Study Finds Micronutrient May Slow Progression of Mesothelioma Cancer
Researchers suggest that taking the micronutrient selenium may actually help slow the progression of the deadly asbestos-related disease in some individuals.
According to researchers involved in an important new study, taking the micronutrient selenium may slow the progression of mesothelioma cancer in some individuals. Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, a material used in the past in insulation, fire-retardant coatings, fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing and other manufacturing and construction products. There is no known treatment for mesothelioma, and the disease is associated with a very short life-expectancy, with many mesothelioma deaths occurring within months after diagnosis. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer you believe to be related to asbestos exposure, contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney today to discuss your legal options.
How May Selenium Help?
In a study published last month in the American Journal of Pathology, researchers found that some cell lines of mesothelioma responded favorably to selenium – a micronutrient naturally present in many foods, added to other foods, and also available as a dietary supplement – thereby slowing down the progression of the cancer. Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that dietary compounds that include the micronutrient selenium may be beneficial to patients diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer. However, the study authors warned that, in some cases, the progression of the asbestos-related disease actually accelerated with selenium treatment.
Mesothelioma Cases Peaking in U.S.
Exposure to asbestos dust or fibers is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and although asbestos has been banned in the United States for more than 30 years, the long latency period between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis (from 20 to 40 years) means new cases of the deadly cancer continue to surface even today. In face, according to a 2009 report issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cases of malignant mesothelioma in the U.S. are just now peaking. As a result, mesothelioma litigation has become the longest-running mass tort in the history of the United States, with more than 600,000 plaintiffs having filed complaints against more than 6,000 defendants over asbestos-related mesothelioma.
Contact a Skilled Mesothelioma Lawyer for Help
In addition to mesothelioma lawsuits filed on behalf of individuals directly exposed to asbestos on the job, there have been a growing number of second-hand asbestos exposure complaints brought in recent years, on behalf of family members exposed to asbestos dust or fibers brought home in the hair or on the clothes of individuals working with the material. In some cases, individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos as babies, when their parents would hold them after returning home from working with the dangerous material. If you have lost a loved one to mesothelioma cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. Our consumer advocates at the Leading Justice can help put you in touch with a qualified mesothelioma lawyer today.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24492200[/box]
