Mesothelioma - Chances of Getting Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure
The risk of developing mesothelioma increases when exposed to asbestos. However, it's not well established if the risk decreases once exposure has ended.
The mesothelioma is caused by asbestos fibers get stuck in the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). There are many different kinds of mesothelioma. There are several types of mesothelioma.
Age
The chance of someone developing mesothelioma depend on several factors. These include the age of their initial exposure to asbestos as well as the type of asbestos, and the duration of the exposure. The symptoms of mesothelioma generally begin in the lungs and then spread to other parts. So, people who have been exposed to asbestos in the lungs are the most likely to develop this disease. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the lining of the abdomen, the peritoneum, are less likely to develop mesothelioma.
The older a person is when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma the more severe the disease. This is due to the 20-60 year latency time between exposure to asbestos and the first symptom of mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with fibrous bundles which can form thin sheets or clump together into an impermeable material. Between the 1930s and 1980s, its flexibility and durability made asbestos a very popular material. During this time, millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos through secondary or occupational exposure. Occupational exposure occurs when workers are exposed to asbestos at work. Secondary exposure is when asbestos fibers are carried home on hair, clothing or skin and inhaled by family members.
Inhaling asbestos fibers irritate the lung's lining and other organs like the heart. This irritation can cause inflammation, scarring and the transformation of healthy cells to cancerous cells over the course of time.
Mesothelioma, or lung cancer is a form of cancer that affects the pleura. It can also affect other areas of the body, like the heart and stomach.
People with a blue-collar, military or background are more likely to be exposed asbestos when they work in certain industries or in the military. However, those who have been exposed to asbestos in their homes or from other sources could also be at risk.
Additionally, people who receive the BAP1 gene mutation have a greater chance of developing mesothelioma than those without this condition. The majority of them are diagnosed between 50 and 70.
Gender
Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is likely because men worked in industries more susceptible to asbestos exposure. Men may have also carried home the asbestos fibers on their clothing from job locations. Asbestos is most often found in mines and factories and those that produced asbestos products such as pipes, insulation, tiles and cement most susceptible to developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is also found in those who repaired or constructed railroad and automobile products, as well as those who constructed ships and masks. Chrysotile exposure, which is the most well-known type of asbestos, is generally associated with mesothelioma.
The likelihood of developing mesothelioma increases with the duration and intensity of exposure to asbestos. The majority of cases of mesothelioma happen in those who have been exposed to asbestos for 30 or more years. The length of time a person's latency may also vary depending on their gender as well as the kind of
asbestos claim exposure.
While it is still unclear exactly why, women seem to have a longer time to develop for mesothelioma than men. One reason is that many of the women with mesothelioma were domestic workers and may have come into contact with
asbestos from washing the work clothes of their fathers, husbands and brothers.
When mesothelioma was more widespread, asbestos was used in a wide variety of domestic and commercial building materials. The fibers were found in pipe coatings, drywalls as well as paints and cements. Many of these materials were used in homes and workplaces where asbestos was frequently disturbed during construction or renovations.
Although mesothelioma wasn't being employed as an industrial product, asbestos was found in many different types of structures, including schools hospitals, churches and offices. Many of these buildings were built before the 1980s which was when asbestos was banned.
Asbestos is a complex substance, and scientists are continuing to study its health effects, specifically mesothelioma. Studies are looking at how asbestos affects both the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract, which is the area where mesothelioma typically affects patients. They are also investigating how different factors can affect mesothelioma incidence, such as gender and the level of exposure to asbestos.
Work History
A person is more likely to get mesothelioma from asbestos exposure if they worked in an industry where asbestos was used for many years. Asbestos was extensively used in building and construction particularly from the 1920s until the 1980s. Many occupations were at risk of exposure, including mining, manufacturing, power generation, shipbuilding and asbestos removal.
Asbestos is an naturally occurring fibrous mineral. It is heat-resistant and durable, making it useful in a variety of products. The fibers of asbestos are used in insulation, brake pads and roofing, among other things. When asbestos is cut or smashed, it releases microscopic particles that can be inhaled or ingested.
Mesothelioma generally takes between 20 and 60 years after initial exposure to develop, however it can occur much earlier than that. It can occur in the lungs, in the chest wall (peritoneal mesothelioma pleural), or the abdomen.
People with a family history of mesothelioma are also more likely to develop the disease, but it isn't clear why. Mesothelioma can be linked to an inherited mutation in the gene BAP1 but it's a rare.
A person could be at risk for mesothelioma if they lived with someone who worked with asbestos and then brought the asbestos fibers home on their clothes hair, skin and even their hair. This is called secondary exposure. Workers in industries with high exposure to asbestos are at risk of bringing home fibers onto their footwear and clothing. The fibers can be inhaled by family members or consumed at home.
Asbestosis, a related lung condition to mesothelioma typically occurs as a result of breathing in asbestos fibers. Asbestosis usually develops in the lungs, and can lead to fluid buildup around the ribcage, difficulty breathing and coughing, chest pain, and an ribcage lump.
Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma the world, mainly because asbestos was extensively used here throughout the years in construction, manufacturing and mining. A doctor first identified the link between asbestos and mesothelioma in 1930, which helped drive England to adopt laws regulating asbestos in the 1930s. These regulations forced companies to install ventilation systems and other safety equipment.
Smoking
Mesothelioma is one of the most common cancers is caused by cells that have received faulty genetic information. They grow unchecked. When these cells are in the lungs (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium), they can cause abnormal growths known as tumors. There is no cure for mesothelioma. However, there are several factors that increase your chances of getting the disease.
Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor. The asbestos fibers that are inhaled into the lungs irritate the lung's lining and chest wall, which could result in mesothelioma. People exposed to asbestos in the workplace have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than those who were not exposed.