Minnesota woman winning battle with mesothelioma
A 39-year-old woman in Roseville, Minnesota appears to be winning the fight with mesothelioma, a rare, but lethal, cancer caused by asbestos exposure. For the past 2 ½ years, Heather Von St. James has been disease-free after undergoing radical surgery and treatment for the disease. Von St. James’ cancer was discovered when her daughter Lily was just a newborn. Her doctor in Minnesota gave her few options and not much time. But he did suggest that Von St. James try the aggressive treatment offered by Dr. David Sugarbaker in Boston, where the International Mesothelioma Program is located at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. In February of 2006, Dr. Sugarbaker performed radical surgery to remove Von St. James’ left lung, the lining around her heart, half of her diaphragm, a rib and several lymph nodes. Three months later, she began rounds of chemotherapy administered every three weeks for twelve weeks. Now, 2 ½ years later, Von St. James says she is cured. Dr. Sugarbaker, who agrees that the young Minnesota mom is free of disease for the time, notes that most people diagnosed with mesothelioma live only 12 to 18 months.
In Minnesota, where Von St. James lives, state health officials have identified 59 cases of the disease among Iron Range mine workers. Dr. Sugarbaker explains that the disease usually occurs in those who worked directly with asbestos, but that physicians are observing more patients with secondhand, non-occupational exposure. Von St. James believes that she was exposed as a child to the asbestos carried home by her unsuspecting father on his asbestos-covered work clothes.
For the full story, go to the Star Tribune.
