Labor Union Mesothelioma Resource Guide
- If you’ve worked in a union trade like construction, shipbuilding, or manufacturing, you may have been exposed to asbestos on the job without even knowing it. Learn how this exposure happens and why union workers are especially vulnerable.
- Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancers often take decades to appear. This guide breaks down each condition, the symptoms to watch for, and why early detection is so important.
- Getting expert care can make all the difference. We’ve compiled information on cancer centers, treatment options like surgery and chemotherapy, and supportive care resources to help you plan your next steps.
- Dealing with mesothelioma is expensive—but there are options. Discover financial assistance programs, learn how to file for compensation through lawsuits or asbestos trust funds, and explore legal help specific to union workers.
- You’re not alone. This guide includes links to support groups, counseling resources, and advice on how to protect yourself and your family from further asbestos exposure. We also highlight how to get involved in awareness and advocacy.
Mesothelioma is a dangerous and aggressive cancer that most commonly results from long-term asbestos exposure. It particularly affects those who have worked in unionized trades like construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding.
When it comes to a disease like mesothelioma, knowledge is power. Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and your union can help you find medical care, manage expenses, and live your life to the fullest following a diagnosis. Mesothelioma resources are available for caregivers and family members as well.
Understanding Asbestos-Related Diseases
Asbestos is a group of silicate minerals composed of long fibrous crystals. Humans have used asbestos for its fireproof properties for millennia, and references to the material can be found in ancient Greek and Roman sources.
Industrialization produced many uses for asbestos, from pipe insulation to floor tiles. Large deposits mined in the U.S. helped supply the increasing demand for the mineral. Throughout the 20th century, countless workers worldwide handled asbestos as part of their jobs.
As asbestos became more common, doctors began to notice serious respiratory illness in those who worked with the material. Once asbestos fibers are released into the air, workers inhale or ingest them. These fibers can become lodged in the tissue surrounding the lungs and other organs, causing harmful inflammation that can eventually result in mesothelioma, other cancers, and asbestosis.
Asbestos has been gradually phased out of many consumer goods, and in 1989, new products containing asbestos were banned in the U.S. However, asbestos is still used in some applications.
Asbestos-related diseases typically have long latency periods, and symptoms may not surface until decades after asbestos exposure. Early detection of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, increases the chances of the best possible outcome. If you work or have worked with asbestos, talk to your doctor about early screening.
Common Asbestos-Related Diseases
In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos can cause lung inflammation and lung cancers.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma attacks the mesothelium, a thin layer that covers the internal organs. It’s categorized as follows, based on where it develops:
- Pleural mesothelioma attacks the pleura, the thin, fluid-filled tissue surrounding the lungs. This type of cancer frequently causes shortness of breath, fatigue, and painful coughing.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the peritoneum, or the tissue lining of the abdominal cavity. Symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, weight loss, and bowel problems.
- Pericardial mesothelioma attacks the pericardium, or the tissue sac containing the heart. This condition can cause chest pain, trouble breathing, and coughing.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis results from chronic scarring and inflammation of the lungs due to inhalation of asbestos fibers.
This scarring causes parts of the lung to harden, making it harder to take a breath and properly oxygenate your blood. This condition often results in shortness of breath and reduced lung capacity.
Lung Cancer
Asbestos can also be a contributing factor to lung cancers. The exact risk depends on how much asbestos you were exposed to and the frequency of exposure, but unionized workers in places such as shipyards are especially at risk. Other risk factors for lung cancer include smoking and your family history.
As with mesothelioma, early detection of lung cancer can make a big difference when it comes to your prognosis. Talk with your doctor about how your asbestos exposure affects your lung cancer risk and how often you should be screened.
Medical Resources and Treatment Options
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with a five-year survival rate of only 12 percent. Early detection of mesothelioma and aggressive treatment by one of the many mesothelioma specialists throughout the country can help your health outcomes.
- University of Chicago: This organization offers a team of oncologists, surgeons, and other medical professionals who specialize in treating mesothelioma.
- Fred Hutch Cancer Center: Based at the University of Washington, this center offers multiple mesothelioma specialists and locations throughout the Seattle area.
- OHSU Knight Cancer Center: Oregon Health and Science University offers a team of mesothelioma specialists and state-of-the-art treatment.
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute: Located at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, this center offers a dedicated mesothelioma program and access to clinical trials.
Surgery
There are several surgical options available for mesothelioma. If you are in generally good health and your cancer hasn’t spread, your doctor may opt for curative surgery, where they attempt to remove the tumor completely.
If you have pleural mesothelioma, surgery may involve removing some or all of the pleura.
Chemotherapy
Chemothe-rapy
Many patients with mesothelioma receive chemotherapy to shrink tumors, slow their growth, or kill remaining cancer cells after surgery. Doctors usually give medication intravenously or inject it into the part of the body where the tumor is located.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy for mesothelioma is frequently used after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells. It’s also sometimes used as a palliative treatment to ease mesothelioma symptoms.
Supportive Care
Supportive care for mesothelioma aims to improve a patient’s quality of life. Such options include supplemental oxygen treatment, other respiratory treatments, nutritional support, and palliative care.
Financial Assistance and Compensation
A cancer diagnosis like mesothelioma affects not just your health, but your finances. Even if you have health insurance, you may pay heavily out of pocket, especially if you travel for treatment. You may also have to stop working, leading to a loss of income.
Understanding the resources available to you can help you better manage your financial situation. If you’re a current or former union member, ask if there is someone you can speak to about your benefits. You may also seek help from a social worker at your hospital or a financial counselor experienced with helping cancer patients.
- The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation offers travel grants for patients and family members to travel to out-of-town treatments. It also offers grants for additional medical treatment.
- The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America also offers a list of financial resources for patients and their families, as well as information about free clinical trials.
- The American Cancer Society offers a local resource database for financial assistance and other help in your area.
Legal Support and Representation
A skilled and experienced mesothelioma lawyer can advise you and your family of your legal rights and options. Legal representation gives you the best chances of accessing government programs and recovering compensation through a lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim.
Asbestos law is complex and nuanced, and not every lawyer has the experience to adequately represent those with mesothelioma. If you’re a union member, you’ll also want your lawyer to understand union contracts and benefits and how they apply in your case.
Statutes of limitations can pose challenges, as well. These laws set strict filing deadlines for asbestos-exposure claims. Under Washington and Oregon law, you can only bring a lawsuit within a particular window of time.
Each mesothelioma case is different and requires a different strategy. If you’re not sure where to start, check with your union for legal resources for those dealing with asbestos-related diseases.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
You might be entitled to file a lawsuit against those responsible for your asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma lawyer can investigate, determine the source of your exposure, identify the parties responsible, collect evidence, file a lawsuit, negotiate with the opposition, and litigate your case. Depending on the circumstances of the case, you may negotiate a settlement out of court or proceed to trial.
With a mesothelioma lawsuit, you can recover compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, and non-economic damages for the effects on your quality of life, such as pain and suffering.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Many companies responsible for asbestos exposure have filed for bankruptcy protection. The courts have required them to establish asbestos trust funds to compensate victims. Union members sickened by asbestos exposure can file one or more trust fund claims if they can link their illness to these bankrupt companies. Trust funds typically offer a more streamlined claims process than litigation, resulting in quicker payouts.
Veterans' Benefits
If you have developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness from exposure during your military service, you can file a claim for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. You may need to show that your current illness is connected to your military service, although the VA presumes mesothelioma is service-related for veterans who meet certain criteria.
VA disability benefits include monthly payments and access to other programs, including VA health care.
Learn more by speaking with a veterans’ mesothelioma benefits lawyer.
Support Resources for Patients and Families
Mesothelioma can be an incredibly isolating disease that limits your daily activities and ability to get around. However, thousands of other patients and caregivers have experiences similar to yours. The following are some resources to support patients and their families:
- The Cancer Survivors Network is a message board provided by the American Cancer Society for cancer patients, caregivers, and family members.
- The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation provides Zoom calls and telephone groups for patients and their caregivers.
- If you prefer to meet in person, talk to your doctor or hospital to find out about local support groups in your area.
Many mesothelioma patients and families find professional counseling useful for dealing with the emotional and psychological aspects of the disease. Look for a practitioner experienced with helping cancer patients and their families—your doctor or hospital may have some suggestions. Some counselors may offer sliding-scale fees if finances are an issue.
Some reputable sources for mesothelioma research include the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America.
September 26 is Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Many local groups host community events and lobby days.
Preventing Further Exposure
If you already have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, limiting your current and future exposure to asbestos is vital for slowing disease progression.
Asbestos-containing materials could be present in your home or workplace, especially in buildings constructed before 1980. Older buildings may have asbestos in floor and ceiling tiles, insulation, and surfacing materials. Broken materials are especially dangerous—asbestos fibers could be released into the air.
If you suspect your home or workplace contains asbestos, do not investigate or remove it yourself. Consult an asbestos abatement professional who knows how to properly handle the material. Most states, including Washington and Oregon, provide a list of certified asbestos professionals qualified to assess and remove the material.
Meanwhile, unions, cancer organizations, and environmental groups are fighting today for a complete asbestos ban as well as more care for asbestos-related illnesses. Many mesothelioma patients, especially union members, find strength and community in activist work.
