Mesothelioma and
Asbestos Exposure
People who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of breathing in or eating asbestos fibers. The fibers enter the lining of the chest cavity or abdomen, referred to as the pleura and peritoneum.
Exposure to asbestos increases the chance of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma, or peritoneal cancer over the course of your life. Although the risk appears to decrease after 40 years, asbestos exposure of any kind is a risk.
Age
The older a person gets when exposed, the greater the chance of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel an elongated layer that surrounds the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells expand rapidly and create tumors. Mesothelioma typically affects those who have been exposed to
asbestos case. This could be due to their work or by being a close family member.
Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma due to irritation of the mesothelium. The lining of the lungs (pleura) is the most affected in patients suffering from mesothelioma of the pleural region, but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen and peritoneum or the heart lining (pericardium).
Asbestos is a highly resistant and long-lasting mineral. It was utilized in the construction industry, insulation and other industrial applications prior to the 1980s. In the 1980s millions of Americans were either exposed to asbestos through their work or by being around loved ones who were exposed to asbestos.
When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into the air. They can be breathed in, and they are too tough for the body to break down or process. The fibers could cause irritation and cancer in the lungs when they get stuck.
Mesothelioma symptoms are typically not likely to appear until decades after asbestos exposure. The symptoms are similar to other cancers, and may be fatal if not treated.
Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma than women. It is also more often diagnosed among those over 45. Miners, shipbuilders, railroad workers, and those who handled asbestos-containing products are at the most risk of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in the workplace. The asbestos on the clothing of these people could put their family members at risk.
Smoking
The chances of a person developing mesothelioma increases the longer they're exposed asbestos. This is due to the lengthy latency time that can range between 20 and 60 year from first exposure until diagnosis. Mesothelioma can occur in different areas of the body based on the type and amount of asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining between the lung cavity and chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the abdominal lining, also known as the peritoneum.
People who have been exposed to asbestos are most often develop mesothelioma that is found in their chests or lung. Most at risk are those who worked in shipbuilding, power production and construction. Mesothelioma can also be a risk for individuals who were exposed at home or in schools to asbestos. This is due to the fact that children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos could bring the fibers home on their clothes, skin and hair, which puts them at risk of developing the disease.
People with mesothelioma are typically white and over 65. They are also more likely to hold a blue-collar position or a military background. Asbestos was used extensively by the United States Navy and other branches in the military because of its flame-resistant qualities. Many veterans were exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma may develop when DNA of an individual undergoes changes which cause cells to multiply unchecked. This leads to the formation of tumors, which eventually turn into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the entire body but is most common in the abdomen and chest.
Smoking does not cause mesothelioma. However it increases the risk of this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos one breathes. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should quit smoking cigarettes.
Furthermore, a person's mesothelioma treatment program should include an experienced doctor who is knowledgeable about asbestos exposure and the risk factors associated with this cancer. A mesothelioma expert can help determine the best treatment option for this rare cancer. The doctor can determine if the patient is eligible for immunotherapy or experimental treatments.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in a variety of different products including flooring, roofing, and insulation. Workers who handle, manufacture or work with asbestos-containing products are at high risk for exposure. Exposure to loose asbestos fibers could lead to breathing asbestos fibers into the lungs, where they cause illness and cancer.
There is a long time of time between exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms, which makes it difficult to recognize the various asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma one of the most hazardous of asbestos-related illnesses, is no exception. Mesothelioma symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 year after asbestos exposure.
The most frequent way that people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. All jobs that require asbestos handling or usage include those in construction, manufacturing automotive mechanics, as well as electrical. However, individuals can also be exposed to asbestos through at-home activities, such as smoking or renovation of older houses that contain asbestos.
Inhalation of asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled may travel into the lungs and irritate the lining called the pleura. This irritation can result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plates) and fibrosis in the lungs. As the disease progresses it could cause fluid to accumulate in the chest cavity and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the lining of other organs, including the abdomen and heart.
People who are exposed to asbestos while at work are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma. However, those with the family history of mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses, are also at risk. The risk of asbestos exposure is higher if one has held more than one job over the course of their lives. Smoking does not increase the risk of mesothelioma however it can make the illness worse for those who have already been diagnosed. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos and are suffering from mesothelioma, quitting smoking can help you live longer and improve the treatment outcome. Inform your doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos or if you experience any new symptoms like abdominal pain or a shortness of breathing. They can prescribe medication or operate to treat the disease.
Genetics
Many cancers are genetically linked, meaning that a person’s genes may increase the likelihood of developing a specific disease. However, mesothelioma does not have any genetic component. Exposure to
asbestos lawsuit is the primary reason.
Asbestos fibers enter the body by being inhaled or swallowed and sticking to the chest's lining (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). As time passes, these loose fibers can cause damage or alteration to the cells that compose these tiny linings, which could lead to mesothelioma's development.
However it is not the case that every person exposed to asbestos gets mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors can determine if a person develops mesothelioma from
asbestos legal exposure. This could include a person's age and gender and their family history of mesothelioma and other illnesses, and whether they have additional risk factors like smoking.