Mesothelioma is one of the most devastating forms of cancer. It starts in the organ linings but can spread quickly to other systems. It can be relatively challenging for medical professionals to diagnose mesothelioma.
Blood testing and tissue samples collected for biopsies may not return an affirmative mesothelioma diagnosis the way that they might help with the diagnosis of other types of cancer. The unfortunate reality is that many mesothelioma patients do not receive a prompt diagnosis, which may ultimately hurt their prognosis.
How can people take control when they are at risk of developing mesothelioma?
Patients can educate their doctors
Doctors evaluating patients for symptoms have to make informed decisions as they rule out potential causes or hone in on specific concerns. For a doctor to understand the likelihood of mesothelioma developing, they likely need to know about a patient’s prior exposure to asbestos.
Any professionals who have handled asbestos in their careers, even if they did so decades ago, generally need to tell their doctors. The spouses of those who worked with asbestos could also be at risk and may need to tell their doctors about the possibility of secondhand exposure.
People may need to inform each new doctor they see of their history. They may need to remind their primary care physician as well, as they may see too many patients to recall these critical details. Ensuring that medical professionals have all the information possible makes it easier for doctors to screen people for mesothelioma and diagnose them promptly.
Patients facing a mesothelioma diagnosis have more treatment options early in the development of the cancer. They also may have the option of pursuing compensation from employers or other businesses that may have exposed them to asbestos. Seeking compensation can help those with mesothelioma pay for cutting-edge treatment and support their families when their illness worsens.