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Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that forms when a person is exposed to asbestos. When an individual inhales or swallows asbestos fibers, the toxic substance coats the linings of the person’s lungs and can create a high likelihood of incurring cancer. Nearly 2,500 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, while tens of thousands more are diagnosed throughout the rest of the world. In certain areas of work, such as construction, manufacturers who produce building materials, asbestos miners, factory workers and former members of the United States Navy, the risk of obtaining mesothelioma is higher than in other occupations. Currently, there is no absolute cure for mesothelioma.
A fascinating new study from Philadelphia’s Fox Chase Cancer Center and the University of Pennsylvania has seen positive results with mesothelioma treatment through the use of flaxseed, specifically the lignans that make up flaxseed. Lignans are a compound found in polyphenol, which is a main ingredient in flaxseed, and it has been found to slow the development of mesothelioma in mice.
When scientists realized that mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos, the medical community acted quickly in two ways. First, they took aim at discovering an effective way of treating and curing the disease. Secondly, they attempted to find a way to prevent people from getting the disease in the first place. Abolishing as much asbestos as possible throughout buildings in the United States has certainly helped, but it does nothing for those individuals who are already suffering from the devastating effects of mesothelioma. The aforementioned Fox Chase Cancer Center and University of Pennsylvania study has many health professionals excited about its possibilities. The study, which was published in the journal of Carcinogenesis, tested flaxseed lignans on mice in an attempt to determine whether the lignans could prevent malignant mesothelioma. Previous studies on mice have shown that lignans were capable of slowing breast cancer. One group of mice was fed a diet that included flaxseed while the other group was fed a standard diet. Afterwards, all of the mice were injected with asbestos fibers. One week later, the scientists found that the lab animals had benefited from the flax compound; lower levels of the kind of inflammation that can lead to the development of mesothelioma; and a reduced level of cellular stress.
If you, a loved one, or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness, contact our team of compassionate, knowledgeable Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler. We are committed to helping clients pursue the compensation for which they are entitled. Call us at 800-369-0899 or submit an online inquiry to schedule a review of your case with one of our seasoned Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers.