For many mesothelioma patients, end-of-life treatment is a primary concern.  While some opt to maintain aggressive therapy, others elect to enter hospice care.  In the UK, one man took matters into his own hands: he arranged a wake-like gathering for family and friends before his death.

Nigel Phillips worked on docks for over 20 years.  The 61-year-old was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma and given only 12 months to live.  Upon receiving the news, he organized a small get-together with some friends for drinks.  A fellow dock-worker, however, spread the news of Nigel's party and his diagnosis.  What started out as a handful of guests turned into a group of 100 colleagues, coworkers, and friends who came to pay Nigel respect.

The part was gratifying for Nigel, who is unsure how the disease will progress.  Though he has been treated in Cambridge at excellent facilities, he knows mesothelioma can be unpredictable.  In seeing all his friends, Nigel was equipped with the emotional support and security needed to handle the cancer.

To read more about Nigel's story, click here.

The Supreme Court today rejected an appeal made by W.R. Grace, the company that owned and operated the vermiculite mines in Libby, Montana.  The new decision allows the case against W.R. Grace to go to trial; in 2005, federal prosecutors accused the company and six of its executives of violating the Clean Air Act.

Grace claimed that under the specifications of the Act, asbestos was not clearly defined and did not necessarily pertain to substances released from the mine.  The claim was rejected by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In April, the company agreed to a $3 billion arrangement that would allow it to emerge from bankruptcy without facing further asbestos liability.  Additionally, Grace must pay $250 million to the federal government for fees incurred when investigating and cleaning the vermiculite mines.

For more information, click here.

Asbestos exposure has long been a concern for firefighters, as working with crumbling buildings puts them at a high risk of inhaling fibers.  In Portage, Michigan, one fire department is rallying around a fellow worker recently diagnosed with stage three mesothelioma. 

It is likely that Brad Wilson was exposed to asbestos while on the job.  Though he has been given only between 6 and 18 months to live, Brad holds his head high and is focusing on how to handle his disease rather than pinpoint its cause.

Brad has accepted that asbestos exposure is "part of the job" he loves; his wife Cinda said that being away from firefighting is making Brad restless.  "The hardest part is knowing how much he misses coming into work, it just kills him," she said.  The Portage Fire Department is feeling his absence just as much.  They bring Brad's helmet with them on all calls, so he remains part of the team, even from home.  The members of the PFD are covering Brad's shifts in turns, so that he may maintain long-term disability benefits through September.

The support Brad is receiving is particularly gratifying for members of the Portage Fire Department, who say they are excited to repay Brad's selfless help from over the years.  "If someone had to switch days, had an emergency or if someone was down on their luck, Brad would be the first guy to offer to work a shift for them or organize some effort to help," said Rick Nason, a firefighter and president of the Portage Professional Firefighters Union.  Brad's 25-year career with the PFD was full of kind and generous acts such as these, and co-workers are honored to return the favor.  The department has even solicited the help of the public and will hold a fundraiser to cover some of Brad's medical and travel expenses.

Brad, his wife, and his mother will journey to Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center soon for expert advice on treatment plans and ccomplementary medicine.  Brad expects to return at least once, most likely for lung surgery. 

Even in the face of terminal illness, Brad has not compromised his integrity.  "[He] has a character that you don't see in everybody," Nason said. "Who he is as a person, it's a credit to the city and the profession."

This week, the Billings Gazette publicized the announcement of a federally funded five-year study to be conducted in Libby, Montana. The $8 million research project is sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Named the Libby Amphibole Health Risk Initiative, the project aims to determine the effects of long-term exposure to low levels of asbestos. It is clear that long periods of exposure to high volumes of asbestos causes health problems including mesothelioma and asbestosis; over 200 Libby miners and family members have died to due asbestos complications. The new initiative seeks to establish the risk caused by low volumes of exposure, like that which might be incurred by school children or office workers in town.

The initiative will include several projects such as studying the difference in film and digital X-rays of the lungs. Officials said the initiative will seek advice from Libby residents and organizations, and also will include:

• An expanded evaluation of Libby residents who were exposed to asbestos.

• An assessment of whether the health problems related to asbestos exposure extend beyond lung disease.

• Improvements to public health tracking systems and patient health record databases, to better link exposure information to health conditions.

The FDA is cracking down on companies who are selling fraudulent cancer "cures."  Official warning letters have been sent to 23 domestic and 2 foreign companies who are marketing a variety of products on the internet, claiming they cure cancer.  These products have not been tested, may be unsafe, and are in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Deceptive and fraudulent cancer "cures" have always been on the market, but the internet has created a medium for sales to explode.  The FDA is fighting to combat these products, which include tablets, teas, tonics, black salves, and creams.  Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission sent out warning letters to 112 websites who were falsely promoting cancer "treatments."

The FDA is urging patients who have used these "cures" to contact health care providers immediately.  The products may cause adverse health effects, as they contain untested ingredients such as bloodroot, shark cartilage, coral calcium, cesium, ellagic acid, Cat's Claw, an herbal tea called Essiac, and mushroom varieties such as Agaricus Blazeii, Shitake, Maitake, and Reishi.

These products are marketed under slogans such as "80% more effective than the world's number one cancer drug," "Causes cancer cells to commit suicide!" and "Shrinks malignant tumors."

Visit the FDA warning site for more details.