Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
People who use products containing asbestos are at risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. The fibers enter the tissue of the chest cavity or abdomen, also known as the pleura and peritoneum.
Exposure to asbestos increases the chance of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal cancer throughout your lifetime. While the risk does appear to decrease after 40 years of exposure, even a small amount of exposure to asbestos is risky.
Age
The more senior a person is at the time of exposure the more likely they will develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium which is a thin layer of tissue around the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells are malignant. This means that they expand beyond control and form tumors. Mesothelioma is most often seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos. This could be through their work or as a close family member.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, as it irritates mesothelium. The lung's lining (pleura) is the most affected in patients suffering from mesothelioma of the pleural region, but it can also affect the abdomen's lining and peritoneum as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is strong and heat resistant. It was utilized in construction, insulation and other industrial applications up to the 1980s. During this period many millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos because of their jobs or by being close to a loved one.
When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers in the air. They can be breathed in, and they are too hard for the body to break down or process. The fibers can cause irritation and cancer in the lungs if they get stuck.
The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not manifest for a long time after asbestos exposure. The symptoms are similar to other cancers and can be fatal if not treated.
Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma than females. It is also diagnosed most often in people older than 45. Miners, shipbuilders and railroad workers, and others who installed or handled asbestos-containing items are at the most chance of developing mesothelioma due to workplace asbestos exposure. The asbestos on the clothing of these individuals could expose their families to risk.
Smoking
The longer someone is exposed to asbestos, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is due to the long time of latency, which can be between 20 and 60 year from first exposure until diagnosis. Depending on the kind of asbestos, a person's mesothelioma could be found in various areas of the body. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's lining cavity and chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the abdomen's lining, also known as the peritoneum.
Most of the time, those who have been exposed develop mesothelioma of the chest or lungs. People who worked in the shipbuilding, power generation and
Cassy Lawn construction industries are the most at risk. Mesothelioma is also a possibility for those who have been exposed at home or at school to asbestos. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed employees can carry asbestos-containing particles from their workplace to their homes on their clothes hair, skin and hair. This puts them at risk.
Mesothelioma sufferers are usually white and older than 65. They are also more likely to have a blue-collar job or a military background. The United States Navy and other branches of the military used asbestos extensively because of its properties to resist flames, and millions of veterans could have been exposed to asbestos.
When DNA mutations occur, they could cause cells to multiply without a limit. This results in the development of tumors, which then turn into mesothelioma. The disease can affect any part of the body, however typically, it is found in the abdomen or chest.
Smoking does cause mesothelioma but it can increase your risk by increasing the amount of asbestos you breathe in. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking.
The treatment plan of a patient with mesothelioma must also include a doctor who is knowledgeable about asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma expert can assist determine the best treatment for this rare cancer. The doctor will determine whether the patient is eligible for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in a variety of different products such as insulation, roofing and flooring. Anyone who works with asbestos-containing products make them, or manufacture them, or work with them are at a greater risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can cause cancer and other illnesses.
Many asbestos diseases are not recognized until it is too late due to an extended period of time between exposure and the appearance of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most deadly of asbestos-related diseases, is no exception. The symptoms of mesothelioma may develop between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos.
The most common method by which people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Electrical, manufacturing, construction and automobile mechanic jobs all require the handling of asbestos-containing parts and materials. However, workers can be exposed to asbestos through at-home activities, such as smoking cigarettes or renovating older homes that have asbestos.
The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos inhalation. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to the lungs, where they irritate a lining called pleura. This irritation can cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plates) and fibrosis within the lung. As the disease progresses it may lead to fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and ultimately lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissues of other organs like the heart and abdomen.
People who are exposed to asbestos in their work are at a higher risk for developing mesothelioma. People who have a family history of mesothelioma, or
Cassy Lawn any other asbestos-related diseases are also at risk. A person's risk is also higher if they've been exposed to asbestos at multiple times during their lifetime. Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of mesothelioma but it can worsen the condition for those who are already diagnosed. If you have a history of exposure to asbestos and are suffering from mesothelioma quitting smoking can prolong your life and improve your treatment outcome. Inform your doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos or have any new symptoms, like abdominal pain or shortness of breathe. They may prescribe medication or perform surgery to treat the disease.
Genetics
Many cancers are genetically related, meaning that a person’s genes may increase the chance of developing a specific disease. However, mesothelioma doesn't have an element of genetics. Instead, exposure to asbestos is the main reason.
Asbestos fibers are introduced into the body through inhalation or swallowed and sticking to the lining of the chest (the pleura) and the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). As time passes the loose fibers could alter or damage the cells that compose these linings. This can result in the development of mesothelioma.
But, not every person exposed to asbestos gets mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors could influence whether someone develops mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. This includes the person's gender, age, gender, family history of mesothelioma, and other illnesses, as and any other risk factors such smoking.
Mesothelioma is more likely to occur in men than women.