When mesothelioma is detected, doctors often do have treatment options they can try. However, they — and the patient — are facing an uphill battle.
The problem is twofold. First off, mesothelioma is rare. This means that doctors may not suspect it first, even if that’s certainly what the patient is suffering from. They’ll consider more common issues first, which may impact the lungs and other internal organs. This can delay the diagnosis.
Secondly, this disease takes time. There are often decades between exposure and the onset of symptoms. And the disease itself can grow quite advanced before there even are symptoms that a person would notice.
The delays add up
So, the patient may start having health problems and go to the doctor, assuming that the issues are something new. The doctor may then fail to discover that it’s mesothelioma for months.
What is really happening is that the disease has been growing for months or years, and it all started decades after the asbestos exposure. It’s very advanced and treatment options are less effective. Early detection is so important, but it’s very hard with a disease like this.
All of this combines to make mesothelioma one of the more difficult types of cancer to treat. It is possible, of course, but it’s important to know about some of the challenges that come along with it.
It’s also important to know what legal options you may have, depending on when and how you were exposed to asbestos in the first place. You may be able to seek compensation that can really help you and your family at a time like this.