| Preface |
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| Part 1: The Basics |
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1 | (8) |
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Questions 1-7 address fundamental questions about mesothelioma, including the following: |
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What is mesothelioma, and where does it come from? |
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What are the risk factors, or who gets mesothelioma? |
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Can mesothelioma be prevented? |
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| Part 2: Diagnosis |
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9 | (18) |
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Questions 8-19 explain the methods used to detect and identify mesothelioma and the healthcare professionals involved in your diagnosis: |
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What are the symptoms of mesothelioma and how is it diagnosed? |
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Who should I see to advise me about treatment? |
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Should I get a second opinion? |
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| Part 3: Coping |
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27 | (6) |
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Questions 20-23 provide practical advice for dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial issues raised by a diagnosis of mesothelioma: |
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How can I cope, regroup, and start battling? |
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What should my family know about mesothelioma in order to assist me? |
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What about financial concerns and medical records? |
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| Part 4: The Politics of Mesothelioma |
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33 | (8) |
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Questions 24-32 discuss legal dimensions of the disease: |
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Why all the uproar about this disease and what are the legal implications of having mesothelioma? |
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How do I learn more about my rights? |
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Do I need to have a will? |
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| Part 5: Treatment |
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41 | (34) |
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Questions 33-61 provide an extensive description of therapy currently employed to treat mesothelioma: |
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What is the importance of staging? |
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How are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy used for mesothelioma? |
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What is supportive care in mesothelioma? |
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| Part 6: Decision Making |
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75 | (12) |
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Questions 62-71 try to help guide you toward the best decisions for your circumstance: |
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What is standard therapy? |
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What are clinical trials? |
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What are the new, experimental therapies for mesothelioma? |
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| Part 7: Side Effects of Therapy |
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87 | (20) |
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Questions 72-86 advise what to expect with regard to treatment side effects and what to do about them: |
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What can I do about depression, nausea, pain, constipation, and other side effects of therapy? |
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How should I change my diet following a mesothelioma diagnosis? |
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What are the benefits of exercise and other activities? |
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| Part 8: Recurrence of the Disease |
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107 | (6) |
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Questions 87-89 offer strategies for facing recurrence: |
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What happens if my disease recurs? |
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How is recurrence treated? |
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| Part 9: Sue Vento's Insights for Care Providers |
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113 | (6) |
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Questions 90-97, written by the wife of a mesothelioma patient, provide an "insider's" perspective on coping as a caregiver: |
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Where do I turn for support in dealing with my own stress and anxiety? |
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How do I balance all of the responsibilities? |
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What specific things can family and friends do to assist? |
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| Part 10: The Unspeakable Which Must Be Spoken |
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119 | (6) |
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Questions 98-100 address end of life care: |
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How do I decide when it is time to stop treatment? |
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| Appendix |
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125 | (4) |
| Glossary |
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129 | (10) |
| Index |
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139 | |
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