A new study by researchers at the University of Sheffield looks at the way mesothelioma can affect your emotional well-being. By ’emotions’ the researchers mean feelings like ‘loss, grief, anxiety and isolation’. They studied patient records over a 40 year period.
Why is mesothelioma different from other cancers?
Any cancer diagnosis can affect people in similar ways. What makes mesothelioma different is that it is relatively rare. It can be difficult to find other patients who are going through the same experiences and sharing the same mixture of emotions.
Mesothelioma can lie dormant for a very long time. In some patients it can also be put into remission by chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, when it progresses, it can do so faster than many other cancers. This leaves patients feeling under pressure to fit in time
- for medical appointments and treatment
- with their family and friends
- to seek advice about welfare benefits and to seek reliable legal advice
This is where asbestos support groups can help
Asbestos support groups were set up to overcome the feeling that patients used to have that they were ‘entirely alone’. They provide a comprehensive package of advice about welfare benefits and ‘lump sum’ compensation. They can help you to apply for these. And they can point you to a panel of reliable legal firms who will help you get redress through the courts where that is appropriate.
We’re here for you
If you’re a mesothelioma patient or carer, and this article has raised concerns for you, don’t hesitate to call our helpline or send us an email. We look after people in Central England, but there are other support groups dotted around the country. You can find them here.
For more information about the reseach, go to this link.