The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation's ninth annual Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma is scheduled for July 12-13, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The two-day conference is for the entire mesothelioma community, including patients, their families, caregivers and advocates. The conference offers an opportunity for attendees to hear from some of the country's leading mesothelioma experts regarding the future of mesothelioma treatments.
This year, according to the Meso Foundation, the symposium will focus on helping patients and their families get answers to their questions. The Meso Foundation has "invited over a dozen prominent mesothelioma specialists, scientists, and medical and mental-health professionals to help you get the correct answers."
In addition, the Symposium is offering virtual sessions allowing those that cannot attend the on-site symposium to watch sessions live via the internet and to ask questions online.
Following are some of the sessions listed on the agenda:
- Demystifying Scientific Breakthroughs: Scientists' discussion of current and future trends in mesothelioma research based upon the latest and most influential science, Raja Flores, MD, Stephen Hahn, MD, Raffit Hassan, MD, Robert Kratzke, MD, Harvey Pass, MD, Daniel Sterman, MD, David Sugarbaker, MD, Robert Taub, MD, PhD
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, Mary Hesdorffer, NP and Julie Gundlach
- How Do I Cope?: A toolkit for dealing with stress. A practical guide to managing stress when dealing with a cancer diagnosis, treatment and a loss, Angie Lloyd, MSW
See the Meso Foundation's website for more information and to and register for the conference.
The Meso Foundation is one of the leading foundations "dedicated to eradicating the life-ending and vicious effects of mesothelioma." The Meso Foundation's activities include funding mesothelioma research, providing education and support for patients and their families, and advocating for federal funding of mesothelioma research.
Mesothelioma is a rare, incurable form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers that is diagnosed in close to 3,000 Americans each year. Although mesothelioma can be treated with varying degrees of success with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, there is still no known cure for the disease. The prognosis for mesothelioma patients is usually grim with an average survival time varying from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.
