The mesothelioma community was shocked last weekend when the Saturday Night Live cast included “sexy asbestos” in a skit. The lead comedian laughed as he mocked mesothelioma, the deadly cancer caused by asbestos. Without a doubt, friends and family who have been left behind after their loved ones succumbed to mesothelioma failed to see any humor in the routine.
Bill Hader, an SNL alum who came back for a cameo appearance as his iconic character Stefon, suggested places to visit on St. Patrick’s Day, saying, “New York’s hottest club is ‘Stand Clear of the Closing Doors, Please.’ Built in the Upside-Down World, this haunted hospice was closed when inspectors found a sexy form of asbestos that could cause disease: Me-so-horny-oma.”
There were probably plenty of uninformed people who laughed, but here are some key facts about mesothelioma and why no one should laugh about the deadly cancer:
- The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous material that was once widely used in insulation, as well as in other building products. Though its use has been restricted, asbestos can still be found in the United States today. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has warned, “asbestos is a human carcinogen with no safe level of exposure.”
- Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest and most difficult types of cancer to treat. Every year, nearly 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease, and the same number die from it each year.
- Mesothelioma treatment plans are carefully crafted to reduce pain and to increase a patient’s lifespan, but they do not yet offer a cure. Treatment includes chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, and most recently, can include immunotherapy.
- Statistics show that military veterans account for over one-third of the U.S. mesothelioma cases. Asbestos-containing insulation was used in military buildings, including mess halls and barracks, and ships. It was also used around hot water heaters and cooling systems, and in the gaskets placed inside airplane engines and large machinery.
- The disease has a long incubation period, sometimes taking 60 years before symptoms are present. Once a person is exposed to asbestos, contracting mesothelioma is a life-time risk.
MesotheliomaHelp has seen far too many innocent lives lost to mesothelioma. Through “Faces of Mesothelioma,” we have brought our readers the story of mesothelioma warriors Jan Egerton, Don Smitley, Lou Williams, Mr. Stetler, and Mavis Nye. Today, Mavis is a survivor and is the only one still telling her story. All of these stories are a stark reminder that nothing is funny about asbestos or mesothelioma.
Find out more about Mavis Nye on her blog, and about her efforts to help other mesothelioma patients through the Mavis Nye Foundation.
The post Mesothelioma Is No Laughing Matter appeared first on MesotheliomaHelp.org Cancer Organization.
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