Asbestos, Environmental Toxins Responsible For Growing Number Of Lung Cancer Cases
DALLAS (November 1, 2011) – Baron and Budd is working to raise awareness about lung cancer, a disease that is all too misunderstood and underfunded, during Lung Cancer Awareness Month. As a law firm that helps lung cancer and mesothelioma patients, Baron and Budd understands the importance of increased awareness about these cancers and, more specifically, the need for education. Though lung cancer has been labeled as the “smoking cancer,” research points to a growing number of lung cancer diagnoses in nonsmokers from exposure to environmental toxins such as asbestos.
Baron and Budd is encouraging individuals to participate in the Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Vigil, hosted by the Lung Cancer Alliance. Vigils will take place across the country Nov. 1 to honor loved ones who have suffered from lung cancer and help raise awareness.
In the United States alone, nearly 200 women die of lung cancer every day. But despite the long-standing beliefs that lung cancer is only caused by smoking, more than 70 percent of new lung cancer diagnoses occur in nonsmokers. According to a new study, people who have never smoked, but live in areas with elevated air pollution levels, are approximately 20 percent more likely to die from lung cancer than people who live in areas with cleaner air. Asbestos is one of the air pollutants often associated with lung cancer.
Despite the well-documented health risks of asbestos, the material is not banned in the U.S. and, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, hundreds of metric tons of asbestos are still imported into the U.S. today.
“Lung cancer has developed a stigma as the “smoking cancer,” as if people diagnosed with the cancer knowingly chose to put themselves at risk,” said Russell Budd, president and managing shareholder at Baron and Budd. “But approximately one in 10 people who are diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked, and that number of nonsmoker cases is growing.”
Baron and Budd is dedicated to battling cancers that are related to environmental exposure. The firm has donated to the Lung Cancer Alliance and has sponsored the print and digital distribution of CURE media group’s Understanding Mesothelioma. Russell Budd, the firm’s president and managing shareholder, also serves on the Foundation Board of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), the philanthropic arm of NCCN, and the firm has sponsored the NCCN Patient Guidelines for Mesothelioma.
About Baron & Budd, P.C.
The national mesothelioma law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has a more than 30-year history of “Protecting What’s Right” for asbestos sufferers and their families. As one of the first law firms to successfully litigate an asbestos lawsuit, Baron & Budd continues to actively represent veterans, industry workers and others who are suffering as a result of exposure to asbestos. Baron & Budd achieved the largest mesothelioma verdict ever in the state of Texas, a $55 million verdict for an asbestos sufferer and his family in El Paso, Texas. Contact Baron and Budd at 1.866.855.1229 for additional information on medical treatments, mesothelioma cancer doctors and treatment centers, high risk jobs, mesothelioma attorneys and financial assistance for asbestos cancer care.
For the sixth year in a row, Senator Baucus of Montana proposed legislation designating the first week of April as National Asbestos Awareness Week. Baucus continues to introduce the resolution to honor the nearly 300 people who died in Libby, Montana from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Libby, Montana is the site of the W.R. Grace mine and mill that shut down in 1990 and is blamed for widespread contamination from asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a known carcinogen and is proven to cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, a serious cancer caused by breathing in the asbestos fibers that then become lodged in the thin membrane that lines and encases the lungs. Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many cancer treatments.
Senate resolution 389 urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about the public health hazard of asbestos exposure. The resolution cites the facts that asbestos is a known cause of occupational cancer; thousands of workers in the U.S. face significant asbestos exposure; and a significant percentage of all asbestos-related disease victims were exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards.
“Although we can never fully right the outrageous wrong that took place in Libby, we can fight to make sure the community has the tools it needs to heal. And, we can keep working hard to make sure the public is aware of the tragic impact of asbestos exposure,” said Baucus in a press release announcing the passage of the resolution.
Baucus was instrumental in urging the EPA to declare its first ever public health emergency in Libby, Montana. The declaration requires the federal government to offer screenings and health care for Libby residents as well as authorizing cleanup work in homes and other structures.
The resolution points out that the expected survival of people diagnosed with mesothelioma varies from 6 to 24 months. Most often diagnoses are not made until symptoms appear and the disease has progressed to an advanced stage leaving the patient with life-threatening complications. Early detection of asbestos-related disease may give some patients additional treatment options.
About 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States.
It’s a pleasant surprise to see politicians working to increase awareness of the national tragedy we know as asbestos.
Earlier this week, U.S. Sen. Max Baucus of Montana and other senators introduced a resolution declaring the first week of April as “National Asbestos Awareness Week.” The resolution was passed unanimously the same day. This is the eighth time that our lawmakers have passed the “National Asbestos Awareness Week” resolution since 2005.
Such a resolution will help shine a light on the dangers of asbestos exposure and the diseases the material causes, such as mesothelioma.
Baucus has been a key voice in asbestos awareness throughout the years. For Baucus, it’s an issue that hits close to home. Baucus has helped provide support for the people who live near Libby, Mont., where the effects of asbestos exposure have nearly wiped out the small town.
In the 1880s, a vast vermiculite mine was discovered near the town, and many companies, including W.R. Grace, set up facilities to mine the material. It was later discovered that the vermiculite was laced with toxic asbestos.
Despite the warnings, the mining continued and today many of the town’s 2,600 residents have died from asbestos diseases, including mesothelioma. Some of those afflicted with terrible asbestos diseases didn’t even work with asbestos, but were exposed by living near the mine.
Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling or ingesting airborne asbestos particles. Between approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with the cancer each year in the United States. There is no known cure.
Asbestos is also known to cause other types of cancers, including certain types of lung cancer.
The fact that our politicians have recognized that asbestos isn’t just a Libby, Mont., problem, but a national one is a step in the right direction. Asbestos hurts everybody from homebuilders to housewives, to construction workers and pipefitters. Asbestos is still used in pipes and some building products, primarily roofing materials, in the United States. And according to the 2008-2009 Annual Report from the President’s Cancer Panel, construction workers are 11 times more likely to develop mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure at the site.
The United States is one of the few developed countries that has not banned asbestos.
Studies estimate that 107,000 workers around the world die every year of an asbestos disease, according to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO).
Baron and Budd is Proud to be a 2012 Platinum Sponsor of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
DALLAS (February 9, 2012) –The mesothelioma law firm of Baron and Budd is proud to be a 2012 platinum sponsor of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization’s Eighth Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference. The conference will be March 30-April 1 in Los Angeles. Titled “Asbestos: An International Public Health Crisis,” the conference brings together medical specialists and asbestos victims to raise public awareness about the health issues of asbestos, build community and advocate for a worldwide ban on asbestos use.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Baron and Budd will be supporting us as a 2012 platinum sponsor for our Eighth Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference,” said Linda Reinstein, mesothelioma widow and president/CEO of ADAO. “Thanks to the firm’s generous contribution, ADAO can continue its mission to provide support for asbestos victims, advocate for change and raise public awareness about the health issues of asbestos exposure. ADAO is truly grateful for Baron and Budd’s continued efforts to educate and help people who have mesothelioma or other asbestos cancers."
Topics discussed at the conference will include the global asbestos health crisis, advancements in diagnosing and treating asbestos diseases, patient resources, and preventing asbestos exposure. Keynote speakers will be Matt Peacock, an award-winning reporter with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and Barbara McQueen, wife of the late Steve McQueen. ADAO will honor Steve McQueen with the Warren Zevon “Keep Me in Your Heart” Memorial Tribute. McQueen passed from mesothelioma in 1980 at the age of 50.
“As a firm that works with mesothelioma patients every day, we know how important ADAO’s work is,” said Russell Budd, president and managing shareholder. “Not only does ADAO President/CEO Linda Reinstein work closely with individuals who are dealing with mesothelioma today, she also works to ensure the safety of future generations by raising the awareness of the need for a global asbestos ban. Providing financial support for her organization is the least we can do. We are honored to sponsor ADAO again in 2012.”
Founded in 2004, ADAO is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to giving victims of asbestos exposure a voice, raising public awareness of asbestos, preventing exposure through education and advocating for a global asbestos ban. The organization is headed by Linda Reinstein, a mesothelioma widow, who works tirelessly to support mesothelioma patients and families.
Baron and Budd was one of the first law firms in the country to file a mesothelioma lawsuit and has represented victims of asbestos exposure for over 30 years. In addition to its support for ADAO, the firm has also sponsored two books on mesothelioma for patients: Understanding Mesothelioma by CURE media group and the NCCN Patient Guidelines for Mesothelioma. Firm president and managing shareholder Russell Budd also serves on the NCCN Foundation Board.
For more information about mesothelioma, visit Baron and Budd’s dedicated mesothelioma website http://www.mesotheliomanews.com or call 1.866.855.1229.
About Baron & Budd, P.C.
The national mesothelioma law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has a more than 30-year history of “Protecting What’s Right” for asbestos sufferers and their families. As one of the first law firms to successfully litigate an asbestos lawsuit, Baron & Budd continues to actively represent veterans, industry workers and others who are suffering as a result of exposure to asbestos. Baron & Budd achieved the largest mesothelioma verdict ever in the state of Texas, a $55 million verdict for an asbestos sufferer and his family in El Paso, Texas. Contact Baron and Budd at 1.866.855.1229 for additional information on mesothelioma treatments, mesothelioma cancer doctors and treatment centers and mesothelioma attorneys.