Earth Day Emphasizes Environmental, Industrial Risk Cancer

Earth Day helps us remember the many environmental challenges facing our planet and those living in today's meeting. Undoubtedly, the environment and progressive "green" movement has come a long way and become even likely that during the last decade. However, there is a risk of cancer and the industrial environment, we must continue working to eliminate. These include asbestos.

Asbestos is classified as carcinogenic to humans, is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in a variety of commercial and industrial capabilities to its devastating effects on health became apparent in the second half of the 19th century. Asbestos has been found to cause among other serious respiratory diseases, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a fatal malignancy of the lining of internal body tissues. Nevertheless, lobbying efforts, commercial and corporate cover-up and delayed the legislative prohibition of asbestos beyond the point where its dangers to human health was obvious.

Yes, it took a collaboration between the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the consumption of several companies and interest groups at risk, but asbestos was finally banned in America in 1989. Unfortunately, at this time asbestos had already left a deadly legacy of thousands of workers, families and communities affected by exposure to asbestos.

The latency between exposure to asbestos and the onset of mesothelioma symptoms can vary from 30 to 60 years, depending on the level of exposure. The exhibition has been common in shipyards, power plants, oil refineries and mines. And even though these industries employ more actively asbestos as a commercial component, the infrastructure of asbestos before the ban and industrial products remain a threat to workers in these occupations. It may not be a coincidence between the branches is less favorable to the ground in many aspects.

Earth Day reminds us of the dangers that arise when business interests' to pay for the health of the planet and its inhabitants. Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance will continue the information and advocacy for people affected by exposure to asbestos during the fight to see the end of the industry and the environment, the risk of cancer.

NF-2 Protein May Open The Door To New Treatments For Mesothelioma

Researchers at the Wistar Institute, an independent research institute biomedical nonprofit based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, may have found a therapeutic target in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a disorder inherited predisposition to cancer, and cancers related as mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining of major organs and body cavities.

Merlin, the protein encoded by the NF2 gene, interacts with a protein called angiomotin would. "Necessary for the transport of cells that form new blood vessels angiomotin, it is fascinating to watch so closely linked to Merlin, the product of the loss of NF2 gene leading to tumor formation," said Joseph Kissil, Ph.D . driver study author and associate professor of molecular and cellular oncogenesis program Wistar Institute Cancer Center.

The researchers say this discovery provided a new potential method for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma and NF2. They are essentially starving the tumor cells, an approach already used in other therapies against cancer. "What makes a tempting target angiomotin is that it is used by blood vessels and tumor cells growing need nutrients such as blood," continued Kissil.

Merlin, however, is part of a molecular signaling pathway that regulates cell growth and division. However, if a channel protein is disrupted, can alter the function of other proteins along the canal. Merlin mutations were found in approximately half of all cases of mesothelioma disease, and in some cases, thyroid and bladder cancer.

Exxon Mobile Supreme Court To Prohibit The Cause Mesothelioma Appeal

Supreme Court of New Jersey in Trenton recently abandoned oil giant ExxonMobil's request for an appeal after losing a lawsuit which awarded mesothelioma patient Bonnie Anderson 7 million U.S. dollars. Anderson has been exposed to asbestos from handling her husband's clothes contaminated work, while employed at the Bayway refinery in Linden Exxon. John Anderson job was to remove the insulation, which for decades had been manufactured with asbestos, fixing the pumps and filters. Malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the protective lining of the lungs, heart, chest and stomach, due almost entirely of long-term exposure to asbestos.

Anderson, 62, described the dismissal of the appeal of Exxon "bittersweet because I'm going back to chemotherapy." Because the disease is incurable, chemotherapy does not help to prolong the life of Anderson does not get rid of cancer.

"I wish I could tell you it was a glorious day to learn, but you take life in perspective. I'd rather not be sick," she added.

Exxon Mobil argues there is no way of knowing how Anderson Cancer contracting asbestos and even had an expert in internal medicine and pulmonary to testify on his behalf, but that does not appear to influence the court in his favor.

Anderson was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which specifically affects the abdominal wall in 2001. Since then he has undergone two surgeries, blood transfusions and several cycles of chemotherapy with five different drugs. The radiation was given leukemia. After being diagnosed, Anderson has worked to raise awareness about mesothelioma and helped mesothelioma designated September 26th Awareness Day.