How I Survived Prostate Cancer

Anybody who has seen "Peanuts," the world's best comic strip because its characters act like human beings, will recall the episode when one of the girls asks Lucy why she hates Charlie Brown so much.

"Because," says Lucy.

"Oh, I see," says the other girl. "I thought you didn't have a reason."

As one who survived prostate cancer incurred back in the 80s, I can say that it was because of a simple habit that I'm alive today. It was because I followed the habit faithfully, on the doctor's orders but which had been suggested to me by a younger brother. He went to his own urologist and told me that I should arrange an annual checkup from a urologist because (there's that word again!) it would denote whether I had a problem in my prostate. A test that only takes a couple of minutes, he said, will show whether you have it or not.

My brother, being the direct, no-nonsense no pussy-footing around type, said bluntly: "I know this sounds awful and lots of men don't go to urologists because of it, but the doctor sticks his finger up your butt to test you for prostate cancer. He can feel if there are any nodules or abnormal hardness there. It takes less than a minute at the most, though it is a little uncomfortable. You'll get used to it. It only happens once a year."

Well, he was right. I did get used to the finger probe, which is called a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) and is, of course, used by urologists worldwide. So every year, when it came time for my visit, I checked into my urologist's office, made the usual friendly greetings and did what he asked me to do. That was dropping my pants, bending over the examination table, and letting him do his thing. One great advantage of this procedure, and obviously the most important, is when the doctor said after just a moment of rumination: "Nope. There's nothing there. See you next year."

Somewhere during my years of visitation, a new detection system came into existence. It was called the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test and consisted of a simple blood test - a sample of blood taken from your arm - to determine if there's anything sinister in your prostate. Dr. William Catalona, a former urologist for Barnes Jewish Christian Hospital in St. Louis, developed it. A pioneer and tireless physician involved in prostate cancer surgery and research, Dr. Catalona has since left BJC and is now affiliated with Northwestern University in Chicago, where he continues his work on one of the deadliest of male afflictions.

Well, needless to say, the worst happened to me one day when I made my annual checkup. "It" means that the doctor detected an abnormality and wanted me to return for a more detailed examination. That naturally bothered me because (that word!) I'd been through so many routine checkups over the years, that I never expected anything to happen. That's human nature.

So I came back for a biopsy, which was held in the doctor's office. That helped because at least I didn't feel like I was going to be zapped with a microwave or some other medical instrument. I was somewhat apprehensive of whether the biopsy would hurt, but it didn't. I lay on my side on an examination table while the biopsy expert did his thing. He told me, I remember, that somewhere along the line I'd hear "a popping sound" as he probed, but that it wouldn't last long. It didn't and it didn't hurt. I can't recall how long it took, but it wasn't forever and the aide was a really nice man.

I went home that day, still apprehensive because I didn't know what the result would be. Those kind of lags in hearing whether your going to get good news or bad news is one of the most irritating and gloomy of all treatments you have to undergo whether in a doctor's office or in a hospital. For me, it turned out to be bad because (again!) the doctor told me it was prostate cancer and he ordered me admitted to the hospital, which was Barnes at the time.

If you've undergone surgery before, you already know the procedure: the admission to surgery, a few professional activities as the nurses or surgical aids prepare you for the operating room, the anesthetic which suddenly puts you to sleep. You wake up hours later in the recovery room, the whole process a miracle of modern medicine.

Then you go home but you're still equipped with some accouterments that the doctor wants you to keep until you're well. As an "expert" in prostate cancer surgery, I can attest to anybody that the worst of them is having to wear a catheter tube running from deep inside your penis to a plastic bag that you must carry around with you whenever you make a move from living room, to bathroom, to computer room. When you're sitting in an easy chair watching the news on TV and somebody walks in, you're immediately apprehensive that he or she is going to step on that bag. "Watch out for my bag!" you'll shout, to the usual consternation of your spouse, relative, or friend who have no intention of hurting you.

You wear the catheter apparatus for a week, then return to the doctor's office to have it removed, and here's where the funny part comes in - yes, there are funny parts to almost every surgical episode, either with the doctors and nurses, visitors, or just yourself. It happened with me when a nurse came in, told me to take my trousers off and sit on the examination table. That I did. There I was, naked from the waist down and a female nurse ready to take out the catheter. I was a little embarrassed but any kind of follow-up procedure of both sexes after surgery is common in hospitals or doctors offices.

So what happened? I lay back on the table, as I was told, and waited for her to begin removing the catheter, which, of course, is a very long, skinny, flexible tube from my bladder through my penis and into a plastic bag. I had the idea that I'd be patient with whatever the nurse did, don't say anything and do what I was told to do.

Then, as I lay there, to my great surprise, and I mean surprise!, the nurse simply walked over to where I was (I couldn't see her because my eyes were fixed on the ceiling) and jerked the catheter tubing out of my penis. Yes, jerked is the word. She never said a word, never gave me any instructions, just jerk and poof, and the catheter was gone, like magic. And painless too, which no doubt is the reason it is done so quickly - like pulling a thorn out of your arm after a bee stings you.

The upshot of all this is that I'll recommend that any man over 50 years of age should pick up his hometown phone book and look for a urologist, or call his local hospital for their help in finding one, a common service among hospitals. Call that doctor and set up an appointment for a PSA and DRE. After he finds you free of any sign of cancer in your prostate, be thankful and don't worry. You're on the right track in surviving prostate cancer, in yourself at least.

Because, as Lucy would say to Charlie Brown, "Do it, you dumbhead!"

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs a free newsletter tracking the latest developments in disease of the prostate. His newsletter can be subscribed to at http://www.prostaide.org

How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?

From the desk of Dr Magne, author of Cancer Free For Life

The prostate gland is a small, hormone producing organ that encircles the upper part of the urethra. It is only found in men, and is responsible for the creation of certain male hormones. It is vital to proper sexual functioning and to regular bladder control. The prostate gland is necessary in order to survive, reproduce and just live comfortably, making conditions that affect it of the utmost importance.

Your doctor may have suspected prostate cancer after talking with you about your health and completing a physical examination.

You may have had a DRE (digital rectal examination) and a blood test for a substance called PSA (prostate specific antigen) to look for signs of cancer. If your PSA result is higher than expected for your age, a more detailed analysis may help determine if it's prostate cancer, or another prostate problem.

All men over the age of 50 years should discuss with their doctor the potential benefits and risks of early detection of prostate cancer using Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examinations (DRE) so that they can make informed decisions about the use of these tests.

Men at higher risk because of family history or those of African ancestry should discuss the need for testing at an earlier age.

Digital rectal examination (DRE)

A digital rectal examination (DRE) is the most common way to screen for prostate cancer. During your annual physical check-up, your doctor places a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland. Most prostate cancers develop in the peripheral zone, which is the part of the prostate that lies closest to the rectum. This makes it easy to feel for lumps, irregularities or changes in size or consistency.

A normal prostate feels smooth and rubbery. Abnormalities detected by DRE may suggest a need for more tests.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer

The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a blood test to help detect prostate cancer. It measures a substance called prostate specific antigen made by the prostate. It is normal to find small quantities of PSA in the blood but problems with your prostate can cause your PSA level to rise.

PSA levels vary according to age and tend to rise gradually in men as they age . Elevated levels of PSA can be caused by several prostate problems and not necessarily cancer. Sometimes men with prostate cancer still have normal PSA levels. If you have an enlarged prostate that is non-cancerous , your PSA level may also be high.

If your DRE or PSA tests suggest abnormalities in your prostate, your doctor may suggest more tests to rule out or confirm a diagnosis of cancer.

Biopsy

Cells or tissues are removed from the body and checked under a microscope. If the cells are cancerous, they may be studied further to see how fast they are growing.

To stop cancer from ever returning, you must completely stop cancer at its source. Cancer is foremost a psychological disease and its appearance in your body is a sign that at a deep level, your life is not working. Unless you approach and treat ALL the areas of your life, cancer is likely to re-occur.

How Far Has Science Come in Understanding the Causes of Prostate Cancer?

The study of prostate cancer has come a long way since its identification in 1853. Information concerning diagnostic methods, treatment options and even the pathophysiological characteristics of this condition has been provided in useful details by researchers, but the specific causes of prostate cancer remain unknown up to this day.

The causes of prostate cancer, or any other type of cancer for that matter, have remained a mystery to those who are studying the disease. Despite being able to explain the process by which cancer of the prostate develops, the exact reasons behind the condition's occurrence remain a challenge to cancer researchers.

Cancer of the prostate is a condition that affects only men. The prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system, helps make and store seminal fluid. It surrounds part of the urethra and is located under the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. Its position allows it to influence the processes of urination, ejaculation and defecation.

Although the causes of cancer of the prostate have yet to be fully understood, scientists were able to identify some of the factors associated with the risk of developing this condition. A man's chances of developing prostate cancer are influenced by his age, genes, race, diet, lifestyle and the medications that he is taking. Cancer of the prostate is quite uncommon in men aged below 45. However, the chances of developing prostate cancer increase as a man ages. Based on statistics gathered on prostate cancer patients, 70 is the average age of diagnosis.

Prostate cancer is a slow developing condition. Some men who have it never even knew that they had the condition and they could die of other causes before their cancer manifests itself. But a man who has a first degree relative, like a brother or a father, who has been diagnosed with this condition is believe to have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer, particularly if the relative was diagnosed at an early age.

Among the races, African Americans have been known to account for the highest percentage of diagnosed cases of prostate cancer. Asians, on the other hand, recorded the least number of diagnosed cases. Researchers speculate that this might be due to the difference between the diet and lifestyle of Western and Asian men. Westerners usually take in more red meat while Asians are more likely to eat vegetables and fruits. Men who have higher levels of the short chain fatty acid linolenic acid have also been found to have higher rates of cancer in the prostate. Other dietary factors that have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer include low intake of elements such as vitamin E, lycopene, omega-3 fatty acids and selenium.

In terms of genetics, no single gene has yet to be proven to be responsible for the development of prostate cancer, although BRCA1 and BRCA2, both risk factors for ovarian cancer and breast cancer in women, have been implicated.

Although the causes of prostate cancer have not yet been fully identified, there is high hope that the exact process that governs this disease will eventually be understood and prevention methods will be developed to lessen the number of men suffering from this condition.

Mensglands.com provides you with info on causes of prostate cancer, its treatments and symptoms and how to overcome or reduce the risk of getting it. http://www.mensglands.com/

How Effective Are Natural Cures For Prostate Cancer And What Are Some Popular Treatments?

Natural therapies for treating prostate cancer often consist of a number of treatments, including herbal remedies, natural vitamins, minerals or dietary supplements. Other treatments include massage, acupuncture, homeopathy and magnetic therapy.

Most natural treatments are used in conjunction with a medical treatment plan, they are not intended as a complete cure for prostate cancer. The effectiveness of natural remedies is under debate, many patients claim that these treatments have been beneficial for them, while many medical practitioners claim that they are not much use and cause patients to have false hope. They also claim that natural remedies can interfere with regular treatments in prostate cancer patients.

Homeopathy is a well-known natural therapy that works on the principal that substances that can make normally well people ill can have the opposite effect on patients who are already ill if the doses of the substance are very small.

There have also been studies conducted for the usefulness of magnetic therapy to help with the cure of prostate cancer. It is believed that the north pole of the magnets can aid in slowing down the growth of a tumor. Patients treat themselves with magnetic therapy by sitting on a pad that contains magnets.

Acupuncture and massage are often recommended for prostate cancer sufferers as a complimentary treatment. Proper massage will make the patient feel more relaxed and able to cope better with stress. Massage and acupuncture are widely known as complimentary treatments rather than alternative cures for sufferers. Doctors often suggest that a patient use these treatments to help them cope with their condition.

Natural cures for prostate cancer are still being debated between doctors and natural therapy professionals, in regard to their effectiveness and ability to cure prostate cancer. If a patient is interested in learning more about natural therapies or remedies, a good place to start is to consult the doctor who is treating them and discuss the treatment, including the advantages or disadvantages of using these treatments in conjunction with the normal treatment programs.

It is important that patients make sure to tell their doctor about any natural remedies or therapies that they are thinking of using before starting them. Even herbal remedies can have a reaction to some treatments that are already being used to treat prostate cancer.

Fo rmore information on the benefits of natural cures for prostate cancer please visit http://www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com where you will find information and resources dealing with radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatments, prostate cancer symptoms and hormonal therapy for prostate cancer treatments.

Treatment of Prostate Cancer has Augmented since the Breach of the PSA

According to the health-disease.com, the five-year relative survival rate for patients whose cancer is detected whereas still in the general and regional stages is 100%.

Prostate cancer is among the foremost causes of cancer deaths in the male population in the US. The most important dilemma is that the cancer cells in prostate cancer, scarcely answer to radiotherapy or to chemotherapy. It's newly discovered that virus can help the cancer prostate treatment.

The studies establish that just about 40% out of 20 cancerous prostates detached from patients with certain genetic mutation had the virus. But it possibly will take up till five years to settle on if the virus really causes the cancer.

The virus is strongly associated to one until that time only found in mice. Researchers are not confident how the virus infects people, but mistrust turns to the fact that it may have been conceded on hereditarily for thousand of years.

Also a new study establish that the curry spice Turmeric or curcumin as it is called, when shared with other substances as watercress, winter cress, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, kohlrabi and turnips radically retards the development of cancer tumor in mice.

The most excellent prostate cancer treatment today includes:

" Radiation
" Chemotherapy
" Observant waiting (Observation)
" Hormonal therapy
" Surgical procedure


These prostrate options are not listed in any exacting order. The option selected for your best prostate cancer treatment will depend on relatively a lot of factors, together with your age, the segment of your illness and the commendation of your medical doctor.

Anton Sunhome writes articles about best prostate cancer treatment and various health related topics at Health Disease website.

Treating Breast Cancer

It wasn't that long ago that a diagnosis of breast cancer was almost akin to a death sentence. Nowadays, however, there are many options for treating breast cancer, and the chances of success are high. Factors such as the type of breast cancer and how developed it is have the biggest influence on the outcome of treatment.

So what treatments are available today? There are three main types; let's take a look at them now.

Local Regional Treatment

This type of treatment focuses on the area where the breast cancer is found and the surrounding lymph nodes. One of the most common treatments is radiation therapy or radiotherapy. Generally women find there are few side effects to this sort of treatment, and if the cancer is still in the early stages, radiotherapy has a good chance of providing a complete cure.

Surgery is another option, but is usually only used when other methods have failed. Sometimes surgery involves removal of the lump, but in other situations it may be necessary to remove the whole breast and reconstruct the area afterwards. This is known as a mastectomy. Although this can be a difficult surgery for women to undergo emotionally, most women quickly adapt to their new body shape. Modern surgery is improving all the time, with the focus being on retaining as much of the healthy breast as possible.

Systemic Treatments

A systemic treatment involves treating the whole body. Chemotherapy is the main systemic treatment available, and is used to kill any cancer cells that may have spread into the rest of the body from the breast. Unfortunately chemotherapy is a difficult treatment to undergo, often making the patient feel ill and weak. It works by killing off all the rapidly dividing cells in the body. Many of these are cancer cells, but others are not, which is why people are often ill during chemotherapy. Still, as technology and medicine progress, chemotherapy is becoming more refined and a little easier to cope with. It's also an excellent way to prevent the spread of cancer, particularly to the lymph nodes, and so prevent fatal varieties developing.

Tamoxifen is a drug that is used as a systemic treatment. Unfortunately it often results in serious and uncomfortable side effects, so it's not often used. However it certainly has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer returning, and in some cases can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in the first place. Side effects can include uterine cancer, blood clots, early menopause, nausea, vomiting, depression and loss of energy, amongst others.

Alternative Treatments

Not everybody believes that modern medicine is the only possible cure for breast cancer, hence the call for treatments that treat the mind, body and spirit in a holistic way. Little medical evidence exists to show that these treatments are effective, but certainly there have been instances of alternative treatments leading to a complete cure. Some possible treatments include meditation, acupuncture, relaxation techniques and herbal preparations including flaxseed and black cohosh.

If you develop breast cancer, then you should spend some time learning about the disease, make sure you understand how advanced your condition is and discuss all available treatment options with your medical professional. Remember, many more women survive breast cancer today, and go on to a live a normal, healthy life after treatment. So you can do it too!

If you want to learn more about breast cancer, click over to Jo's site at http://www.breastcancerinfozone.com

Breast Cancer Prevention Tips

Despite all the 'noise' about breast cancer being one of the worst killers of women in the world today, it is annoying that most women still do not take active steps towards protecting themselves from this dreaded condition. Although, the increasing prevalence of breast cancer and perhaps other cancerous conditions has been linked to environmental factors such as the increasing levels of radiation and chemicals released into the air, water, soil and food that we consume in the civilized world; or to genetic and hereditary factors, the role of other self imposed factors cannot be ignored.

There are a lot of things every woman can do individually or collectively, to prevent breast cancer. Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise or ingestion or hormone mimicking medications, all play crucial roles in the cause of breast cancer and any attempt at preventing this disease should begin from here.

A simple positive and optimistic attitude has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer. This will sound amazing to many people; however, it will suffice to explain that several medical studies have demonstrated the link between a positive attitude and an improved immune system. Laughter and humor has been shown to enhance the body's immunity and prevents against cancer and other diseases. You must have heard the slogan 'happy people don't fall sick'. Part of maintaining a positive attitude is learning to express your feelings. The mind is free and open and energy flows freely throughout the body when there are no accumulated pains and anxieties weighing you down.

Exercise is another tool that you will find very useful in your fight against breast cancer. Aerobic exercises, at least 3-4 times a week, constant breath work and deep body awareness (as in yoga meditation) are all effective in preventing breast cancer. Exercise has been shown to be very effective in maintaining a healthy body and mind. By exercising regularly, you will do yourself a great favour, because you will not only be preventing breast cancer, you will also be making it easier to maintain a sound mind and healthy body.

Eating healthy food is another great tool in preventing breast cancer. A great deal of cancers are caused by the chemicals and preservatives in the food we eat. Most genetically modified foods (GMO) i.e. food materials that were enhanced in the laboratory, are known to pose serious health dangers to consumers. Also, the hormone mimicking substances in contraceptive pills and other prescription pills could predispose you to cancerous growth. Thus, taking the right supplements could also be an effective tool in the fight against breast cancer.

Besides all these, self examination of the breast regularly is the number one means of detecting any changes in the breast. It is advisable to examine the breast at the same time every month; this will make it easier to spot any changes in the shape, color or texture of the breast. Common signs or changes to look out for are: lumps, thickening or knots anywhere in the breast, unusual swelling or warmth, change in size, color or texture such as reddening or darkening of the breast, itching or scaling especially on the nipple, sudden discharge, rashes, dimpling of the skin or unusual pain. Although, most of these changes might not be a sign of impending breast cancer, however, you never can tell. Forget all what you have heard, it is still possible to prevent breast cancer.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer.

Top Tips To Treat And Prevent Colon And Rectal Cancer

The cells in your large intestine are exposed to many types of substances that result from digestion and the activity of micro-organisms. What?s more, the cells have a high turnover rate ? your intestinal lining completely replaces its cells every week or so. All this metabolic activity makes the cells particularly vulnerable to damage. In some cases, that damage can result in cancer of the colon or rectum. Not counting skin cancer, colon and rectal cancers are the fourth most common form of cancer. Approximately fifty-six thousand people in the United States will die this year because of the disease, accounting for about 3 percent of all deaths.

While scientists do not know the exact cause of colorectal cancer, we do know that it is among the most preventable forms of cancer, even with people with a positive family history of this disease. Clearly diet plays a huge role. The typical American diet ? high in fat, low in fiber from fruits and vegetables ? is largely to blame. Fat takes longer to digest than other nutrients. Breaking down fat can cause a kind of residue to form in the intestine. This residue irritates cells and can cause them to become abnormal. What?s more, as I have explained, fat triggers production of bile, and bile acids may further irritate and damage cells. Lack of fiber means all this bad stuff is not able to pass out of the intestine as fast as it should.

Colorectal cancer often begins when a polyp grows on the intestinal lining. A polyp is a mushroom-shaped clump of tissue. Most polyps are harmless, but a small percentage of them can become cancerous. Colorectal cancer may or may not cause symptoms. Your doctor can detect polyps through a procedure called a sigmoidoscopy, which uses a viewing scope to examine the lower part of the intestine, or a colonoscopy, which explores the whole organ. Often the polyp can be removed by snipping if off at the base. However, if many polyps are present, or if some of them appear to be progressing into cancer, it may be necessary to remove a section of the intestine through surgery.

Obviously, preventing colorectal cancer is the best way to go. The best strategy is to eat a healthy diet. Cut down on meat, protein, and animal fat. Avoid meat that has been fried, charcoal-grilled, or cooked at high temperatures; these forms of preparation produce high levels of cancer-causing compounds. Increase fiber intake by eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Foods rich in calcium, vitamin C, and folate appear to offer protection. Calcium is of special interest, because it readily binds with irritants in colon and blocks their ability to stimulate cell proliferation. A recent study found that when people who had had polyps removed supplemented their diet with 1,200 mg of calcium a day, cell growth in the colon returned to normal.

A healthy lifestyle helps too. Drinking more than one or two alcoholic beverages especially beer a day appears to increase the risk, perhaps by encouraging cells to reproduce more rapidly and by damaging the new cells. Cigarette smoking may cause a high risk of polyps; in smokers, polyps are more likely to regrow after they have been removed. People who exercise throughout their lives and who maintain a healthy weight have a lower rate of colorectal cancer. Some evidence suggests that taking aspirin and other NSAIDs or, better yet, natural inhibitors of prostaglandin may help.

Asbestos and Cancer

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos related cancer, you may want to seek legal advice. Typical legal settelements can reach five million dollars.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

http://asbestos-attorney-mesothelioma.net/