mesothelioma myths and misconceptions

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer, and if you’ve been diagnosed with this disease, you’ll want to gather all the information you can about it. However, there are a variety of myths about mesothelioma, and it’s important that you’re able to sort fact from fiction.

Learn the Truth About Mesothelioma

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma and read articles and literature about the disease, or you talk to others who are taking care of a loved one who has been diagnosed, it’s critical that you get factual, medical information to assist you in dealing with your own illness. Here, some of the myths about mesothelioma are debunked.

Myth #1: Mesothelioma Is a Man’s Disease

The Truth: While it’s true that more men are diagnosed with mesothelioma than women, women can also develop this disease. Traditionally, more men than women worked in jobs that exposed them to asbestos. However, many of these men brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, exposing their wives and children to this cancer-causing material.

Myth #2: Smoking Causes Mesothelioma

The Truth: Smoking causes lung cancer, but it does not cause mesothelioma.

Myth #3: You Can Get Mesothelioma From a Family Member

The Truth: Mesothelioma is not contagious. However, if you lived with someone who worked with asbestos, you may have been exposed to asbestos fibers that came home on your loved one’s clothing or body, and that exposure could cause you to develop mesothelioma.

Myth #4: Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Are the Same Thing

The Truth: Mesothelioma is not a form of lung cancer. Mesothelioma develops in the lining around certain parts of the body, including the lungs, while lung cancer originates in the lungs.

Myth #5: You Only Get Mesothelioma If You Were Exposed to Large Quantities of Asbestos Over a Long Period of Time

The Truth: There is no safe level of asbestos exposure or timeframe for that exposure. Even minimal exposure for a small amount of time can put you at risk for developing this disease.

Myth #6: Given the Short Life Expectancy After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis, There’s No Reason to Pursue a Legal Case

The Truth: Your life expectancy depends on a number of factors, including the stage at which your mesothelioma was diagnosed, your treatment plan, and your overall health. Even if your life expectancy is short, there are important reasons to file a claim. You may be able to provide financial security for your family and send a powerful message to employers about their responsibility to keep workers safe from asbestos and other carcinogens.

Myth #7: Asbestos Has Been Banned in the United States

The Truth: Asbestos has not been banned in the United States, although its use has been limited for the past few decades.

Myth #8: There Is No Treatment for Mesothelioma

The Truth: While there is currently no cure for mesothelioma, there are medical treatments that can help lengthen your life, manage your symptoms, and improve the quality of your life. Mesothelioma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Myth #9: You Can’t Afford Treatment for Mesothelioma

The Truth: Mesothelioma treatment is expensive. However, a successful legal case can help provide financial support, so you can get the medical treatment you need if you suffer from this type of cancer.

Mesothelioma Sufferers and Their Families Deserve Accurate Information

Our experienced mesothelioma lawyers want to ensure that you have accurate information and understand your legal rights after a mesothelioma diagnosis. That’s why we provide our free book, Your Guide to Mesothelioma and Your Legal Rights, to help if you’re diagnosed with this type of cancer. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis which means you won’t owe us any upfront legal fees for our work. Instead, we will be paid when your case settles.