Yes, doctors can diagnose mesothelioma early. But it’s very hard to do and rarely happens.
Mesothelioma is already difficult to diagnose. It shares symptoms with many other conditions, often leading to misdiagnosis. In one study, 50% of mesothelioma patients were first misdiagnosed with something else. It usually takes 2 – 6 months to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Diagnosing mesothelioma before symptoms appear is that much harder. When mesothelioma tumors first form, they may not be visible via imaging. And symptoms may not arise for years.
While early detection options are currently limited, hope is on the horizon. Doctors are working on new tests to spot mesothelioma earlier.
Blood Testing
One early diagnosis possibility is blood testing. Doctors developed a blood test called MESOMARK®. It measures substances associated with mesothelioma. MESOMARK can’t diagnose mesothelioma on its own. But when used with other tests, it could help doctors monitor asbestos-exposed patients. If their MESOMARK levels rise over time, they may have mesothelioma.
Breath Testing
Another potential early diagnosis option is breath testing. It has been the subject of research for years now. Doctors favor it as an accessible, non-invasive test option. Most recently, a research team in the United Kingdom has made progress on such a test. They first treated cells with asbestos. Some of those cells became cancerous.
The cancerous cells emitted compounds that are likely detectable in breath. The study authors called it “an encouraging step forward.” This type of research may make early detection of mesothelioma a reality in the future.
What’s Next
While current early diagnosis options are limited, there is reason to hope. Doctors continue to innovate better ways of testing for mesothelioma. And those with asbestos exposure histories still have options in the meantime. If you have been exposed, talk to your doctor to see if you should get screened. Remember: It can take decades for mesothelioma to form after asbestos exposure. So don’t discount exposure that happened a long time ago.
If you need help finding a mesothelioma doctor or financial assistance, check out our free guide.
