Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is occupational asbestos exposure. People with blue-collar jobs in the construction industry and veterans of all branches of the military are particularly at risk.

Family members of asbestos workers also are at risk. After exposure, mesothelioma could develop 30 to 60 years later. Most cases are found in the pleura that surrounds the lungs. Other forms of the disease can be seen in the peritoneum.

Exposure to Work

The vast majority of mesothelioma sufferers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. This is due to the fact that asbestos was extensively used in shipbuilding, construction asbestos cement manufacturing and other industries. Workers in these fields are at greater risk of mesothelioma since the fibers can be easily breathed into the lungs and be distributed throughout the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The signs of mesothelioma may take anywhere from 10 to 50 years after initial exposure to manifest in patients. This long time frame makes mesothelioma difficult to diagnose. Those with a mesothelioma history should inform their doctor of it and be screened regularly.

Those who have been exposed to asbestos at work are more at risk than those who have not been exposed to asbestos. This includes people who have worked in construction, steel, and other manufacturing firms as well as veterans who were exposed while working. Mesothelioma is also a major risk for firefighters who are exposed to asbestos when fighting fires inside older structures or homes constructed with asbestos. 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 revealed that the risk of mesothelioma is based on the type of industry and duration of asbestos exposure. The most commonly encountered mesothelioma types are pericardial, peritoneal, and the pleural. The pleural form is most common and affects the lining of the lungs and can cause shortness of breath, fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), and a hole in the chest wall.

asbestos case (full report) may also cause mesothelioma growth in the chest cavity as well as the testicles. Men are more prone to developing mesothelioma. This is because most people diagnosed with mesothelioma, are men and men have more exposure to asbestos from their jobs than women. Men in the military are also at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that numerous branches of the military use asbestos on bases as well as in ships, planes, vehicles and other equipment.

Secondary Exposure

Asbestos can irritate organ linings. If the irritation persists it could lead to mesothelioma, a cancer. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in the lungs, but it can also affect the chest cavity or abdomen. It is a malignant condition that occurs when a cell's DNA becomes changed. This can lead to cells grow uncontrollably.

When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma they must seek compensation from the company that was responsible for their exposure. The best way to do this is to work with a mesothelioma lawyer firm or an attorney who has experience in dealing with asbestos lawyer cases. These firms and lawyers have access to resources that can help them analyze an exposure history and identify any potential responsible parties.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was employed in construction and manufacturing up to the 1980s. Due to its fire-proof qualities it was used as an insulation material in various structures and buildings, including factories, ships and schools, power stations and homes, among others. Asbestos could pose a threat to workers in these types of facilities. For example workers could breathe in the asbestos-laden fibers in the air while showering or working. They may also inhale the fibers when they returned back home after work as their clothes or equipment may contain asbestos dust.

Workers working on construction sites that were undergoing demolition or renovation could be exposed to asbestos via secondary exposure. When workers remove or break down asbestos from older buildings and structures, the fibers are released into the air and can contaminate nearby areas. Many mesothelioma patients who did not directly work with asbestos are still at risk of contracting the disease.

Second-hand exposure can expose those living close to asbestos workers to the carcinogen. This is referred to as para-occupational or non-workplace asbestos exposure. It can occur when asbestos workers carry the harmful fibers home in their clothing, exposing their family to the carcinogen. It is this kind of exposure that usually results in mesothelioma affecting women.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma typically appear decades after asbestos exposure. The cancer might not be discovered until it is at an advanced stage. It is common for symptoms to be misdiagnosed as other ailments. GPs and hospital experts will look into the symptoms to rule out other illnesses before diagnosing mesothelioma. However it is essential to visit your doctor for any symptoms that are present. Early diagnosis can improve life expectancy.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lining of certain organs, mainly the lung (pleural mesothelioma) or the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma). Other mesothelioma types are found in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) and in the lining around the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma can cause a number of symptoms depending on the site of the tumor as well as the kind of mesothelioma.

Symptoms can vary and may be intermittent and fluctuate over the course of time, which is why it is important to tell your GP about any persistent or troubling symptoms even if they're not specifically related to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses and are difficult to diagnose. This is why it's essential to inform your GP know about any exposure to asbestos you've had in the past.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. The fibres can be inhaled or swallowed, and damage the lungs over time. People who are exposed to asbestos at work have a higher chance of developing the disease. Other risk factors for mesothelioma include having a family history of the disease and exposure to radiation treatment for another cancer.

When inhaled, asbestos fibres can irritate the lining of the lung (the pleura) and trigger mutations in genes that can lead to cancerous cell growth. This can cause symptoms such as coughing, chest pain and breathing difficulties. Other signs of pleural mesothelioma include stomach pain (pleural effusion) and bowel irritation, abdominal discomfort and weight loss. In peritoneal mesothelioma, symptoms can be more severe and include an feeling of fullness in the abdomen, bloating, diarrhea constipation, pain in the lower abdomen and swelling or lumps in the stomach.

Diagnosis

Asbestos is one of the minerals that make long, thin, and extremely robust fibers. Inhaling asbestos fibers into the lungs can cause cancer. Asbestos was mined and used in consumer products, building materials and automobile parts in the 20th century before scientists recognized its danger to human health. It is not mined anymore in the US, but it can still be found in older homes and buildings.

In the beginning, the symptoms of mesothelioma are difficult to identify because they are similar to the symptoms of other illnesses. The mesothelioma symptoms can also differ depending on the type of mesothelioma, the organ or tissues affected and the stage of the disease.

Early mesothelioma symptoms and signs include coughing, chest pains and breathing problems. The asbestos mesothelioma latency period can take several years to develop. The time of latency can vary between patients based on the amount of asbestos and the length of duration they were exposed.

Mesothelioma does not only affect lung cancer. It can also affect the stomach's lining and heart (peritoneal mesothelioma pericardial), or the testicles as well as the heart (pericardial mesothelioma pericardial). These symptoms are less frequent than those for pleural mesothelioma, but can be equally debilitating. Mesothelioma can be a very aggressive cancer, and despite improvements in treatment, a lot of patients are not able to survive the first year after diagnosis.

A doctor will review a patient's medical history to determine if there are risk factors. This will include an examination of their work history, particularly in the event that they were exposed asbestos. The doctor will also look for mesothelioma-related signs such as fluid accumulation in the lungs and abdominal cavity.

Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos might be able take steps to prevent mesothelioma's development. They should follow workplace safety regulations and inform their employer of any potential asbestos risks. They should also take away any work equipment or clothing from their residence that could contain asbestos. Hire an experienced mesothelioma removal company to remove any asbestos in their home, and avoid the use of cosmetics and talcum powder that may have been affected by asbestos.