Mesothelioma - Chances of Getting Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure

The risk of developing mesothelioma increases when exposed to asbestos. It's not clear whether the risk decreases after exposure stops.

A mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers become stuck in the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). There are various types of mesothelioma. This includes:

Age

The chances of a person developing mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors. This includes the age at which the first exposure to asbestos, the type of asbestos used and the time of exposure. The symptoms of mesothelioma generally start in the lungs, and then spread to other parts. So, people who have been exposed to asbestos case in the lungs are the most likely to develop the condition. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the abdomen's lining and peritoneum are less likely to develop mesothelioma.

Typically, the older someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma the more severe the condition. This is due to the 20-60 year period between exposure to asbestos and the first signs of mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally with fibrous bundles that can form thin sheets or clump together to create an impermeable material. Between the 1930s to 1980s its flexibility and strength made asbestos a popular material. During this time millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos via secondary or occupational exposure. The term occupational exposure refers to the time when workers are exposed to asbestos in their work. Secondary exposure is when asbestos fibers are carried home on clothing, hair or skin and inhaled by family members.

Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the lining of the lungs and other organs like the heart. This irritation can lead to scarring, inflammation and the conversion of healthy cells to cancerous cells over time.

Mesothelioma is primarily a cancer of the pleura which is the tissue that surrounds the lung. However, it may also affect other organs, such as the stomach and heart.

People with a blue-collar or military background are more likely to be exposed asbestos settlement when they work in certain industries or serve in the military. However, those who have been exposed to asbestos at home or from other sources could also be at risk.

People who have the BAP1 mutation also have a higher chance of developing mesothelioma. The majority of them are diagnosed between ages 50 and 70.

Gender

Mesothelioma occurs more often in males than women. This is likely because men worked in areas that were more vulnerable to asbestos law exposure. Men may have also carried home the asbestos fibers on their clothing from job places. Asbestos is most often found in factories and mines, with those that made asbestos products such as insulation, pipes tiles, cement and tiles most susceptible to developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also be found in those who repaired or constructed automobile and railroad equipment, as well as those who constructed ships and masks. Chrysotile exposure, the most well-known type of asbestos, is generally associated with mesothelioma.

The risk of developing mesothelioma is increased with the duration and intensity of exposure to asbestos. Most mesothelioma cases occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos for 30 or more years. The time of a person's latency can differ based on their gender as well as the kind of asbestos exposure.

Although it isn't clear what exactly causes this, women appear to have a longer time to develop for mesothelioma compared to men. One reason could be that a lot of the women who develop mesothelioma worked as housekeepers and may have come into contact with asbestos while washing the work clothes of their fathers, husbands and brothers.

When mesothelioma was a more prevalent disease, asbestos was used in a variety of commercial and domestic building materials. The fibers were used in pipe coatings, drywalls, paints, and cements. Many of these materials were used in homes and workplaces where asbestos was frequently disturbed during renovations or construction.

Although mesothelioma wasn't being used as an industrial product, asbestos was found in many types of structures, including schools, churches, hospitals, and offices. Many of these buildings were constructed prior to the 1980s in which asbestos was banned.

Asbestos is a complex substance, and scientists are continuing to study its health effects, especially mesothelioma. Studies are looking at how asbestos affects both the lungs as well as the gastrointestinal tract, which is the area where mesothelioma is most often found in patients. They are also examining how different factors can affect mesothelioma rate, including gender and exposure to asbestos lawyer.

Work History

A person is most likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure working in an industry where asbestos was used for many years. Asbestos was used extensively in construction and building, especially from the 1920s until the 1980s. Numerous jobs were susceptible to exposure, including manufacturing, mining power generation, shipbuilding, and asbestos removal.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. It is resistant to heat and strong making it ideal for a variety products. The fibers of asbestos are used to make insulation, brake pads and roofing, among other things. When asbestos is cut or smashed it releases microscopic particles that may be breathed in or swallowed.

It can develop much earlier than 60 years. It can be found in the lungs, the chest wall (peritoneal mesothelioma pleural) or in the abdomen.

People with mesothelioma-related family history are also at a higher risk of the disease, but it's not known the reason. Mesothelioma is a result of a mutation in the gene BAP1, but it's rare.

A person is also at risk of developing mesothelioma if they were in a relationship with someone who worked with asbestos and then brought the asbestos fibers home on their clothes, skin and hair. This is called secondary exposure. People who work in areas that are exposed to asbestos are at risk of bringing home fibers onto their shoes and clothing. These fibers can be inhaled or ingested by loved ones at home.

Asbestosis, a related lung disease to mesothelioma is often the result of breathing in asbestos fibers. Asbestosis typically develops in the lungs, and can lead to fluid buildup around the rib cage and cause breathing difficulties as well as chest pain and an ribcage lump.

Australia has one of the most mesothelioma-related deaths in the world, mainly because asbestos was extensively used here for a long time in construction, manufacturing and mining. A doctor first discovered the link between asbestos and mesothelioma in 1930, which led England to pass laws regulating asbestos in the 1930s. These regulations forced businesses to install ventilation and other safety equipment.

Smoking

Mesothelioma, as with many cancers is caused by cells that have received faulty genetic information. They grow unchecked. If these cells are found in the lungs (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium), they can cause abnormal growths called tumors. There is no cure for mesothelioma. However there are many factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease.

Asbestos exposure is the most significant mesothelioma risk factor. The asbestos fibers inhaled into the lungs can cause irritation to the lung's lining as well as the chest wall, which could cause mesothelioma. The people who are exposed to asbestos in the workplace are more likely to developing mesothelioma than people who were not exposed. The type of asbestos exposure a person has is also important. Different types of asbestos have a different impact on the lungs and person's health. For example, chrysotile asbestos is more prone to mesothelioma than amphiboles such as amosite or crocidolite.

Mesothelioma can also be a risk factor for someone if they have an ancestry of the disease. Mesothelioma is uncommon in children and younger adults however, it can occur in young adults if they were an adult who was exposed to asbestos. People who are mesothelioma-related illness or who has mesothelioma have an increased risk of developing the disease, due to the fact that they breathe asbestos fibers on hair, skin, and clothing.

The nature of the work that a person performed can affect the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. Those who worked on power plants, ships or other locations where asbestos was used have more mesothelioma risks than those who were not exposed to asbestos. People who worked in certain industries, such as construction and manufacturing, also have a higher mesothelioma rate than other industries.

The gender, age and race of a person may affect their mesothelioma. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women, as are those who have a family history of the disease. This is due to the fact that women are less likely to work in asbestos-related industries and males are more likely than other people to be exposed to asbestos at work.