Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
The main risk factor for mesothelioma is occupational asbestos exposure. People who work in the construction sector and veterans from all branches of the military are most at risk.
Families of asbestos workers are also at risk. After exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed 30 to 60 years later. Most cases occur in the pleura, which is the lung's protective cover. Other forms of the disease may be found in the peritoneum.
Occupational Exposure
The majority of those diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos as a result of occupational exposure. This is because asbestos was used extensively in shipbuilding, construction, asbestos cement manufacturing, and in other industries. The workers in these industries are at higher risk for mesothelioma because the fibers are easily breathed into the lungs and be distributed throughout the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It can take up to 50 years before symptoms appear in patients after exposure. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because of the long time of latency. Anyone with a mesothelioma diagnosis should inform their doctor of it and undergo periodic screenings.
People who were exposed to asbestos in the course of their work are at higher risk than those who were not. This includes people who have worked in steel, construction and other manufacturing companies, as well those who were exposed working. Mesothelioma is also a major danger for firefighters who are exposed to asbestos when fighting fires in older homes or structures built with asbestos. The Cleveland Clinic notes that firefighters have double the rates of mesothelioma compared to the general population due to their continuous exposure to asbestos.
Studies have revealed that the risk of developing mesothelioma varies based on the type of asbestos exposure and the duration of it. The most common mesothelioma forms are peritoneal, pericardial and the pleural. The most common mesothelioma form is the pleural form, which affects the lining on the lungs. This can result in shortness of breathe and fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), or the formation of a hole in the chest wall.
Asbestos can also cause mesothelioma to develop in the chest cavity as well as the testicles. Men are more at risk of developing mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma and they have a higher asbestos exposure rate than women. Men in the military also have a higher chance of developing mesothelioma because many branches used asbestos in their bases, ships planes, vehicles and bases.
Secondary Exposure
If a person comes in contact with asbestos, it may irritate the lining of their organs. If the irritation persists it can lead to the development of a tumor, which is called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the lungs, but can occur in the abdomen or chest cavity. It is a malignant condition that develops when a cell's DNA becomes mutated. This can cause the cells grow uncontrollably.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma and are exposed to asbestos, you should get compensation from the company. The best way to accomplish this is by working with a mesothelioma law firm or attorney who is skilled in dealing with asbestos cases. These law firms and lawyers have access to resources which can help them investigate the history of exposure and determine liable persons.
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was utilized in construction and manufacturing up to the 1980s. Due to its fire-proof properties it was used for insulation in a variety of buildings and structures including ships, factories schools, power plants as well as homes and other. People who worked in these kinds of establishments were exposed to asbestos in a number of ways. For example workers could breathe in the asbestos-containing airborne fibers while they were showering or working. They could also inhale fibers after returning home after work, as their clothes or equipment may contain asbestos dust.
Additionally, workers who worked on sites that were undergoing demolition or renovation could be exposed to asbestos via secondary exposure. This is due to the fact that when workers break up or remove asbestos in older buildings, the asbestos fibers can be released into the air and contaminate nearby areas. Many mesothelioma patients who did not directly work with asbestos are at risk of developing the disease.
In addition, people living with people who worked with asbestos may be exposed to the dangerous material through exposure from secondhand sources. This is known as non-workplace or para-occupational exposure and it can happen when asbestos workers bring the harmful fibers home on their clothing and expose their family members to the carcinogen. This type of exposure is the leading mesothelioma-related cancer among women.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms tend to occur slowly and are not evident until decades after exposure to asbestos. This means that the cancer may not be diagnosed until it is at an advanced stage, and symptoms are often misinterpreted as other conditions. GPs and hospital experts will look into the symptoms to rule out other diseases before determining mesothelioma. However it is essential to see your doctor for any symptoms that are present. Early diagnosis can increase life expectancy.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of specific organs, including the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma). Other types of mesothelioma are 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 depending on the location of the tumor and the kind of mesothelioma.
The symptoms can be varied and change over time, which is why it is essential to inform your GP about any persistent or worrying symptoms, even if they are not specific to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can have symptoms that are similar to other illnesses and is difficult to identify. It is essential to inform your GP about any asbestos exposure that you may have had.
Asbestos is a group of minerals composed of tiny fibres. These fibres can be inhaled or swallowed, and cause lung damage over time. Workers who are exposed to asbestos have a much greater chance of developing mesothelioma compared to those who aren't. Other risk factors for mesothelioma include having a family history of the disease and exposure to radiation treatment for a different cancer.
Asbest fibres, when inhaled, can trigger mutations in genes and cancerous cell growth. This can cause symptoms such as coughing, chest pain and breathing difficulties. Other symptoms of pleural mysothelioma may include the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion) stomach pain, bowel irritation, abdominal pain and weight loss. In Racine asbestos attorneys , the symptoms are more severe. They can include a feeling that you have lots of food in your stomach, bloating and diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a lump in your stomach.
Diagnosis
Asbestos is one of the minerals that make long, thin, and extremely strong fibers. The asbestos fibers are able to be breathed into the lungs, which can cause cancer. Asbestos was mined and used in consumer products, building materials and automobile components in the 20th century, before scientists discovered the dangers to human health. It is not mined anymore in the US however it is still found in older homes and buildings.
Initially, the symptoms of mesothelioma may be difficult to identify because they are similar to those of other diseases. The symptoms of mesothelioma could also vary depending on whether it's an unintentional or malignant disease, the organs or tissues affected, and the stage at which it is diagnosed.
The earliest mesothelioma symptoms include coughing and difficulty breathing. The latency period of asbestos mesothelioma can take several years to develop. The duration of the latency period can vary among patients, based on how much asbestos exposure they received and the length of time they were exposed for.
In addition to lung problems mesothelioma may also affect the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). These signs, though less common than pleural cancer but can be equally damaging. Mesothelioma can be a very aggressive cancer, and despite advancements in treatment, a lot of patients are not able to live the first year following diagnosis.
A doctor will look over the medical history of a patient to determine if there are risk factors. This may include a review of their work history, especially if they have been 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 may be able to take steps to avoid mesothelioma from developing. They must inform their employers of any asbestos risks and follow workplace safety regulations. They should also remove from their homes any clothing or work equipment that could contain asbestos. They should hire a mesothelioma removal company to remove asbestos from their homes and avoid using cosmetics and talcum powder that could be infected.