What is Mesothelioma?

August 19, 2007 6:48 PM

Mesothelioma is the scourge which asbestos wrought; an often-terminal cancer of the protective tissues which line many of the major organs. Notable victims of the disease include prolific actor Paul Gleason, noted musician Warren Zevon, and most famously, the inimitable, irreplaceable King of Cool himself, Steve McQueen. Although the most hazardous applications of asbestos were banned decades ago in most of the western world, mortality from the disease has yet to peak.
posted by The Confessor (21 comments total)

*gets popcorn*
posted by Poolio at 6:51 PM on August 19, 2007

Is this a joke? Odd timing otherwise.
posted by chundo at 6:51 PM on August 19, 2007

Fantastic!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:52 PM on August 19, 2007

This is an art project, right?
posted by sexymofo at 6:54 PM on August 19, 2007

chundo

It's no joking matter.
posted by The Confessor at 6:56 PM on August 19, 2007

5 Wikipedia links, 2 IMDB links, and 1 press release from February 2005. This FPP sucks.
posted by fandango_matt at 6:57 PM on August 19, 2007

Flagged as crap.
posted by fandango_matt at 6:58 PM on August 19, 2007

I think I'm gonna need some more popcorn.
posted by Poolio at 6:59 PM on August 19, 2007

Well I would hope this isn't a joke - I lost a family friend very suddenly from mesothelioma. She was a wonderful woman, never smoked a day in her life, and within 6 months of being diagnosed she was dead. Pretty damn horrible. She was in her 60's, so I understand that mortality has yet to peak. I imagine in the next decade or so it will be a lot more common for people to develop mesothelioma who have been exposed to asbestos for long periods of time.
posted by deacon_blues at 6:59 PM on August 19, 2007

5 Wikipedia links, 2 IMDB links, and 1 press release from February 2005.

And a Rickroll. You think a guy in a $7,200 suit wants to see that? C'MON!!
posted by carsonb at 6:59 PM on August 19, 2007 [1 favorite]

Give me a fucking break.
posted by puke & cry at 7:00 PM on August 19, 2007

Yeah, Poolio, I'll take summa that popcorn. And move over a little, man, lemme get a spot on this sofa!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:01 PM on August 19, 2007

/me hums "...nevah gonna give! nevah gonna give!"
posted by furtive at 7:07 PM on August 19, 2007

why am I covered in stinging ants and slapping myself with a rib-eye steak?
posted by boo_radley at 7:08 PM on August 19, 2007

why am I covered in stinging ants and slapping myself with a rib-eye steak?

Uh, you're a Performance Artist doing a midnight show at P.S. 122 in New York City in the year 1985?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:13 PM on August 19, 2007 [3 favorites]

MetaTalk.
posted by fandango_matt at 7:13 PM on August 19, 2007

boo_radley

It's karmic payback for shitting in my thread.

BACK TO THE POST SUBJECT

My father had a brother who died from "lung cancer" in the 1970's following long-term exposure to airborne particulates in a plant. I've heard stories saying the particulates in question were fiberglass, and other stories saying they were asbestos. If the latter, I very likely lost an uncle to this very condition.

Which is why I was intrigued enough, when given the name mesothelioma, to throw together this FPP.
posted by The Confessor at 7:18 PM on August 19, 2007

The fact that you "threw it together" speaks volumes.

Although I'm sorry for your uncle, MetaFilter is not an art project.
posted by yhbc at 7:21 PM on August 19, 2007

Well, you've certainly thrown together something.
posted by mek at 7:21 PM on August 19, 2007

Nor is the thread "yours."
posted by mediareport at 7:22 PM on August 19, 2007

Oh, Mesothelioma, me love you long time.
posted by ColdChef at 7:24 PM on August 19, 2007 [1 favorite]