025. By comparison, current funding for breast cancer research tops $650 million a year, according to estimates from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

'That's despite the fact that lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined,' Mutyala said.

Burns said women can help by getting involved in efforts to raise awareness and funds. The ALA just launched a new website, dubbed Lung Force (lungforce.org), where people can find information on local charity events, share stories about their experiences with lung cancer, and get information on the disease.

'We want people to learn about the risks,' Burns said. 'This is something that's relevant to you. You should care.' More information

The American Lung Association has facts and figures on lung cancer.

Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Asbestos exposure may have killed New Malden man at Princess Alice Hospice ...

Asbestos exposure may have killed New Malden man at Princess Alice Hospice five decades after exposure, inquest hears

2:40am Saturday 10th May 2014 in News By Nazia Dewji, Reporter

Princess Alice Hospice: Cares for people with terminal illnesses

A retired New Malden serviceman may have died after coming into contact with asbestos up to 50 years before, an inquest has heard.

Raymond Greengrass, 68, of Beresford Road, died on October 28 last year at Princess Alice Hospice from mesothelioma.

No family were at the inquest at West London Coroner's Court on Thursday.

Mr Greengrass's daughter wrote how her father believed the only time he may have come in contact with asbestos was working for a book supplier in Neasden as a teenager.

She said: 'He used to have to go down to the cellar and get the accounts.'

The inquest heard smoker Mr Greengrass refused antibiotics and preferred a symptom control treatment.

He went to accident and emergency the day before he was admitted to the hospice, where he died the same day.

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Mesothelioma Lawyers Raise $11500 for Mesothelioma Cancer Research

It was a beautiful, sunny day in the St. Louis region on April 26 when area residents gathered to raise funds for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation at the inaugural Cycling for Meso event. Organized by the law firm, Gori Julian & Associates, Inc., P.C, the event drew sponsors from across the United States, all with one interest - helping fund research and outreach for victims of mesothelioma. A total of $11,500 was raised as part of the effort.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation works to support families and victims of Mesothelioma, through education, advocacy and research. In basic medical terms, mesothelioma is a rare cancer in which cells of the mesothelium (a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body) become abnormal and malignant. The known cause of mesothelioma in the United States is asbestos.

'We had such a great time organizing this event and pulling in the interests of so many businesses and area residents who wanted to stand by our side in supporting the fight against mesothelioma,' said Randy Gori, founding partner at Gori Julian & Associates, Inc., P.C. 'We believe we had a successful first-year event and plan to do it again next year with even more enthusiasm so we can help spread awareness for this important cause.'

Cycling for Meso is one of several events Gori Julian hosts throughout the year to raise funds for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. An ongoing distribution of Cure 4 Meso bracelets helps the firm spread the word while hosting events like Cycling for Meso and an annual Cure 4 Meso Pub Crawl expands their reach of support throughout the year.

Sponsors of the 2014 event included Lanier Law Firm and the Edwardsville Intelligencer as the Fast Finisher Sponsors. Power Sponsors included, Carrollton Bank, TheBANK of Edwardsville, J.Hilburn Men's Custom Clothing by Angela Bullock, Kurowski Shultz, LLC, Pohlman USA Court Reporting, James C. Farrell, P.C., Gerard Hempstead and Brett Gilliland of Northwestern Mutual St. Louis and Cork Tree Creative, Inc. Pace sponsors included Spencer Promotional Gear, Hobson & Bradley Law Firm, Junior Service Club of Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Tays Law Firm, Concord Research & Consulting Group, LLC, Abstracts & Titles, Inc., Scott Credit Union, First Clover Leaf Bank, Phone Masters, Jourdain Roofing and Hurford Architects.

'We are very grateful to our many sponsors who stepped up to help make this first-time event a success. We hope they, and other businesses, will join us again next year as we expand our reach and make Cycling for Meso a nation-wide cycling event.'

For more information on how you can be a sponsor of the 2015 Cycling for Meso event, contact Gori Julian & Associates at 888-362-6890. About Gori Julian & Associates, Inc., P.C.

Gori Julian & Associates has recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for those suffering as a result of asbestos exposure. Although the attorneys at Gori Julian & Associates concentrate on asbestos-related injuries, they also handle cases in occupational disease and pharmaceutical litigation. For more information on the areas of law practiced by the attorneys at Gori Julian & Associates, or to contact an attorney at the firm, visit http://ift.tt/JQwM2a or call toll free at 888.362.6890.

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Widow Awarded Settlement in Philadelphia Asbestos Suit

Rick Kornak provides sharp news and insightful articles for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Bio '

May 12, 2014

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - A settlement has been reached in a suit filed by Rosemary T. Checho, widow of Thomas N. Checho, a mesothelioma victim who passed away in September, 2012. Mrs. Checho alleged that her husband contracted mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos during his 35-year career as an operator of hot metal typesetting machines.

The matter was settled for an undisclosed amount after the plaintiff's attorney, Michael C. Mudd, raised some questions regarding Philadelphia's current method of handling asbestos cases.

Mudd filed a motion requesting a judge specially vacate General Court Regulation No. 2013-01, which has historically deferred punitive damages claims in asbestos cases. However, in late 2011, Judge John W. Herron, Philadelphia's administrative judge of the trial division, changed the rules so that asbestos cases were not 'reverse bifurcated,' meaning they were not deferred and consolidated with similar cases.

In his filing, Mudd maintained that the plaintiff's inability to present a punitive damages claim to the jury was a violation of Mrs. Checho's right to due process of law.

'Since asbestos trials in Philadelphia are no longer reverse bifurcated, the rationale for the deferral of punitive damages claims no longer exists,' Mudd wrote in his filing. If a jury can reasonably conclude a defendant's guilt based on evidence, 'then the punitive damages claim should be submitted to the jury,' he also wrote.

Exposure to airborne asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, which is why widespread use of the hazardous material was banned in the 1970s. Mesothelioma has a lengthy latency period; many of the victims of the disease were exposed to asbestos decades ago, often before the ban went into effect. Each year, approximately 3,000 mesothelioma diagnoses are made.

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Cambridge's Baldock family tell the News why they are supporting the Help our ...

Alan Baldock was surrounded by scores of family members and friends in his final hours at Arthur Rank.

Even his dog Marley was by his side in November 2012, as staff at the Mill Road hospice tried to make his death as comfortable as possible.

Now his widow Bernie and daughter Sasha have shared their story with the News to mark the launch of the Help our Hospice appeal, highlighting the 'amazing' care offered by the hospice team.

Heating engineer Alan first became ill in January 2012 with what appeared to be a chest infection, but when symptoms remained doctors considered other afflictions like angina, gallstones and muscular strains, and a variety of painkillers were prescribed.

In May, the 55-year-old visited the cardiac clinic at Addenbrooke's and a scan of his chest proved inconclusive.

However, on August 6, following a biopsy at Papworth Hospital the father-of-three was diagnosed with Mesolthelioma - cancer of the membrane around the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.

Bernie explained: 'He was given 5 to 6 months to lives as Mesothelioma isn't curable, and Alan was offered various options to try and keep the pain under control.

'From this time we had many appointments at Addenbrooke's, Papworth and with our GP. It seemed every time we went, Alan's medication was increased as the pain got worse. We attended pain clinic specialist appointments at Arthur Rank and this was the start of our association with the hospice.'

On October 23, Alan was admitted to the hospice's inpatient unit.

Bernie said: 'He seemed to settle well and we think he felt safe as there was always somebody to make sure he was comfortable and as free from pain as possible under the circumstances.

'He liked having his own room and a glass of wine with his meal if he wanted.'

Sasha, 17, added: 'He also liked the Taste the Difference desserts and watching Top Gear and Man v Food on his TV.'

Guests also included sons Daniel, 27, and Dominic, 24, and other family and friends.

But on November 1, things took a turn for the worse and nurses told the Baldocks, of Cherry Hinton, their dad was nearing the end and that is was time to say final goodbyes.

Bernie said: 'Alan fought and fought and the staff told us we could use the family room as there were so many of us there. This was such a great help to us as it meant we had such a strong network of support close at hand.

'The staff even suggested bringing our dog, Marley, as Alan had spoken to them about him. The family, Marley included, set up camp in the family room and even took over the visitors' kitchen. At one point we had slow cookers and washing machines on the go.

'Marley was even allowed in Alan's room and he would check on Alan at various times of the day by putting his paw on Alan's bed.

'I did worry about the amount of visitors and asked the staff if I should send some of them home and was told a most definite 'no'. This was very important to me as it meant I could spend all my time with Alan knowing the children were being cared for and supported by the hospice team.'

She added: 'Even when Alan wasn't conscious the nurses treated him with great care and dignity - we just couldn't fault their care.

'People say how wonderful the hospice is but I can honestly say, until you experience it you can't begin to appreciate just how amazing the people working here are.'

Alan died at 9.45am on Monday, November 5.

Since that date, his family have become keen supporters of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and are preparing to take part in the Star Shine Stroll Memory Walk on May 17 in their latest fundraising effort.

And Bernie and Sasha have also thrown their weight behind the move to a new site.

Bernie said: 'When I heard of the plans for the new hospice I was a little sad as we have lots of memories of Alan's short stay there but it looks like being a fabulous place for patients and that has to come first.'

Sasha added: 'I was inspired by the care my dad received and the hospice deserves every penny we raise.'

To sponsor the strollers, visit http://ift.tt/1jX9KFJ and to find out more about the event, visit starshinestroll.co.uk.

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Cambridge's Baldock family tell the News why they are supporting the Help our ...

Alan Baldock was surrounded by scores of family members and friends in his final hours at Arthur Rank.

Even his dog Marley was by his side in November 2012, as staff at the Mill Road hospice tried to make his death as comfortable as possible.

Now his widow Bernie and daughter Sasha have shared their story with the News to mark the launch of the Help our Hospice appeal, highlighting the 'amazing' care offered by the hospice team.

Heating engineer Alan first became ill in January 2012 with what appeared to be a chest infection, but when symptoms remained doctors considered other afflictions like angina, gallstones and muscular strains, and a variety of painkillers were prescribed.

In May, the 55-year-old visited the cardiac clinic at Addenbrooke's and a scan of his chest proved inconclusive.

However, on August 6, following a biopsy at Papworth Hospital the father-of-three was diagnosed with Mesolthelioma - cancer of the membrane around the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.

Bernie explained: 'He was given 5 to 6 months to lives as Mesothelioma isn't curable, and Alan was offered various options to try and keep the pain under control.

'From this time we had many appointments at Addenbrooke's, Papworth and with our GP. It seemed every time we went, Alan's medication was increased as the pain got worse. We attended pain clinic specialist appointments at Arthur Rank and this was the start of our association with the hospice.'

On October 23, Alan was admitted to the hospice's inpatient unit.

Bernie said: 'He seemed to settle well and we think he felt safe as there was always somebody to make sure he was comfortable and as free from pain as possible under the circumstances.

'He liked having his own room and a glass of wine with his meal if he wanted.'

Sasha, 17, added: 'He also liked the Taste the Difference desserts and watching Top Gear and Man v Food on his TV.'

Guests also included sons Daniel, 27, and Dominic, 24, and other family and friends.

But on November 1, things took a turn for the worse and nurses told the Baldocks, of Cherry Hinton, their dad was nearing the end and that is was time to say final goodbyes.

Bernie said: 'Alan fought and fought and the staff told us we could use the family room as there were so many of us there. This was such a great help to us as it meant we had such a strong network of support close at hand.

'The staff even suggested bringing our dog, Marley, as Alan had spoken to them about him. The family, Marley included, set up camp in the family room and even took over the visitors' kitchen. At one point we had slow cookers and washing machines on the go.

'Marley was even allowed in Alan's room and he would check on Alan at various times of the day by putting his paw on Alan's bed.

'I did worry about the amount of visitors and asked the staff if I should send some of them home and was told a most definite 'no'. This was very important to me as it meant I could spend all my time with Alan knowing the children were being cared for and supported by the hospice team.'

She added: 'Even when Alan wasn't conscious the nurses treated him with great care and dignity - we just couldn't fault their care.

'People say how wonderful the hospice is but I can honestly say, until you experience it you can't begin to appreciate just how amazing the people working here are.'

Alan died at 9.45am on Monday, November 5.

Since that date, his family have become keen supporters of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and are preparing to take part in the Star Shine Stroll Memory Walk on May 17 in their latest fundraising effort.

And Bernie and Sasha have also thrown their weight behind the move to a new site.

Bernie said: 'When I heard of the plans for the new hospice I was a little sad as we have lots of memories of Alan's short stay there but it looks like being a fabulous place for patients and that has to come first.'

Sasha added: 'I was inspired by the care my dad received and the hospice deserves every penny we raise.'

To sponsor the strollers, visit http://ift.tt/1jX9KFJ and to find out more about the event, visit starshinestroll.co.uk.

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Lung Cancer Not on Many Women's Radar: Survey

Posted: Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 9:00 AM

TUESDAY, May 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. women still see breast cancer as a bigger killer than lung cancer, despite the fact that lung cancer kills more Americans each year -- women and men -- than any other cancer.

That's one of the findings from a new American Lung Association (ALA) survey of over 1,000 adult U.S. women.

The poll also found that many women may not appreciate the lung cancer risk to nonsmokers. And few were aware of just how deadly lung cancer remains, in a time of major progress against some other cancers.

According to Alana Burns, vice president of the ALA's Signature Cause Campaign, the poor survival rate may be one reason that lung cancer is not on women's radar.

'With breast cancer, there are so many survivors out there telling their stories and advocating,' Burns said. 'But more than half of women diagnosed with lung cancer are gone within a year. There is no legion of survivors talking about their experiences.'

In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, followed by lung cancer. But lung cancer is the top killer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer kills about 38 out of every 100,000 U.S. women each year. The death rate from breast cancer is 22 per 100,000.

But when the ALA survey respondents were given a list of cancers and asked to pick the top killer of women, 51 percent chose breast cancer. Only 22 percent chose lung cancer.

'It's pretty clear that breast cancer gets more press,' said Dr. Subhakar Mutyala, associate director of the Scott & White Cancer Institute in Temple, Texas.

Plus, he said, since there's routine screening for breast cancer, women and their doctors are talking about the disease.

But unless you're a smoker, your doctor is probably not going to bring up lung cancer, noted Mutyala, who reviewed the survey findings. And while it is possible to screen for lung cancer, he added, that's limited to certain high-risk groups.

Right now, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual CT scans for adults aged 55 to 80 who currently smoke or who quit within the past 15 years -- and smoked for at least 30 'pack-years.' That means one pack per day for 30 years, or two packs a day for 15 years, for example.

Smokers are not, however, the only people who get lung cancer. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with the disease never smoked, the ALA states.

But half of the women in the new survey said they were 'not concerned' about lung cancer because they'd never smoked. That included 68 percent of lifelong nonsmokers.

'Many people think of lung cancer as solely a smoker's disease,' Burns said.

Yet, she added, if lung cancer in nonsmokers were considered its own disease, it would rank among the top-10 cancer killers in the United States.

Burns and Mutyala said people should be aware of the risk factors for lung cancer in nonsmokers.

The top cause is exposure to radon gas, which can become concentrated in homes that are built on soil with natural uranium deposits. Other risk factors include chronic exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollution, and on-the-job exposure to pollutants such as diesel exhaust and asbestos. Researchers have also found gene mutations that play a role in some lung cancers.

The prognosis for people with lung cancer remains grim, according to the lung association. Less than half of women with the disease are still alive one year after they're diagnosed -- a statistic few women in the survey said they'd heard before.

Unfortunately, the cancer is usually diagnosed at a late stage. 'Only about 20 percent of lung cancers are operable when people are diagnosed,' Mutyala said.

To help improve that outlook, the ALA wants the U.S. National Institutes of Health to boost its funding for lung cancer research -- from the current level of $213 million per year, to $400 million by 2025. By comparison, current funding for breast cancer research tops $650 million a year, according to estimates from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

'That's despite the fact that lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined,' Mutyala said.

Burns said women can help by getting involved in efforts to raise awareness and funds. The ALA just launched a new website, dubbed Lung Force (lungforce.org), where people can find information on local charity events, share stories about their experiences with lung cancer, and get information on the disease.

'We want people to learn about the risks,' Burns said. 'This is something that's relevant to you. You should care.' More information

The American Lung Association has facts and figures on lung cancer.

SOURCES: Alana Burns, vice president, Signature Cause Campaign, American Lung Association; Subhakar Mutyala, M.D., associate director, Scott & White Cancer Institute, Temple, Texas; American Lung Association, news release, May 13, 2014

Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Lung cancer not on many women's radar

Lung cancer not on many women's radar

TUESDAY, May 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. women still see breast cancer as a bigger killer than lung cancer, despite the fact that lung cancer kills more Americans each year -- women and men -- than any other cancer.

That's one of the findings from a new American Lung Association (ALA) survey of over 1,000 adult U.S. women.

The poll also found that many women may not appreciate the lung cancer risk to nonsmokers. And few were aware of just how deadly lung cancer remains, in a time of major progress against some other cancers.

According to Alana Burns, vice president of the ALA's Signature Cause Campaign, the poor survival rate may be one reason that lung cancer is not on women's radar.

'With breast cancer, there are so many survivors out there telling their stories and advocating,' Burns said. 'But more than half of women diagnosed with lung cancer are gone within a year. There is no legion of survivors talking about their experiences.'

In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, followed by lung cancer. But lung cancer is the top killer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer kills about 38 out of every 100,000 U.S. women each year. The death rate from breast cancer is 22 per 100,000.

But when the ALA survey respondents were given a list of cancers and asked to pick the top killer of women, 51 percent chose breast cancer. Only 22 percent chose lung cancer.

'It's pretty clear that breast cancer gets more press,' said Dr. Subhakar Mutyala, associate director of the Scott & White Cancer Institute in Temple, Texas.

Plus, he said, since there's routine screening for breast cancer, women and their doctors are talking about the disease.

But unless you're a smoker, your doctor is probably not going to bring up lung cancer, noted Mutyala, who reviewed the survey findings. And while it is possible to screen for lung cancer, he added, that's limited to certain high-risk groups.

Right now, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual CT scans for adults aged 55 to 80 who currently smoke or who quit within the past 15 years -- and smoked for at least 30 'pack-years.' That means one pack per day for 30 years, or two packs a day for 15 years, for example.

Smokers are not, however, the only people who get lung cancer. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with the disease never smoked, the ALA states.

But half of the women in the new survey said they were 'not concerned' about lung cancer because they'd never smoked. That included 68 percent of lifelong nonsmokers.

'Many people think of lung cancer as solely a smoker's disease,' Burns said.

Yet, she added, if lung cancer in nonsmokers were considered its own disease, it would rank among the top-10 cancer killers in the United States.

Burns and Mutyala said people should be aware of the risk factors for lung cancer in nonsmokers.

The top cause is exposure to radon gas, which can become concentrated in homes that are built on soil with natural uranium deposits. Other risk factors include chronic exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollution, and on-the-job exposure to pollutants such as diesel exhaust and asbestos. Researchers have also found gene mutations that play a role in some lung cancers.

The prognosis for people with lung cancer remains grim, according to the lung association. Less than half of women with the disease are still alive one year after they're diagnosed -- a statistic few women in the survey said they'd heard before.

Unfortunately, the cancer is usually diagnosed at a late stage. 'Only about 20 percent of lung cancers are operable when people are diagnosed,' Mutyala said.

To help improve that outlook, the ALA wants the U.S. National Institutes of Health to boost its funding for lung cancer research -- from the current level of $213 million per year, to $400 million by 2025. By comparison, current funding for breast cancer research tops $650 million a year, according to estimates from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

'That's despite the fact that lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined,' Mutyala said.

Burns said women can help by getting involved in efforts to raise awareness and funds. The ALA just launched a new website, dubbed Lung Force (lungforce.org), where people can find information on local charity events, share stories about their experiences with lung cancer, and get information on the disease.

'We want people to learn about the risks,' Burns said. 'This is something that's relevant to you. You should care.' More information

The American Lung Association has facts and figures on lung cancer.

Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Asbestos Abatement Company Owners Plead Guilty to 15 Criminal Charges

Rick Kornak provides sharp news and insightful articles for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Bio '

May 05, 2014

Tacoma, Washington - One of Washington state's few certified asbestos abatement companies pleaded guilty to 15 criminal charges in Superior Court on May 2. Tim Pinckney and Pamela Pepper, the owners of Emergency Management Treatment (EMT), a Tacoma-based firm, admitted to falsifying training for years, meaning workers who were supposed to be certified to handle asbestos were doing so illegally.

'We found records going as far back as 2010 showing that these training classes were bad,' said state assistant attorney general Joshua Choate, who prosecuted the case.

Rather than view the required training videos, EMT's workers were allowed to watch blockbuster films. The owners of EMT let some of the employees skip training altogether, while others were permitted to arrive late and attend just 30 minutes of an 8-hour day. False records were then submitted to avoid state-mandated follow-up training.

'We get a lot of calls on individuals who are cutting corners - either from a business or a colleague,' said Tyler Amon, the Environmental Protection Agency's special agent in charge at the law-enforcement division in Seattle. 'But what we are focused on is where it's concentrated in a criminal enterprise.'

EMT's owners also accepted money under the table from uncertified contractors, leaving officials with the daunting task of tracking down all the different homes, schools, and businesses that might have had unlawful work done.

The negligence displayed by EMT has become a common practice by contractors looking to avoid the high cost of abatement, even though the harmful properties of asbestos are well known. Failing to properly handle the substance can expose the public to airborne fibers, which lead to a variety of respiratory health problems, including the fatal mesothelioma.

'It is startling to me how many cases we have in this day and age where people still take that calculated risk,' said Amon.

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Cambridge's Baldock family tell the News why they are supporting the Help our ...

Alan Baldock was surrounded by scores of family members and friends in his final hours at Arthur Rank.

Even his dog Marley was by his side in November 2012, as staff at the Mill Road hospice tried to make his death as comfortable as possible.

Now his widow Bernie and daughter Sasha have shared their story with the News to mark the launch of the Help our Hospice appeal, highlighting the 'amazing' care offered by the hospice team.

Heating engineer Alan first became ill in January 2012 with what appeared to be a chest infection, but when symptoms remained doctors considered other afflictions like angina, gallstones and muscular strains, and a variety of painkillers were prescribed.

In May, the 55-year-old visited the cardiac clinic at Addenbrooke's and a scan of his chest proved inconclusive.

However, on August 6, following a biopsy at Papworth Hospital the father-of-three was diagnosed with Mesolthelioma - cancer of the membrane around the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.

Bernie explained: 'He was given 5 to 6 months to lives as Mesothelioma isn't curable, and Alan was offered various options to try and keep the pain under control.

'From this time we had many appointments at Addenbrooke's, Papworth and with our GP. It seemed every time we went, Alan's medication was increased as the pain got worse. We attended pain clinic specialist appointments at Arthur Rank and this was the start of our association with the hospice.'

On October 23, Alan was admitted to the hospice's inpatient unit.

Bernie said: 'He seemed to settle well and we think he felt safe as there was always somebody to make sure he was comfortable and as free from pain as possible under the circumstances.

'He liked having his own room and a glass of wine with his meal if he wanted.'

Sasha, 17, added: 'He also liked the Taste the Difference desserts and watching Top Gear and Man v Food on his TV.'

Guests also included sons Daniel, 27, and Dominic, 24, and other family and friends.

But on November 1, things took a turn for the worse and nurses told the Baldocks, of Cherry Hinton, their dad was nearing the end and that is was time to say final goodbyes.

Bernie said: 'Alan fought and fought and the staff told us we could use the family room as there were so many of us there. This was such a great help to us as it meant we had such a strong network of support close at hand.

'The staff even suggested bringing our dog, Marley, as Alan had spoken to them about him. The family, Marley included, set up camp in the family room and even took over the visitors' kitchen. At one point we had slow cookers and washing machines on the go.

'Marley was even allowed in Alan's room and he would check on Alan at various times of the day by putting his paw on Alan's bed.

'I did worry about the amount of visitors and asked the staff if I should send some of them home and was told a most definite 'no'. This was very important to me as it meant I could spend all my time with Alan knowing the children were being cared for and supported by the hospice team.'

She added: 'Even when Alan wasn't conscious the nurses treated him with great care and dignity - we just couldn't fault their care.

'People say how wonderful the hospice is but I can honestly say, until you experience it you can't begin to appreciate just how amazing the people working here are.'

Alan died at 9.45am on Monday, November 5.

Since that date, his family have become keen supporters of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and are preparing to take part in the Star Shine Stroll Memory Walk on May 17 in their latest fundraising effort.

And Bernie and Sasha have also thrown their weight behind the move to a new site.

Bernie said: 'When I heard of the plans for the new hospice I was a little sad as we have lots of memories of Alan's short stay there but it looks like being a fabulous place for patients and that has to come first.'

Sasha added: 'I was inspired by the care my dad received and the hospice deserves every penny we raise.'

To sponsor the strollers, visit http://ift.tt/1jX9KFJ and to find out more about the event, visit starshinestroll.co.uk.

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Asbestos exposure may have killed New Malden man at Princess Alice Hospice ...

Asbestos exposure may have killed New Malden man at Princess Alice Hospice five decades after exposure, inquest hears

2:40am Saturday 10th May 2014 in News By Nazia Dewji, Reporter

Princess Alice Hospice: Cares for people with terminal illnesses

A retired New Malden serviceman may have died after coming into contact with asbestos up to 50 years before, an inquest has heard.

Raymond Greengrass, 68, of Beresford Road, died on October 28 last year at Princess Alice Hospice from mesothelioma.

No family were at the inquest at West London Coroner's Court on Thursday.

Mr Greengrass's daughter wrote how her father believed the only time he may have come in contact with asbestos was working for a book supplier in Neasden as a teenager.

She said: 'He used to have to go down to the cellar and get the accounts.'

The inquest heard smoker Mr Greengrass refused antibiotics and preferred a symptom control treatment.

He went to accident and emergency the day before he was admitted to the hospice, where he died the same day.

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Cambridge's Baldock family tell the News why they are supporting the Help our ...

Alan Baldock was surrounded by scores of family members and friends in his final hours at Arthur Rank.

Even his dog Marley was by his side in November 2012, as staff at the Mill Road hospice tried to make his death as comfortable as possible.

Now his widow Bernie and daughter Sasha have shared their story with the News to mark the launch of the Help our Hospice appeal, highlighting the 'amazing' care offered by the hospice team.

Heating engineer Alan first became ill in January 2012 with what appeared to be a chest infection, but when symptoms remained doctors considered other afflictions like angina, gallstones and muscular strains, and a variety of painkillers were prescribed.

In May, the 55-year-old visited the cardiac clinic at Addenbrooke's and a scan of his chest proved inconclusive.

However, on August 6, following a biopsy at Papworth Hospital the father-of-three was diagnosed with Mesolthelioma - cancer of the membrane around the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.

Bernie explained: 'He was given 5 to 6 months to lives as Mesothelioma isn't curable, and Alan was offered various options to try and keep the pain under control.

'From this time we had many appointments at Addenbrooke's, Papworth and with our GP. It seemed every time we went, Alan's medication was increased as the pain got worse. We attended pain clinic specialist appointments at Arthur Rank and this was the start of our association with the hospice.'

On October 23, Alan was admitted to the hospice's inpatient unit.

Bernie said: 'He seemed to settle well and we think he felt safe as there was always somebody to make sure he was comfortable and as free from pain as possible under the circumstances.

'He liked having his own room and a glass of wine with his meal if he wanted.'

Sasha, 17, added: 'He also liked the Taste the Difference desserts and watching Top Gear and Man v Food on his TV.'

Guests also included sons Daniel, 27, and Dominic, 24, and other family and friends.

But on November 1, things took a turn for the worse and nurses told the Baldocks, of Cherry Hinton, their dad was nearing the end and that is was time to say final goodbyes.

Bernie said: 'Alan fought and fought and the staff told us we could use the family room as there were so many of us there. This was such a great help to us as it meant we had such a strong network of support close at hand.

'The staff even suggested bringing our dog, Marley, as Alan had spoken to them about him. The family, Marley included, set up camp in the family room and even took over the visitors' kitchen. At one point we had slow cookers and washing machines on the go.

'Marley was even allowed in Alan's room and he would check on Alan at various times of the day by putting his paw on Alan's bed.

'I did worry about the amount of visitors and asked the staff if I should send some of them home and was told a most definite 'no'. This was very important to me as it meant I could spend all my time with Alan knowing the children were being cared for and supported by the hospice team.'

She added: 'Even when Alan wasn't conscious the nurses treated him with great care and dignity - we just couldn't fault their care.

'People say how wonderful the hospice is but I can honestly say, until you experience it you can't begin to appreciate just how amazing the people working here are.'

Alan died at 9.45am on Monday, November 5.

Since that date, his family have become keen supporters of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and are preparing to take part in the Star Shine Stroll Memory Walk on May 17 in their latest fundraising effort.

And Bernie and Sasha have also thrown their weight behind the move to a new site.

Bernie said: 'When I heard of the plans for the new hospice I was a little sad as we have lots of memories of Alan's short stay there but it looks like being a fabulous place for patients and that has to come first.'

Sasha added: 'I was inspired by the care my dad received and the hospice deserves every penny we raise.'

To sponsor the strollers, visit http://ift.tt/1jX9KFJ and to find out more about the event, visit starshinestroll.co.uk.

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Carbon Nanotubes: A New Cause of Mesothelioma?

Carbon Nanotubes: A New Cause of Mesothelioma?

Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2014.

There is some unsettling news out of China for people who work with or around multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are carbon-based synthetic molecules in the shape of concentric tubes. Their special shape makes them more resistant to chemicals than other types of carbon nanotubes and makes them valuable for use in electronics, optics, textiles and other areas of manufacturing.

But Chinese researchers say these tiny particles, like the sharp particles of naturally-occurring asbestos, have the potential to cause mesothelioma in people who inhale them. Lead researchers Jiegou Xu of the Anhui Medical University College of Basic Medical Sciences in Hefei, China and his colleagues exposed laboratory rats to two different kinds of MWCNTs with disturbing results.

Suspensions containing either a larger needle-like MWCNT (MWCNT-L) or a smaller MWCNT (MWCNT-S) which forms 'cotton candy-like aggregates' were sprayed down the tracheas of rats every two weeks for 24 weeks. After it was inhaled, the larger molecule (MWCNT-L) was found to move over time through the lung alveoli and into the two-layered pleural lining which surrounds the lungs. There, it induced fibrosis and 'patchy parietal mesothelial proliferation lesions'. MWCNT-L also triggered stronger inflammatory reactions, which have been associated with the development of mesothelioma.

In contrast, the small carbon nanotube (MWCNT-S) did not translocate out of the lungs, making it less likely to cause mesothelioma, which starts in the pleura. Inflammatory response to MWCNT-S was also not as great. 'These results suggest that MWCNT-L has higher risk of causing asbestos-like pleural lesions relevant to mesothelioma development,' writes Dr. Wu.

A previous study conducted by the same team found that certain MWCNTs could translocate from the lungs into the inner or visceral pleura, but did not progress to the outer or parietal pleura where mesothelioma typically starts. They now theorize that they simply had not allowed enough time for the particles to make their way through the tissue.

More than 80% of the 2,500 mesothelioma cases that occur in the U.S. each year can be traced to exposure to asbestos. However, because of mesothelioma's long latency, it is possible that newer particles such as MWCNTs could be found to cause mesothelioma decades from now.

Xu, J et al, 'Size- and shape-dependent pleural translocation, deposition, fibrogenesis an mesothelial proliferation by multi-walled carbon nanotubes', May 11, 2014, Cancer Science, Epub ahead of print

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Lung cancer not on many women's radar

Lung cancer not on many women's radar

TUESDAY, May 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. women still see breast cancer as a bigger killer than lung cancer, despite the fact that lung cancer kills more Americans each year -- women and men -- than any other cancer.

That's one of the findings from a new American Lung Association (ALA) survey of over 1,000 adult U.S. women.

The poll also found that many women may not appreciate the lung cancer risk to nonsmokers. And few were aware of just how deadly lung cancer remains, in a time of major progress against some other cancers.

According to Alana Burns, vice president of the ALA's Signature Cause Campaign, the poor survival rate may be one reason that lung cancer is not on women's radar.

'With breast cancer, there are so many survivors out there telling their stories and advocating,' Burns said. 'But more than half of women diagnosed with lung cancer are gone within a year. There is no legion of survivors talking about their experiences.'

In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, followed by lung cancer. But lung cancer is the top killer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer kills about 38 out of every 100,000 U.S. women each year. The death rate from breast cancer is 22 per 100,000.

But when the ALA survey respondents were given a list of cancers and asked to pick the top killer of women, 51 percent chose breast cancer. Only 22 percent chose lung cancer.

'It's pretty clear that breast cancer gets more press,' said Dr. Subhakar Mutyala, associate director of the Scott & White Cancer Institute in Temple, Texas.

Plus, he said, since there's routine screening for breast cancer, women and their doctors are talking about the disease.

But unless you're a smoker, your doctor is probably not going to bring up lung cancer, noted Mutyala, who reviewed the survey findings. And while it is possible to screen for lung cancer, he added, that's limited to certain high-risk groups.

Right now, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual CT scans for adults aged 55 to 80 who currently smoke or who quit within the past 15 years -- and smoked for at least 30 'pack-years.' That means one pack per day for 30 years, or two packs a day for 15 years, for example.

Smokers are not, however, the only people who get lung cancer. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with the disease never smoked, the ALA states.

But half of the women in the new survey said they were 'not concerned' about lung cancer because they'd never smoked. That included 68 percent of lifelong nonsmokers.

'Many people think of lung cancer as solely a smoker's disease,' Burns said.

Yet, she added, if lung cancer in nonsmokers were considered its own disease, it would rank among the top-10 cancer killers in the United States.

Burns and Mutyala said people should be aware of the risk factors for lung cancer in nonsmokers.

The top cause is exposure to radon gas, which can become concentrated in homes that are built on soil with natural uranium deposits. Other risk factors include chronic exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollution, and on-the-job exposure to pollutants such as diesel exhaust and asbestos. Researchers have also found gene mutations that play a role in some lung cancers.

The prognosis for people with lung cancer remains grim, according to the lung association. Less than half of women with the disease are still alive one year after they're diagnosed -- a statistic few women in the survey said they'd heard before.

Unfortunately, the cancer is usually diagnosed at a late stage. 'Only about 20 percent of lung cancers are operable when people are diagnosed,' Mutyala said.

To help improve that outlook, the ALA wants the U.S. National Institutes of Health to boost its funding for lung cancer research -- from the current level of $213 million per year, to $400 million by 2025. By comparison, current funding for breast cancer research tops $650 million a year, according to estimates from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

'That's despite the fact that lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined,' Mutyala said.

Burns said women can help by getting involved in efforts to raise awareness and funds. The ALA just launched a new website, dubbed Lung Force (lungforce.org), where people can find information on local charity events, share stories about their experiences with lung cancer, and get information on the disease.

'We want people to learn about the risks,' Burns said. 'This is something that's relevant to you. You should care.' More information

The American Lung Association has facts and figures on lung cancer.

Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Asbestos exposure may have killed New Malden man at Princess Alice Hospice ...

Asbestos exposure may have killed New Malden man at Princess Alice Hospice five decades after exposure, inquest hears

2:40am Saturday 10th May 2014 in News By Nazia Dewji, Reporter

Princess Alice Hospice: Cares for people with terminal illnesses

A retired New Malden serviceman may have died after coming into contact with asbestos up to 50 years before, an inquest has heard.

Raymond Greengrass, 68, of Beresford Road, died on October 28 last year at Princess Alice Hospice from mesothelioma.

No family were at the inquest at West London Coroner's Court on Thursday.

Mr Greengrass's daughter wrote how her father believed the only time he may have come in contact with asbestos was working for a book supplier in Neasden as a teenager.

She said: 'He used to have to go down to the cellar and get the accounts.'

The inquest heard smoker Mr Greengrass refused antibiotics and preferred a symptom control treatment.

He went to accident and emergency the day before he was admitted to the hospice, where he died the same day.

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Lung cancer not on many women's radar

Lung cancer not on many women's radar

TUESDAY, May 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. women still see breast cancer as a bigger killer than lung cancer, despite the fact that lung cancer kills more Americans each year -- women and men -- than any other cancer.

That's one of the findings from a new American Lung Association (ALA) survey of over 1,000 adult U.S. women.

The poll also found that many women may not appreciate the lung cancer risk to nonsmokers. And few were aware of just how deadly lung cancer remains, in a time of major progress against some other cancers.

According to Alana Burns, vice president of the ALA's Signature Cause Campaign, the poor survival rate may be one reason that lung cancer is not on women's radar.

'With breast cancer, there are so many survivors out there telling their stories and advocating,' Burns said. 'But more than half of women diagnosed with lung cancer are gone within a year. There is no legion of survivors talking about their experiences.'

In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, followed by lung cancer. But lung cancer is the top killer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer kills about 38 out of every 100,000 U.S. women each year. The death rate from breast cancer is 22 per 100,000.

But when the ALA survey respondents were given a list of cancers and asked to pick the top killer of women, 51 percent chose breast cancer. Only 22 percent chose lung cancer.

'It's pretty clear that breast cancer gets more press,' said Dr. Subhakar Mutyala, associate director of the Scott & White Cancer Institute in Temple, Texas.

Plus, he said, since there's routine screening for breast cancer, women and their doctors are talking about the disease.

But unless you're a smoker, your doctor is probably not going to bring up lung cancer, noted Mutyala, who reviewed the survey findings. And while it is possible to screen for lung cancer, he added, that's limited to certain high-risk groups.

Right now, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual CT scans for adults aged 55 to 80 who currently smoke or who quit within the past 15 years -- and smoked for at least 30 'pack-years.' That means one pack per day for 30 years, or two packs a day for 15 years, for example.

Smokers are not, however, the only people who get lung cancer. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with the disease never smoked, the ALA states.

But half of the women in the new survey said they were 'not concerned' about lung cancer because they'd never smoked. That included 68 percent of lifelong nonsmokers.

'Many people think of lung cancer as solely a smoker's disease,' Burns said.

Yet, she added, if lung cancer in nonsmokers were considered its own disease, it would rank among the top-10 cancer killers in the United States.

Burns and Mutyala said people should be aware of the risk factors for lung cancer in nonsmokers.

The top cause is exposure to radon gas, which can become concentrated in homes that are built on soil with natural uranium deposits. Other risk factors include chronic exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollution, and on-the-job exposure to pollutants such as diesel exhaust and asbestos. Researchers have also found gene mutations that play a role in some lung cancers.

The prognosis for people with lung cancer remains grim, according to the lung association. Less than half of women with the disease are still alive one year after they're diagnosed -- a statistic few women in the survey said they'd heard before.

Unfortunately, the cancer is usually diagnosed at a late stage. 'Only about 20 percent of lung cancers are operable when people are diagnosed,' Mutyala said.

To help improve that outlook, the ALA wants the U.S. National Institutes of Health to boost its funding for lung cancer research -- from the current level of $213 million per year, to $400 million by 2025. By comparison, current funding for breast cancer research tops $650 million a year, according to estimates from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

'That's despite the fact that lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined,' Mutyala said.

Burns said women can help by getting involved in efforts to raise awareness and funds. The ALA just launched a new website, dubbed Lung Force (lungforce.org), where people can find information on local charity events, share stories about their experiences with lung cancer, and get information on the disease.

'We want people to learn about the risks,' Burns said. 'This is something that's relevant to you. You should care.' More information

The American Lung Association has facts and figures on lung cancer.

Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Original Post By: http://ift.tt/1lieN0q

Source : http://ift.tt/1lieN0q

Cambridge's Baldock family tell the News why they are supporting the Help our ...

Alan Baldock was surrounded by scores of family members and friends in his final hours at Arthur Rank.

Even his dog Marley was by his side in November 2012, as staff at the Mill Road hospice tried to make his death as comfortable as possible.

Now his widow Bernie and daughter Sasha have shared their story with the News to mark the launch of the Help our Hospice appeal, highlighting the 'amazing' care offered by the hospice team.

Heating engineer Alan first became ill in January 2012 with what appeared to be a chest infection, but when symptoms remained doctors considered other afflictions like angina, gallstones and muscular strains, and a variety of painkillers were prescribed.

In May, the 55-year-old visited the cardiac clinic at Addenbrooke's and a scan of his chest proved inconclusive.

However, on August 6, following a biopsy at Papworth Hospital the father-of-three was diagnosed with Mesolthelioma - cancer of the membrane around the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.

Bernie explained: 'He was given 5 to 6 months to lives as Mesothelioma isn't curable, and Alan was offered various options to try and keep the pain under control.

'From this time we had many appointments at Addenbrooke's, Papworth and with our GP. It seemed every time we went, Alan's medication was increased as the pain got worse. We attended pain clinic specialist appointments at Arthur Rank and this was the start of our association with the hospice.'

On October 23, Alan was admitted to the hospice's inpatient unit.

Bernie said: 'He seemed to settle well and we think he felt safe as there was always somebody to make sure he was comfortable and as free from pain as possible under the circumstances.

'He liked having his own room and a glass of wine with his meal if he wanted.'

Sasha, 17, added: 'He also liked the Taste the Difference desserts and watching Top Gear and Man v Food on his TV.'

Guests also included sons Daniel, 27, and Dominic, 24, and other family and friends.

But on November 1, things took a turn for the worse and nurses told the Baldocks, of Cherry Hinton, their dad was nearing the end and that is was time to say final goodbyes.

Bernie said: 'Alan fought and fought and the staff told us we could use the family room as there were so many of us there. This was such a great help to us as it meant we had such a strong network of support close at hand.

'The staff even suggested bringing our dog, Marley, as Alan had spoken to them about him. The family, Marley included, set up camp in the family room and even took over the visitors' kitchen. At one point we had slow cookers and washing machines on the go.

'Marley was even allowed in Alan's room and he would check on Alan at various times of the day by putting his paw on Alan's bed.

'I did worry about the amount of visitors and asked the staff if I should send some of them home and was told a most definite 'no'. This was very important to me as it meant I could spend all my time with Alan knowing the children were being cared for and supported by the hospice team.'

She added: 'Even when Alan wasn't conscious the nurses treated him with great care and dignity - we just couldn't fault their care.

'People say how wonderful the hospice is but I can honestly say, until you experience it you can't begin to appreciate just how amazing the people working here are.'

Alan died at 9.45am on Monday, November 5.

Since that date, his family have become keen supporters of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and are preparing to take part in the Star Shine Stroll Memory Walk on May 17 in their latest fundraising effort.

And Bernie and Sasha have also thrown their weight behind the move to a new site.

Bernie said: 'When I heard of the plans for the new hospice I was a little sad as we have lots of memories of Alan's short stay there but it looks like being a fabulous place for patients and that has to come first.'

Sasha added: 'I was inspired by the care my dad received and the hospice deserves every penny we raise.'

To sponsor the strollers, visit http://ift.tt/1jX9KFJ and to find out more about the event, visit starshinestroll.co.uk.

Original Post By: http://ift.tt/1jX9KFL

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Asbestos exposure may have killed man five decades after exposure, inquest ...

Asbestos exposure may have killed New Malden man at Princess Alice Hospice five decades after exposure, inquest hears

2:40am Saturday 10th May 2014 in News By Nazia Dewji, Reporter

Princess Alice Hospice: Cares for people with terminal illnesses

A retired New Malden serviceman may have died after coming into contact with asbestos up to 50 years before, an inquest has heard.

Raymond Greengrass, 68, of Beresford Road, died on October 28 last year at Princess Alice Hospice from mesothelioma.

No family were at the inquest at West London Coroner's Court on Thursday.

Mr Greengrass's daughter wrote how her father believed the only time he may have come in contact with asbestos was working for a book supplier in Neasden as a teenager.

She said: 'He used to have to go down to the cellar and get the accounts.'

The inquest heard smoker Mr Greengrass refused antibiotics and preferred a symptom control treatment.

He went to accident and emergency the day before he was admitted to the hospice, where he died the same day.

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Virtual Community Can Ease Mesothelioma Stress

Virtual Community Can Ease Mesothelioma Stress

Posted on Friday, May 09, 2014.

Mesothelioma patients and their families can reduce their stress and feel more supported by getting involved in an online community. That is the conclusion reached by researchers at in the Psychology Department at Southern Cross University in New South Wales, Australia.

Writing in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, lecturer Desiree Kozlowski and her colleagues reported on the first 30 days of a peer-to-peer virtual community of people with asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma. In the introduction to their report, the team observes that people with mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive lung-related cancer, often feel socially isolated and highly stressed by their life-limiting symptoms.

In addition to coping with the challenges of mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment, patients who were negligently exposed to asbestos are often simultaneously dealing with the legal system. Without adequate support, the researchers say these combined stressors can be physically and psychologically damaging for both patients and families.

'Increasing social connectedness can lead to increased feelings of personal empowerment and may inhibit chronic stress responses,' writes lead author Professor Kozlowski in the report entitled 'Dusted Community: Piloting a virtual peer-to-peer support community for people with an asbestos-related diagnosis and their families'.

The virtual mesothelioma community was developed 'via a process of participatory action research' and included both patients with mesothelioma and family members involved in their care. 'Initial indications are that individuals with an asbestos-related diagnosis and their carers can benefit, in psychosocial terms, from membership in an on-line support group comprised of experientially similar others,' concludes the report.

An estimated 2,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, making it one of the rarest cancers. Although treatment options have improved in recent years, there is still no cure for mesothelioma.

Kozlowski, D et al, 'Dusted Community: Piloting a virtual peer-to-peer support community for people with an asbestos-related diagnosis and their families', May 2, 2014, Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, Epub ahead of print

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Cambridge's Baldock family tell the News why they are supporting the Help our ...

Alan Baldock was surrounded by scores of family members and friends in his final hours at Arthur Rank.

Even his dog Marley was by his side in November 2012, as staff at the Mill Road hospice tried to make his death as comfortable as possible.

Now his widow Bernie and daughter Sasha have shared their story with the News to mark the launch of the Help our Hospice appeal, highlighting the 'amazing' care offered by the hospice team.

Heating engineer Alan first became ill in January 2012 with what appeared to be a chest infection, but when symptoms remained doctors considered other afflictions like angina, gallstones and muscular strains, and a variety of painkillers were prescribed.

In May, the 55-year-old visited the cardiac clinic at Addenbrooke's and a scan of his chest proved inconclusive.

However, on August 6, following a biopsy at Papworth Hospital the father-of-three was diagnosed with Mesolthelioma - cancer of the membrane around the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.

Bernie explained: 'He was given 5 to 6 months to lives as Mesothelioma isn't curable, and Alan was offered various options to try and keep the pain under control.

'From this time we had many appointments at Addenbrooke's, Papworth and with our GP. It seemed every time we went, Alan's medication was increased as the pain got worse. We attended pain clinic specialist appointments at Arthur Rank and this was the start of our association with the hospice.'

On October 23, Alan was admitted to the hospice's inpatient unit.

Bernie said: 'He seemed to settle well and we think he felt safe as there was always somebody to make sure he was comfortable and as free from pain as possible under the circumstances.

'He liked having his own room and a glass of wine with his meal if he wanted.'

Sasha, 17, added: 'He also liked the Taste the Difference desserts and watching Top Gear and Man v Food on his TV.'

Guests also included sons Daniel, 27, and Dominic, 24, and other family and friends.

But on November 1, things took a turn for the worse and nurses told the Baldocks, of Cherry Hinton, their dad was nearing the end and that is was time to say final goodbyes.

Bernie said: 'Alan fought and fought and the staff told us we could use the family room as there were so many of us there. This was such a great help to us as it meant we had such a strong network of support close at hand.

'The staff even suggested bringing our dog, Marley, as Alan had spoken to them about him. The family, Marley included, set up camp in the family room and even took over the visitors' kitchen. At one point we had slow cookers and washing machines on the go.

'Marley was even allowed in Alan's room and he would check on Alan at various times of the day by putting his paw on Alan's bed.

'I did worry about the amount of visitors and asked the staff if I should send some of them home and was told a most definite 'no'. This was very important to me as it meant I could spend all my time with Alan knowing the children were being cared for and supported by the hospice team.'

She added: 'Even when Alan wasn't conscious the nurses treated him with great care and dignity - we just couldn't fault their care.

'People say how wonderful the hospice is but I can honestly say, until you experience it you can't begin to appreciate just how amazing the people working here are.'

Alan died at 9.45am on Monday, November 5.

Since that date, his family have become keen supporters of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and are preparing to take part in the Star Shine Stroll Memory Walk on May 17 in their latest fundraising effort.

And Bernie and Sasha have also thrown their weight behind the move to a new site.

Bernie said: 'When I heard of the plans for the new hospice I was a little sad as we have lots of memories of Alan's short stay there but it looks like being a fabulous place for patients and that has to come first.'

Sasha added: 'I was inspired by the care my dad received and the hospice deserves every penny we raise.'

To sponsor the strollers, visit http://ift.tt/1jX9KFJ and to find out more about the event, visit starshinestroll.co.uk.

Original Post By: http://ift.tt/1jX9KFL

Source : http://ift.tt/1jX9KFL