MESOTHELIOMA
(an asbestos-related cancer)
Most of you have probably never heard of Mesothelioma.  It is not a city in the Middle East.  It is a vicious, asbestos-related cancer.  Why is the Ethical Atheist writing about Mesothelioma?  First, it is a topic of science and the Ethical Atheist is very fond of science, as you may know.  Second, it is educational - another goal of the Ethical Atheist.  Most importantly to us, however, is that one of our guest writers, K. Axel Brauch (see his Profile), has this asbestos-related cancer and has been struggling with his battle since June 2001.
Patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma – a tumor which historically has been regarded as incurable and fatal – have limited treatment choices.

Mesothelioma is an insidious malignancy that usually involves the surface linings of the chest or abdominal cavity, and less frequently the heart and testicles.  Mesothelioma has been accepted as an occupational risk in individuals associated with the mining, manufacturing, application, and removal of asbestos-containing materials. The tumor can also arise among family members living in the same household with an asbestos-exposed worker.

Statistics

In the United States, 2,500 to 4,000 patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually. Many believe
that in a few more decades, after the latency period for those who have been exposed to asbestos in the U.S. passes, the number of Americans with mesothelioma will drop to "insignificant" levels. However, the incidence of mesothelioma will continue to rise in Asia, Europe, Great Britain, Australia and South Africa, where asbestos is still being used. Moreover, in the U.S., although the production of asbestos-containing products ceased years ago, the risk of exposure continues in many occupational settings.

Source: the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF)

A Letter from Klaus A. Brauch to the LA times regarding their editorial on 2/27/2003:

Editor:

Thursday’s editorial entitled "First Help The Sick" strikes an appropriate tone of support for legislation proposed by Senator Don Nickles, (R-Okla) to ensure that asbestos payouts go to those who are truly sick and in need of compensation. (see LA Times Feb 27, 2003). We should keep our enthusiasm in check however. To steal a phrase from Forrest Gump, "Legislation is like a box of chocolates.... you never know what you're going to get" -. We can expect even the best-intentioned legislation to be diluted by a bunch of unsavory omnibus provisions, most likely unrelated to the issue, simply in order to get it passed.

Even if successful, however, our legislative efforts shouldn’t stop there. The problems surrounding Asbestos related cancer, (Mesothelioma), aren’t going to be solved with tort reform legislation alone. The hard facts are that we need to do more than simply shield Asbestos manufacturers from lawsuits by the uninjured. Paying money to the victims won’t end the suffering among the many veterans and defense industry workers who are afflicted with this disease. To be specific:

  1. 32% of Mesothelioma’s diagnosed in the USA today served in the navy or worked in shipyards on navy ships.
  2. The Veteran’s Administration Hospitals do not have Mesothelioma research protocols or conduct clinical trials. Those who should be the most involved are doing the least.
  3. The federal government has been aware of the hazards of asbestos going back to the 1940’s and has done little or nothing to curtail its use. Paying off those who are injured by Asbestos won’t make the disease go away.
  4. Of the 5 billion appropriated to the National Cancer Institute, in 2001 only $1.6 million was used for Mesothelioma patients, mainly in support of drug trials.
  5. The Department of Defense (DoD), which should have a key interest in this issue, is a major source of federal cancer research funding. Congress has appropriated more than $1.2 billion to fund peer-reviewed breast cancer research through the DoD, and $310 million for the DoD's Prostate Cancer Research Program. The DoD also conducts a research program for ovarian cancer, and as recently as 2002, established Congressionally directed research programs for prion disease, tuberous sclerosis and chronic myelogenous leukemia. However, DoD support for Mesothelioma research remains virtually nonexistent.
I agree that Congress should act to restrict the dispersal of limited funds to uninjured claimants; if only to ensure that the guilty parties remain solvent long enough to provide critically ill victims of Mesothelioma some restitution. An even better piece of legislation would force Congress and the Veterans Administration to finally own up to their responsibilities and provide sufficient funding for meaningful research into a cure.

Ensuring a "just" resolution to the issue is a good beginning, but providing the resources and focus to find a cure would be better.

Klaus A. Brauch, Huntington Beach, CA,
Mesothelioma sufferer, Member - Family Advocacy Board,
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (www.marf.org)

Klaus A. Brauch, CPIM

For more on...
References & Further Reading:
1. "Klaus Brauch" - a profile of Klaus and his battle with mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF), http://www.marf.org/marfFrames/BrauchFrame.htm
2. "Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF)" - "Our Mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease by advancing research, education and awareness." http://www.marf.org
3. "Mesothelioma/Asbestos Update" -  A Mesothelioma/Asbestos Update site run by Law Offices of Roger G. Worthington, P.C, http://www.mesothel.com
4. "Klaus Brauch" -  51 Year Old Manager, Author, Family Man Klaus Brauch Explores Options, Chooses EPP and a Chance for A Cure, Vows to Cherish Life and Help Raise Awareness About Need for Research.
Huntington Beach, CA, http://www.mesothel.com
5. "The ADAR Chronicles" -  A science fiction novel by K. Axel Brauch,  http://www.learningteacher.com/adarchronicles/
6. "Rare lung cancer is leaving sorrowful legacy among working class", by Marylynne Pitz, Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/28/2003
7. "Mesothelioma Information and Resource Group", Providing comprehensive information to victims of mesothelioma and their families, http://www.mirg.org
- Ethical Atheist
[Created: 08/03/2002]
[Last Update: 03/03/2003]