Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Many people who die from mesothelioma have had a history of exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos may result from blue-collar jobs as well as military branches or exposure.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that is found in nature, has powerful, microscopic fibres. These fibers can stick to the tissues that line organs when inhaled or eaten. In time these fibers may cause irritation and damage to DNA, triggering cancer cells to multiply out of control.
Exposure to occupational hazards
Throughout most of the twentieth century asbestos was a common product to make because it was fireproof. It was used in construction, insulation, brakes, shingles, and other commercially manufactured products. Due to this, many kinds of workers were exposed to asbestos. A lot of them got sick. Mesothelioma is the most prevalent long-term asbestos-related health problem, is caused by exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects the linings of the body's organs, including the lung (pleura) and chest wall, abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and testicles (tunica vaginalis). Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure.
Plumbers, roofers, painters, and electricians are among the professions that are most at risk of developing mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. Asbestos is also widely used in the military, especially on aircrafts and ships.
The exposure to asbestos can expose people to the risk of developing mesothelioma, even if they've never had a job with asbestos. This is because those who worked with asbestos typically exposed themselves to asbestos fibers in their clothing, shoes and skin. Family members of those workers could then be exposed to the asbestos when they laundered their clothing that was contaminated. Mesothelioma often occurs in the spouses and children exposed to asbestos workers.
Asbestos is now banned in the United States, but it was once a widely used material used in businesses and homes, as well as on military vessels. The use of asbestos was widely recognized as a risk, but the manufacturers hid this information from the general public. Millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos until it was banned. Today, people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may be entitled to compensation from asbestos trust funds. Patients should consult an asbestos lawyer with expertise in asbestos lawsuits. Lawyers can ensure patients receive the correct compensation for their diagnosis and treatment. Patients must be treated by an oncology specialist. This will help improve the patient's chances of survival and quality of life. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible to ensure that the patient receives best possible treatment.
Secondary Exposure
If you were not directly exposed to asbestos at work but lived in a house where occupational exposure victims were exposed or was affected by exposure to asbestos from a second source. Inhaling asbestos fibers in the skin, hair, and clothing of employees or those left in a family members' workspace can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. This kind of asbestos exposure can also be related to peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can develop 15-60 years after exposure to asbestos. People who worked with asbestos in blue-collar work or in the military are at the most risk of developing this rare cancer that affects the lining of organs located in the abdomen and chest. However, anyone of all age groups and backgrounds are at risk.
Exposure to asbestos can also cause asbestosis and lung cancer. The signs of these diseases are difficulty breathing or coughing and pain in the rib cage, and abdominal swelling. A chest X-ray or a lung function test can be used to determine the severity of these conditions.
Mesothelioma is caused by an accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lining of organs including the lungs and chest cavity. These fibers irritate the lining and produce scar tissue which can lead to the development of tumors.
Asbestos is most commonly found in the pleura (the membrane that covers the chest cavity and lungs). The exposure can result in thickened patches of the pleura, scarring in the lungs, or the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity.
The mesothelium that covers other organs, is also vulnerable. People who have lived with or shared a home with someone who was exposed to asbestos at a work site as well as people who live near an abandoned asbestos mine are at risk for this rare cancer that develops in the linings of these organs. A family history of mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases also increase the chances of being diagnosed with this type of cancer. Inform your doctor if have a relative in your family with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.
Family History
Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is found in the linings of the lungs and chest (pleura), or the linings of the stomach and abdomen. Eight out of ten people diagnosed with mesothelioma reported exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure in the workplace causes the highest number of mesothelioma cases, and it is prevalent among those who worked in shipbuilding, mining or manufacturing industries, construction, or veterans industries.
However, mesothelioma may occur in non-occupational exposure victims, including those who worked on asbestos-related products at home or business or as a contractor that removed or disturbed asbestos materials. This includes demolition workers, construction workers as well as asbestos removers, electricians and plumbers. The non-occupational asbestos exposure is not recognized by health professionals due to its remoteness and difficulty in obtaining precise details about the patient's work history and poor recollection by patients.
In many instances, the relatives of mesothelioma sufferers were also exposed. Families of mesothelioma patients may have moved asbestos or handled contaminated clothing or equipment. A few relatives could have been exposed to asbestos dust directly from the body of loved ones.
asbestos disease mesothelioma have demonstrated that household asbestos exposure increases the risk of mesothelioma, especially for wives of occupationally exposed husbands. Roggli and colleagues19 have reported 33 female pleural mesothelioma cases that could be attributable to household asbestos exposure. Miller and colleagues10 reported that 44% of female peritoneal mesothelioma cases studied were women who had husbands or cohabitants who were occupationally exposed to asbestos.
The risk of developing a mesothelioma is increased by the amount of time an individual has been exposed to asbestos. The risk of developing pleural mesothelioma diminishes after 45 years, whereas the risk of developing peritoneal is constant. This is in line with the theory that pleural mesothelioma develops faster than peritoneal mesothelioma, due to differences in latency periods, the duration and intensity of exposure, as well as the type of asbestos. Moreover the presence of mesothelioma that is a family-related issue is linked to longer latency times for both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Therefore, it is essential that physicians take a complete occupational as well as non-occupational asbestos exposure history in mesothelioma patients.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation beams are directed into the chest cavity in order to destroy cancerous cells. The procedure is fairly non-invasive. Doctors use it to decrease the size of tumors prior to surgery or to kill lingering cancer cells that may not have been eliminated during the procedure. Radiation is frequently used as a palliative treatment for patients with mesothelioma. It can reduce pressure and pain through shrinking tumors or relaxing the tissue around them.
Radiation can help patients feel better and live longer. It is not an effective treatment for Mesothelioma. It is most often used as part of an integrated treatment plan that incorporates chemotherapy and surgery.
The malignant mesothelioma forms on the lining of the organs. This includes the linings of the abdomen and chest. Exposure to asbestos is the reason. People with a history exposure to asbestos in the workplace are at greater risk of developing the disease.
The most frequent types of mesothelioma are pleural and peritoneal. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous that is strong and resistant to heat. It is used in a variety of applications, including manufacturing and building materials. These products can cause dust that can be inhaled or swallowed. If inhaled, the particles can cause irritation in the lungs or stomach. If swallowed, they could become lodged in your digestive tract and cause cancerous tumors.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with tests that evaluate the health of a patient's body. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain, coughing, and difficulty breathing. A specialist, like an oncologist or lung specialist, will be able to diagnose mesothelioma.
Certain studies have demonstrated the connection between radiation therapy and a higher risk of mesothelioma. Patients who have received radiation to treat Hodgkin's disease might develop malignant mesothelioma as an side effect.
Although the link between radiation therapy and mesothelioma isn't fully understood, the medical community continues to investigate the possibility of a link. In the meantime, anyone at high risk for asbestos should speak with their doctor about any symptoms they are experiencing. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. However, the symptoms and signs can be caused by other conditions.