An anonymous donor has recently gifted 3.58 million dollars to University of Hawaii’s Cancer Center to be used in mesothelioma research. With most gifts of this size going to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, this gift to UH is a welcome surprise, bringing the university one step closer to becoming a leader in cancer research.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer affecting protective linings of abdominal cavities, most often lung lining. It is caused by exposure to toxic asbestos fibers and characterized by a long latency period ranging from twenty to fifty years. Mesothelioma life expectancy is short and grim, averaging eighteen months following diagnosis.
Mesothelioma treatments include surgeries, chemotherapies and radiation therapy. While many of these are used as cancer direct treatments, they are often administered as part of a palliative care plan, focusing on raising patient quality of life and extending life expectancy.
There is currently no known cure for mesothelioma. Asbestos continues to be used around the world and experts expect a quick rise in global mesothelioma cases if the toxic chemical is not banned immediately. Currently, an estimated twenty thousand patients suffer with mesothelioma worldwide each year.
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