Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

The primary risk factor for mesothelioma is occupational asbestos exposure. Blue-collar workers in the construction industry as well as veterans of all branches of the military are particularly at risk.

Family members of asbestos workers are at risk. Mesothelioma can take between 30 and 60 years to develop following exposure. The majority of cases manifest in the pleura around the lungs, while other forms of the disease occur in the peritoneum.

Workplace Exposure

The majority of mesothelioma patients had exposure to asbestos in their work environments. This is because asbestos was used extensively in shipbuilding, construction manufacturing of asbestos cement, and other industries. The workers in these industries are more at risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that the fibers are easily breathed into the lungs and be distributed throughout the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The symptoms of mesothelioma could take anywhere from 10 to 50 years after the initial exposure to manifest in patients. This long latency period makes mesothelioma hard to diagnose. However, patients who have a history of mesothelioma should inform their physician and have regular screenings.

Those who were exposed to asbestos through their jobs are at greater risk than those who were not. This includes people who have worked in steel, construction and other manufacturing companies as well as veterans who were exposed on duty. Firefighters, who can become exposed while fighting fires in older homes and structures built with asbestos materials are also at a high risk of mesothelioma. The Cleveland Clinic notes that firefighters have twice the risk of mesothelioma than the general population due to their constant contact with asbestos.

Studies have shown that the risk of developing mesothelioma is contingent on the nature of the asbestos exposure and the duration of it. The most prevalent mesothelioma forms include the pericardial, peritoneal and pleural types of the disease. The pleural type is the most common and affects the lining of the lungs, which can result in shortness of breath, fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion) and an opening in the chest wall.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma in the chest cavity, abdomen and the testicles. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because the majority of those diagnosed with mesothelioma, are men and men have more exposure to asbestos from their jobs than women. Men who are in the military are more likely to developing mesothelioma because the majority of branches use asbestos in their bases, ships, planes and vehicles.

Secondary Exposure

Asbestos can cause irritation to organ linings. If the irritation persists, it may result in the growth of an abnormality, which is known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in the lungs, but it can also affect the chest cavity or abdomen. It is a form of cancer that occurs when the DNA of a cell alters and is mutated which can cause the cells to grow in an uncontrollable manner.

If someone develops mesothelioma they are required to seek compensation from the business responsible for their exposure. The best way to do this is to partner with a mesothelioma lawyer firm or attorney who is experienced in dealing with asbestos cases. Lawyers and law firms have access to resources that can help them investigate the history of exposure and identify responsible individuals.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in construction and manufacturing up to the 1980s. Because of its fire-resistant properties it was used as insulation in various structures and buildings like ships, factories, schools, power stations, homes and more. People who worked in these kinds of structures were exposed to asbestos in a number of ways. For example, workers could inhale the asbestos-containing airborne fibers while they were showering or working. They could also inhale fibers when they went home after work, as their clothes or equipment may have carried asbestos dust inside.

Workers who were working on sites that were undergoing demolition or renovation may also be exposed to asbestos by secondary exposure. When workers remove or break down asbestos from older buildings, the fibers become airborne and can infect nearby areas. Many mesothelioma patients who didn't directly work with asbestos are at risk of developing the illness.

Second-hand exposure also exposes those living near asbestos workers to the carcinogen. This is referred to as para-occupational or non-workplace asbestos exposure. It can occur when asbestos workers bring the harmful fibers home in their clothing and expose their families to the carcinogen. This type of exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma among women.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms usually occur slowly and don't appear until decades after exposure to asbestos. The cancer might not be identified until it's at an advanced stage. Symptoms are often misdiagnosed as other conditions. Doctors and hospital specialists will investigate these symptoms to rule out other conditions before determining mesothelioma. However, it is important to consult your physician if you suspect you're suffering from mesothelioma as early diagnosis can help increase life expectancy.

Mesothelioma is a cancerous growth that occurs in the linings of specific organs (most often the lungs or abdomen) is a cancerous growth. Other mesothelioma types are found in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) and in the lining around the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). The type of mesothelioma and the location of the tumour can influence the symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms may vary and fluctuate, so you should tell your doctor if any symptoms persist or are worrying even in cases where the symptoms aren't specific to Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can have symptoms that are similar to other ailments and can be hard to identify. This is why it is important to let your GP be aware of any asbestos exposure you've had in the past.

Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibers. The fibres can be inhaled, ingested or swallowed and cause lung damage over time. People who work in environments that are exposed to asbestos are at a more risk of developing mesothelioma than those who don't. Mesothelioma is also more likely to develop if have a family history of the disease and have been exposed to radiation therapy.

Asbest fibres inhaled can cause gene mutations and cancerous cell growth. This can result in symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing and chest pain. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can include build-up of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion) stomach pain, bowel irritation, abdominal pain and weight loss. In peritoneal cancer, the symptoms are more severe. They can include an impression that you've lots of food in your stomach, gastric bloating and diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a lump in your stomach.

Diagnosis

Asbestos is made up of a collection of minerals that form long, thin, but strong fibers. Inhaling asbestos fibers into the lung can cause cancer. Asbestos was once mined, and used in consumer products, building materials and automobile parts in the 20th century, before scientists discovered its danger to human health. It is not being mined anymore, however older buildings and homes still contain it.

Initially, the symptoms of mesothelioma are difficult to diagnose because they are similar to those of other diseases. The mesothelioma symptoms can also differ according to the type of mesothelioma and the organ or tissues affected and the stage of the disease.

The earliest mesothelioma symptoms include coughing and difficulty breathing. The asbestos case mesothelioma latency period can take a long time to develop. The length of the latency period can differ between patients, based on the amount of asbestos Case they were exposed to and the length of time they were exposed to asbestos for.

Mesothelioma does not only affect lung cancer. It can also affect the linings of the stomach and heart (peritoneal mesothelioma of the pericardial region) or the testicles as well as the heart (pericardial mesothelioma pericardial). These symptoms, while less common than pleural tumors however, can be just as damaging. Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer, and despite improvements in treatment, a large number of patients are not able to live the first year after diagnosis.

When a patient presents with mesothelioma symptoms, the doctor will likely conduct an in-depth medical history to determine risk factors. This will include an examination of their work background, particularly if they have been exposed to asbestos case. The doctor will also check the patient for signs of mesothelioma for example, fluid accumulation in the abdomen or lungs.

Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos may be able to take steps to prevent the development mesothelioma. They should inform their employer about asbestos case-related dangers and adhere to the safety rules for work. They should also take away any work equipment or clothing from their homes that may contain asbestos, hire a reputable mesothelioma abatement company to remove any asbestos from their home, and avoid talcum powder and other cosmetics which could be contaminated with asbestos.