Workers Who Bring Asbestos Home

Bergman & Frockt: Families of Workers Who Bring Asbestos Home On Work Clothes May Now File Their Own Claims Against the Worker's Employer

The Washington State Court of Appeals establishes a precedent that may finally allow thousands of Puget Sound family members to seek their own relief

SEATTLE, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- A Washington State Court of Appeals decision paved the way for claims to be filed on behalf of individuals exposed to deadly asbestos fibers brought into the home by thousands of Washington workers. The decision overturned a lower court ruling and set a precedent that could allow hundreds of family members and others living in the same home to file their own claims.

"For decades, people working with or around asbestos products brought deadly fibers home on their clothing, thereby exposing their families to cancerous materials," explains Seattle attorney Matthew Bergman. "Until now it has been very difficult for individuals who develop asbestos-related diseases as a result of household exposures to pursue a claim against the employer, even though the hazards of asbestos were well documented by the early 1950s. This ruling gives new hope to family members suffering from diseases caused by asbestos exposure."

"There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish I could go back and change things," says Lawrence Rochon, whose wife Adeline was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2004 and passed away soon after. "My wife was a wonderful woman who took pride in caring for her family. She didn't deserve to die in such a horrible way."

Adeline Rochon was a mother of seven who dutifully fulfilled the household chores during her 49-year marriage to Lawrence Rochon. For more than 10 years, Lawrence Rochon worked with and around asbestos containing products while employed at the Scott Paper Mill in Everett. Every night he came home, changed out of his work clothes and Adeline washed them regularly. That simple task may have caused the mesothelioma that eventually took her life.

Kimberly Clark Corporation acquired the Scott Paper Company, including its mill in Everett, in 1996, thereby assuming its legal responsibilities. Kimberly Clark had successfully argued in Snohomish County Superior Court that it had no duty of care to Mrs. Rochon because the potential for harm was not foreseeable. The Washington State Court of Appeals overturned the lower court's ruling. Judge J. Cox wrote in the decision, "Kimberly Clark had a duty to prevent injury from an unreasonable risk of harm it had itself created."

Asbestos was used for decades in the shipbuilding, aluminum and wood products industries. These industries employed hundreds of thousands of workers throughout Washington State from the 1940s through the 1970s. As a result, Washington now has the second highest rate of asbestos related cancer in the nation.

Up to the late 1970s, asbestos was also a common ingredient in joint compounds and ceiling and wall textures, products widely used in commercial and residential construction as well as home remodeling projects.

Asbestos exposure has been linked to several deadly diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of chest lining that may take as long as 15-40 years to manifest. Once diagnosed, mesothelioma patients often have only months to live.

About Bergman & Frockt
Bergman & Frockt is a Seattle-based law firm that focuses on representing individuals and families who have been harmed by more powerful interests. The firm built its reputation on serious asbestos diseases claims and is expanding its practice to benzene and predatory lending cases. Matthew Bergman is the firm's managing partner and one of seven lawyers across the nation who recently negotiated a $4 billion national settlement with the Halliburton Corporation for its asbestos liabilities, approximately $30 million of which went to Bergman & Frock clients residing primarily in the Pacific Northwest. Bergman also served on the committee that negotiated a $5.1 billion bankruptcy settlement with Owens Corning that will result in over $50 million in payments to Pacific Northwest victims.

    CONTACTS:
    Matthew Bergman
    Bergman & Frockt
    matt@bergmanlegal.com
    (206) 200-2606

    Kevin Bush
    Firmani + Associates, Inc.
    (206) 443-9357
    Kevin@firmani.com

Mesothelioma Portal Work Continues

LegalView.com Continues Development of Comprehensive Mesothelioma Portal

Far from being a fading issue, mesothelioma related to asbestos exposure is an ongoing problem, particularly for disaster relief workers who may have been exposed during Hurricane Katrina and September 11th cleanup efforts. LegalView.com is proud to keep its readers updated with the latest news and science on mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) July 13, 2007 -- Your resource on the web for legal issues that affect contemporary America, LegalView.com, is pleased to continue bringing readers up-to-date on the news, research and legal developments about mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and severe type of lung cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, a once-popular building material that doctors now know is a carcinogen. Visitors to LegalView.com's mesothelioma lawyer portal may browse continually-updated news feeds, original articles, encyclopedia entries, a glossary of mesothelioma-related terms and an Asbestos & Mesothelioma blog, where users can read and comment on the latest news related to these important topics.

Thousands of Americans, mostly men, were exposed to asbestos through their jobs in the first half of the 20th century, when the material was widely mined and used in building insulation, shipyards, brake pads and other industrial applications. Decades later, many of these workers discovered too late that their work with asbestos led to developing mesothelioma, a crippling type of lung cancer that attacks the lining of the lung. Others may have been exposed more recently, due to illegal and unsafe practices at modern work sites, disaster relief work near buildings that contain asbestos, or work in the few industries that still use asbestos, despite decades of evidence that it causes serious cancers. Unlike most lung cancers, mesothelioma is not caused by smoking, according to the National Cancer Institute; the Institute reports that 80 percent of mesothelioma patients had known asbestos exposure earlier in life. Mesothelioma can kill quickly; on average, doctors give patients six months to a year to live after their diagnosis. With this in mind, LegalView.com continues to provide factual information, news and links to more information for mesothelioma patients and their families through its mesothelioma and asbestos internet portal.

LegalView.com strives to bring its readers complete, up-to-date information on legal issues that affect ordinary Americans. In addition to the mesothelioma resources, LegalView.com offers comprehensive sites with information concerning brain injury litigation, auto accident lawsuits, diabetes drug Avandia attorneys and peanut butter recall lawyers. These are in addition to general resources LegalView.com maintains on possible unsafe drugs, medical malpractice cases, and defective consumer products and foods. All of these sites, and others at LegalView.com, combine easy-to-understand information facts with the latest news, government information, jury verdicts and settlements, as well as links to more information specific to each legal issue. And for those who are ready to seek out a mesothelioma attorney or other type of experienced lawyer can find one in their areas using LegalView.com's free attorney search service.

LegalView.com is a free public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez Hodes; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's respected sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView.com attorneys, visit LegalView.com at http://www.legalview.com/.

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Press Contact: Alan Haburchak
Company Name: LegalView.com
Phone: 720-226-6613
Website: http://www.legalview.com

CyberKnife Eliminates Tumors and Lesions

Eradicate Cancer Using CyberKnife - Miami Based Radiosurgery Expert Launch New Website

CyberKnife Treatment Center Uses Revolutionary Methods to Completely Eliminate Tumors and Lesions in a Nonsurgical Manner. Dr. Schwadenternationally a recognized expert in the field of radiosurgery creates Centers in Mimai & West Palm Beach Florida.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) July 10, 2007 -- MORSE LLC - which operates The CyberKnife Centers of Miami and Palm Beach have taken measures to make pertinent life-saving information, more accessible for cancer patients, their families, or other individuals who wish to become knowledgeable about radiosurgery by launching a new website, http://www.morsecyberknife.com Specifically for individuals who suffer from conditions that require radiation treatment or therapy, the website features sections for doctors and patients as well as an interactive feature to help pinpoint where the user's specific problem may be in their individual body. Contact information for highly experienced and trained staff, physicians and surgeons in the South Florida region is also available.

CyberKnife Treatments

CyberKnife is a highly advanced radiation tool that facilitates the administration of radiation to parts of the body that are deemed inoperable with more conventional treatment methods. These areas include, but are not limited to, parts of the brain, internal organs, and spinal cord. Using this revolutionary method, tumors and lesions can be completely eliminated in a nonsurgical procedure with three to five treatments and virtually no side effects.

With the CyberKnife:

• No incisions are made
• No anesthesia is required
• There is no blood or pain
• There is no recovery time needed after the procedure.

"We treat brain, spine, lung, pancreas, liver, prostate, head and neck, and other conditions throughout the body where radiation treatment is indicated. Many of our patients are treated with the CyberKnife for conditions that have been deemed inoperable, or for areas that have previously received the maximum level of radiation," says Executive Director James G. Schwade, MD, FACR, FACRO. "The range, accuracy and precision of the CyberKnife system can help target areas that may not be suitable for treatments with traditional surgery, radiation therapy, or older radiosurgery systems like the gamma knife."

The procedure is performed with a team of experienced physicians and can cost 20% to 45% less than traditional radiosurgery treatments. Conditions treated with the CyberKnife include various cancers, tumors, functional disorders, and lesions throughout various parts of the body. Over 10,000 patients worldwide have been treated using this system, and many operations have proven successful for patients previously told that their tumors were inoperable with traditional forms of radiation therapy.    

About The CyberKnife Center of Miami/Palm Beach Online

The CyberKnife Center of Miami is dedicated to providing world class treatment and support for eligible candidates who may have lost hope for recovery with prior procedures. By visiting the CyberKnife Center of Miami /Palm Beach online, individuals are able to review information regarding treatments and procedures. The new website features detailed information about candidate eligibility for this type of radiosurgery, conditions treated, individual case studies, cybernotes, and more. Visitors are able to contact the center via the website with questions about radiosurgery or the team of medical professionals administering treatments.

James G. Schwade, MD, FACR, FACRO
Executive Director

Dr. Schwade is an internationally recognized expert in the field of radiosurgery who has performed over 1,700 treatments and authored over 80 scientific articles in the span of his 20 year career. A member of numerous state and national professional societies, he currently holds the rank of Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami School of Medicine. A cum laude graduate of both Washington University and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Schwade has served as Co-Medical Director at the Miami NeuroScience Center, Associate Director of Clinical Research at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Center, Medical Director of the Regional Cancer Treatment Center at Baptist Hospital in Miami, and Chief of the Radiology Biology Section of the Radiation Oncology Branch at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.
Xiadong Wu, PhD
Medical Physicist

Dr. Wu is Associate Professor and Chief of the Medical Physics Division in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

He graduated from the University of Miami with a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and has an undergraduate degree in Physics from Xiamen University in the People's Republic of China. Dr. Wu is certified by the American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Physics and in 2000 received a U.S. patent for Iso-Energetic Intensity Modulator for Therapeutic Electron Beams. He is a frequent lecturer on medical physics throughout the United States and has authored and co-authored numerous monographs, peer-reviewed journals and abstracts.

Steven Pinkert, MD, JD, MBA
Corporate Counsel

As a key member of the management team, Dr. Pinkert provides corporate, regulatory and intellectual property services invaluable to the success of the company. He graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California, and holds a medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law, and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Miami Graduate School of Business Administration. A member of the American Medical Association, American Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, his experience and exceptional background in Medicine, Law and Business play a vital role in the development and operations of the CyberKnife Center of Miami.

The MorseCyberKnife.com Web site is developed by a leading Maimi | West Palm Beach Web Design Company // Forte Interactive.

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Press Contact: James G. Schwade, MD, FACR, FACRO
Company Name: MORSE LLC
Phone: 305-279-2900
Website: http://www.morsecyberknife.com

Cancer Stem Cells Market Report

Piribo Adds Cancer Stem Cells Market Report to its Specialised Catalogue

Piribo, the online destination for business intelligence for the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, has now added a new market report called "Cancer Stem Cells - Emerging Therapeutic, Diagnostic and Market Opportunities".

(PRWEB) June 15, 2007 -- The last decade has seen the emergence of a new paradigm in the therapeutic strategies which may be available to target cancer. This is based on the existence of so called Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), found in small populations within the bulk of normal proliferating cancer cells, in tumours.

Many scientists believe that CSCs are responsible for the development and spread of cancer and explain why the disease is resistant to many conventional treatments and able to re-establish itself after therapy. Many researchers believe the selective targeting of these cells offers revolutionary advances in the treatment of cancer, by attacking the disease at its source. The unique identity of CSCs and their proposed causal role in the development and progression of cancer potentially make these cells an ideal target for the detection of the disease. A number of CSC-targeting candidate drugs are now in early research, 2 of which have entered Phase I clinical trials.

Key findings of the report
•Research on CSCs is revealing a unified picture on the involvement of these cells in the development and progression of cancer and this has accelerated discovery programmes to selectively target these cells, alongside normal proliferating cancer cells
•The targeting of CSCs is believed to offer revolutionary advances in cancer therapy and diagnosis
•The CSC field is seeing substantial development, investment and new company formation, as specialised groups advance new discovery programmes
•The targeting of CSCs presents several unique challenges, however a number of strategies have been proposed and are being explored.
•It is believed that diagnostic methods based on the detection of CSC's will have the potential to address key limitations of current methods
•The first CSC-targeting drug candidates have entered clinical development

This report provides a comprehensive overview of research on CSCs and the impact this is having on the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies to target cancer. More than 50 academic research teams from 13 different countries have been reviewed, together with leading discoveries in this field. This is driving new research programmes and commercial developments. This report has identified and profiled 17 companies or commercially-focused groups, which now are targeting CSCs, to develop new therapies and diagnostics. The emerging picture on CSCs is creating significant excitement and interest in the cancer field and researchers have proposed a number of drug discovery strategies, which are also reviewed. Many scientists believe that the targeting of CSC's offers important and revolutionary advances in the targeting of cancer. This report gives the reader a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of developments in this exciting field.

Cancer Stem Cells - Emerging Therapeutic, Diagnostic and Market Opportunities" is available in pdf format from Piribo. For more information, go to: http://www.piribo.com/publications/diseases_conditions/cancer/cancer_stem_cells.html

Piribo product ID: VEN001

About Piribo:
Piribo (http:www.piribo.com) is a UK-based independent online store supplying business information on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The website now carries over 6,000 English language titles including, market reports, studies and books and is the UK's largest online biopharma information store. Subscribers receive a free monthly newsletter and email alerts on new titles in their areas of interest. The company was established in 2004.

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Press Contact: BRENDT SHEEN
Company Name: PIRIBO LTD
Phone: 0207 060 7474
Website: http://www.piribo.com/publications/diseases_conditions/cancer/cancer_stem_cells.html

Cancer Stem Cells Market Report

Piribo Adds Cancer Stem Cells Market Report to its Specialised Catalogue

Piribo, the online destination for business intelligence for the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, has now added a new market report called "Cancer Stem Cells - Emerging Therapeutic, Diagnostic and Market Opportunities".

(PRWEB) June 15, 2007 -- The last decade has seen the emergence of a new paradigm in the therapeutic strategies which may be available to target cancer. This is based on the existence of so called Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), found in small populations within the bulk of normal proliferating cancer cells, in tumours.

Many scientists believe that CSCs are responsible for the development and spread of cancer and explain why the disease is resistant to many conventional treatments and able to re-establish itself after therapy. Many researchers believe the selective targeting of these cells offers revolutionary advances in the treatment of cancer, by attacking the disease at its source. The unique identity of CSCs and their proposed causal role in the development and progression of cancer potentially make these cells an ideal target for the detection of the disease. A number of CSC-targeting candidate drugs are now in early research, 2 of which have entered Phase I clinical trials.

Key findings of the report
•Research on CSCs is revealing a unified picture on the involvement of these cells in the development and progression of cancer and this has accelerated discovery programmes to selectively target these cells, alongside normal proliferating cancer cells
•The targeting of CSCs is believed to offer revolutionary advances in cancer therapy and diagnosis
•The CSC field is seeing substantial development, investment and new company formation, as specialised groups advance new discovery programmes
•The targeting of CSCs presents several unique challenges, however a number of strategies have been proposed and are being explored.
•It is believed that diagnostic methods based on the detection of CSC's will have the potential to address key limitations of current methods
•The first CSC-targeting drug candidates have entered clinical development

This report provides a comprehensive overview of research on CSCs and the impact this is having on the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies to target cancer. More than 50 academic research teams from 13 different countries have been reviewed, together with leading discoveries in this field. This is driving new research programmes and commercial developments. This report has identified and profiled 17 companies or commercially-focused groups, which now are targeting CSCs, to develop new therapies and diagnostics. The emerging picture on CSCs is creating significant excitement and interest in the cancer field and researchers have proposed a number of drug discovery strategies, which are also reviewed. Many scientists believe that the targeting of CSC's offers important and revolutionary advances in the targeting of cancer. This report gives the reader a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of developments in this exciting field.

Cancer Stem Cells - Emerging Therapeutic, Diagnostic and Market Opportunities" is available in pdf format from Piribo. For more information, go to: http://www.piribo.com/publications/diseases_conditions/cancer/cancer_stem_cells.html

Piribo product ID: VEN001

About Piribo:
Piribo (http:www.piribo.com) is a UK-based independent online store supplying business information on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The website now carries over 6,000 English language titles including, market reports, studies and books and is the UK's largest online biopharma information store. Subscribers receive a free monthly newsletter and email alerts on new titles in their areas of interest. The company was established in 2004.

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Press Contact: BRENDT SHEEN
Company Name: PIRIBO LTD
Phone: 0207 060 7474
Website: http://www.piribo.com/publications/diseases_conditions/cancer/cancer_stem_cells.html

New Treatment Discovered: Placebos

Skeptics Left Doubting Their Own Skepticism

On June 14th, 2007 at Simon Fraser University, B.C. Skeptics Colloquium sponsored a lecture by Arthur Grollman, M.D., Professor of Pharmacological Sciences at the University of New York Stony Brook. Barry Beyerstein, PhD, a professor of Psychology at S.F.U. and head of the B.C. Skeptics Society, hosted the event entitled "The Pharmacology of Herbal Remedies and the Placebo Effect".

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) June 20, 2007 -- On June 14th ,2007 at Simon Fraser University, B.C. Skeptics Colloquium sponsored a lecture by Arthur Grollman, M.D., Professor of Pharmacological Sciences at the University of New York Stony Brook. Barry Beyerstein, PhD, a professor of Psychology at S.F.U. and head of the B.C. Skeptics Society, hosted the event entitled "The Pharmacology of Herbal Remedies and the Placebo Effect".

With an audience of about 25 people, mostly students, Grollman presented a lecture and then fielded questions from the audience. He addressed science's growing awareness and validation of the tight mind/body connection, which he referred to as the placebo effect, the most powerful factor in pharmacology, at 30% efficacy. "Placebo is the most interesting and understudied factor," admitted Grollman. When asked specifically how placebo relates to prescription drug trials, he confessed that in prescription drug trials, with placebo being a known 30%, a drug is called "effective" if it demonstrates 31% efficacy. That fact in itself was amazing and made attending this event worth the price of admission: it was free, or at least sponsored by our taxes toward funding Universities in their quest for greater knowledge.

Dr. Grollman then tackled the idea that herbs can interfere with prescription drugs. When asked about prescription drug interactions with other prescription drugs he admitted that this is a concern, but physicians have a manual of drug interactions to handle this possibility. One click on the internet reveals the fact that this manual is not and couldn't possibly be inclusive of every possibility.

Pharmaceutical drug interactions are of particular concern with regard to our increasing population of senior citizens. According to Consumer Reports on Health, "Any new health problem in an older person should be considered drug induced until proven otherwise." Many seniors take several prescription drugs daily and are often given new prescription drugs without thoroughly assessing their other medications. Dangerous interactions and side affects -- some with disastrous consequences -- can result. It is conservatively estimated that 25% of hospital admissions of seniors result from medication problems, including prescription drugs interactions. Grollman failed to address this at all, preferring to comfort himself with the existence of a partial manual in the hands of physicians.

When asked about the efficacy of vitamin D as a cancer preventative supplement, Dr. Grollman voiced his disapproval of it. He was spared further embarrassment as he was stopped mid-sentence by Dr. Beyerstein and others in the group of skeptics. Grollman was quickly informed by the hosts of the event that there was an article published which highlighted significant research proving that vitamin D is the most effective supplement in cancer prevention. The research showed a dramatic 60 percent or greater reduction in cancer risk than those who did not get vitamin D. In fact, the Canadian Cancer Society now recommends that all Canadians take this inexpensive and harmless vitamin on a daily basis.

According to their own website; "The Canadian Cancer Society is recommending a specific amount of Vitamin D supplementation for Canadians to consider taking. This first-time recommendation is based on the growing body of evidence about the link between Vitamin D and reducing risk for colorectal, breast and prostate cancers.

"The evidence is still growing in this area, but we want to give guidance to Canadians about this emerging area of cancer prevention based on what we know now," says Heather Logan, Director, Cancer Control Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. "As we find out more we will update our recommendation."

A red-faced Grollman grumbled that the study must have been a small and insignificant one, suggesting that Canada could not afford to do a large study. With all due respect to Dr. Grollman, the research cited was a large randomized study of 1,179 women over a five-year period conducted at Creighton University School of Medicine in Nebraska. As noted on the Canadian Cancer Society's website: "Research findings announced today (June 8th ,2007) add to the mounting evidence in this area. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that taking Vitamin D supplements and calcium substantially reduces all cancer risk".

This event was presented by university professors to impressionable students who might be inclined to agree with their views. Grollman stated in his presentation, "I give this lecture to fourth year medical students.' Now that's unfortunate indeed. An entire graduating class of medical doctors feeling pressure to agree with this skewed view of reality should be a call to action for anyone possessing rational thought.

Close-minded skeptics are not reliable leaders of change as they are adverse to modifying their thought patterns. It is beyond shameful that our universities, which should be at the cutting edge of progressive thought, are supporting and endorsing such a biased approach to knowledge and research. Students, intent on their objective of good grades, are faced with the choice of endorsing this dominant opinion or opting out of the system. SFU is one of thousands of institutes of higher learning and skeptics are abound in many, including the university's research centers. Society's authorities, such as universities and medical centers with the biggest investment in traditional thinking on science and medicine, can actually sabotage open-minded science when reacting from a position of perceived threat, as any approach which may jeopardize potential research grants is viewed as threatening.

If Grollman were to broaden his perspective, given his knowledge base in pharmacology, he could help so many people by focusing on prescription drug interactions, a significant problem in morbidity and mortality rates. A university's mandate is to enlighten the medical doctors of the future by updating them about valid research, such as the vitamin D study, rather presenting biased beliefs seemingly based on conflicts of interest and ego considerations. Future doctors are of interest to everyone, and confidence in them is essential to the integrative medical system of our future.

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Press Contact: JOHN MASON
Company Name:
Phone: 604-728-7948
Website:

Mesothelioma Deaths Increase

Increase In Mesothelioma Deaths

10th, May 2007 - New statistics unveiled by the Health and Safety Executive show an increase in the number of people who have died from mesothelioma. The figures released this week show more than 2,000 North East people died from the disease from 1985 to 2004. The figure is increased from 1701 deaths from 1981 to 2000.

Additionally the statistics from the Mesothelioma Register show more women than ever are affected by the disease, with 251 deaths during the period compared to 216.

Ian McFall, head of asbestos policy at Thompsons Solicitors, said: "These figures once again highlight the devastation asbestos has inflicted on people in the North East. Many of those affected worked in shipyards, factories or building sites and were given no protection or warning about the risks of asbestos exposure despite their employers being fully aware of the dangers.

"Although shocking, these figures come as no surprise given the widespread use of asbestos in the past. Sadly, the number of people who will die from this disease will continue to rise until 2020."

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The drugs the NHS won't give you

Last Updated: 12/05/2007

Suninitib (Sutent) For kidney cancer. Licensed, but the Department of Health has yet to refer it to Nice for a recommendation. John Quance, 57 The former fireman was told he could not have the drug Sutent because the NHS would not pay for it. Mr Quance, who has been diagnosed with kidney cancer, cashed in his pension and remortgaged his house to pay for it privately, but fears that he may have to sell his home unless the NHS steps in. Cornwall Primary Care Trust said it was not prepared to pay the £22,000-a-year cost of the drug until it was approved by Nice. Mr Quance said: "I have worked all my life, I have been in the forces, the prison service and the fire service for 30-odd years and I feel a little bit abandoned. "The staff and the hospital have been excellent but it is a little disappointing not to get funding when it has been proved [the drug] is working." Bevacizumab (Avastin) For bowel cancer. Licensed for colon cancer in January 2005, but turned down on the grounds of cost-effectiveness in January. Victoria Otley, 56 Miss Otley was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the end of 2005. She had complained of being in pain but doctors told her that it was nothing to worry about. By the time her cancer was diagnosed it had spread. She took other drugs and later asked about getting Avastin after her sister read about it on the internet. Yesterday, Miss Otley, a former hairdresser from Dagenham, said: "I asked my consultant but he said it wasn't available on the NHS." She and her sister paid £15,000 for a course of Avastin and the cancer shrunk, however they cannot afford to pay for any more. "You work all your life and pay your taxes and this is what you get. I think it's disgusting." Cetuximab (Erbitux) For bowel cancer. Licensed in June 2004 and turned down by Nice in January this year. Ian MacDonald The former bridge inspector's doctor told him that he would have liked to have prescribed Erbitux, but that he could not because it was not available on the NHS. Mr Macdonald has tried various drugs and radiotherapy since being diagnosed with bowel cancer in the year 2000. His wife Catherine, who has given up work to care for him full-time, said yesterday: "My husband has worked all his life in this country and never had a day off sick and yet he is refused a drug that might stabilise or shrink his tumour. "I can't understand why it is not available here but it is in other countries. It's awful." Erlotinib (Tarceva) For non-small cell lung cancer. Licensed in Sept 2005, approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium in June last year and rejected by Nice in March on the grounds that it was not clinically or cost effective. Manufacturers Roche are appealing against the decision. Susan Allen, 43 She was told she had ten months to live after being diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2005. A non-smoker, whose hobbies include cycling and running, the mother-of-one underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy and was prescribed Tarceva by her oncologist in October last year. She had to pay for the daily pills herself initially, at a cost of £70 per day, until her local health authority eventually changed its mind. She said: "Denying the drug is condemning patients to death." (Bortezomib) Velcade For bone marrow cancer patients who have had at least one earlier therapy or are unsuitable for a bone marrow transplant. Nice has agreed to review its rejection of the drug in March. Patients in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been able to get it since last year. George King, 57 Mr King, who is terminally ill with bone marrow cancer was forced to consider moving to Scotland to get access to Velcade in an attempt to prolong his life. Mr King, an electrical engineer from Teesside, said earlier this year: "People with terminal illnesses shouldn't have to fight for treatment. It's so frustrating. This drug is available not only in Europe, but just a few miles north of where I live. I don't have any option but to move away from my family, friends and the people who have helped me through the cancer until now." Pemetrexed (Alimta) For mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, and small-cell lung cancer. Patient groups are waiting for the results of an appeal against Nice's rejection of the treatment in February for lung cancer. A decision on funding for mesothelioma is expected in September. Bernard Hoyland The retired mechanical fitter spent the last years of his life fighting to make Alimta available for patients in his area. After he was diagnosed with mesothelioma he was told his primary care trust would not pay for him to receive Alimta because it was too expensive. He launched a legal attempt for compensation against his former employers, began travelling to London every three weeks to receive cancer treatment and joined a campaign to force NHS bosses in Teesside to fund Alimta. Six months after funding was agreed, Nice ruled that it was too costly. Mr Hoyland, who called the decision "simply unacceptable", died last November. His son Paul said: "He ended up having to travel to central London after finding he could get the chemotherapy down there. He was a victim of the postcode lottery."

Last Will and Testament To Secure Your Family's Future

Secure Your Family's Future with a Last Will and Testament

LawDepot.com's newly revised Last Will and Testament form helps Americans plan for the future.

Desert Hot Springs (PRWEB) June 6, 2007 -- It is reported that up to 70% of Americans do not have a will. Though a majority of Americans don't have a will, few would argue the importance of having such a document. While there are a number of reasons why most Americans don't have a will--including the obvious discomfort of thinking about one's own death--the fact that creating a will is an expensive and time consuming process is a strong factor. LawDepot.com's newly revised Last Will and Testament form makes drafting a will quick and inexpensive.

People simply do not want to spend long hours in a lawyer's office drafting a will. Hiring a lawyer is expensive. On top of that, many Americans already report feeling pressed for time, so finding the time to draft a will may be difficult. LawDepot.com's Last Will and Testament form allows users to quickly and easily draft their will from any computer with internet-access

LawDepot.com's Last Will and Testament form uses a simple, step-by-step process to create a complex legal document in a short period of time. By filling out a questionnaire, users are able to determine how their estate will be divided. The user is able to identify any specific gifts that he or she would like to grant, and specify who will receive the residue of the estate.

While a will is typically used to determine how a person's money and property will be distributed after her death, it can also be used to appoint a guardian for any minor children the person may have. This is a feature that many people don't think of when they draft a last will and testament; but for parents of minor children, stating who will take care of their children in the event of their death may be the most important decision they make.

Few Americans would argue the importance of having a will to ensure their families continued security in the event of their death. LawDepot.com's Last Will and Testament form allows those without a will to make sure their estate is divided according to their wishes, while avoiding a long and costly visit with a lawyer.

For more information about the news that is the subject of this release (or for a sample, copy or demo), contact David Pettitt or visit http://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/last-will-and-testament/.

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Press Contact: DAVID PETTITT
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Another Mesothelioma Resource Website Launches

Mesothelioma Resource Website Launch

The attorneys at Williams Kherkher discuss recent Asbestos issues in Baltimore and launch resource web site.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) June 15, 2007 -- In reaction to the ever-growing body of news regarding asbestos exposure and the effects it can have on those who come into contact with this harmful substance, the law firm of Williams Kherkher of Houston, Texas has launched a Mesothelioma Legal Resource website, http://www.mesolawsuit.com/. This Web site is intended to be a resource for those who have come into contact with asbestos or been diagnosed with any of the medical conditions linked to asbestos exposure. Williams Bailey is led by Attorneys John Eddy Williams and Steve Kherkerk, and has 26 attorneys and over 120 support staff and has worked in the area of asbestos-related litigation since 1983.

Asbestos is a substance that was used commonly during the 20th Century in buildings and structures, as it was seen as a useful insulation material given its flame-retardant qualities. However, studies began to show that exposure to asbestos lead to serious medical consequences, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and several forms of cancer.

Traditionally, most patients suffering from asbestos-related diseases were adults, but recent news has shown that children could also be at risk. In a news article published on June 7, 2007 in the Baltimore Sun, it was reported that Violetville Elementary School was shut down after it was discovered that the floor tiles in the 3300 square-foot recreation center near the cafeteria contained asbestos.

The area was closed off and will remain so until the tiles are replaced. Even though officials claimed that these tiles did not pose an immediate health risk, the city of Baltimore has made replacing the tiles a priority.

Although most involved with this situation claim that there is no immediate danger as a result of the exposure, several studies and resources prove that the opposite is potentially true. Many cases of mesothelioma, asbestosis and cancer of the respiratory system can take years and even decades to fully appear inside a patient's body, and any exposure to this substance creates a potential risk, even in children. Bonnie Vogel, a local mother with four children who attend the school, is rightfully concerned.

"I don't really trust her going back in there," she said. "I'm a little leery sending her to school now because of all the problems they've been having."

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Press Contact: Joe Devine
Company Name: Williams Kherkher
Phone: 5125734183
Website: www.mesolawsuit.com