Preface

vii

PART 1

THE BASICS

1

Questions 1-7

Address Fundamental Questions About Mesothelioma, Including the Following:

What is Mesothelioma?

What are the Risk Factors, or Who Gets Mesothelioma?

Can Mesothelioma be Prevented?

PART 2

DIAGNOSIS

9

Questions 8-19

Explain the Methods Used to Detect and Identify Mesothelioma and the Healthcare Professionals Involved in Your Diagnosis:

What are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma, and How is it Diagnosed?

What Tests are Performed to Help Diagnose Mesothelioma?

Should I Get a Second Opinion?

PART 3

COPING

27

Questions 20-23

Provide Practical Advice for Dealing with the Physical, Emotional, and Financial Issues Raised by a Diagnosis of Mesothelioma:

What Types of Psychological Support are Available to Me?

What should My Family Know About Mesothelioma in Order to Assist Me?

What About Financial Concerns and Medical Records?

PART 4

THE POLITICS OF MESOTHELIOMA

33

Questions 24-32

Discuss Legal Dimensions of the Disease:

I Understand that Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos-Related Diseases are Controversial Political Issues. Why?

How do I Learn More About My Rights?

Do I Need to have a Will?

PART 5

TREATMENT

41

Questions 33-61

Provide an Extensive Description of Therapy Currently Employed to Treat Mesothelioma:

What is Staging, and Why is it Important?

What is My Prognosis?

What are the Survival Rates for Mesothelioma?

What is Supportive Care in Mesothelioma?

What Surgery is Performed for Mesothelioma?

PART 6

DECISION MAKING

75

Questions 62-71

Try to Help Guide You Toward the Best Decisions for Your Circumstance:

What is Standard Therapy?

What are Clinical Trials?

What are Some Experimental Investigative Therapies for Mesothelioma?

PART 7

SIDE EFFECTS OF THERAPY

89

Questions 72–86

Advise What to Expect with Regard to Treatment Side Effects and What to do About Them:

What can I do About Depression, Nausea, Pain, Constipation, and Other Side Effects of Therapy?

How should I Change My Diet Following a Mesothelioma Diagnosis?

What are the Benefits of Exercise and Other Activities?

PART 8

RECURRENCE OF THE DISEASE

109

Questions 87-89

Offer Strategies for Facing Recurrence:

What Happens if My Disease Recurs?

Where is My Disease Likely to Recur?

How is Recurrence Treated?

PART 9

SUE VENTO’S INSIGHTS FOR CARE PROVIDERS

115

Questions 90-97

Written by the Wife of a Mesothelioma Patient, Provide an “Insider’s” Perspective on Coping as a Caregiver:

Where do I Turn for Support in Dealing with My Own Stress and Anxiety?

How do I Balance All of the Responsibilities?

What Specific Things can Family and Friends do to Assist?

PART 10

THE UNSPEAKABLE WHICH MUST BE SPOKEN

121

Questions 98-100

Address End of Life Care:

How do I Decide When it is Time to Stop Treatment?

What is Hospice?

Where can I Go to Get More Information?

Appendix A

The Information Card

127

Appendix B

The Telephone Tree

129

Glossary

131

Index

141