Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of organs, most commonly the lungs and the abdomen. The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos fibres which can be inhaled or ingested. Once inside the body, the asbestos fibres become lodged and cause a persistent irritation to the linings and can lead to the development of mesothelioma.
Does asbestos exposure mean you will develop mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma does not affect everyone who is exposed to asbestos and it is still unclear why some people develop the cancer and some do not. It is not unknown for someone who was working with asbestos directly, day in day out for years, to be fine but for their partner who was washing their asbestos covered work clothes to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, caused by secondary exposure to asbestos.
It is not until many years, between 10 and 50, after the exposure to asbestos that the symptoms of mesothelioma will surface.
Poor prognosis
Sadly, by the time that symptoms have started, the mesothelioma is often well progressed and the prognosis is generally poor with a survival rate of between three and twelve months after diagnosis.
Treatment can prolong the survival after diagnosis with surgery and chemotherapy being offered to most patients, depending on the stage of their mesothelioma and their general health at the time of diagnosis. Many mesothelioma patients are now seeing good results from immunotherapy.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, there is no known cure for mesothelioma and the only treatments available aim to reduce symptoms and improve the length and quality of life for patients.
Thanks to advancements in treatments, there are some mesothelioma patients who survive past the expected 12 months and, between 2013 and 2017, 7% of mesothelioma patients survived more than five years post-diagnosis. There are also a few well-known mesothelioma warriors who have survived for far longer.
Mavis Nye – mesothelioma warrior
Mavis was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma back in 2009. It is believed that she was exposed to asbestos from her husband, Ray’s clothing when he worked at Chatham dockyard in the 1950’s. As is usual, Mavis was told she had around three months to live and went home to put her affairs in order.
Thankfully, the couple did more than put things in order, instead researching as much as possible about the cancer and looking into possible treatments. Mavis spent the next four years having chemotherapy and taking part in drug trials, which ultimately failed. Then she was able to take part in the MK3475 trial, later to be known as the Keytruda Trial. There were just three participants of the two year trial and whilst the other two participants sadly passed away, Mavis had a great result, with her tumours shrinking to such an extent that she was essentially in remission.
Mavis continued to be monitored with scans and it was not until May 2019 that new growths were seen. She joined another trial, the Hyper Trial which started in July 2019 and again she showed a good response with her growths reported to be stable.
In March 2020, with the news of Coronavirus, all treatments were cancelled and in May 2020 Mavis received the bad news that her mesothelioma had spread from her lungs to her spine. She began treatment at The Marsden Hospital but by July 2020 the treatment was not having any effect and was stopped.
Since then, Mavis has not been able to take part in any other trials and was having scans every three months to monitor her condition. Due to the cancer spreading to her spine, in May 2021 she began radiotherapy for pain relief.
Mavis is now 12 years on from her diagnosis and for many years has been fighting for those with mesothelioma, raising awareness of the condition and how it can be prevented. In September 2021 she once again took part in the ADAO’s Annual Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference, as the international voice of meso warriors. She is an inspiration for all those in the mesothelioma community and you can read her full story here.
Paul Kraus – longest mesothelioma survivor
Paul Kraus was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at the age of just 52, back in 1997. He was exposed to asbestos when working next to an asbestos factory.
Like Mavis, he was told to go home and put his affairs in order, there was no cure and he didn’t have long left to live. However, Paul looked into the disease, completely changed his lifestyle and diet, cutting out white sugar, white flour, processed foods, fried foods and meat. He also began juicing.
Paul is now 24 years on from his diagnosis, has written a book and has a website where he publishes the latest in mesothelioma treatments and other helpful information for mesothelioma patients.
Hope for the future
Whilst Mavis and Paul are seemingly anomalies compared to most mesothelioma patients, there is hope in the future that researchers will find a more effective treatment, if not a cure for mesothelioma in the near future.
If you require assistance in pursuing an asbestos compensation claim for mesothelioma or any other asbestos disease then please contact us today on our freephone number 0800 038 6767. Alternatively, head over to the ‘Contact Us’ page, complete the form and we will be in touch.
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