Cancer was once always fatal, but modern medicine has found ways to treat many forms of cancer. Early detection and access to excellent health care can help people defeat even aggressive and late-stage cancer. Unfortunately, medical science hasn’t been able to cure all forms of cancer yet.
Mesothelioma, cancer of the organ linings, is one of the most deadly forms of cancer. Often developed after environmental asbestos exposure, mesothelioma takes decades to show symptoms. When it does finally cause noticeable symptoms, it often leads to a rapid decline in health and eventually the death of the person diagnosed with mesothelioma.
What is the survival rate for mesothelioma?
The majority of those diagnosed succumb within five years
There are treatments ranging from immunotherapy to chemotherapy that can help slow the progress of mesothelioma and reduce some of the symptoms that a patient presents. However, there is not currently a cure for mesothelioma.
According to the American Cancer Society, the overall five-year survival rate after diagnosis is just 10%. Those with localized mesothelioma have an 18% chance of surviving five years, while those with distant, metastasized mesothelioma have a survival rate of just 7%.
Those facing diagnosis may want to pursue compensation. A successful mesothelioma claim against a former employer could give you resources that can pay for cutting-edge treatments that your insurance won’t cover. A compensation claim can also help provide for your family members in the future.
Coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis requires a practical approach that focuses on reducing the harm to you and the people you love.