Why Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma Will Be Your Next Big Obsession?

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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Many people who die of mesothelioma have a background of asbestos. Exposure can be a result of blue-collar industries or branches of the military or as a result of secondary asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with strong micro-sized fibers. Inhaling or eating it, these fibers stick in the tissues that line and protect the body organs. These fibers can cause irritation over time and can damage DNA. This can result in cancerous cells multiplying out of control.

Exposure to Occupational Hazards

Asbestos was a very popular product throughout the 20th century since it was fireproof. It was used for roofing, brakes, and construction, as well as insulation. As it was asbestos was used by many different types of workers. Many of them became sick. Mesothelioma is the most frequent long-term health problem associated with occupational exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the linings in the body's organs, including the lungs (pleura) and chest wall and abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and testicles (tunica vaginalis). Mesothelioma typically develops over a period of time following asbestos exposure.

Those most at risk for mesothelioma arising from workplace exposure are workers who worked with asbestos, for example, plumbers, electricians roofers, painters, and plumbers. Asbestos is also widely used in the military, particularly on aircrafts and ships.

Individuals who have no professional history with asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma due to of secondhand exposure. This is due to the fact that people who worked with asbestos typically carried home fibers on their clothes, shoes and skin. When workers wash their clothing they could expose their family members to asbestos. This is the reason mesothelioma is often seen in children and spouses of workers who have been exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos has been banned in the United States. However, it was once widely used in homes, businesses and military vessels. The companies knew asbestos was hazardous, but they kept from the general public. Until asbestos was banned, millions of Americans were exposed to the toxic substance. Nowadays, those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma could be eligible for compensation from asbestos trust funds. Patients should contact an asbestos lawyer with expertise in asbestos lawsuits. The lawyer can ensure that patients receive the appropriate compensation for their diagnosis, treatment and care. Patients must also receive medical treatment from an oncology specialist. This improves the prognosis of the patient and improve their quality of life. It is important to seek treatment as quickly as possible to ensure that the patient receives most effective treatment.

Secondary Exposure

If you were not directly exposed to asbestos at work but lived in a house where an occupational exposure victim did or was affected by secondhand exposure. Inhaling asbestos fibers that employees carried home on their clothing, skin and hair or that were deposited in a family member's workspace puts you at risk for developing mesothelioma. This type of exposure can also lead to peritoneal mesothelioma which is a less prevalent form of the disease.

Mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years after the first exposure. Men who have worked in blue-collar positions, or in the military are at the highest risk of developing this rare cancer. It is a threat to the linings of organs in the chest area and abdomen. All people of all age groups are at risk.

Exposure to asbestos can also cause lung cancer and asbestosis. Symptoms of these diseases include difficulty breathing or coughing and pain in the rib cage, and abdominal swelling. A chest X-ray or a lung function test could be used to determine the severity of these conditions.

The accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lining of organs, including the chest cavity and lungs, is the cause of mesothelioma. These fibers cause irritation to the lining, leading to scar tissue, which can lead to tumors.

Asbestos is most commonly found in the pleura (the membrane that protects the chest cavity and lungs). This exposure can produce thickened patches on the pleura (pleural plaques) as well as scarring of the lungs, or fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (pleural effusions).

The mesothelium that covers the other organs is also susceptible to exposure to asbestos. Those who live in or shared the same home with someone who was exposed to asbestos during a work site, or those living close to an abandoned asbestos mine are at risk of developing this rare cancer that develops in the tissues of these organs. A family history of asbestos-related illnesses or mesothelioma increases the likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer. If you know a loved one who has mesothelioma in their past consult your doctor for an assessment.

Family History

Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is found in the lung linings and chest (pleura) or the linings of the stomach and abdomen. Eight out of ten people diagnosed mesothelioma have been diagnosed with asbestos exposure. Occupational asbestos exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma and is often found among people who work in mining, shipbuilding manufacturing, construction or veterans' industries.

Mesothelioma is also a non-occupational cancer which can be a concern for those who have had to deal with asbestos-related products at home or in the workplace or as contractors who removed or disturbed asbestos. This could include construction workers, demolition crews as well as asbestos removers, plumbers and electricians. Non-occupational asbestos exposure has been unrecognized by healthcare professionals due to its isolation and difficulty in obtaining precise details about the patient's work history and poor recollection by patients.

In a majority of instances, the family members of a mesothelioma patient were also exposed to asbestos. The mesothelioma victims' families could have been involved in helping to haul or move asbestos, and they could have touched or handled asbestos-contaminated equipment or clothing. Certain relatives could have been exposed to asbestos dust directly from the body of loved ones.

Numerous studies have proven that exposure to household asbestos increases the chance of developing mesothelioma. This is particularly the case for women who have husbands who are exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Roggli and al.19 reported 33 cases of female pleural mesothelioma from asbestos mesothelioma that were attributed to household asbestos. Miller and colleagues10 reported 44% of female peritoneal cases of mesothelioma among women who were living with their husbands, or co-habitants who were exposed to asbestos in their work.

The risk of developing mesothelioma is increased by the length of time the person has been exposed to asbestos. The risk of developing pleural mesothelioma diminishes after 45 years while the risk of developing peritoneal is constant. This is consistent with the notion that pleural mesothelioma progresses more rapidly than peritoneal mesothelioma because of different latency times as well as the duration and intensity of exposure, and the types of asbestos. Furthermore the presence of mesothelioma in the family is associated with longer latency periods for both peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma. This is why it is crucial that physicians obtain a complete occupational and non-occupational asbestos exposure history in mesothelioma patients.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation beams are sent into the chest cavity in order to eliminate cancerous cells. This treatment is relatively non-painful. Doctors employ it as a method to reduce the size of tumors prior surgery, or to kill cancerous cells that were not removed during surgery. Mesothelioma patients are often treated with radiation as a form of palliative therapy. It can ease pain and pressure by shrinking tumors or softening the tissue that surrounds them.

Radiation can make patients feel better, and help them live longer. It is not an effective treatment for Mesothelioma. It is usually employed as a part of an integrated treatment plan that incorporates chemotherapy and surgery.

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops within the lining of organs including the chest and abdomen. It's caused by exposure asbestos. People who have had a history of 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 fibers are strong and resistant to heat. It is utilized in a variety applications including manufacturing and building materials. When these materials break down, they generate dust that is inhaled or swallowed. Inhaling the fibers can cause irritation to the lungs and stomach. If swallowed, they can become lodged in your digestive tract and cause cancerous tumors.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed through tests that look at the patient's internal health. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain, coughing and breathing difficulties. A specialist, such as an oncologist or lung specialist can diagnose mesothelioma.

Certain studies have linked radiation therapy with an increased risk of mesothelioma. Patients who have had radiation to treat Hodgkin's disease might develop malignant mesothelioma as a result of the treatment.

The medical community continues to study the possibility of a link between radiation treatment and mesothelioma although it isn't completely understood. In the meantime, a person at high risk of asbestos exposure should consult their physician about any symptoms they may be experiencing. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. However, symptoms and signs could be caused by other conditions.