Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that typically affects the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. This cancer occurs about four times more frequently in men than in women and all forms of mesothelioma, except for benign mesothelioma, are invariably fatal.

The life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally reported as less than one year following diagnosis, however a patient’s prognosis is affected by numerous factors including how early the cancer is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.



Who Is At Risk?

Asbestos was one of the most common industrial materials put to use in the twentieth century. It has also proven to be one of the most lethal, as inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to a wide range of pulmonary problems such as asthma and asbestosis - and can also be the direct cause of mesothelioma.

What is mesothelioma? It is a lethal cancer that attacks the membranes around the lungs, the heart and the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma cancer of the lungs is by far the most common form. Perhaps its most unusual characteristic is that mesothelioma diagnosis usually occurs decades after the initial exposure to asbestos.

It takes years for the asbestos fibers to work their way into those membranes; after an extended presence they begin to cause fluid accumulation and tumor development. However the first mesothelioma symptoms are such afflictions as a persistent cough or shortness of breath - symptoms that are often mistaken for evidence of more common lung problems, which delays the mesothelioma diagnosis even further.

A new episode of "River Monsters" aired last night and I've got to tell you it was pretty intense.

The host flew out to the Congo to try and catch some gigantic specie of fish that makes a piranha look like child's play. Check out the pic of this thing...



A Goliath Tiger Fish is a kind of freshwater fish that you will find floating around in the Congo river system in the Smoke Run region. The fish's body is a burnt-orange color with a red body and is capable of reaching up to 24 inches long.

"Prey consist primarily of other fish, but just about anything alive can fall prey to the Tigerfish. Like the Piranha, prey is eaten away bite by bite. Because they have razor sharp knife-like teeth, and extremely strong jaw muscles, they are among the few fish that can turn the tables on prey the same size or larger than themselves. There are unverified reports of attacks on humans."

In short, if you can find a clip of last night's show you should. This thing is definitely worth checking out.

It really is believed that nearly 1.5 million children are living in the US today with Autism spectrum disorders. Most commonly seen in boys, Autism is often a developmental disability that effects a person's ability to effectively communicate with others and engage in "normal" social interactions. Typically, the warning signs present themselves within the first three to five years of life. These include repetitive language or motor functions, a lack of or delayed spoken language, tiny or no eye contact, lack of interest in peer relationships, and persistent fixation on parts of objects.

A child with a "highly -functioning" form of Autism will most likely be diagnosed with Aspberger's. The new television show which airs on NBC, "Parenthood," opens up this little-known disorder to its mainstream viewing audience as 1 in the characters is diagnosed with having Aspbergers. In fact, the disorder was one particular of this top rated Google searches after a from the Parenthood episodes focusing on Aspberger's, that is raising awareness of this syndrome. 1 within the writer's of the exhibit, Jason Katims, has a 13 year old boy who has Aspberger's, and is possibly why it was created as a storyline from the hour long drama. He is hoping that the attention Aspbergers is acquiring from the present will "normalize" it and make it "less mysterious." According to Google, it has done just that.

So, as most of us 30-40 something parents who watch the highly-rated new drama "Parenthood" on NBC and its storyline on Aspbergers, we remember "Rain Man." The movie, which was released in 1988, was the very first of its kind addressing the needs and characteristics of Autism. Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise both did a phenomenal job depicting their roles as an Autistic man and his brother. I'm sure a single on the to start with scenes that come to mind is the toothpicks spilling all more than the floor in the diner. Ray, Hoffman's character, counts them within seconds, including the ones that still remain inside the box that the waitress holds. The storyline continues with the two going to Las Vegas and winning big with Ray counting cards, and that is illegal, by the way.

On the other hand, in similar circumstances, it has been reported that a 16 year old Autistic boy from Chicago has recorded a ideal college basketball bracket for the March Madness Tournament. The chances of this happening is 1 in more than 13 million. So, how did Alex Hermann do it? How exactly did he pick some on the "upsets" early on like Kansas, Wisconsin, Villanova, and Georgetown? He has stated that "it's just straightforward math." It really is reported that Hermann is extremely gifted in math and statistics, which he apparently utilized to beat the odds of this year's NCAA tourney. CBS Sports, that is where the entire Hermann family entered in its NCAA March Madness pool, and ESPN have not a other excellent bracket besides his. In truth, the closest runner up already has four losses through the second round. Upon asking how he felt about obtaining so much consideration for his perfection in bracket making, he commented, "it's amazing!" His pick for the champion by the way, Purdue, which can be coincidentally his brother's alma matter.

Is this the new era of Autism awareness? Maybe we are all able to understand the disability far better using the amount of attention the disorder and also the children who are diagnosed with it gain. With nearly 1 in 150 children who will be diagnosed with Autism in America every year, it can be vital that we bring this to light. The Autism Society reports that early diagnosis and intervention is key in the treatment of these spectrum disorders. So, whether you're hearing about it on a television demonstrate or an on line sports website, the chances of reaching and teaching additional men and women about Autism are greater each day. Maybe we should contact Alex Hermann to configure the odds on that!