Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
People who use products containing asbestos legal (
just click the next web page) are at risk of inhaling or ingesting
asbestos fibers. The fibers are absorbed into the lining of the chest cavity or abdomen, also known as the pleura and peritoneum.
Exposure to asbestos confers a lifelong risk of malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneal or pleural regions. Although the risk is believed to decrease after 40 years of exposure,
asbestos case exposure of any kind can be dangerous.
Age
The older a person is when they are exposed, the more likely they will develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel an extremely thin layer that surrounds the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, meaning they expand beyond control and develop into tumors. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in those who have been exposed to
asbestos settlement either in their work or as a family member of someone who worked with asbestos.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma due to the irritation of the mesothelium. The lung's lining (pleura) is most affected by mesothelioma of the pleural region, but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen and peritoneum as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is a highly resistant and durable mineral. It was used in construction, insulation and other industrial applications up to the 1980s. During this time many millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos because of their jobs or being near someone who was exposed to asbestos.
When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into the air. They are too tough for the body's system to break them down or process. The fibers can cause irritation and cancer in the lungs when they get stuck.
The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not appear for decades after
asbestos lawyer exposure. The symptoms are similar with other cancers, and may be fatal if not treated.
Mesothelioma affects men more often than women, and it is the most frequently diagnosed in those over 45. Miners, shipbuilders and railroad workers, and people who installed or handled asbestos-containing products are at highest chance of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in the workplace. The asbestos in the clothing of these workers could put their family members at risk.
Smoking
The chance of developing mesothelioma rises the longer they're exposed to asbestos. This is due to the long latency period which can last between 20 and 60 year from the first exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma can be found in various parts of the body depending on the type and quantity of asbestos present. The wall of the chest and lung cavity (the pleura) is afflicted by mesothelioma of the pleural region. Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the lining of the abdomen and is also known as the peritoneum.
Most often, those who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma in the chest or lungs. Most at risk are those working in shipbuilding, power production and construction. Mesothelioma is also a possibility for individuals who were exposed at home or at school to asbestos. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed workers can bring fibers from the workplace to their homes on their clothes hair, skin and hair. This puts them at risk.
The majority of mesothelioma patients are white and older than 65. They are also more likely to hold a blue-collar position or military history. The United States Navy and other branches of the military have used asbestos extensively due to its properties to resist flames, and millions of veterans may have been exposed to asbestos.
When DNA mutations occur, they can cause cells to grow uncontrolled. This could lead to the development of tumors that eventually develop into mesothelioma. The disease can affect any part of the body, however typically, it is found in the chest or abdomen.
Smoking cigarettes does not cause mesothelioma, but 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.
The treatment plan of a patient with mesothelioma must also include a physician who is well-versed in asbestos exposure and risk factors. Having an experienced mesothelioma specialist to assist them determine the best method to treat this rare cancer. The doctor can determine if the patient is eligible for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is used in a variety of items including flooring, roofing, and insulation. People who work with asbestos-containing materials make them, or manufacture them, or work with them are at a high risk of exposure. The exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to breathing them into the lungs where they can cause illness or cancer.
Many asbestos-related illnesses are not recognized until it is too late due to an extended period of time between exposure and the onset of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most deadly of asbestos diseases, is no exception. Mesothelioma symptoms may manifest between 20 and 60 year after asbestos exposure.
Occupational exposure is the most commonly used method by which people are exposed. Any job that involves asbestos handling or use, including those in manufacturing, construction automotive mechanics, as well as electrical. Some people are also exposed to asbestos through home activities, such as smoking, or renovating older homes that contain asbestos.
Inhalation of asbestos is the main mesothelioma causing agent. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to the lungs, where they irritate a lining called pleura. This irritation can lead to the development of thickened patches on the pleura (pleural plaques) and fibrosis of the lungs. As the disease progresses, it could result in the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and ultimately to lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue of other organs including the heart and abdomen.
People who are exposed to asbestos while at work are at the highest chance of developing mesothelioma. People with a history of family members or mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases are also at risk. The risk for a person is higher if they've been exposed to asbestos in multiple positions during their lifetime. Smoking can increase the risk of mesothelioma, but it can worsen the disease for those already diagnosed. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos and have mesothelioma symptoms quitting smoking can help you live longer and improve the treatment outcome. Inform your doctor if have been exposed to asbestos or notice any new symptoms such as abdominal pain or a shortness of breathing. They can prescribe medication or operate to treat the condition.
Genetics
Many cancers are genetically linked which means that a person's genes may increase the chance of developing a specific disease. However, mesothelioma doesn't have an element of genetics. Exposure to asbestos is the most important cause.
Asbestos fibers may enter the body via inhalation or swallowing and stick to the linings of the chest, abdomen or the heart. As time passes the loose fibers could damage or mutate the cells that comprise these linings. This could lead to mesothelioma development.
However, not every person who is exposed to asbestos gets mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors could affect the likelihood of developing mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. This could include a person's gender and age, their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases and whether they are afflicted with other risk factors like smoking.
Mesothelioma is more likely to occur in men than women. This could be because men were more likely than women to have been exposed directly to asbestos at work.