2009 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma

The 2009 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma will take place this June in Washington, DC. Organized by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation), the event will feature international specialists as well as mesothelioma patients, caregivers, and advocates.

Leading international experts in the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, will join mesothelioma patients, caregivers, loved ones and advocates to share the latest in treatment, research and clinical trials at the International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma. The event starts on Thursday, June 25th and runs through Saturday June 27th at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, in Washington, DC.

The Symposium, organized annually by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) will highlight the latest advances in mesothelioma research and treatment for patients and caregivers, offer psychosocial support to them and those who have lost loved ones to the disease, and provide all who are intent on helping to find a cure for mesothelioma with significant advocacy and volunteer opportunities.

Sessions during the three-day conference will feature worldwide mesothelioma experts discussing the most current developments in research, treatments and projected initiatives. Science Day also provides the lay participants with the opportunity to interact informally and extensively with the experts. More information about the sessions is on the Meso Foundation’s website.

At the Gala Dinner Friday evening, the Meso Foundation and the community will honor patients living with mesothelioma, and give the Foundation’s traditional three annual awards. The Bruce Vento Hope Builder Award, named for the late Minnesota Congressman who died from mesothelioma in 2000, acknowledges the support and initiatives of a political leader. The Pioneer Award highlights the contribution made by a researcher or company toward new mesothelioma treatment options. And the Volunteer of the Year Award honors the efforts of the members of the community.

Friday morning includes a tribute ceremony for the community to remember and acknowledge those who have been lost to mesothelioma. All those who have lost a loved one to the disease are invited to submit their loved one’s name and photograph and participate in this special ceremony.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the national non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for mesothelioma by funding mesothelioma research, providing mesothelioma patients support services and participating in federal mesothelioma advocacy.

To register for the symposium or for additional information, please visit the Meso Foundation’s website at http://www.curemeso.org.

CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Analyzes Mesothelioma Death Rates

The CDC’s April 24, 2009 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report served as a reminder to some and alert to others of the deadly and lingering effects of asbestos. The report, "Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality – United States, 1999-2005," reviewed annual deaths attributable to malignant mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, compared to population, death rates, and asbestos usage.

Cause of death records from the NIOSH’s NORMS database show the number of malignant mesothelioma deaths rose from 2,482 in 1999 to 2,704 in 2005. A 2004 article from the American Journal of Epidemiology cited by the MMWR report suggests the diagnosis of mesothelioma may peak in 20101.

These increases, despite the sharp decline in asbestos usage since importation of the mineral peaked in 1973, are a result of the long latency period between asbestos exposure and disease progression. Asbestos-related diseases often develop 20, 30, or 40 years after the initial exposure.

However, the MMWR report cautions against complacency. Asbestos is not banned; some 1700 metric tons were imported into the US in 2007.

While this is a far cry from the more than 800,000 metric tons imported annually at the height of asbestos use, this "new" asbestos combined with the substantial amounts of already present in buildings makes asbestos exposure a concerning risk even today. According to OSHA’s estimates, "1.3 million construction and general industry workers potentially are being exposed to asbestos."

Even if the number of new mesothelioma cases begins to decline in 2010, it will be years before the effects of decades of poor asbestos management and lackluster concern for worker safety are no longer apparent in the statistics.

Of the 18,068 deaths between 1999-2005 which were analyzed:

* 80% were men
* 95% were white

The six states with the highest rate of death attributable to mesothelioma were:

* Maine (22.2 per million residents)
* Wyoming (22.2 per million residents)
* West Virginia (21.0 per million residents)
* Pennsylvania (20.8 per million residents)
* New Jersey (20.2 per million residents)
* Washington (20.1 per million residents)