National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank Connects Clinicians and Scientists in Fight against Mesothelioma

In the past 15 years, there have been great advancements in medical treatment for asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma.

(Jul 20, 2012)In the past 15 years, there have been great advancements in medical treatment for asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma. Still, mesothelioma remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat and the medical community still struggles with relatively low survival rates. In order to promote swift and significant progress to in medical development, the University of Pittsburgh has melded a bridge between the treatment and research community to aid in mesothelioma care.

Last week, Dr. Michael Becich spoke about the University of Pittsburgh National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB) at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation 2012 Symposium. Dr. Becich contributed to a presentation aimed at demystifying medical breakthroughs for mesothelioma patients. Dr. Becich was joined by six leading researchers in a discussion of current and future trends in mesothelioma research based on the most influential science.

The NMVB is paramount to the progress of mesothelioma care, providing a resource designed to promote collaborative studies between clinicians and scientists through a biomedical informatics infrastructure. Established in 2006, The NMVB was created by the Department of Biomedical Informatic at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine under the direction of Dr. Bicech. The University of Pennsylvania and New York University have joined the NMVB, and the three universities collaborate to develop the most comprehensive network possible.

The goal of the NMVB is to support research by providing mesothelioma tissue samples and high-quality multi-nodal annotated data to researchers. The NMVB collects blood from patients with mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases and stored at the consenting institution’s tissue bank. It compiles pathology, demographic and epidemiologic data and stores it at the NMVB central data base

There is a dire need for mesothelioma biospecimens so research scientists can test their hypotheses and advance treatment. The wealth of clinicopathology data collected by the NMVB allows for scientists to construct new hypotheses and test new theories of treatment. A biospecimen can be released for hypothesis testing once the research evaluation panel has approved a letter of intent. Soon, additional academic health science centers will be including their biospecimen collections from both retrospective and prospective cases.

Leaders in both the research and treatment communities praise Dr. Becich and the work of the NMVB for creating a more seamless community and for aiding in the advancement of mesothelioma therapies.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation 2012 Symposium provided an impactful forum for innovators like Dr. Becich to come together and speak on their projects. Trendsetters from all over the country gathered to discuss significant breakthroughs in mesothelioma research and the hurdles that lie ahead. The NMVB represents a significant step in overcoming these hurdles and meeting the urgent needs of mesothelioma patients by connecting clinicians and research scientists through the use of biometical informatics tools.

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Innovation in Immunotherapy Sparks Optimism at Marf Symposium

Mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers advance rapidly, partly because the body’s immune system doesn’t recognize the cancer cells as foreign entities.

(Jul, 2012)Last week, Baron and Budd attended the 2012 Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) Symposium, and was privy to a collective of great minds behind research and development in mesothelioma. As the passing of another year claims the lives of many mesothelioma patients, conversations continued to center on the progression of treatment, and a new prevailing hope in the medical community.

Even though treatment has progressed significantly in the past 15 years, mesothelioma remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Procedures such as extrapleural pneumonectomy, a technique pioneered by Dr. David Sugarbaker, marked the first major treatment option to produce any marked improvement in a patient’s survival rate. Advancements in chemotherapy drugs such as Alimta and Cisplatin combined with high-dose radiation has also produced improved patient conditions. But new findings in Immunotherapy have some leading oncology researchers optimistic about what could be the next breakthrough in mesothelioma treatment.

Immunotherapy is a medical science that uses segments of the immune system to treat various diseases, including certain kinds of cancer. Although it is not as advanced as other treatment techniques, many believe the community is at a precipice for emerging treatment options for mesothelioma patients.

There are two different approaches to immunotherapy. Active immunotherapy serves to enhance a patient’s existing immune system so it can better fight the disease being targeted. Passive immunotherapy serves to input man-made immune system proteins, manufactured in a lab, to make up for what the patient’s existing immune system deficiency.

Mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers advance rapidly, partly because the body’s immune system doesn’t recognize the cancer cells as foreign entities. A healthy immune system will only destroy cells it recognizes as foreign, such as bacteria and viruses. The concept of immunotherapy treatment in mesothelioma patients relies on helping the body’s immune system to recognize cancer cells as foreign and sequentially reacting to the cells antigens. Antigens are molecules present on the surface of cells, whether human, bacterial or viral. Immunotherapy aims at altering the antigens so the immune system reacts to the cells as if they were foreign, prompting the immune system to destroy the cells.

Currently, passive immunotherapy is being used for mesothelioma patients to target one particular kind of antigen, rather than stimulating the entire immune system. Although mesothelioma immunotherapy treatments are still in clinical trials, researchers are reporting exceptionally positive results. The treatment also incorporates the use of cancer vaccines to either prevent the disease or eliminate the existing cancer. The FDA has approved two preventive vaccines, but there are currently no vaccines for cancer approved for use in the U.S.

Dr. Lee Krug, Director of the Mesothelioma Program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, delivered a presentation at the MARF symposium on progress in mesothelioma research. Among more traditional treatments, he spoke on the exciting phase I trial of the WT-1 vaccine. Dr. Krug was recently awarded a grant from the Department of Defense to conduct a randomize phase II trial with the WT-1 vaccine.

The symposium also held presentations on advancements in existing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Several physicians focused on the enhancement of a combination of treatments, including a multi-modal regimen of Avastin, a monoclonal antibody drug, with chemotherapy. Innovative practices like these instilled hope and excitement among attendees trusting that next year’s symposium will bring about the next round of advancements in mesothelioma.

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Mesothelioma Study Links Survival Rate with Three Key Factors

A new study from the British Journal of Cancer reports that the mesothelioma survival rate is largely influenced by three key factors: location of cancer, mesothelioma subtype and age at time of diagnosis.

(July, 2012)A new study from the British Journal of Cancer reports that the mesothelioma survival rate is largely influenced by three key factors: location of cancer, mesothelioma subtype and age at time of diagnosis. The results come from a Netherlands-based population study where 1353 patients were observed between 2005 and 2008.

The findings respective to age and survival rate only confirm what is generally understood from previous research. Younger mesothelioma patients favor longer survival rates when diagnosed. This can possibly be explained by better overall health and the ability to undergo treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Half of the patients examined where 70 years or older when diagnosed. The median time from initial asbestos exposure was 49 years. The survival rate after one year from time of diagnosis is 47 percent. This number dramatically changes at year two, with a 20 percent survival rate. The difference in year three is not as significant, with a 15 percent survival rate.

The three subtypes of mesothelioma also impact the survival rate of patients. The sarcomatoid subtype of mesothelioma had the poorest response to treatment among the three subtypes. Patients with the biphasic subtype did respond better to treatment, but various studies confirm that patients with the epitheloid subtype display the highest survival rates among the tree subtypes. The epitheloid subtype is also the most common type of mesothelioma diagnosed.

Patients whose cancer is only located in the pleura, or the thin membrane encasing the lungs, had a better survival rate than those whose mesothelioma has spread or has formed in other areas. Mesothelioma predominately occurs in the pleura, but can spread to other parts of the body. Peritoneal is found is the peritoneum, the cell membrane that surrounds the abdominal organs, when asbestos has been ingested. The pericardium, or the lining that surrounds the heart, is also where malignant mesothelioma is known to develop.

Treatments for mesothelioma, regardless of type, are steadily improving. There are a variety of options, whether curative or palliative, that improves the lives of mesothelioma patients. In addition to traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiology, new methods are being developed to address the specific nature of mesothelioma. Immunology and gene therapy are currently being tested as possible alternative treatments for mesothelioma. Recent scientific developments have spurred breakthroughs in treatment. New chemotherapy drugs such as Altima and Ciplatin have shown favorable results.

The study also reported that mesothelioma predominately occurs in males, and the vast majority of cases are caused by occupational exposure to asbestos.

For more information the British Journal of Cancer study, visit www.nature.com/bjc/journal.

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LARRY DAVIS: “LEAD, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY.”

In remembrance of Larry Davis, a true leader in the fight against Mesothelioma.

(July, 2012)Larry Davis was one of the most tireless warriors when it came to advocating for mesothelioma. Diagnosed in 2006, he would soon after dedicate his life to raising awareness, promoting education, and funding research and development in the fight against mesothelioma.

Personifying the gumption of a true soldier, Davis pounded the steps of Washington D.C, talking to every politician who would listen, and some who wouldn’t. He would urge congress to pass legislation banning the use of asbestos, sharing his story and the story of others to demonstrate the pain that this carcinogen causes. He championed innovation in treatment and fought relentlessly to help those affected by asbestos exposure.

Linda Reinstein, President, CEO and co-founder of Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and long-time friend of Davis, recalls their first meeting. Davis said that, at first, he was so bold and brash that she didn’t think she could work with him.

She described him at first as being “all about finding a cure.” He was unrelenting and headstrong, focused on a singular goal with a “take no prisoners” attitude. Over the course of several months, however, Reinstein and Davis began sharing their stories and Davis began to focus on not just finding a cure, but advocating for the ban of asbestos.

Now, just before leaving to attend his funeral in South Florida, Reinstein recalled the immense impact Larry Davis had on her life and the lives of everyone affected by mesothelioma.

“Larry always thought outside of the box. If it wasn’t right, it was wrong. If he had a voice he was going to use it,” Reinstein said. “The words bold, brash and tenacious can sometimes carry a bad meaning. But in our work (Mesothelioma Advocacy), they are a good thing.”

She remembered receiving an email from a “SunglasseLarry” and thinking how out of character it seemed from the brazen style of man she described. He once referred to Reinstein as General Patton, and she didn’t know whether it was a compliment or not. She would later learn that it, in fact, was a compliment, as she began to understand the value of his tenacious approach to advocacy.

He would often use the phrase “Lead, or get out of the way,” and Reinstein says that is exactly what he did.

Davis’s story began similar to others. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma and given roughly six months to live. Instead of undergoing traditional chemotherapy and surgery, he worked with doctors that took on a more radical approach to treatment. He sought out immunotherapy and underwent progressive tumor removal surgery. Davis also adopted a holistic method of treatment, staying healthy and keeping a positive attitude. He lived six years after diagnosis; blazing a trail for others advocating for asbestos related disease.

Davis, a longtime runner with 18 marathons under his belt, organized South Florida Miles for Meso 8k Run and 4k Tribute Walk, a charity run that raised funds for Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. He coupled the fundraiser with a symposium to facilitate a forum for friends, physicians and advocates to spread awareness and elicit a dialogue on mesothelioma and the harm of asbestos exposure. He encouraged the advancement of new types of treatment, focusing on immune therapy as opposed to traditional chemotherapy.

“He (Davis) thought outside the box,” said Reinstein. “He wanted his doctors to think outside the box, too.”

Linda Reinstein’s husband, Alan Reinstein, was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in 2003. Her personal experience led Reinstein to fully grasp the devastating effects asbestos had on the lives of countless others. She co-founded the ADAO in 2004 and has become a resounding political voice for justice and change. Reinstein said she now believes that Alan and Larry are together now, and watching and supporting the continued efforts to ban asbestos and find a cure.

Davis received the 2012 Alan Reinstein Memorial Award for his commitment to education, advocacy and support to countless patients and families. His brother, Dr. David Davis, accepted the award on his behalf.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Carol, and daughter, Courtney. Funeral services will be held tomorrow in South Florida. Larry Davis’s family continues their commitment to the fight against mesothelioma.

If you would like to give in Larry Davis’s honor, the following are three organizations that were most dear to his heart.

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/donate

The Larry Davis Scholarship, visit www.runningexpo.com

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s Larry Davis Mesothelioma Immunotherapy Research Grant, visit www.curemeso.org.

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VA Study Finds Missed Opportunities to Learn About Mesothelioma Compensation (Including Lawsuits)

According to a recent YA study, doctors, nurses and other health care workers seem to be missing the chance to counsel patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma about legal options and potential compensation for their cancer.

According to a recent YA study, doctors, nurses and other health care workers seem to be missing the chance to counsel patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma about legal options and potential compensation for their cancer. The study, conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University, was published in a recent edition of The American Journal of the Medical Sciences.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity, is typically linked to on-the-job exposure to asbestos. In the United States, asbestos use is highly regulated by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration —but it is not banned.

Because of the possibility of a survival time is usually short (though there are exceptions), patients need to learn quickly about potential legal action and compensation options. Yet, since malignant pleural mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer, many health care providers might not understand the situation’s urgency, the researchers noted.

In the new study, the scientists determined whether health care providers in the Palo Alto VA system were recording the work histories of malignant pleural mesothelioma patients, and whether the patients or their caregivers were receiving important information about the medical and legal implications of the disease.

The study, covering an 11-year window, looked at 16 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, 15 of them men. For a period beginning a year before the mesothelioma diagnosis was recorded and ending a year after, patients’ electronic medical records were checked for:

* Any job titles from the patients’ past
* Specific job duties
* Histories of exposure to asbestos
* Education or information provided to the patients about the link between asbestos and malignant pleural mesothelioma
* Referrals to a claims board or for legal counsel
* Education that patients might qualify for compensation related to their mesothelioma diagnosis

Occupational exposure to asbestos was documented in 12 of the patients’ records (two other patients were thought to have been exposed to asbestos “second hand,” with the fibers carried home by family members who had on-the-job exposure). Education and counseling about potential legal action or compensation was found in the record of only one patient. In the records of the other 15 people, the study found no mention of patient education about mesothelioma as an occupational cancer or as a condition that could warrant legal action and compensation. Yet, it’s possible that patients may have received some counseling on these topics that was not documented, the researchers added.

Up to 90 percent of pleural mesothelioma cases in men likely stem from occupational asbestos exposure, the study said, while fewer cases are related to bystander exposure or exposure from the environment.

“Timely discussion of management options, including opportunities for compensation, is critical,” the researchers wrote.

We would also warn you that there is a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit, as short as just two years after diagnosis in some states –so don’t wait to learn more about your legal options.

Contact the law firm of Baron and Budd, the sponsor of Mesothelioma News, to speak to an attorney about your legal options at 1.866.855.1229 or fill out the contact form here.

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9/11 Treatment Fund May Cover Cancer –Finally!

The Zadroga Act (named in honor of an NYPD officer who passed from respiratory issues connected to his work in the rescue and recovery efforts after 9/11).

(June, 2012)The Zadroga Act (named in honor of an NYPD officer who passed from respiratory issues connected to his work in the rescue and recovery efforts after 9/11), which was passed by Congress in December 2010, was meant to provide medical assistance and compensation to first responders who were exposed to toxins while working at ground zero. The idea sounded great on paper: support those who worked tirelessly to help others in the wake of the one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in U.S. history –who could you say no to that?

But there’s a (hidden) catch. The original legislation covered lesser health issues such as chronic coughing, laryngitis and carpal tunnel –not cancer.

The reaction to this news was probably best captured by comedian John Stewart’s segment “I Thought We Already Took Care of This S@#t” from The Daily Show. The segment draws attention to the fact that, on the surface, the bill sounds like it covers all responder health issues connected to 9/11 –but in reality, it excludes one of the most expensive (and devastating) health issues connected to the attacks.

Friday, in a big leap forward for 9/11 cancer patients, federal health officials proposed a new rule that would add approximately 50 cancers to the list of health issues covered by the 9/11 health care fund.

But the most important question is: Will my cancer be covered? At this point, no details have been released, but a proposed list of certain cancers has been brought forward by NIOSH. If you can believe it, some claim that the reason why cancer coverage was not included in the bill initially was because there was no proven link between the two. Now, Dr. John Howard, Director of NIOSH, has had a major change of heart and is now recommending that cancer be covered by the fund (where he used to recommend the opposite). But, the fund is only covers compensation for five years (instead of the originally proposed 30). And certain cancers, such as mesothelioma, don’t show up until decades after the initial exposure.

Now that the list has been proposed, it is open to public comment for 30 days. It may take months for the proposal to be approved, but in the meantime, we’ll keep a close eye on this story.

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Mesothelioma and Memorial Day

Memorial Day isn’t just about grilling burgers and hot dogs, breaking out the bathing suits and reigning in the summer season—it’s about honoring the soldiers who have fallen in service to our country.

(May, 2012)Memorial Day isn’t just about grilling burgers and hot dogs, breaking out the bathing suits and reigning in the summer season—it’s about honoring the soldiers who have fallen in service to our country.

On Memorial Day 2012, we remember the brave men and women who have lost their lives to protect our freedom. While we honor those who have fallen on the battlefield, we also honor veterans who passed from mesothelioma and other cancers caused by asbestos exposure while in service to their country. These veterans didn’t ask for mesothelioma. Many of them had no idea their military service would ever bring them into contact with asbestos—and that it would be these microscopic fibers that would ultimately claim their lives.

We grieve for those who have fallen, but continue to fight for those who still survive.

The law firm behind Mesothelioma News, Baron and Budd, has a dedicated history of fighting for veterans who have suffered from mesothelioma. Throughout the firm’s more than 30 year history, our mesothelioma attorneys have been honored to represent numerous veterans from every branch of the Armed Forces. Please keep in mind: we do not sue the military. We know that it is not the military’s fault that a veteran was exposed to asbestos while (for example) working on a Navy ship—it was the responsibility of the company that knowingly asbestos in their products.

Probably the best known of Baron and Budd’s military clients is Navy Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. Adm. Zumwalt was the youngest Chief of Naval Operations in U.S. history and is widely recognized for transforming the Navy into organization that allowed for equal opportunities for everything—including women, minorities and common sailors—and creating important initiatives to tackle issues in the Navy, reforming outdated policies and providing support for Navy wives.

In 1999, after Adm. Zumwalt’s retirement from the Navy, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the lining of the lung. Even though Zumwalt was healthy when he was diagnosed, the mesothelioma ultimately took his life less than a year later.

Today, we stand together to honor Adm. Zumwalt and other veterans whose dedication to our country has ultimately led to their deaths because of asbestos exposure.

Learn more about veterans and mesothelioma in our veterans section.

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Asbestos is Still Legal and In Use in the United States

Asbestos is still legal and in use today in the U.S., even though it is known to cause terrible asbestos cancers, such as mesothelioma.

(May, 2012 )Yep, you read that right. Even in 2012, the United States has still not banned the use of asbestos, even though it has been linked to deadly cancers, such as mesothelioma. Asbestos cancers take thousands of lives each year in the U.S., and the worst part is that these cancers are preventable.

Then—what gives?

It sounds simple enough –ban asbestos, help save lives. So, why doesn’t the U.S. just ban asbestos already? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. The asbestos industry spends countless dollars on lobbying efforts to keep asbestos legal—and keep them in business. As we learned at the recent ADAO Asbestos Awareness Conference, one of the biggest reasons the U.S. has not banned asbestos is Canada. Canada continues to be a major exporter of asbestos—and they need a place for that asbestos to go. (BTW –according to the U.S. Geological Survey, approximately 90 percent of the asbestos imported into the U.S. in 2010 was from Canada.)

That doesn’t mean there haven’t been efforts in the U.S. to ban the deadly material. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted the Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule, which banned most asbestos-containing products. It was a major step in the right direction—until the rule was overturned in 1991 by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. As you may have guessed, the asbestos industry was a major force behind the ruling. Under the court’s decision, certain materials containing asbestos have been banned, including flooring felt, roll board and corrugated, commercial or specialty paper –and “new uses” of asbestos. However, the ruling allowed for the use of asbestos to continue in other products, such as roofing materials, gaskets, brake linings and numerous other products.

The mesothelioma lawyers at Baron and Budd, the law firm that sponsors this site, is dedicated to battling asbestos in and out of the courtroom. Our firm was one of the first the successfully handle a mesothelioma lawsuit in the 1970s and continues to fight today. Not just for mesothelioma patients, but to ban asbestos. To learn more about how our firm can help you, call us anytime at 1.866.855.1229 or fill out the form here. There is no cost for our review of your potential case.

Connect with others in the fight against asbestos and mesothelioma on our Facebook page, Fight Mesothelioma.

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Study: Mesothelioma Drug May Be More Effective When Combined with Other Drugs

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the lining of the internal organs that can affect the heart, abdomen and, most commonly, the lungs.

(May, 2012 )A new study has found that the popular mesothelioma drug Alimta (also known as the genric pemetrexed) may be more effective in mesothelioma treatment when combined with other drugs.

The drug Alimta is commonly used in chemotherapy-based mesothelioma treatment –and frequently combined with cisplatin. Even though many drugs typically interact with one another, there has been little research done on the specific reaction between pemetrexed and chemotherapy drug cisplatin in mesothelioma treatment.

As reported in a recent issue of Oncology Reports, a team of Japanese researchers conducted a study to better understand the interaction between pemetrexed and cisplatin. As part of the study, the researchers used the combined drugs to treat mesothelioma cells in a lab. Though there was some resistance, the researchers found that the combination of pemetrexed and cisplatin performed well in combating mesothelioma cells in most cases.

In 2004, premetrexed (using the brand name Alimta) became the first FDA-approved drug specifically for malignant pleural mesothelioma treatment. It is also sometimes used to treat certain types of lung cancer (usually of the non-small cell variety).

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the lining of the internal organs that can affect the heart, abdomen and, most commonly, the lungs. Only approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. But, unlike many cancers, mesothelioma can be traced to a specific source –asbestos exposure –and is preventable.

Mesothelioma is generally treated by three different techniques (sometimes these techniques are combined based on the specific health needs of a patient): chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Learn more about mesothelioma treatment.

Navigating a mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help you fight back. To learn more about mesothelioma treatment, asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits, call us at 1.866.844.1229 or fill out our contact form to request a free mesothelioma care package.

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ADAO to Screen Asbestos Trial Documentary

Baron and Budd is a Proud 2012 ADAO Platinum Sponsor

LOS ANGELES –(April 25, 2012) –The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) will be screening the documentary Dust: The Great Asbestos Trial this Friday to help educate people about the Eternit asbestos trial in Italy and help raise awareness about the public health risks of asbestos. A press conference will follow with Niccolo Bruna, one of the filmmakers behind Dust, Linda Reinstein, co-founder of ADAO, and Pepe Moreno, comic book artist and member of the creative team behind an international awareness comic book. Baron and Budd is a proud 2012 platinum sponsor of ADAO and is honored to support ADAO’s efforts to spread awareness about this landmark asbestos criminal trial.

In the trial, two executives of Swiss company Eternit were sentenced to 16 years in prison and fined millions of euros for failing to protect thousands of workers and nearby residents from asbestos exposure in northern Italy. It was one of the largest environmental cases to ever come to trial in Europe and it could set an international precedent for legal proceedings regarding work place safety.

“We hope that this documentary can serve as a catalyst for international change,” said John Langdoc, mesothelioma lawyer at Baron and Budd. “This trial brought much-needed attention to the devastation asbestos can cause, but the global war against the asbestos industry isn’t over. Asbestos still isn’t banned in the U.S. and its use is still rampant in developing nations.”

The screening will be at The Charles Aidikoff Screening Room, 150 S. Rodeo Drive #140, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 from 12:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. Fri. April 27. A buffet lunch will be served from 12:00-12:30 and a press conference and Q&A will follow the film at 2:00. Please send RSVP for the event to dustscreening@gmail.com.

Baron and Budd has been protecting the rights of asbestos patients and their families for more than 30 years and is dedicated to advocating for patients inside and outside the courtroom. In addition to being a 2012 ADAO platinum sponsor, the firm was the cornerstone donor of the International Mesothelioma Program (IMP) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Firm President and Managing Shareholder Russell Budd also serves on the Foundation Board of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).

Working closely with NCCN, Baron and Budd sponsored the printing and distribution of the NCCN Guidelines for Mesothelioma Patients. For a free copy of the guidelines, call us at 1.866.844.4556 or email us at info@baronbudd.com.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.

The national mesothelioma law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has a more than 30-year history of “Protecting What’s Right” for asbestos sufferers and their families. As one of the first law firms to successfully litigate an asbestos lawsuit, Baron & Budd continues to actively represent veterans, industry workers and others who are suffering as a result of exposure to asbestos. Baron & Budd achieved the largest mesothelioma verdict ever in the state of Texas, a $55 million verdict for an asbestos sufferer and his family in El Paso, Texas. Contact Baron and Budd at 1.866.855.1229 for additional information on mesothelioma treatments, mesothelioma cancer doctors and treatment centers and mesothelioma attorneys.

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In Case You Missed It: ADAO and the International Asbestos Community

One of the most striking aspects of the recent Asbestos Disease Awareness (ADAO) conference was the international side of the asbestos awareness community.

(Apr, 2012) One of the most striking aspects of the recent Asbestos Disease Awareness (ADAO) conference was the international side of the asbestos awareness community. We found this particularly fascinating and inspiring, since it emphasized just how massive the asbestos issue really is. By opening the conference up to so many wonderful speakers and representatives from different countries, we were able to truly understand that asbestos is a much bigger issue –that asbestos doesn’t have boundaries.

Eternit panel (left to right): Eric Jonckheere, Bruno Pesce, Nicola Pondrano, Niccolo Bruna, Barry Castleman
Asbestos continues to plague many parts of the world, even in countries where it has been banned. We had the opportunity to hear from some of those involved in the landmark Eternit asbestos criminal trial in Italy. Even though asbestos is now banned in Italy, thousands of workers and families are still feeling the effects of many years of asbestos use. In this case, families who had been harmed by a handful of manufacturing plants, all owned by European company Eternit, finally achieved justice in the courtroom. Two Eternit execs were sentenced to 16 years in prison and fined millions. Families and asbestos advocates fought for thirty years for justice, and it came on February 13, 2012.

Fernanda Giannasi, founding member of the ABREA, which speaks for Brazil's asbestos victims, speaks on asbestos issues in Brazil.

We were also shocked to learn that asbestos continues to be a major problem in Brazil, which is the the third largest exporter of asbestos in the world and the fourth largest user of asbestos. Yet, some Brazilian states have already banned asbestos, including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso and Pernambuco.

However, an asbestos ban was overturned by the National Supreme Court in Mato Grosso do Sul and in two states, Para and Espirito Santo, the ban is not enforced. The reason? Money and politics. Certain types of asbestos fibers and certain technologies have even been approved as “safe” by the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

And the international asbestos issues don’t end there. Canada continues to mine and export asbestos, even though the material’s use has been banned in Canada. The Canadian government is even actively working to re-open asbestos mines in Quebec. Much of Canada’s asbestos is sent to India, where the material is widely used in numerous products without restriction.

Even in countries where asbestos use has been banned, such as the U.K., the silent killer is still lurking in numerous homes and commercial buildings. And though asbestos has been banned in Australia, the country has one of the world’s worst asbestos disease problems. Though Australia has only a third of the U.K.’s population, its annual asbestos disease fatalities matches Britain’s 3,000 deaths per year.

It may be hard to believe, but only approximately 25 percent of countries have banned asbestos use. The U.S. is not one of them.

We are proud to join ADAO in fighting for a worldwide asbestos ban, and to support the organization’s efforts. Baron and Budd, the law firm that sponors Mesothelioma News, is a 2012 platinum sponsor of ADAO.

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Susan Knape, 214-629-0596
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Global Asbestos Awareness Week: Building a Culture of Prevention

The only way to “cure” mesothelioma is to stop all forms of asbestos exposure. In a perfect world, asbestos use would be banned everywhere, asbestos mining would stop, all buildings would be properly abated and asbestos would be properly clean up. But that’s not the reality.

The reality is that only around 55 countries have banned asbestos. The United States is not one of those countries. In fact, according to the Environmental Information Association (EIA), around 75 percent of countries have not banned asbestos. Asbestos is still being mined and exported from China, Brazil, Russia –and even Canada, though Canada has banned its use at home. (Side note: the Canadian government recently funded an asbestos abatement project in the capital buildings, yet they have no qualms about sending asbestos to other countries and, in fact, the government is trying to re-open asbestos mines in the province of Quebec.)

The only reason this hidden killer continues to be perpetuated throughout the world is because of corporate greed. Numerous other materials can be used in place of asbestos that don’t cause cancer –and the asbestos industry knew for decades before the public that asbestos can kill.

There is no “safe” level of exposure to asbestos. There is no “responsible” way to use asbestos. There are no “safe” types of asbestos.

Regardless of what the industry might say, all asbestos is bad. “Blue” asbestos kills. “White” asbestos (known as “chrysotile”) kills.

The only way to protect future generations from mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases is to ban the use of asbestos everywhere.

There needs to be more awareness about the horrible health risks of asbestos, and people need to understand that asbestos can still threaten their health –what you can’t see can hurt you.

That’s why, at the close of Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2012, we are standing with the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) in calling for a worldwide ban on asbestos: all asbestos, in every form, everywhere.

Baron and Budd, the mesothelioma law firm that sponsors this website, is a proud 2012 platinum sponsor of ADAO.

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