This is a fantastic time of year: parties, presents, friends and celebrations. Whether we’re all ready or not, the holiday season is officially in full swing. However, one of the biggest issues with the holidays is that many of us are caught up in the festivities rather than taking the time to remember and acknowledge what the season is all about: spending time with our loved ones and being grateful for another year.

When lung cancer strikes, cigarette smoking is often blamed for its development. However, notes the American Cancer Society, of the 170,000 cases or so of lung cancer diagnosed each year in the U.S., some 10 percent of those cases are among those who never smoked a single cigarette. In those individuals, other causes of the disease – like exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, or asbestos – might be part of the picture. Nevertheless, the disease remains the number one cause of cancer fatalities in the United States.

In an ongoing effort to provide all veterans, from the World Wars through our continuing efforts in Afghanistan, and their families much needed support and resources, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new website.

Without adequate attention to the health of our bodies, minds, and spirits, the time we give to our responsibilities, families, and other obligations is not as good as it could be--we are not as good as we could be. If we wish to maximize every moment and live life with our whole selves, we must first build up our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies through nutrition, exercise, and spiritual care.

The health benefits of aerobic and strength exercises are well known. Slightly less known, however, is the potential benefits of exercise for cancer patients before, during, and after chemotherapy treatment. Light exercises can often reduce symptoms associated with cancer treatment.

Receiving a diagnosis of asbestosis, lung cancer or Mesothelioma as a result of your work with asbestos-containing products may permit you to file a Worker's Compensation claim.

The United States Center for Disease Control noted that in 2007, the last year for which accurate figures are available, more than 158,000 people in the United States died of lung cancer. The risk of developing the disease, they note, increases with age and is greater in men than in women. Though the incidence of the disease has indeed decreased in the last decade, lung cancer still remains a major concern…especially for medical professionals such as Dr. Anne Tsao who – each day – sees the ravages of the disease firsthand.

Regardless of how you look at it, the sheer volume of veterans from the time of the Vietnam Conflict through current war efforts abroad who are homeless is tragic, devastating and entirely unnecessary. According to 100,000 Homes Campaign – an organization dedicated to providing homes to the homeless– there are nearly 76,000 homeless veterans today.

Given that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month I’ve decided to contribute to the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance blog with a post about different types of lung cancer support groups. To introduce myself, my name is David Haas and I am a patient advocate and researcher for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. I will be writing posts about my research, the benefits of cancer support groups, and the benefits of physical fitness for those diagnosed with cancer or undergoing cancer treatment. This will serve as part one of a three-part series regarding cancer support networks and their benefits. I have interviewed specialists from both the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) and the Lung Cancer Alliance.

On Veterans Day, its critical for all of us to remember, celebrate and honor the service of the men and women in arms today and, of course, our veterans.

According to the National Cancer Institute at least 35 percent of all cancer cases are related to poor nutrition. [source]. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine what best aids in the fight and prevention cancer, including mesothelioma. Among the most prevalent healthy suggestions are:

One of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the U.S., lung cancer effects individuals from all walks of life – young and old, rich and poor, men and women. Statistics from the American Cancer Society (ACS) note that lung cancer is the second-most diagnosed cancer in both men and women and that the disease is responsible for more than one-fourth of all cancer deaths that occur in the United States each year.

As part of lung cancer awareness month, the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance is attempting to shed light on some lesser known facts about the disease, including its causes, potential new treatments, and challenges in attaining funding for lung cancer treatment and research. In this post we'd like to explore lung cancer causes. While cigarette smoking remains the number one cause of lung cancer, there are others risk factors many may not be aware of that have nothing to do with smoking. Knowing all the risk factors can help us as we try to finally eradicate this difficult disease. Let's explore each risk factor in detail below.

Traversing through the unknown world of Mesothelioma medical care and treatment is overwhelming for both those diagnosed and their care-providers. Compound that anxiety with the weight of financial limitations and stress due to uncovered medical expenses; rising insurance premiums; cost of traveling to/from doctor appointment; etc., can be devastating.

Each year in America, approximately 160,000 men and women die of lung cancer and the disease remains the leading cause of cancer deaths for both sexes. Long linked to smoking, though not exclusively, lung cancer continues to devastate families, never discriminating between young and old. It can also be an extremely difficult cancer to tackle and researchers are consistently searching for new and better ways to address the disease.

In 1926, seven years after President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11, 1919 as the country’s first Armistice Day, signaling the end of World War I, the United States Congress asked current President Calvin Coolidge to honor November 11 with proper celebrations.

November 1st marks the beginning of Lung Cancer Awareness Month across the United States. While mesothelioma is not a lung cancer, both diseases are associated with similar risk factors, including asbestos exposure and smoking.

If you are the spouse, son or daughter (including stepchildren and adopted children) of a veteran diagnosed with an asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma as a result of their exposure to asbestos in the armed forces, you may be eligible for the VA's Dependent's Educational Assistance Program.

The following post is the first in a series of mesothelioma patient, survivor, and caregiver interviews entitled Perspectives in Mesothelioma. The first participant in our series is Louise "Lou" Williams, a mesothelioma survivor who serves as Vice President of the Asbestos Diseases Society of Victoria in South Melbourne, Australia. We'd like to thank Lou for not only sharing her story with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance and its visitors, but also for serving as a tireless advocate for the many victims of asbestos disease across the globe. Read below for Lou's unique perspectives and reflections on mesothelioma and other asbestos related disease.

The three elements below are key for everyone’s long, healthy and happy life. However, for those brave men and women who served our country proudly and protected our nation’s interests, healing them, as a whole, is a priority.