Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk is occupational asbestos exposure. People who work in the construction industry and veterans of all branches of the military are particularly at risk.
Families of asbestos workers are also at risk. After exposure, mesothelioma can develop 30 to 60 years later. The majority of cases are found within the pleura which surrounds the lungs. Other forms of the disease may be detected in the peritoneum.
Occupational Exposure
The vast majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos via occupational exposure. The mineral was extensively employed in shipbuilding, construction manufacturing of asbestos cement and other industries. Workers in these fields are at greater risk of mesothelioma because the fibers are easily breathed into the lungs and spread throughout the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It can take up to 50 years before symptoms develop in patients following exposure. This long latency period makes mesothelioma a difficult disease to detect. However, people who have a history of mesothelioma should discuss this with their physician and have regular screenings.
The people who were exposed asbestos through their jobs are at greater risk than those not. This includes those who have worked in construction, steel and other manufacturing companies, as well veterans who were exposed while working. Mesothelioma is also a serious risk for firefighters who are exposed to
asbestos claim when fighting fires inside older structures or homes constructed with asbestos. The Cleveland Clinic reports that firefighters are twice more likely to develop mesothelioma as the general population due to their continuous exposure to asbestos.
Research has shown that the risk of developing mesothelioma varies based on the nature of the asbestos exposure and the duration of it. The most common mesothelioma types are peritoneal, pericardial and pleural. The pleural variant is the most common and affects the lining of the lungs, which can result in shortness of breath, fluid in the lung (pleural effusion) and an opening in the chest wall.
Asbestos may also cause mesothelioma to develop in the chest cavity and testicles. Men are more susceptible to developing mesothelioma. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, and they have a higher exposure rate than women. Military personnel have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that numerous branches employed asbestos in their bases, ships planes, vehicles and bases.
Secondary Exposure
When a person comes into contact with asbestos, it can cause irritation to the lining of their organs. If the irritation persists it can result in the formation of a tumor, which is known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs, but it can also occur in the abdomen or chest cavity. It is a cancerous disease that occurs when the DNA of a cell is mutated. This can lead to cells to multiply uncontrollably.
When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma they are required to seek compensation from the company that was responsible for their exposure. Working with a
mesothelioma attorney or a law firm with expertise in asbestos cases is the best way to do this. These lawyers and firms have access to resources that can assist them investigate an exposure history and identify any potential responsible parties.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was used in manufacturing and construction up to the 1980s. It was used in many structures and buildings, including ships, factories and schools as well as in homes, because of its fire-resistant qualities. Workers in these kinds of establishments were exposed to asbestos in a number of ways. Workers could inhale airborne particles when showering or working. They could also inhale fibers when they went back home after work as their clothes or equipment may have contained asbestos dust.
Workers working on sites that were undergoing demolition or remodeling could be exposed to asbestos by secondary exposure. When workers take or break down asbestos from older structures asbestos fibers, they become airborne and can contaminate nearby areas. This is why mesothelioma patients who didn't directly work with asbestos are still at an increased risk of developing disease.
Second-hand exposure can expose people who live close to asbestos workers to carcinogen. This is called para-occupational or non-workplace asbestos exposure. It can occur when asbestos workers bring harmful fibers home in their clothes, exposing their family to the carcinogen. It is this kind of exposure that usually results in mesothelioma affecting women.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms usually develop slowly over time and do not show up until years after asbestos exposure. The cancer might not be detected until it is at an advanced stage. It is common for symptoms to be mistakenly interpreted as other diseases. Hospital experts and GPs will investigate these symptoms in order to rule out other diseases before determining mesothelioma. However, it is important to consult your physician if any of the symptoms are present. Early diagnosis can improve life expectancy.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lining of certain organs, most commonly the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma). Other mesothelioma types are found in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) and in the lining of the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma can trigger a variety of symptoms based on the location of the tumour and the kind of mesothelioma.
The symptoms can vary and fluctuate, so you should tell your doctor if any symptoms persist or cause concern even in cases where the symptoms aren't specific to Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar the symptoms of other diseases and are difficult to diagnose. It is important to inform your GP about any asbestos exposure you might have experienced.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. These fibres can be breathed in or swallowed and cause lung damage over time. People who are exposed to
asbestos case while at work have a higher chance of developing the disease. Other mesothelioma risk factors include having an ancestral history of the disease, and a previous exposure to radiation therapy for another cancer.
Asbest fibres, if inhaled can cause mutations in genes and cancerous cell growth. This can result in symptoms like difficulty breathing, coughing and chest pain. Other symptoms of pleural Mesothelioma include stomach pain (pleural effusion) as well as bowel irritation, abdominal discomfort and weight loss. In peritoneal cancer, the symptoms are more severe. They may include a feeling that you have a lot of food in your stomach, gastric bloating and diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a lump on the stomach.
Diagnosis
Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that create long, thin, but robust fibres. The asbestos fibers are able to be breathed into the lungs, leading to cancer. In the 20th century asbestos was mined and utilized for consumer products, construction materials and automobile parts. Scientists discovered its dangers to human health only after it was used. It is not being mined in the US, but it is still found in older buildings and homes.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be a sign of other conditions which makes it difficult to recognize initially. The mesothelioma symptoms can also differ according to the type of mesothelioma, the organ or tissues affected and the stage of the disease.
Early mesothelioma signs and symptoms include chest pains, coughing and breathing problems. These symptoms may take decades to develop after exposure, because asbestos mesothelioma has a lengthy latency period.