Politicians push National Mesothelioma Awareness Day into Congress
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects approximately 3,000 Americans each year. The primary cause of this cancer is exposure to asbestos, which occurs through inhaling airborne asbestos fibers or ingesting them.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation established Mesothelioma Awareness Day to spread light on the devastating cancer. Mesothelioma Awareness Day occurs each year on September 26 and the foundation hopes the day soon becomes recognized at the national level.
Awareness about malignant mesothelioma is crucial for those who have been exposed to asbestos but have not yet been diagnosed. Most patients become diagnosed during the latest stages of development, a time when curable treatments are no longer an option. This is largely due to the severe latency period of symptoms, which can take as long as 50 years to arise.
Recently in Congress, Senator Patty Murray (WA) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4) have introduced resolutions that would designate September 26 as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
Chris Hahn, Executive Director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, said, “Thanks to the concern of Senator Murray and Congresswoman McCollum, and their introduction of the federal ‘National Mesothelioma Awareness Day’ resolution, we hope that mesothelioma will finally become part of a broad national conversation about its tragic impact on our society and the critical need to fund research to develop treatments and, ultimately, find a cure for mesothelioma.”
Senator Murray and Congresswoman McCollum have also worked on fully banning the use of asbestos in the United States. Since 2002, Senator Murray has worked hard by introducing the bill S. 742, Ban Asbestos in America Act. To date, the bill has not been signed into law.
“The dangers of asbestos went unrecognized for far too long, with tragic results for so many workers and families across the country who developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. National Mesothelioma Awareness Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of efforts to treat this deadly disease and support the victims and their families,” said Murray.
According to their Web site, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is a national non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for mesothelioma by funding mesothelioma research and educating mesothelioma patients.
With increased awareness about this fatal cancer, those previously exposed to asbestos will hopefully be encouraged to receive routine medical examinations to check for signs of asbestos exposure. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the greater the chance a patient has of beating the cancer.
Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.
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