Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

The primary risk factor for mesothelioma is occupational asbestos exposure. Veterans and workers in all branches of military are at risk the most.

Families of Asbestos case workers are also at risk. Mesothelioma can take anywhere from 30 to 60 years to develop following exposure. Most cases occur in the pleura that covers the lungs. Other forms of the disease can be detected in the peritoneum.

Workplace Exposure

The majority of those diagnosed mesothelioma had been exposed to asbestos through occupational exposure. The mineral was widely used in construction, shipbuilding manufacturing of asbestos cement and other industries. According to the Mayo Clinic workers in these fields are more at risk of developing mesothelioma because the fibers are able to be inhaled and spread throughout the body.

The symptoms of mesothelioma could take between 10 and 50 years after initial exposure to begin manifesting in patients. This long latency period makes mesothelioma hard to diagnose. However, patients with a history of mesothelioma should disclose this information to their doctor and undergo regular screenings.

People who have been exposed to asbestos while at work are at a higher risk than those who have not been exposed to asbestos. This includes workers in power plants, construction, steel and other manufacturing companies, as for military veterans who were exposed to asbestos while on duty. Firefighters, who can become exposed while fighting fires in older homes and structures constructed with asbestos materials are also at a higher risk of mesothelioma. The Cleveland Clinic reports that firefighters are twice as likely to develop mesothelioma as the general population due to their constant exposure to asbestos.

Studies have shown that the risk of developing mesothelioma depends on the nature of the asbestos exposure and on the duration of it. The most commonly encountered mesothelioma forms are peritoneal, pericardial and the pleural. The pleural variant is the most common and affects lining of the lungs which can lead to shortness of breath, fluid accumulation on the lungs (pleural effusion), and a hole in the chest wall.

Asbestos can cause mesothelioma to form in the chest cavity and testicles. Men are more susceptible to developing mesothelioma. This is because most people diagnosed with mesothelioma, are men, and men generally have more exposure to asbestos from their jobs than women. Military personnel are also at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma because numerous branches of the military used asbestos in bases, aircrafts, ships, vehicles and other equipment.

Secondary Exposure

Asbestos can cause irritation to organ linings. When the irritation continues it could cause the growth of an abnormality, which is known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs, but can occur in the abdomen or chest cavity. It is a kind of cancer that occurs when the DNA of the cell changes and becomes mutated, which can cause cells to grow in an uncontrollable manner.

If someone develops mesothelioma they have to seek compensation from the business responsible for their exposure. The best way to accomplish this is by working with a mesothelioma lawyer firm or lawyer who has experience in dealing with asbestos cases. The firms and lawyers have access to resources that can assist them analyze an exposure history and identify potential parties liable.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was utilized in manufacturing and construction until the 1980s. It was utilized in a variety of buildings and structures, including factories, ships and schools and homes, because of its fire-resistant qualities. Those who worked in those kinds of structures were exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. Workers could inhale airborne fibers when showering or working. They could also inhale the fibers when they went home after work, as their clothes or equipment would have carried asbestos dust inside.

Workers who were working on sites that were undergoing demolition or renovation may also be exposed to asbestos through secondary exposure. This is because when workers take asbestos out or remove it in older buildings, the asbestos fibers can be released into the air and contaminate adjacent areas. This is the reason mesothelioma sufferers who did not work directly with asbestos still have a risk of developing the disease.

In addition, people who live with those who worked with asbestos can be exposed to the dangerous material through second-hand exposure. This is known as asbestos attorney exposure in non-work settings or a non-work environment. It can happen when asbestos workers carry the harmful fibers home in their clothing and expose their family members to the carcinogen. This type of exposure is the leading mesothelioma-related cancer among women.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma typically appear years after asbestos exposure. The cancer may not be identified until it is at an advanced stage. It is common for symptoms to be mistakenly interpreted as other diseases. Specialists from hospitals and doctors will examine these symptoms to rule out other illnesses before determining mesothelioma. However, it is important to consult your physician if you suspect you are suffering from mesothelioma as early detection can increase life expectancy.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the lining of certain organs, mainly the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma). Other mesothelioma types can be found in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) and in the lining around the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma may cause a variety of symptoms, based on the site of the tumour and the type of mesothelioma.

The symptoms may be different and fluctuate, so you should tell your doctor if any of these symptoms persist or cause concern even when the symptoms aren't specific to Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can have symptoms that are similar to other diseases and may be difficult to diagnose. It is essential to inform your GP about any asbestos exposure that you may have had.

Asbestos is composed of microscopic fibers. These fibres can be breathed in or swallowed, and cause lung damage over time. People who are exposed to asbestos in their work have a higher chance of developing the disease. Other risk factors for mesothelioma include having an ancestral history of the disease, and previous exposure to radiation therapy for another cancer.

Inhaling asbestos fibres can irritate the lining of the lung (the pleura) and cause gene mutations that lead to cancerous cell growth. This can lead to symptoms such as coughing, chest pain and difficulty breathing. Other signs of pleural mesothelioma include stomach pain (pleural effusion) and bowel irritation, abdominal discomfort, and weight loss. In the case of peritoneal cancer, symptoms are more severe. They can include a feeling that you have lots of food in your stomach, bloating and abdominal pain and a lump in your stomach.

Diagnosis

Asbestos is one of the minerals that form long, thin, and very strong fibers. The asbestos fibers are able to be breathed into the lungs, leading to cancer. Asbestos was once mined, and used in consumer products as well as building materials and automotive parts in the 20th century before scientists realized the dangers to human health. It's no longer mined, but older homes and structures contain it.

Initially, the symptoms of mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose because they are similar to those of other diseases. The mesothelioma symptoms also vary depending on the type of mesothelioma, the organ or tissues affected and the stage of the disease.

The earliest mesothelioma symptoms include coughing and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can take a long time to develop following exposure, because asbestos mesothelioma has a long latency time. The duration of the latency period may differ between patients, based on how much asbestos litigation exposure they had and the length of time they were exposed for.

Mesothelioma is not limited to lung cancer. It can also affect the stomach's lining and the heart (peritoneal pericardial mesothelioma) or the testicles and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma of the pericardial region). These symptoms are less common than those for mesothelioma of the pleural region, but can be equally devastating. Mesothelioma can be a deadly cancer. Despite advancements in treatment certain patients die within the first year of diagnosis.

A doctor will look over the medical history of a patient to determine any risk factors. This includes an examination of their employment history, especially when they were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also check the patient for signs of mesothelioma, like fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity or the lungs.

People who have been exposed to asbestos should take steps to help prevent mesothelioma from developing. They must adhere to workplace safety regulations and inform their employer of any asbestos-related risks they may face. They should also eliminate from their homes any clothing or work gear that may contain asbestos. They should employ mesothelioma removal companies to remove asbestos in their homes and avoid cosmetics and talcum powder that could be contaminated.