Support for Mesothelioma Patients and Caregivers

Mesothelioma affects the entire family–not only the patient, but his or her loved ones, too. We hope that the information and resources provided in these pages help you and your family cope with this disease. We hope that the information and resources provided here are helpful to the entire family.

For the Patient

This section is dedicated to support for mesothelioma patients. It focuses on two immediate needs: educating yourself and finding support.

You can find helpful information about how to effectively communicate with your doctor, and finding and using other sources of information. You will find suggested questions to ask your doctor and a list of legal documents you should consider preparing.

Learn more about online support groups and community-based support groups for people with mesothelioma. And if you need help with medical bills, you can learn about patient assistance.

For the Caregiver

This section is dedicated to the support of caregivers, those special people who provide basic care for the patient's daily needs and help them with the tasks of daily living. We provide a range of caregiving tips and ideas for finding the support you need for dealing with your role as a caregiver.

You can find suggestions for finding balance and perspective, for recognizing and preventing burnout, practical tips on how to cope and being a partner in care with the medical team treating your loved one. Learn about support groups and caregiver associations that provide information and support for caregivers. Find out more about taking care of your loved one's needs, especially during hospitalization and hospice care.

The following websites may provide you with helpful information about dealing with mesothelioma and living your life well.

American Lung Association
Programs and strategies for dealing with lung disease.

Mayo Clinic
Reliable information for a healthier life from Mayo Clinic

Medscape
Late-breaking medical news.

National Cancer Institute
Cancer.gov, the National Cancer Institute's Web site, provides accurate, up-to-date information on many types of cancer, information on clinical trials, resources for people dealing with cancer and information for researchers and health professionals.

Oncolink
Created by the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania. Provides information on various forms of cancer.