I read an interesting study from Switzerland regarding lung cancer patients and quality of life. Patients reported not receiving the amount of support they need to battle their disease. This story reinforces the importance of emotional support while battling Mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other life threatening illness.

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In a landmark ruling, a South Korean court ruled in favor of the family of an asbestos plant worker who died of mesothelioma in October 2006 at the age of 46, ordering the defendant to pay W133 million (approx. $144,000 USD) in damages. The court found that the defendant was well aware of the dangers of asbestos, yet failed to provide workers with protective gear, install a ventilation system, or warn of the dangers of asbestos. The woman, named Won, had worked for the asbestos manufacturer for two years beginning in 1976. The ruling sets an important precedence for the compensation of asbestos victims and paves the way for similar suits in South Korea, where asbestos has been widely used in homes, including home insulation since the 1960's. At least 46 people have died of asbestos-related lunmg cancer or mesothelioma in the last seven years. That number is expected to grow given the quick development of the asbestos industry since the 60's and the long latency period of asbestos-related diseases.