Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

People who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of breathing in or eating asbestos fibers. The fibers enter the tissue of the chest cavity or abdomen, also referred to as the pleura and peritoneum.

Exposure to asbestos can result in a lifetime risk of malignant pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Although the risk is believed to diminish after 40 years, exposure to asbestos of any kind can be dangerous.

Age

The older a person is at the time of exposure the more likely they will develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium - a thin layer surrounding the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells expand uncontrollably and form tumors. Mesothelioma typically affects those who have been exposed to asbestos. This could happen through their work or being a close family member.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma because it causes irritation to the mesothelium. The lung's lining (pleura) is the most affected in patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural, but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen and peritoneum as well as the heart lining (pericardium).

Asbestos is a highly resistant and durable mineral. It was utilized in the construction industry, insulation and other industrial applications until the 1980s. During this time many millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos as a result of their work or being close to an exposed loved one.

When asbestos is disturbed it releases fibers in the air. They are too tough for the body's system to break them down or process. The fibers can get stuck in the lungs and cause irritation that may lead to cancer.

Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not appear for decades after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to other cancers and can be fatal if not treated.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most often diagnosed in people over age 45. Miners, shipbuilders and railroad workers, and people who handled asbestos-containing products are at greatest risk of developing mesothelioma thanks to exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The asbestos found on the clothing of these workers can also put their family members at risk.

Smoking

The chances of a person developing mesothelioma rises the longer they are exposed to asbestos. This is due to the lengthy latency period which can last between 20 and 60 year from first exposure until diagnosis. Mesothelioma may occur in different parts of the body, based on the type and quantity of asbestos legal (check out this one from Hisystem) present. The chest wall's lining and lung cavity (the pleura) is afflicted by pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdomen and is also known as the peritoneum.

Those who have been exposed to asbestos the most often develop mesothelioma in their chests or lungs. The most at risk are those who worked in shipbuilding, power production and construction. However, mesothelioma can also develop in people who were exposed to asbestos at home or in school. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed employees can carry asbestos-containing particles from their workplace home and smear them on their clothes hair, skin and hair. This puts them at risk.

People with mesothelioma are typically white and older than 65. They are also more likely to have a blue-collar job or a military background. The United States Navy and other branches of the military used asbestos extensively because of its properties to resist flames, and millions of veterans may have been exposed to it.

Mesothelioma may develop when a person's DNA undergoes alterations which cause cells to multiply uncontrolled. This results in the development of tumors, which then transform into mesothelioma. The disease can affect any part of the body, however typically, it is found in the chest or abdomen.

Smoking does not cause mesothelioma, but it increases the risk of getting this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos lawyer people breathe in. Anyone who has been exposed asbestos should stop smoking cigarettes.

The treatment plan of a patient with mesothelioma should also include a physician who is well-versed in asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma specialist can help determine the best treatment for this rare cancer. The doctor will be able determine whether a patient is eligible for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in many different products including flooring, roofing, and insulation. Workers who handle, manufacture or work with asbestos-containing products are at a high risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can cause illness and cancer.

There is a long time of time between exposure to asbestos settlement and the first signs of symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose the various asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma, the most dangerous of asbestos-related illnesses is not an exception. Mesothelioma symptoms may manifest between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.

The most commonly used method by which people are exposed. Construction, manufacturing, electrical and auto mechanic jobs all require handling or using asbestos parts and materials. However, workers can be exposed to asbestos through home activities, such as smoking or renovation of older homes that contain asbestos.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos particles that are inhaled can travel into the lungs and irritate the pleura, the lining of the lungs. 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 can cause fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and ultimately lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue of other organs such as the abdomen and the heart.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent in people who have been exposed to asbestos working. However, people with the family history of mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses, are at risk as well. The risk of asbestos exposure is increased if someone has worked in more than one job over the course of their lives. Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of mesothelioma, however, it can also worsen the condition for those already diagnosed. If you have had a history of exposure asbestos and have mesothelioma symptoms, quitting smoking can make you healthier and improve the treatment outcome. Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos or if you have any new symptoms, like abdominal pain or a shortness of breathe. They may prescribe medication or operate to treat the disease.

Genetics

Many cancers have a genetic link which means that genetic factors can increase their chances of developing a particular disease. Mesothelioma however does not have a genetic component. In fact exposure to asbestos is the main reason.

Asbestos fibers can enter the body via inhalation or swallowed, and they stick to the lining of the chest (the pleura) and the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). Over time, these loose fibers can damage or mutate the cells that compose these small linings, which can lead to the development of mesothelioma.

However there is a chance that not everyone who is exposed to asbestos compensation develops mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors could influence whether a person develops mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. This includes a person's age and gender as well as their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases and whether they have other risk factors, such as smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to be found in males than females. This could be due to the fact that men were more likely than women to have been exposed directly to asbestos while at work. It can take between 20 to 60 years for mesothelioma develop following the first exposure to asbestos.

Another risk factor for mesothelioma is having an infected gene. In a study looking at two families with high levels of mesothelioma cancer, researchers found that almost everyone in the family had a defective gene on the short arm of chromosome 3. This gene, called BAP 1 regulates the flow of calcium inside cells. If the gene is defective the process is disrupted and calcium levels drop. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones and trigger mesothelioma.

Additionally an mutated gene in the immune system of a person could increase the risk of developing mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos. The mutated gene results in a decrease in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.

Other factors that increase a person's chance of mesothelioma include the type of asbestos they were exposed to and their job. In addition, the polio vaccine given to children in the 1940s and 1950s could increase the risk of mesothelioma by exposing them to the cancer-causing SV40 virus.