MCA Staff Writers

Almost everyone knows someone currently serving in military services, and one thing stands true for all members of all branches of service: care packages from home never go unappreciated. Armed Forces Day is a day to honor all service men and woman from each branch of the military; much of the mesothelioma community are veterans, or loved ones of veterans or current members of the military. In honor of Armed Forces Day, the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance has put together some helpful ideas for preparing and sending the best and most useful care packages to loved ones overseas.

With Mothers Day just under a week away, many people are searching for that perfect gift for mom. Flowers are a standard gift that come to mind for many, but if you have a mother or wife who’s undergoing cancer treatments, you may want to make her Mother's Day extra special this year with a gift that shows your love and support during this tough time in her life.

The Face Of Climate Change is the theme for Earth Day 2013. Countries around the world are mobilizing their citizens to take part in various activities to raise awareness of the growing threat of climate change. From a green car show in Santa Barbara to an Earth Day Flash Mob in Korea, people of the world are taking part in this historic day to celebrate and raise awareness.

The costs of chemotherapy, surgeries, and post-operative medical items can add up quickly if you are battling cancer. Patients fighting cancer like mesothelioma will need to start treatment immediately and may be looking to deduct health care costs on their tax return. However, many patients may not know what to do or where to start.

This time of year, spring breakers are traveling to relax from school and work with friends and family. Travel in itself can be stressful, but if you add dealing with cancer into the mix, the idea may be too overwhelming and seem unmanageable. Traveling while you or a loved one has cancer can still be fun and relaxing with the right amount of preparation. When facing a rare form of cancer like mesothelioma, travel for mesothelioma treatment is common, but travel for fun doesn't have to be out of the question. Speaking to your doctor first is always recommended because each cancer patient has different limitations and needs. Once travel has been discussed and approved by the patient’s medical team, follow these other tips to make your travel as smooth and as fun as possible.

As Asbestos Awareness Week 2013 progresses, it’s important to take a look back in time at the valuable information we’ve posted on our blog. Some of our most popular blog posts have been those related to asbestos awareness and education. Asbestos Awareness week is an important time for the mesothelioma community. Since so many people are unaware of the dangers of asbestos, this week in particular is an ideal time to educate others on these hazards.

Every year, the first week of April is known as Asbestos Awareness Week. Asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous material, is a known human carcinogen and has been linked as a cause to asbestos-related cancers and mesothelioma. Despite such serious results from exposure to this mineral, asbestos is still not banned completely in the United States and many other countries. The purpose of Asbestos Awareness Week is to raise awareness and promote education about the dangers of asbestos, the legislation surrounding asbestos and asbestos exposure victims, and education about asbestos-related disease.

Held every year on March 30th, National Doctors’ Day celebrates physicians in the United States and their contributions to healthcare. For a patient, a good patient-doctor relationship is critical for a multitude of reasons. Patients with cancer frequently have a tremendous amount of anxiety and fear related to their disease, their treatment, and ultimately their life expectancy. Therefore, having a comfortable relationship with your physician is essential to the quality of your treatment. For those diagnosed with mesothelioma, visiting a mesothelioma specialist is paramount to obtaining the best medical treatment. We have many useful resources to assist patients in finding a top mesothelioma doctor near them.

“Jane” is 65. She hasn’t been herself since she had a cold about six months ago. She’s still coughing, still tired, and a little short of breath. She’s also lost a few pounds, but she’s wanted to lose weight for some time now, so she’s happy about that. Jane’s son finally talks her into going to see her doctor, who determines that Jane has been having a number of additional symptoms. The workup leads to a diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Jane is shocked to learn that she has cancer, and that her life expectancy is probably around 12 to 18 months.

With March Madness in the air, so many people are focusing on their brackets. We're looking at the places teams will be playing as well, but for different reasons. Want to know how March Madness and the places these teams are playing relate to the world of mesothelioma and asbestos? Here are some examples:

With spring creeping up on us, spring cleaning and DIY projects may be filling up your to-do list. However, these tasks may require more steps and tools than you bargained for if you live in an older home. Asbestos, a known carcinogen to cause mesothelioma cancer, is found in 80% of structures built prior to 1980’s. If you are beginning a home renovation project, educating yourself on where you could possibly find asbestos in your home is the first and most important step to take.

Celebrated since the early 1900’s, March 8th marks the International Women’s Day. This day has been recognized as a day to honor women all over the world who are enacting societal changes in the world’s attitude toward women’s rights and equality. Today, women are breaking into many roles as CEOs, government officials, and social activists while still holding important traditional roles as mothers. In earlier celebrations, International Women’s Day highlighted the struggles of women to earn equality, while today many celebrations are highlighting successes of women’s hard work in their communities.

A cancer diagnosis can bring out the fighting spirit in many patients. Despite grim statistics and difficult treatments, read these inspirational stories of women who looked their prognosis in the eye and kicked cancer's butt! Their diagnosis not only inspired these strong women to fight for their life, but it also inspired them to give back to the cancer community in huge ways. By starting organizations, businesses, and events to name a few, these women are spreading awareness and hope to so many fighting similar battles.

A cancer diagnosis is not only extremely physically demanding for a person as they begin treatment; a diagnosis is also very challenging mentally as well. For a patient beginning their journey through their disease, 20+ year cancer survivor, author, and CEO and President of The Cancer Club, Christine Clifford provides 9 tips to stay mentally and emotionally strong.

Thinking of getting wrist deep in a home DIY project you saw on Pinterest? Still using an ancient appliance from your first apartment because it seems to be just as good as new? While many of us may have an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude, some of your best money saving ideas can pose a serious health risk. Within your home and other unexpected places like schools and appliances, asbestos, a carcinogen known to cause asbestosis and mesothelioma, can linger.

Today, February 4th, is World Cancer Day. Tag your loved one who is fighting, has survived, or has lost the battle to cancer on our Memory Candle and SHARE it to keep the flame burning!

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to thank Kayla Hammons, the Advocate of the Month for February. Below is an interview with Kayla about how mesothelioma affected her stepdad Ron and her way of life. Kayla has been active in our Facebook community and continues to support others affected and spread the message of MCA.

In part 2 of the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance's interview with Dr. Richard McQuellon, Dr. McQuellon offers expert advice on how honesty is paramount to an open and loving relationship between a patient and a caregiver. Finding the right words to say to a loved one battling with cancer is already a difficult task, and when compounded with a rare cancer like mesothelioma, honesty is the best policy for open and effective communication to continue during this tough time.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance recently spoke to Dr. Richard McQuellon, the Director of the Psychosocial Oncology and Cancer Patient Support Programs at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, to hear his expert advice on how to be the most encouraging and empathetic caregiver. In part one of a two part piece, Dr. McQuellon explains why open communication and empathy can be some of a cancer patient's strongest medicine when it comes from their caregiver.

With the new year here, this month is filled with people making resolutions, some often too taxing to keep up throughout the year, but all with good intentions of bettering oneself. For a cancer patient, their life may feel too controlled by their diagnosis to make many changes or resolutions. There are many ways for cancer patients to make small, positive changes in their life that can help their health and outlook on their disease and life. The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance spoke to a few members of the team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America who gave us 6 excellent ways for cancer patients to make 2013 a year of positive thoughts and actions!