Mesothelioma research as a social issue
Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006.
Inhalation Toxicology. 2006 Nov;18(12):991-4. [Link]
Hahn CE.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Santa Barbara, California, USA.
Abstract
From a social perspective, a number of factors may explain why mesothelioma research has tended to be an “orphan.” The disease has a relatively low incidence compared to other cancers, the average age of mesothelioma patients is relatively high, the disease is expected to decline “on its own,” and the disease has long been considered intractable to therapy. However, there are persuasive counterpoints to these factors. Additionally, other aspects of the mesothelioma tragedy persuasively justify societal investment in mesothelioma research. Social justice is among the strongest of these reasons, but paradoxically, it also significantly impedes progress. Mesothelioma patients’ contribution to society is another strong justification, although also not without problems. Finally, optimal utilization of resources provides a very pragmatic, and potentially very forceful, justification for increased societal investment in mesothelioma research.
Glossary
- therapy
- any of the measures taken to treat a disease. Unproven therapy is any therapy that has not been scientifically tested and approved. Use of an unproven therapy instead of standard (proven) therapy is called alternative therapy. Some alternative therapies have dangerous or even life-threatening side effects. For others, the main danger is that a patient may lose the opportunity to benefit from standard therapy. Complementary therapy, on the other hand, refers to therapies used in addition to standard therapy. Some complementary therapies may help relieve certain symptoms of cancer, relieve side effects of standard cancer therapy, or improve a patient's sense of well-being. The ACS recommends that patients considering use of any alternative or complementary therapy discuss this with their health care team.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
