Mesothelioma Patient, a Nurse, Will Be Honored At Asbestos Disease Awareness Conference

A nurse who is a seven year survivor of mesothelioma will be honored at the 6th Annual Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Asbestos Disease Awareness Conference in Chicago, Illinois in April, 2010, according to the ADAO website.

After her diagnosis of plural mesothelioma in 2002, June Breit, RN, went into action on behalf of making people aware of this deadly asbestos related disease and encouraged the governor of Pennsylvania to implement Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the state.

At first Breit thought she had the flu when she had trouble breathing. When receiving the diagnosis of plural mesothelioma Breit was shocked and bewildered as she had no known occupational exposure to asbestos. Breit was well aware of the prognosis of mesothelioma after having been a nurse for 30 years.

Her treatment included surgery to remove part of her lung, the lining of her lung, and her diaphragm, chemotherapy, and radiation. Breit is an avid swimmer and one of her biggest surprises after her treatment was finding she needed two lungs to float after sinking the first time she tried. That did not stop her, however, as she now uses her granddaughter's noodle when she goes to the pool.

Breit continues her battle to ban asbestos use and devotes time to increase funding for the creation of additional treatment options for patients of mesothelioma.