The Mesothelioma Podcast
Understanding mesothelioma — diagnosis, treatment, legal rights, and hope
About the Podcast
A podcast for mesothelioma patients, families, and advocates. Each episode covers a key topic in plain language — from understanding your diagnosis and treatment options to navigating legal rights and finding support. Produced by Mesothelioma-Lung-Cancer.org.
Each episode includes detailed show notes and a complete transcript, making the content accessible whether you prefer to listen or read. Season 1 covers the foundational topics every mesothelioma patient and family needs to understand — from diagnosis and treatment to legal rights and finding community support.
Production Status
Season 1 is currently in production. Episodes will be released as they become available — typically 1-2 per month. All episodes will be free on this page plus available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
Hector has four production options under consideration: AI-generated narration, personal recording, professional voice talent, or a hybrid approach. Episode 4 (Veterans Story) will feature Hector personally as a Navy veteran sharing his experience.
Season 1: Understanding Mesothelioma
10 episodes covering everything mesothelioma patients and families need to know — from diagnosis and treatment to legal rights and finding hope.
What Is Mesothelioma? Everything You Need to Know
A clear, comprehensive introduction to mesothelioma — what it is, how asbestos causes it, the four types, common symptoms, survival statistics, and what to do first after a diagnosis. If you or a loved one was just diagnosed, start here.
Episode Topics
- What mesothelioma is and how asbestos causes it
- The four types: pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, testicular
- Common symptoms and why diagnosis takes so long
- Current survival statistics — honest but hopeful
- The 3 most important steps after diagnosis
The Diagnosis Journey: What to Expect
Walks through the entire mesothelioma diagnostic process — from initial symptoms and imaging to biopsy, pathology reports, staging, and cell type determination. Explains what each test means and how results affect your treatment options.
Episode Topics
- Why mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed initially
- Imaging tests: CT, PET, X-ray — what each shows
- The biopsy process and why it is essential
- Understanding your pathology report
- Staging: what your stage means for treatment
- Why a second opinion at a mesothelioma center matters
Treatment Options Explained
Every mesothelioma treatment option explained in plain language — surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, HIPEC, and clinical trials. How doctors decide which treatments to recommend and what questions to ask your oncologist.
Episode Topics
- Surgery: P/D vs EPP — which is recommended and why
- Chemotherapy: cisplatin + pemetrexed — what to expect
- Immunotherapy: nivolumab + ipilimumab — the 2020 breakthrough
- HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma
- Clinical trials: how to find and evaluate them
- Multimodal treatment: combining approaches
- Questions to ask your oncologist
A Veteran's Story: Asbestos in the Navy
Featuring: Hector Herrera (host/subject)
Hector Herrera, U.S. Navy veteran and founder of Mesothelioma-Lung-Cancer.org, shares his personal connection to military asbestos exposure. Discusses where asbestos was used on Navy ships, why veterans face the highest mesothelioma risk, and what drove him to build this resource platform.
Episode Topics
- Hector's Navy service and asbestos exposure
- Where asbestos was used on Navy ships
- Why Navy veterans face the highest mesothelioma risk
- The personal story behind Mesothelioma-Lung-Cancer.org
- VA benefits available to veterans with mesothelioma
- Resources for veteran families
Your Legal Rights After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
What every mesothelioma patient needs to know about their legal rights — the types of compensation available, how lawsuits work, statute of limitations deadlines, and why acting quickly matters. Explains the difference between trust fund claims, personal injury lawsuits, and wrongful death claims.
Episode Topics
- Three types of mesothelioma compensation
- How mesothelioma lawsuits work — step by step
- Asbestos trust funds: $30B+ available
- Statute of limitations: why deadlines matter
- Contingency fees: no upfront cost to patients
- How to choose a mesothelioma attorney
Asbestos Trust Funds: How to File a Claim
Deep dive into asbestos trust funds — what they are, how they were created, which ones may apply to your case, how much they pay, and the step-by-step process for filing a claim. Covers how an attorney identifies which trusts match your exposure history.
Episode Topics
- What asbestos trust funds are and why they exist
- How $30B+ ended up in trust funds
- Which trusts may apply to your case
- The claims filing process explained
- How long trust fund claims take
- Filing trust fund claims and lawsuits simultaneously
Caring for a Loved One with Mesothelioma
Practical, compassionate guidance for mesothelioma caregivers — managing treatment decisions together, navigating the healthcare system, handling legal and financial matters, supporting children through a parent's illness, and taking care of yourself while caring for someone else.
Episode Topics
- The unique challenges of mesothelioma caregiving
- Supporting treatment decisions without taking over
- Managing medical appointments and information
- Talking to children about a parent's diagnosis
- Caregiver self-care: preventing burnout
- When to ask for help and where to find it
Clinical Trials: Should You Participate?
Everything mesothelioma patients need to know about clinical trials — what they are, how they work, how to determine eligibility, what participation involves, and the pros and cons of enrolling. Features real data from current mesothelioma trials.
Episode Topics
- What clinical trials are and how they work
- Phase I, II, III, IV — what each means
- How to determine if you are eligible
- What to expect during trial participation
- Are clinical trials free?
- Currently recruiting mesothelioma trials
State-by-State Filing Deadlines: Don't Miss Your Window
Critical information about statute of limitations deadlines for mesothelioma lawsuits. Covers how deadlines work, why they vary by state, what happens if you miss yours, and the specific deadlines for the most common filing states.
Episode Topics
- What statute of limitations means for mesothelioma
- Why the clock starts at diagnosis, not exposure
- State-by-state deadline overview
- States with the shortest deadlines (California: 1 year)
- What happens if you miss your deadline
- Why contacting an attorney quickly matters
Finding Hope: Resources and Community
Season 1 finale connecting all the threads — how to build a support network, where to find the best resources, the role of advocacy and community, research advances that provide genuine hope, and a look ahead to Season 2 featuring expert voices from the mesothelioma world.
Episode Topics
- Building your support network
- The tools, guides, and resources available on MLC
- Support communities and organizations
- Research advances: why there is genuine reason for hope
- Advocacy: getting involved in the fight for an asbestos ban
- Season 2 preview: expert voices
Coming Next
Expert Voices
Interviews with mesothelioma oncologists, researchers, patient advocates, and treatment center directors. Hear directly from the people advancing mesothelioma treatment and supporting patients.
Research Spotlight
Monthly deep dives into the latest mesothelioma research — new clinical trial results, FDA actions, and what advances mean for patients. Based on our Clinical Research Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will new episodes be available?
Season 1 is currently in production. We plan to release 1-2 episodes per month. Subscribe to be notified when new episodes launch. All episodes will be free and available on this page, plus major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
Is the podcast free?
Yes. The Mesothelioma Podcast is completely free. All episodes are available on this website with full transcripts and show notes. No subscription or account is required. We produce this podcast as a free resource for mesothelioma patients, families, and anyone affected by asbestos exposure.
Will there be transcripts?
Yes. Every episode will include a complete word-for-word transcript on its dedicated page. This ensures the content is accessible to everyone, including those who prefer reading to listening, those with hearing difficulties, and search engines and AI systems that index text content.
Can I suggest a topic or be a guest?
Absolutely. We welcome topic suggestions and guest nominations — particularly mesothelioma patients willing to share their story, oncologists specializing in mesothelioma treatment, and researchers working on new therapies. Contact us at 1-800-400-1805 or mention your interest during any conversation with our team.
Who hosts the podcast?
The podcast is produced by Mesothelioma-Lung-Cancer.org. Episode 4 of Season 1 features Hector Herrera, a U.S. Navy veteran and the founder of this platform, sharing his personal connection to military asbestos exposure. Production details for other episodes are being finalized.
Have Questions About Your Mesothelioma Case?
Our experienced mesothelioma attorneys are available for free, confidential case evaluations. Whether you just listened to an episode or have been researching for weeks, we are here to help you understand your options.
Call us: 1-800-400-1805