Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Many who die of mesothelioma have a background of asbestos. Exposure can come from blue-collar jobs or branches of the military, or in the case of secondary exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a natural mineral with strong micro-sized fibers. The fibers may stick to the tissues that protect and line organs when inhaled or eaten. As time passes these fibers may cause irritation and damage to DNA which can cause cancer cells to grow out of control.
Workplace Exposure
Throughout most of the twentieth century asbestos was a very popular material to manufacture because it was fireproof. It was used for roofing, brakes, and construction and also for insulation. As a result asbestos was employed by a variety of workers. A lot of them became ill. Mesothelioma is the most frequent long-term asbestos-related health problem is caused by occupational exposure. Mesothelioma affects the linings of body's organs. This includes the lungs, chest wall abdominal cavity, the chest wall, and testicles. It can take decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to grow.
Plumbers, roofers, painters, and electricians are among the tradesmen most at risk of developing mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. Asbestos was also widely used by the military, specifically in aircrafts and ships.
asbestos related cancer mesothelioma who do not have a professional history with asbestos are still at risk of developing mesothelioma due to of secondhand exposure. People who worked with asbestos brought asbestos fibers home on their skins clothes, shoes, and clothing. Family members of those workers might then be exposed to the asbestos when they laundered their contaminated clothes. Mesothelioma often occurs in the spouses and children exposed to asbestos workers.
Asbestos is banned in the United States. However, it was previously used extensively in businesses, homes, and military vessels. It was recognized as a risk, but the manufacturers hid this information from the general public. Before asbestos was banned and regulated, millions of Americans were exposed to the harmful material. Today, people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may be entitled to compensation from asbestos trust funds. It is essential that patients contact a lawyer with experience in asbestos lawsuits. The lawyer can help ensure that patients receive the appropriate compensation for their diagnosis and treatment. It is also essential that patients receive medical care from a certified oncology doctor. This will enhance the patient's prognosis and quality of life. It is crucial to seek treatment as soon as possible to ensure that the patient receives the best treatment possible.
Secondary Exposure
Secondhand exposure is possible if you reside in the same household as the victim of asbestos exposure in the workplace. Inhaling asbestos fibers from hair, clothing and skin of workers or from those left in a family members' workspace can put you at risk of developing mesothelioma. This type of asbestos exposure is also related to peritoneal mesothelioma.
It can take 15 to 60 years after exposure to mesothelioma for it to develop. Men who have worked in blue-collar jobs, or in the military, are at the greatest chance of developing this rare cancer. It affects the linings of the organs in the chest area and abdomen. However, anyone of all different backgrounds and ages are at risk.
In addition to mesothelioma exposure, exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer and asbestosis. These diseases can cause difficulty breathing and a persistent cold, discomfort in the rib cage, and abdominal swelling. These conditions can be diagnosed using an X-ray of the chest or a lung function test.
Mesothelioma is caused by an accumulation of asbestos fibers within the lining of organs, including the lungs and chest cavity. These fibers cause irritation to the lining, leading to scar tissue, which can lead to tumors.
Asbestos is typically found in the pleura (the membrane that covers the lungs and chest cavity). The exposure can cause thickened areas of the pleura. It can also cause scarring in the lungs or the accumulation of fluid within the chest cavity.
The mesothelium, which covers other organs, is also susceptible. People who live in or shared a home with a person who was exposed to asbestos at a job site, as well as those living near an abandoned asbestos mine, are at risk of contracting this rare cancer that develops in the organ's lining. A family history of asbestos-related disease or mesothelioma raises the chance of being diagnosed with cancer. Contact your doctor if you have a family member who has mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.
Family History
Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, develops in the linings of the lungs and chest (pleura) as well as the linings of the stomach and abdomen. Eight out of ten patients diagnosed mesothelioma have been diagnosed with asbestos exposure. The occupational exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma and is typically found in people who work in mining, shipbuilding manufacturing, construction or veterans' industries.
Mesothelioma can also be an occupational cancer that could be found in people who have been exposed to asbestos-containing products at home or in the workplace or as contractors who removed or disturbed asbestos. This can include demolition workers, construction workers as well as asbestos removers, electricians and plumbers. The non-occupational asbestos exposure is unrecognized by healthcare professionals because of its distance and difficulty in obtaining precise information about the patient's occupational history, and the lack of recall by patients.
In many cases, the relatives of mesothelioma sufferers were also exposed. Families of mesothelioma patients may have transported asbestos or handled contaminated clothing or equipment. Some relatives have even been directly exposed to asbestos dust from a loved one's body.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to asbestos from the home increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is particularly the case for women whose husbands are occupationally exposed. Roggli et al.19 reported 33 cases of female pleural mesothelioma which were linked to exposure to household asbestos. Miller and colleagues10 reported that 44% of the female peritoneal mesothelioma cases studied were women who had spouses or with cohabitants who were occupationally exposed to asbestos.
The risk of developing mesothelioma increases as the time a person is exposed to asbestos. The risk of developing pleural mesothelioma diminishes after approximately 45 years, whereas the risk of developing peritoneal mesothelioma remains constant. This is in line with the notion that pleural and peritoneal asbestos-related cancers develop more rapidly. Furthermore having mesothelioma that is a family-related issue is associated with longer latency periods for both peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma. This is why it is crucial that physicians take a complete occupational as well as non-occupational asbestos exposure histories in their mesothelioma patients.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation beams are injected into the chest cavity to kill cancerous cells. This treatment is relatively non-painful. Doctors use it as a way to shrink the size of tumors prior surgery, or to kill cancerous cells that weren't removed during surgery. Mesothelioma patients are often treated with radiation as a palliative therapy. It can ease pain and pressure by shrinking tumors or softening the surrounding tissue.
Radiation can help patients feel better, and help them live longer. However, it's not an effective treatment for mesothelioma. It is typically utilized as part of an overall treatment plan that incorporates chemotherapy and surgery.
Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops within the lining of organs such as the abdomen and chest. It's caused by exposure to asbestos. People who have had a history of occupational exposure to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
The most prevalent mesothelioma forms are peritoneal and pleural. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous that's strong and resistant to heat. It is used in a variety of applications that include manufacturing and building materials. When these materials disintegrate, they produce dust that can be breathed in or swallowed. Inhaling these particles can cause irritation to the stomach and lungs. If swallowed, they could become lodged in your digestive tract and cause cancerous tumors.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed through tests that evaluate the patient's internal health. Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, coughing, and breathing difficulties. A specialist, like an oncologist or a lung specialist, can diagnose mesothelioma.
Some studies have linked radiation therapy with a higher risk of mesothelioma. Patients who have had radiation to treat Hodgkin's disease could develop malignant mesothelioma, which is a side effect.
Although the link between radiation therapy and mesothelioma isn't fully known, the medical community continues to investigate this possibility of a connection. A person at high asbestos risk should talk with their doctor when they notice any signs. Asbestos exposure is the most common mesothelioma cause, but symptoms and signs may be related to other conditions.