There is an ongoing debate about the beneficial properties of Marijuana and its effects on the user. However, still mainly considered an illegal substance in most countries, many citizens are beginning to question this prohibition and its effectiveness. It is overly common these days to hear of the continuous efforts put forth to aid the "war on drugs," be it on the news broadcast or the local newspapers. Yet the debate on the legalization of Marijuana has never really ended, but is often merely overlooked. (1)In the United States of America alone, more that 36 states have legalized Marijuana, when it is prescribed by a doctor to a patient affected with harmful side effects of cancer chemotherapy, glaucoma, AIDS and various incurable and debilitating illnesses. So what position shouldbe taken against this so-called "war on drugs"?

A drug is a drug. Whatever some might say about Marijuana, the truth is that it still is a type of drug, which affects both body and mind. Several side effects should be considered worrisome, especially for those who smoke it regularly. Some of the recognizable side effects of marijuana
include:

-Memory loss
-Distorted perception
-Trouble with thinking and problem solving
-Loss of motor skills
-Decrease in muscle strength
-Increased heart rate
-Anxiety

Nevertheless, some groups pushing the legalization of Marijuana promote its "beneficial" effects, referring to both medical and personal use. (2)Some common claims made are: Marijuana will create pacifism and reduce the stress level in our lives, legalizing it will decrease the crime rate
and eliminate the need of a black market, marijuana has medicinal values, and that no one ever died from smoking Marijuana. No one ever died from smoking Marijuana. Scientific studies have shown some shocking evidence of the serious health problems a regular Marijuana smoker may encounter: (3)"Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals, including most of the harmful substances found in tobacco smoke. Smoking one marijuana cigarette deposits about four times more tar into the lungs than a filtered tobacco cigarette." (3)"There are also many long-term health consequences of marijuana use. According to the National Institutes of Health, studies
show that someone who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every day."

Evidence that Marijuana seriously affects the well functioning of our bodies is simply piling. The argument of its medical "benefits" may come up once more for the terminally ill, yet marijuana still hasn't been proven to cure anything. Drugs don't cure! The most they can do is attenuate the symptoms of the illness. The body's immune system, notably the white blood cells, is responsible for fighting the disease. (3)Furthermore, it has been proven by a study conducted by a Columbia
University that a control group smoking a single marijuana cigarette every other day for a year had a white-blood-cell count that was 39 percent lower than normal, thus damaging the immune system and making the user far more susceptible to infection and sickness.

Right there, we can clearly realize how Marijuana is not a "harmless" drug. Its immediate effects may be appealing to many, but in the long run, the health problems and illnesses that will result from a regular use ofMarijuana outweigh the "appealing" ones.

The results from the increased media coverage and debates on Marijuana legalization have led today's youths and teenagers to believe that Marijuana is a safe and carefree drug to use. This is particularly alarming for a decrease in their vigilance and awareness of drugs may lead to greater problems. (3)In the U.S.A. alone, there is a significant increase in the number of teenagers seeking treatment for a Marijuana addiction. Marijuana reduces their ability to concentrate on their studies, and damages their memory, thus reducing their academic capabilities. The youth and teenagers seem to be fed the wrong type of information, and need to be informed on the "other side of the medal," specifically how their future projects and ambitions may be rapidly put toa stop due to their use of Marijuana during their prime years.

Overall, Marijuana isn't the most dangerous drug, but it still has no proven medical evidence of aiding in the cure of illnesses. Therefore, one can't say that it is beneficial, for it is wrong. One can't say that it is harmless, for it contains hundreds of cancer-related chemicals. One can't
claim that it will reduce the profits made by the black market, for we can't predict the effects legalization shall have. So, why is there still a debate on Marijuana? The evidence is crystal clear, the doctors aren't convinced of its medicinal properties, and most of all, it is a DRUG. The facts are simply mounting everyday: the consumption of Marijuana brings about more harm to one's health than any benefits it could ever provide. Drugs, particularly excessive use of Marijuana, have this unconditional power to continually diminish mental and physical abilities. Be above the influence, you can make an educated decision and refuse to consume any Marijuana or its by-products.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells around the heart, lungs or abdominal organs. The most common type of mesothelioma is the one which affects the pleura, the thin membrane between the lungs and the chest cavity. This type of the disease is known as Pleural Mesothelioma, and sufferers can experience symptoms which include: shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, persistentcoughing, chest pains, weight loss, and trouble swallowing.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is another form of this disease but is not as common as Pleural Mesothelioma. This type of the disease affects the peritoneum membrane of the abdomen. These tumors can also be found in the stomach and abdominal organs. Sufferers of Peritoneal Mesothelioma can experience symptoms which include: stomach pains and abdominal swelling,
nausea, loss if appetite, vomiting, bowel obstruction, and blood clotting abnormalities.

The third and the rarest type of mesothelioma is Pericardial Mesothelioma, which affects the tissue and cavity surrounding the heart. Patients of this type of the disease may experience symptoms such as shortness ofbreath, chest pains, persistent coughing and palpitations.

Malignant mesothelioma is a fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos. A form of cancer, this disease can affect the sac lining, the chest or the abdomen. An unusual aspect about this disease is that it does not manifest itself for years following the asbestos exposure – in fact, the average
manifestation time is 35-40 years later, and in some cases even 50 years later.

In previous years, asbestos was widely used in many places. Many people worked with this deadly material, unaware that several decades later it would be the death of them. Workers such as insulaters, plasterers, electricians, mechanics, bricklayers, carpenters, and other tradesmen were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis as it was contained in manyinsulation and construction materials.

However, it is not only those that were regularly exposed to asbestos that are at risk. There have been many cases of mesothelioma manifestation in people that were only exposed to asbestos for a short period of time. In fact, the disease has even been known to affect people who have had only minimal contact, such as wives that used to wash their husbands overalls
after they had worked with asbestos.

The long latency period attached to mesothelioma means that the symptoms of this disease can take many years to manifest, making both diagnosis and effective treatment very difficult. And even when the symptoms do become evident, which can take several decades, the symptoms are so generalised and non-specific that they could be put down to any number of more common
diseases. This makes it hard for even experienced doctors to make a quick and conclusive diagnosis with mesothelioma patients. The symptoms of this disease can often be confused with pneumonia during its early stages.

Some of the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (which is the most common form of the disease) are shortness of breath and chest pains. This may be accompanied by a persistent cough, and all of these symptoms stem from the build up of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. This type of the disease
starts in the chest cavity and can then spread to other parts of the body. Pleural mesothelioma sufferers may also begin to display severe breathing difficulty, weight loss and fever as well as trouble swallowing and even swelling of the face and neck. Some patients may also develop a rasping voice and start coughing up blood. However, there are other patients that may not show any significant symptoms at all.

The symptoms for patients who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma (a rarer form of the disease) are slightly different. This type of the disease starts in the abdomen and can spread form there. Patients of peritoneal mesothelioma can display abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting. They can also suffer breathing problems, and chest
pain in addition to these symptoms. These symptoms result from tumors that lean against the abdominal wall. Bowel obstruction, anemia, fever and problems with blood clotting may also affect peritoneal mesothelioma patients.

The rarest form of this disease is pericardial mesothelioma, which starts in the cavity surrounding the heart. With pericardial mesothelioma, the tumors grow in the tissues that surround the heart and can spread from there. Pericardial mesothelioma sufferers may experience chest pain,shortness of breath, persistent coughing and palpitations.

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that is becoming more and more common. Affecting the mesothelial cells that make up the mesothelium – the outer lining that protects the body’s major organs such as the heart, stomach and lungs – this form of cancer is a direct result of regular and
unprotected exposure to asbestos. The symptoms and the latency period of this disease mean that it is difficult to diagnose. Treatment for mesothelioma is still being investigated through clinical trials and research, but as a rule it responds poorly to the treatments that are currently used.

The people most at risk from being carriers of this cancer are those have worked with asbestos over the past thirty to fifty years. Because of this, the disease is most common in men between the ages of sixty and seventy as this is the group that commonly worked with asbestos during those years. Because of the lack of protection and regulations in those days, these workers were constantly exposed to the dust and fibres from the asbestos, which caused the cells of the mesothelium to become abnormal. However, because the disease takes decades to develop fully and manifest, many of them were oblivious to this until thirty to fifty years later. It is these
men who are now lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the unscrupulous companies that exposed them to the dangers of asbestos, even though they were aware that it could cause harm to the employees.

There are also other people at risk from the disease; namely those who have had regular contact with a person who has worked with asbestos. Because these workers regularly carried dust and fibres on their clothes, skin and in their hair, they fibres and dust could be ingested by family
members, who were then at risk of developing mesothelioma, respiratory problems or another asbestos related disease.

The organs most affected by mesothelioma are the lungs and the surrounding tissue. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the type affecting the lining of the lungs, is the most common variation of this cancer with symptoms which include breathing and swallowing difficulties, coughing, shortness of breath, fever and weight loss. The abdomen is another area affected by this cancer, and this variation is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is not as common as pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include nausea and vomiting, weight loss and loss of appetite, fever, bowel obstruction and pain or swelling of the
stomach area. The last variation of the cancer is pericardial mesothelioma, which is where the cancer affects the heart and the tissue surrounding it. This variation is a rare one, and symptoms can include palpitations, breathing difficulties, and persistent coughing.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are very common to a number of other diseases which are more well-known in society. Therefore, it is not unusual for the patient to be misdiagnosed when he or she goes in displaying any or all of these symptoms. People who have worked with asbestos should always let their doctor know this so that the doctor is more aware and more conscious
of the possibilities in the event that the symptoms do manifest. A speedy diagnosis is important to the effective treatment of mesothelioma, and without being aware of the facts your doctor may not be able to make the diagnosis as quickly as he would if he is aware of the situation.

Although there are treatments for mesothelioma, they do not have a high success rate particularly on patients in whom the cancer is in its later stages. The faster the mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated, the more chance of success, which is why it is important to get as fast a diagnosisas possible.

Current treatments for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy, palliative therapy and chemotherapy. The National Institute of Cancer along with a variety of other organizations and sponsors are currently conducting research into mesothelioma and carrying out clinical trials to
try and find a treatment that will not only be more effective but will enable the successful treatment of the disease even in its later stages.

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases known to man; the average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 24 months. It’s a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year; hard working people who have
labored for a lifetime to provide for their families, doing the work that keeps this country running and a great place to live. They worked in factories, at shipyards, in mines, for the US military, as engineers, as pipefitters, as steel workers, as auto mechanics, and in so many other
professions. They came home to their loved ones exhausted and covered in dirt and dust; tired, but content that they had a job and were providing for their family. Content that they were putting food on the table and a house over their loved one’s heads. Content that they were working to make a better life for their families in this generation and the next...

But what they didn’t know was that while they were working so hard, they were not only slowly killing themselves, but those that they were workingso hard to help; their family, their loved ones.

Mesothelioma is a disease that is almost 100% preventable; the only known cause is via exposure to the deadly mineral Asbestos. It comes from inhaling the particles of dust as the asbestos degrades; eating away at the lining of your lungs and developing into a deadly cancer. Dust that was inhaled in clouds of white powder, dust that was carried home on the clothes of the men who built this country, dust that was cleaned from the clothes by the wives and children who supported their sole provider at home, dust that was packed around the heating systems in houses and offices and schools, dust that carried a deadly price; and dust made a
fortune in blood money for the companies that produced it.

Unfortunately, the effects of asbestos on the human body were known to be deadly for years by the companies who employed the ‘greatest generation’ and made hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars off of their backs. But instead of taking simple steps to alleviate the problem and save the lives of thousands of their workers, they choose to do nothing and continue to make a “healthy” profit with a “deadly” product. Many even went so far as to hide the truth from their workers and their families. And because the normal latency period for Mesothelioma (The time from exposure until the patient falls ill) is 20 to 30 years, many got away with this for years. We are only now beginning to see the full effects of the disease, and feel the terrible outcry of the people against those whoput profits before human lives to a degree that is simply unfathomable.

MesoLink.org is a site created to provide you with up to date information on the deadly disease Mesothelioma. We strive to provide the most complete overview of the disease and all aspects of it. This includes general information on the disease, breaking news on the search for a cure and
perspective legislation designed to limit you as well as all other news on the subject, links to other sites and online resources that can provide important and in-depth Mesothelioma and cancer related information, and a legal guide to help you with the complex legal issues involved with Mesothelioma.

Alfacell Provides Update on the ONCONASE Phase IIIb Registration Trial Alfacell Corporation today provided an update on the status of the ongoing confirmatory Phase IIIb registration trial evaluating ONCONASE , the Company's lead investigational drug candidate, as a treatment for
unresectable malignant mesothelioma :

Asbestos Treatment NHS Row
A DRUG that can help fight an asbestos-related cancer has been rejected for NHS use due to cost. Mesothelioma sufferers in England and Wales will not be prescribed the treatment that can extend lives by months. But it is available to sufferers in Scotland.

HOME PAGE
Timeline to deal The Mittal-Arcelor saga started earlier this year. Here's how the story unfolded.... January 27: Mr L.N. Mittal made an unsolicited $22.7-billion bid for Arcelor. But Arcelor rejected that bid on the pretext that the two companies did ...

Pesticides Exposure Associated With Parkinson's Disease A large-scale, prospective study has shown links between chronic, low-doseexposure to pesticides and Parkinson's disease.

Professor from Loyola joins isle cancer center Dr. Michele Carbone, lead investigator for two National Cancer Institute grants totaling $3.5 million, has joined the Cancer Research Center of
Hawaii.

Men aren’t the only ones making health blunders. Women run to the doctor all the time. Nonetheless, experts say women have a tendency to take care of the rest of the family before taking care of themselves. Women- you are really good at caring for others, but you are not often the bestjudge of your own health.

Maybe you can relate to these common health mistakes made by women:

* Crossing legs at the knee. This can restrict blood flow and cause varicose veins. Better to sit with your feet flat on the ground.
* Skipping breakfast. You need this to function and so you don’t pig out at lunch.
* Wearing perfume in the sun. This can set up a chemical reaction leading to a rash.
* Not self-examining breasts. A trip to the gynecologist once a year is crucial.
* Not getting routine blood tests. Important to check for diabetes. Thyroid test and cholesterol screening should also be part of a routine blood exam.
* Thinking you can't get pregnant after age 40. Even in menopause you can.
* Using too many feminine sprays. Chronic odor can be a sign of thyroid problems, type 2 diabetes, or a shortage of estrogen.
* Not recognizing a heart attack when they feel it. Symptoms can be draining fatigue and sleepiness, even heartburn or indigestion.
* Smoking. Causes heart disease, cancer, not to mention wrinkles.

Women do a lot of thing to look younger and thinner on the outside, but what about doing what makes your health better on the inside? Looking good in your casket won’t help you much! Both men and women need to eat better, exercise regularly, and not be afraid to get timely health care. Afterall, it's a matter of life or death.

Lots of people consider that a tan makes them more attractive and more healthy-looking, and so go out of their way to sit in the sun for hours and get one. However, this doesn’t always result in much of a tan, meaning that you will often have to sit in the sun for days on end to seeany noticeable effects.

The solution to this problem, at least supposedly, is sun tan oil. Tanning oils are there to make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, meaning that it absorbs more and therefore goes browner. This is controversial, as UV rays have been linked to skin cancer among other diseases, and it is believed that using tanning oils can lead to skin damage – a high price to pay considering the only reason to use them is,essentially, vanity.

The alternatives leave a lot to be desired, though. Using a tanning bed has the same problems in terms of skin damage, and costs a lot too. Fake tan tends to be very fake-looking, making you go more bright orange than brown, and it is hard to escape the feeling that you’re a little tragic if you use it.

With this is mind, many consider the tanning oil alternative to be the best of a bad bunch. It is possible to go some way towards minimising the risks of tanning oil if you get oil that protects you from the sun at least to some extent (look for ones with SPF on the bottle), and try to only stay in the sun for half an hour or so. Since you have put on the tanning oil, it is very important not to stay out for too long, and this is the mistake that many people make.

Whatever you do, remember that tans are not really as healthy as people think they are: a tan is actually your body’s way of dealing with damage that has been caused by the sun, in an effort to stop you from getting sunburn. If you are going to have a tan, it’s wise to limit the times when
you do rather than try to have one all year round, and to be very careful with the sun. If you hurt yourself now, you might not know about it until you’re 50 or even older, but when you find out it won’t be a nice surprise for you.