Free CancerCare Service Focuses on Mesothelioma Treatment

CancerCare collaborated with experts from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and other cancer organizations in their latest Connect Education Workshop. During the discussion, a panel of medical experts weighed in about the advancements in treatment for mesothelioma.

For approximately an hour, mesothelioma specialists spoke about the disease and treatment options that patients pursue. After the workshop ended, online and telephone participants were able to ask questions.

Mesothelioma Treatments Provide Hope

Among the panel of experts was mesothelioma specialist Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler. She is the Director of the Mesothelioma Program at the University of Chicago Medicine.

Photograph of Dr KindlerDr. Kindler is recognized for treating pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma patients. People travel from all over the world to seek her experience and guidance. In fact, at UChicago, she sees more than 100 mesothelioma cases in a year.

During the workshop, Dr. Kindler gave an overview of mesothelioma treatment. She expressed the need for patients to participate in multimodal therapy to prevent their disease from recurring.

As Dr. Kindler wrapped up her discussion, she spoke about how clinical trials are the future for treating mesothelioma. Some patients that participate in trials have improved their prognosis or have reached a state of remission.

“We will hopefully be able to individualize therapy in mesothelioma patients through something called precision medicine. Profile the tumors, so that we can identify the specific abnormalities and in the future be able to decide which treatment is the best for each patient,” Dr. Kindler stated.

Other Connect Education Workshop Highlights

Pulmonary Clinical Nurse Specialist Donna Wilson talked about how mesothelioma interferes with a patient’s physical activity and how she works to improve it. Donna is affiliated with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

“Keep moving,” Donna said.

Sometimes treatment can cause a patient to become fatigued, limit their mobility, and affect their breathing. Donna spoke about the importance of breathing exercises and being active. She encouraged mesothelioma patients to move for at least 30 minutes a day.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation iconMelinda Kotzian was also on the panel. Melinda is the Chief Executive Officer of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. She spoke on behalf of the free services and programs that her organization provides.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation helps patients and families in the United States and internationally. This nonprofit is also actively involved in funding research and providing financial aid to patients that need help traveling to seek mesothelioma treatment.

“Our goal is to really ensure that all patients regardless of their ability to pay are being seen by a mesothelioma specialist. We want to make sure that the cost of travel is not hindering them from seeing a specialist and getting the best treatment and care that they can,” Melinda commented.

Image of Nurse KarenFor more information about other organizations that help mesothelioma warriors and their loved ones, please contact Mesothelioma Guide’s patient advocate, Karen Ritter. You can reach her by emailing karen@mesotheliomaguide.com or by calling 888-385-2024 extension 102.

“I don’t want anyone to think that you are alone in coping with mesothelioma. I know you may feel that way often because you may think that ‘I don’t know anyone with this disease,’ and we want you to feel like you are now apart of this support world,” concluded the workshop’s moderator Carolyn Messner.

Support from CancerCare

CancerCare was established in 1944. Today the nonprofit provides support to individuals and their loved ones that are impacted by cancer.

“Our programs and services helped 195,000 people affected by cancer, and we welcomed 2.1 million visits to our websites,” states the CancerCare website.

For free CancerCare helps people over the phone, internet, and face-to-face.

Some services offered by CancerCare are:
  • Counseling – help patients and their loved ones with their emotions, fears, and challenges surrounding their diagnosis. This service is available at the convenience of either calling or emailing CancerCare’s Hopeline.
  • Support Groups are available online, over the telephone, and in person. They help patients and their caregivers to connect with others who can relate to them.
  • Connection Education Workshops – are hosted by medical experts and cover a series of cancer-related topics. Workshops equip patients and their supporters with new information about their disease. They also give individuals an opportunity to ask questions and get answers.
“No matter where you are in the United States, CancerCare is here for you.”
– CEO Patricia Goldsmith

    Sources & Author

Picture of Devin Golden

About the Writer, Devin Golden

Devin Golden is a content writer for Mesothelioma Guide. He produces mesothelioma-related content on various mediums, including the Mesothelioma Guide website and social media channels. Devin's objective is to translate complex information regarding mesothelioma into informative, easily absorbable content to help patients and their loved ones.