Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is often associated with exposure to asbestos, often in a work environment. The disease is often associated with blue collar workers, but there have been some very notable deaths from the disease in the last 50 years.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, which is where it gets its name. The mesothelium is a lining found in the abdomen and chest cavity. It acts as protection for organs such as the heart and lungs, while also providing a friction control surface so that organs may move against each other without causing damage.
The number of people that have lost their life to Mesothelioma are many, but not a lot of them are famous. The disease is associated with asbestos exposure. This tends to occur in industrial areas such as power plants, oil refineries, paper mills, and shipyards. While commendable, most people working in these professions do not move on to fame and fortune. Still, a few names are extremely notable.
Steve McQueen was considered the man's man. An actor and lover of racing, he was diagnosed in 1979 with Mesothelioma. His physicians felt the disease was so far along that treatment was impossible. McQueen refused to accept this and moved to Mexico to undergo experimental treatments. While there, he died of a heart attack on November 8, 1970 following one of his surgical treatments for the cancer.
Musician Warren Zevon was diagnosed with inoperable Mesothelioma in 2002. He spent the remaining year of his life recording his final album. Titled "The Wind", it is a haunting rendition of his condition and experience. He passed away in Los Angeles on September 7, 2003.
The simple fact is every life is notable whether they are famous or not. Thousands have lost their lives to the effects of asbestos exposure and subsequent diagnoses of Mesothelioma. This doesn't even count those that "merely" developed lung cancer and the debilitating asbestosis instead.
iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software
