Mesothelioma Treatment Facilities: How We Match Patients with Doctors

One of my greatest goals is to enable all people diagnosed with cancer to find the best team and treatment for their cancer.  There are many fantastic doctors out there; not every one of them is right for every patient.  Furthermore, not every therapy is right for every patient; we are all individuals with individual bodies, cancers, circumstances and needs.  The following is a guest post by the Mesothelioma Center, who seems to share a common goal. 

At The Mesothelioma Center, one of the most important things we do is match our patients with a mesothelioma specialist. But we don’t just randomly pair people with any health care professional. Our patient advocates consider multiple personal and diagnosis-related factors to make sure patients are getting the best care for their individual case.

Facility Factors – First and foremost, our Medical Outreach Director visits each facility to learn about how they operate. We ask questions like:  

·         What technology do they have?

·         Do they have a designated asbestos-related disease department?

·         What about an integrated care team with nutritionists, counselors and rehabilitation specialists?

·         What does the facility do to set itself apart from other centers?

Once we know the ins and outs of how each facility works with its patients, we can make personalized recommendations that we feel comfortable standing behind.

Doctor Specialties – Even if the facility is nationally recognized for mesothelioma care, they may not have a doctor who specializes in each subtype of the disease. For instance, some centers have pleural mesothelioma specialists, but not peritoneal mesothelioma specialists.

We know how important it is for people to work with a confident, experienced doctor. That’s why our advocates make sure to match patients with surgeons and oncologists who know who to best treat their specific diagnosis. 

Patient’s Diagnosis – On a similar note, we consider a wide range of variables related to the patient’s diagnosis. We try to match patients based on the stage and location of their cancer, the tumor cell subtype, and their overall health. Some treatment centers specialize in early stage mesothelioma, while others specialize in certain subtypes of the cancer. Some patients may like to know how to improve their prognosis after their diagnosis. Our goal is to help patients get the most individualized care for their unique situation.

Patient’s Preferences and Resources – We know that the best doctor for a patient may not be in their city – or even their state. But we also know that most patients can’t simply uproot themselves from their families and daily responsibilities to travel across the country for medical care. That’s why we match patients with doctors that are as close to their geographical region as possible. We also help arrange travel services and grants (often on a free or reduced fare) for patients who do need to commute to their specialist.

We also understand that patients may not wish to use conventional medicine or current practices. That’s why we also match patients with clinical trials and offer information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The clinical trials provide access to innovative, not-yet-available treatments that researchers hope will be the next big thing in mesothelioma treatment. And CAM therapies can offer relief for patients whether they elect traditional treatment or take an all-natural approach. Each patient has their own path, and we do our best to support them along the way.

Author bio: Faith Franz has spent two years researching and writing for The Mesothelioma Center. As an advocate for alternative medicine, she encourages patients to explore all of the treatment options that could potentially save their life.

Elyn

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. She is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She mentors women who are coping with issues of well-being associated with breast cancer and its aftermath; she is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health and more and has contributed to Breast Cancer Answers as well as written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Natural Healing-Natural Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, and other publications and newsletters. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

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Coaching Through Cancer

The following is a guest post by Marvin Leininger. Marvin is an Awareness Advocate for the Mesothelioma Center. He combines his interests in whole-body health and medical research to educate the mesothelioma community about the newest developments in cancer care. 

To help cope with a terminal diagnosis, many cancer patients turn to various avenues for emotional and mental health support. Discussion groups and cancer counseling are two very common support options, but there is another choice that is quickly gaining popularity: coaching services.

Coaching can provide assistance in a number of areas.

Patients who are diagnosed with an aggressive cancer such as mesothelioma may feel confused, anxious or even depressed about their future. While the reality of a terminal prognosis can evoke a range of unpleasant emotions, coaching can help patients deal with them under the guidance of an expert. Coaches can help identify stressful behaviors and offer suggestions on how to change them.

Coaching can also provide emotional support throughout the various stages of a cancer diagnosis. Cancer patients can turn to their coaches for moral support at treatment sessions, and coaches can provide guidance on complementary therapies such as massage, acupuncture and aromatherapy. Often, coaches serve as an objective voice throughout the process.

Certain physical needs can also be met through cancer coaching. Nutritional evaluations can be conducted by some coaches, in addition to other health services and prevention education. Coaches can also help advocate for the patient at their doctor’s office.

The coach-client relationship can be tailored specifically to each patient’s needs, and it can evolve over time to accommodate new developments in the patient’s condition.

Services a cancer coach may provide include:

·         Guidance with complementary and alternative therapies

·         Company during medical appointments

·         Emotional support and empowerment

·         Communication support

·         Patient advocacy throughout treatment

How Can Coaching Help Me?

Coaching is an inclusive approach to navigating life with cancer. The benefits can range from emotional relief to mental clarity to physical benefits that result from nutritional coaching. Coaching can help cancer patients communicate more effectively with their medical care providers, research the choices they make about their health care, and ultimately feel more empowered and secure in their decisions.

Elyn Jacobs

elyn@elynjacobs.com

elynjacobs.wordpress.com

Don’t miss my new Radio Talk Show Survive and Live Well, tips to beat and treat cancer.  Tuesdays at 1pm(est) beginning May 22^nd on Cancer Support Network http://w4wn.com/

Elyn Jacobs is President of Elyn Jacobs Consulting, Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation, a certified cancer coach and a breast cancer survivor.  Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs, and to be active participants in their health; she is passionate about helping others get past their cancer and into a cancer-free life. 

Find Elyn on Linked-in, Twitter @elynjacobs and FB:elynjacobs and Elyn Jacobs Consulting

Asbestos and Mesothelioma

The question most of us have is that when is a minor issue a problem that deserves attention.  As I mentioned in an earlier post (http://elynjacobs.blogspot.com/2011/07/tamoxifen-friend-or-foe.htm) I have been coughing since December. Could be asthma and allergies, they say, but I am not responding to those meds. So, the question my oncologist and internist (and husband) want to know is why. I blamed the Tamoxifen, and while no one is arguing with me, they still want confirmation that I don’t have some other issue. Since I am phobic about unnecessary tests and drugs, I have put off this question.  However, Onc strongly insisted on a chest x-ray and internist says that while that scan was clear, I must see a lung specialist (pulmonologist) as something is not quite right.  Super.  So I decide to wait until after the hurricane (clever avoidance) but alas, I will go.  I have always worried about asbestos exposure, building I worked in during the early 80’s was condemned and asbestos removed.  At the time, all I knew is being there made me very ill, despite the fact that I loved the job. I am sure that I kept the makers of Kleenex sitting pretty.  Naturally now I wonder if there is a connection to my cancer and that exposure. I also worry about my exposure during 9/11.  Sorry, but those who were to protect us lied and assured us all that the air was safe, now we see the truth, and many have suffered and died. My markers have been good, so I am not terribly concerned, but I am concerned that they will order more tests and prescribe more drugs.  Ah, I guess it is what it is and in the scheme of things, what can I complain about. 

So when is a symptom something to worry about?  I’d say when it is persistent and does not respond to remedies. This brings me to today’s guest post by Ben Leer, Outreach Coordinator for the Mesothelioma Center (Asbestos.com). Mesothelioma is a cancer that often goes undiagnosed until late stage, so when Ben asked if he could guest blog about it, I said yes. Please remember that just because you have some of the symptoms, this does not mean you have cancer, and at the same time, just as with other diseases, you need not have all the symptoms to have the disease.

Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Asbestos was a mineral widely used in manufacturing.  It had amazing strength and heat resistant properties.  Common household items that contained asbestos products included; paint, dry wall, insulation and flooring. The uses of asbestos were not limited to the household.  It was incredibly versatile and found uses in the military, railroads, textile mills, automobile industry and more. 

In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had begun banning and a phasing out existing products that contains asbestos.  This was due to an overwhelming amount of evidence that linked asbestos to a cancer called Mesothelioma.  Asbestos exposure accounts for 4% of lung cancer cases. The same material that was meant to protect us from fire hazards actually caused cancer.  Lung cancer cases occur more than any other cancer. In 2011 there will be an estimated 221,130 new cases with 156,940 deaths.

Mesothelioma occurs when ingested asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining of our organs and irritate the neighboring cells.  Our bodies are not well equipped to remove the rigid and strong asbestos fibers. Eventually, this irritation may turn into a tumor which can lead to the growth of cancerous cells.  The latency period for this to occur is anywhere between 20-50 years after initial exposure.

The most common form of mesothelioma accounts for around 75% of cases and occurs in the lungs. Symptoms include chest pains, shortness of breath, reduced chest expansion, harsh breathing sounds, dry cough, wheezing, and pleural effusions. Early detection of mesothelioma is a key component to prognosis.  Imaging tests such as CT scans, PET scans or MRI’s are common and produce a detailed picture of the progression of the cancer.  The real key is prevention.  Being able to identify asbestos and avoid becoming exposed.

Many people may have been exposed and may not be aware.  Veterans comprise 30% of mesothelioma cases since every branch of the military had used asbestos. Ships, battle cruisers and submarines contained asbestos in the insulation of engine rooms along with several other components.  Other occupations that have been exposed to asbestos are shipyard workers, demolition, industrial plants, pipefitters, and machinists.

If you would like more information on asbestos exposure and asbestos related diseases, please feel free to visit the Mesothelioma Center, Twitter or Facebook.  You will be able to find over 3000 pages of comprehensive content that is designed to walk a patient through symptoms, diagnosis and prognosis. Additionally, we provide free informational material, as well as direct contact with one of our Patient Advocates.

Elyn Jacobs

elyn@elynjacobs.com

http://elynjacobs.blogspot.com

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Elyn Jacobs is President of Elyn Jacobs Consulting, Inc. and a breast cancer survivor.  She empowers women diagnosed with cancer to navigate the process of treatment and care, and she educates about how to prevent recurrence and new cancers.  She is passionate about helping others get past their cancer and into a cancer-free life.