Incredible as it may seem - because the dangers of asbestos were already beginning to be known - back in the 50s the P. Lorillard Company was using deadly crocidolite fibers in its Kent cigarette filters. In a review guide on eBay, an asbestos-identifying private consultant writes about the history of the asbestos-laden "micronite" filter used on Kent cigarettes between 1952 and 1956. And the U.S. government website notes that anyone who smoked a pack a day of Kent cigarettes between 1952 and 1956 may have been exposed to as much as 131 million crocidolite structures in a single year.

If you know anyone who was a smoker during this period, you may want to advise them of the danger to which they may have been exposed. Suggest they consult a physician who is an expert at understanding the early signs of asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Early detection can help with treatment and possibly improve quality of life. See below to find information about doctors who understand the complexities of diagnosing and treating mesothelioma.

Perhaps even more interesting was the claim that Kent cigarettes made for the positive health benefits the filter supposedly conferred on smokers. When a large number of workers from the Kent factories making the filters began coming down with those respiratory diseases, the alarm was raised. In 1995 scientists located unopened packages of Kent filter cigarettes date stamped from 1952. They put them through testing with artificial smoking machines that could measure the contents of the smoke. Extensive testing with first puffs and puffs after cigarettes had been put out and relit revealed that crocidolite fibers were present in the filters. They showed that many of the fibers were long enough to be classed as more likely to be carcinogenic and that substantial numbers of those longer fibers were carried directly into the smokers' mouth and lungs.

As time has passed and more and more people are growing sick 30, 40, and 50 years later because of negligent behaviors by corporate entities long ago, our society has begun to realize that advertising can be manipulated to say anything that serves to boost sales, regardless of whether it's based on facts. This is a good thing for public health--though too late for many. We are dedicated to helping assist those who may be suffering from mesothelioma from any cause.

People living and working in New York on that fateful day when the Twin Towers came down are becoming ill in growing numbers. World Trade first responders and others are developing chronic coughs, lung diseases and now other cancers caused by breathing the toxic mix of asbestos, dioxine, benezine, and other carcinogens released at and around the site.

Eventually some are likely to develop mesothelioma-a disease specifically related to exposure to asbestos. And some who were there will also begin to develop potentially lethal blood clots. Patients with cancer of all types tend to have a significantly higher risk of blood clotting then the general population. Because of its severity as a disease, scientists decided to try to find out whether patients with mesothelioma also follow that trend.

In a small study in the state of New Mexico the rate of dangerous (thromboembolism) among mesothelioma patients was significantly higher-close to double the rate-among other cancer patients. This is yet another way this disease can kill or disable its victims. If you know someone who may be at risk for mesothelioma, be sure to let them know they should talk to their doctor about the advisability of taking blood thinners (anticoagulants).

There are similarities between the victims of the Towers tragedy and those who've developed mesothelioma as a result of manufacturers who failed to provide adequate warnings and protective clothing and equipment for people working around asbestos. The difference is there will be a far larger public outcry when the consequences to rescue workers at the 9/11 disaster become common knowledge. When you've been the victim of such failures in the private sector, you have to look harder to find a voice on your behalf.

Be sure to find a doctor who understands the need to keep an open mind about diagnosing and treating mesothelioma. And if you've been diagnosed, please don't hesitate to call if you have any questions about your right to file a lawsuit for compensation or other damages for being exposed to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma is a killer disease and you and your family deserve to understand your legal rights.

Lung cancer occurs when cancerous cells develop in the lung's tissue. It is the most common fatal cancer among men and women, and it is the number one killer in the world. Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate out of all the cancers combined. People with risk factors for developing the disease should have regular checkups to determine if they are cancer free.

Family history of the disease can be a warning sign that lung cancer may run in your family and that you should be checked more often. Some risk factors for lung cancer can also include age, sex, or race and are called non-modifiable factors because the person can't change them. Some lesser-known symptoms to watch out for include:

• Shoulder or upper back pain caused by a tumor pressing into the lung lining

• Swelling of the face and neck caused by change in circulation brought on by the tumor

• Having frequent bouts of pneumonia or other lung infections

When tumors press against blood vessels, the fluids cannot travel as well through the body, and these fluids build up in the neck and face and often times the hands and feet as well. Having frequent periods of lung infections or pneumonia can also be a sign of lung cancer as the cells of the tumor trap and hold bacteria.

There are two types of lung cancer - Non-small cell and small cell. Non-small cell cancer is usually associated with people who smoke and is the most common form of diagnosed cancer. Small cell lung cancer - or oat cancer - is rarer, but is also caused by smoking. Non-small cancer is more common and spreads much slower than small cell cancer. Three main types of this cancer are named for the cells where they tend to develop. These are Squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Small cell lung cancer tends to grow and spread much more quickly than non-small cancer and can quickly spread to other areas of the body. Both types of cancers react to treatments in different ways.

Some substances that can cause lung cancer are familiar to you while others may come as a surprise. Cigarette smoking is one of the causes. How often have you heard that over the years? It is far more likely that someone who smokes will develop lung cancer than someone who doesn't smoke. The age at which the person began smoking, and the length of time they've been smoking are also factors in the development of the disease. Even people who don't smoke themselves can be exposed to the second-hand smoke and develop lung cancer over time. Some other substances that can cause lung cancer include Radon exposure and Asbestos exposure.

It's very important to follow up with your doctor if you suspect that you may have some symptoms. The sooner the disease is discovered and treatment is begun, the sooner you'll be well again. Regular checkups can make sure that any cancer is caught in the early stages and can be treated quickly and effectively with a variety of treatments. Physical exams, x-rays, and blood or urine tests may be required to check thoroughly.

Asbestos in toys. Asbestos in duct tape, in spackle, and sealer. In December 2007 asbestos was found in the childrens toy, "The CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit" as well as two brands of children's play clay. Where else can asbestos be found? Vinyl flooring, duct wrapping on heating and air conditioning systems, roof shingles and home siding, ceilings (where it has the textured, bumpy look). EEEK, I grew up with that. Wall and attic insulation and sheet rock compound to name a few.

O.K., some of the products mentioned were produced between 1920 and 1970. However, the shocking truth is that asbestos is still being used in consumer products today, in 2008! Do you do gardening? If so, NEVER use a product with vermiculite in it. Vermiculite is a mineral that is usually contaminated with asbestos. Vermiculite has been used in potting mixes, brake pads, acoustic tiles, and insulation.

What about collecting antiques? Coffee pots, irons, toaster and blow dryers have contained asbestos. One blow dryer called the " Rocket Blower" was used in beauty salons until it was recalled in 1979.

Talc, yes the stuff in baby powder and cosmetics could contain asbestos. On June 22, 2000 in the Seattle Post Intelligencer, Andrew Schneider's article ran about the asbestos contamination in Talc.

How do we know that our baby powder, ceilings and toasters do not contain asbestos? We don't. Many homes built before 1980 contain asbestos. It can be in the vinyl floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roof shingles, insulation, pipe cement, and joint compound. Some newer houses may also contain asbestos.

Asbestos can be found in many public places. Two of our recent national tragedies come to mind...9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. When the World Trade Center collapsed, it sent a large amount of asbestos dust into the air. The first responders and citizens breathed in that dust. Many folks have developed lung problems, and some have already died. Hurricane Katrina clean up efforts had to be halted due to the presence of asbestos.

Why is existence of asbestos such a big deal? It is a big deal because thousands and thousands of people have died from asbestos exposure. Asbestos fiber's are breathed in when mixed with dust. The fiber are like little razors. They can cause significant scarring of the lung tissue leading to a disease called asbestosis. Breathing asbestos fiber's can also lead to a form of lung cancer called mesothelioma. The ONLY known cause of mesothelioma and asbestosis is breathing in asbestos particles. Scientists have stated that NO amount of asbestos exposure is safe.

So why? Why do products still contain asbestos? Why isn't there more information available for the public to learn about the danger of asbestos? If you are outraged by this, you may click on the link to my site, and sign the online petition to completely eliminate asbestos in all products.

Usually in the early of lung cancer, there are no special symptoms. Only when lung cancer is developed to a certain stage, there will be some symptoms, including cough, blood in sputum, fever, chest pain, chest tightness and some other respiratory symptoms. Lung cancer may easily be overlooked or be treated as pneumonia, so to cause the delay condition. People above 40 years old especially have a long history of smoking or passive smoking, must have a regular physical examination annually. People should also be vigilant immediately for medical treatment when the following performance appears, which is helpful to find lung cancer in time.

1. Chronic Cough

Tumour stimulates the trachea, will often lead to irritating cough. This cough has nothing to do with the season, time or medication. This is the most common symptoms of lung cancer, and about 2/3 of the patients have this symptom. People must be prudent when there is a cough of unknown causes. Some people who has a long-term chronic cough must go to see a doctor when he feels that the cough situation has changed.

2. Blood In Sputum

Tumour causes cell necrosis and broken of capillaries, a small amount of bleeding mixed with sputum and so this Intermittent or persistent symptom appears. About 50% of the patients with lung cancer have this symptom.

3. Chest Pain

About 30%-40% of lung cancer patients will appear chest pain, generally not keen intermittent chest pain, mainly shown as stuffy pain or vague pain with uncertain location, may continue from several minutes to several hours.

4. Repeated Fever

Bronchial cavity was blocked by tumor, poor drainage may lead to fever. The body temperature is generally under 38 degrees. Treat early with antibiotic, the body temperature can return to normal, but easy to relapse.

5. Chest Tightness And Shortness Of Breath

Tumor will affect the normal lung function, and will lead to chest tightness and shortness of breath when people are tired, which is the most obvious in central lung cancer.

Lung cancer, not only in the primary site continue to grow and spread, but also often through the lymphatic and Xuelu transferred to the local lymph nodes and other body organs. The incidence of lung cancer more often concealed, early often no obvious symptoms, easily overlooked, and even some long-distance transfer of patients has occurred, is still not confirmed, the understanding of the characteristics of the transfer of lung cancer, lung cancer diagnosis and treatment will also be Helpful.

Direct spread

Lung cancer from bronchial occurred along the infiltration of bronchial wall, directly to the proliferation of proximal or distal end, to be invaded trachea eminence plane, or air to the lungs through bronchial wall infiltration growth in real terms, and further up to mediastinal pleura . The latter can lead to the cultivation of the two pleural proliferation, pleural thickening, as if the corpus callosum. Could be worse transgression and chest wall and diaphragmatic, or to the esophagus and the pericardium.

Lymphatic metastasis

Lung cancer at an early stage is likely to occur lymphatic metastasis. General small cell carcinoma of the transfer earlier than squamous cell carcinoma and. First found in lymphatic metastasis of the lung lymph nodes, hilar lymph nodes, trachea and bronchi adjacent lymph nodes. This may be to mediastinal lymph nodes (which is the guideline for long-distance transfer) autopsy cases of lung cancer about half that peritoneal metastasis.

Xuelu transfer

Xuelu transfer of common lung cancer, often caused systemic result of extensive transfer of death, the mortality rate was 92%. Especially those that are not differentiated small cell lung cancer such as cancer, the cancer cells may occur early Xuelu transfer, and then later adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Lung cancer transferred to remote organs, not from lung cancer is often the primary site Xuelu transfer, but through the mediastinum into the metastasis venous circulation Yan returned to the lungs. Therefore, in general there is no transfer of early lung cancer, lung metastasis is not uncommon. According to the autopsy materials and lung cancer of the lung metastases found only 10 percent of the cases, but to make sure it is transferred from the Xuelu mediastinal lymph nodes from, or from the more common internal organs to shift from the Xuelu, it is difficult.

Cultivation of transfer

Body cavity of the organ tumors spread to the organ surface, the tumor cells can be exfoliated and, like sowing, planting in the body cavity and body cavity of the organ on the surface, forming the majority of the transfer. This method known as the transfer of duty of the transfer or sowing, more than occurred in the abdominal or thoracic organ cancer. Organs of cancer, such as the invasion of gastric cancer and gastric damage serosa, Ke Zhongzhi to the omentum, peritoneal, abdominal organs in the face of even the surface of ovarian, etc.. Lung cancer is often in the chest with a wide range of cultivation of the transfer. Serous cavity of the cultivation of each shift with serous bloody fluid, it is because subserosal lymphatic or vascular thrombosis was resistance, resistance to cancer or serous stimulus to the permeability of capillary A result of increased leakage increased, and because blood vessels were small cell carcinoma of the destruction it caused bleeding. Suction fluid for cytology see often available on the cancer cells. It is worth noting that surgery could also result in cultivation.

Mesothelioma is considered to be the most deadly type of cancer that cannot be cured easily and the person who suffers from Mesothelioma do not survive for a long time as the lining of the internal organs like the heart, the lungs and the stomach is affected. This cancer is mainly caused by the exposure to asbestos or materials that contain asbestos. This cancer cannot be detected at an early stage as the symptoms of the disease can be seen only in the developed or the last stage. It is a malignant cancer that is the result of inhaling particles of damaged asbestos in the air which start damaging the lining of the internal organs.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of Mesothelioma can be detected after 20 to 50 years of exposure. If the lining of the heart or the lungs is damaged then the most common problem that develops is breathing problem. This is due to the accumulation of fluid in the chest, which is known as Pleural Mesothelioma. The symptoms are totally different if the stomach lining is affected. The patient often complains of stomach ache, loses his appetite and other problems develop like problem in the bowel, frequent fever, anemia and other problems. Most of the people take these symptoms lightly and by the time they go to the doctor it is too late. After the disease is detected in most patients survive between 6 to 12 months.

Treatment for Mesothelioma

An effective treatment of this disease depends on several factors like, in which stage the cancer has been detected, what is the age of the patient, how much the cancerous cells have circulated and the general health condition of the patient, that is whether he is suffering from some other disease or not. It has been observed that chemotherapy is the only treatment available for these patients. It uses medicines, chemicals or drugs in a systematic manner to eradicate the cancerous cells. The medicine is either injected directly in the body or administered in pill forms.

In few cases the medicine is directly injected in chest. This is called intrapleural chemotherapy. If the lining of the stomach is affected then the medicine is inserted into the abdomen which is called intra peritoneal chemotherapy. The direct insertion is done to retard the formation of the cancerous cells. Patients are advised before the surgery and after the surgery to minimize the development of the cancerous cell.

The patient has to bear the pain of chemotherapy treatment to be cured and gain longevity or has to meet his end within 6-12 months. Now it is in the hands of the patient whether he will go for chemotherapy and have full faith of recovery.

Mesothelioma is an occupationsl disease. Exposure to asbestos at the workplace is the single most important risk factor for developing mesothelioma. In the era when safety measures were often deficient, workers were constantly exposed to asbestos fibers and many of them developed the disease. Mesothelioma develops some 40-60 years after exposure and is thus common in the senior citizens who have worked in places known to have asbestos in the ambient environment. Compensations and lawsuits are common and are justified where there were gross violations in safety measures. The manufacturers and even distributors knew for decades that asbestos was hazardous, but they did not warn people of those hazards. As a result, a patient has the right of recovery against those manufacturers who can help pay the costs of treatment and provide compensation for the resultant pain and suffering.

No amount of monetary benefits can compensate the suffering but at least the compensation can take care of the medical expenses involved. Any person affected directly or indirectly is eligible for compensation.

Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is a long and tedious process. As soon as a diagnosis has been made, it is critical to get hold of a qualified mesothelioma attorney to file claims. It is better to file a suit with the help of attorneys who are experienced in these issues. They have done the hard legwork and groundwork and as such can help speedier processing of the claims. All said and done choosing a mesothelioma attorney is a personal decision and best left to the patient and his or her relatives.

The following questions can help make a good decision regarding mesothelioma lawyers and firms.

1. How long has the firm been handling these type of cases?
2. How many cases are being handled currently?
3. How many cases have been handles successfully in the recent past?
4. Will a law firm work on your case or refer it to another law firm? If referred what are the credentials of the referred law firm?
5. How many cases have been taken to trial and what have been the nature of the verdicts?
6. In the event of an appeal are there qualified lawyers in the firm who handle appellate and related legal issues?
7. What is the track record for the firm in handling appealed cases successfully?

The Martindale-Hubbell Legal network is a good point to begin search for mesothelioma lawyers and firms. A simple search on a search engine will give further details. The Oklahoma Bar Association has put out excellent guidelines regarding choosing an attorney. They state that "Selecting a lawyer is a personal matter. You must judge which particular attorney will be best for you. Before making a decision, however, you may want to contact several lawyers or law firms to gather some comparative information."

It is extremely important to trust the lawyer or firm one hires. No lawyer can be expected to win every case, and sometimes the best legal advice may not be exactly what you want to hear."

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer that affects the pleural membranes (coverings of the lungs), the peritoneal membranes (coverings of the abdominal organs) or the pericardium (covering of the heart). Mesothelioma is generally seen in people exposed to asbestos. The tumor often takes years to develop and screening people exposed to asbestos remains the only option for early intervention against this disease. People who have held jobs in the construction, shipbuilding and manufacturing industry need to be screened routinely. The following screening tests can be useful to diagnose mesothelioma.

Imaging:

Imaging tests like a simple chest X-Ray, CT Scans, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are often very useful and they may show thick, nodular masses on the pleural surface.

Needle Biopsies:

Under a local anaesthetic, the doctor will insert a large, hollow needle into the chest cavity. The needle is rotated and withdrawn to collect a sample of the tissue in the process. The sample is then examined in the laboratory for malignant cells. The needle biopsy is only about 40% accurate.

Open Biopsy:

This is one of the most accurate methods to diagnose mesothelioma. A larger tissue sample is often obtained with an open biopsy. However the procedure is performed under general anaesthetic.

Cytology:

Cytology of the pleural fluid has little value in diagnosing mesothelioma and is not routinely performed. Almost 85% of the times cytology is negative or inconclusive despite the presence of mesothelioma. Cytology can be performed in conjunction with a biopsy.

Even with the best screening techniques available today, mesothelioma escapes detection. Early screening and routine screening are crucial in people exposed to asbestos in order to prevent serious consequences. Whilst there are no definite cures yet, the speed at which medicine is making progress a cure for mesothelioma should definitely be around the corner. Till then early detection remains the best possible weapon against this disease. Victims of mesothelioma should take appropriate action against their former employers and should get in touch with lawyers who have experience handling these issues.