Thursday 21 August 2014

Mesothelioma - takes your breath away.

I am often asked to share cancer and medical stories. It's information sharing and part of being in a community. This story about mesothelioma really touched me and the message may be life saving.

Cameron Von St James emailed me this week. 

Heather Von St James.

Three months after welcoming her beautiful daughter Lily into the world, Heather was given 15 months to live. The removal of her left lung and multiple treatments saved her life, and 8 years later, she has beat the odds. Heather is one of the very few survivors of this cancer and her family has dedicated their lives to spreading awareness of it to keep other families safe. 


The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance has dedicated a significant amount of time making http://www.mesothelioma.com/ the best resource for those who want to learn more about or are affected by mesothelioma.

They hope that with a successful campaign they can bring awareness to this completely preventable disease.  Though if you have already been exposed - ensure you seek information from your health professional.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer affecting the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. The primary cause and risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

I clearly remember about 12 years ago my father's friend writing to him to advise him and other colleagues to go get checked for Mesothelioma , as he had just been diagnosed and had a poor prognosis. They had worked together in an industry that used asbestos.

My husband alleges he had some exposure to asbestos playing in broken 'mounds' of it as a young child near his father's business and probably as a tradesman. Unaware of the dangers. Scary, scary stuff.

Australia was one of the highest users per capita in the world up until the mid-1980s. Approximately one third of all homes built in Australia contain asbestos products. The widespread use of asbestos has left a deadly legacy of asbestos material.

Who hasn't heard of Bernie Banton ?


...takes your breath away!

In Australia ,The Bernie Banton Foundation is about asbestos awareness, education and advocacy. It is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that aims to make a difference by helping to alleviate exposure to asbestos, in the hope of eventual eradication of asbestos related disease!



Additionally , they offer support and comfort to sufferers and their loved ones.  More info on treatment http://www.berniebanton.com.au/mesothelioma-treatments

More info here http://asbestossafety.gov.au/asbestos-information

I'm curious have you heard of Mesothelioma ?