Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma 101 Your Ultimate Guide For Beginners
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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Many people who suffer from mesothelioma also have a history of exposure to asbestos. Exposure can be a result of blue-collar jobs or branches of the military, or as a result of secondary exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a natural mineral that has strong micro-sized fibers. Inhaling or eating it the fibers are absorbed into the tissues which line and protect body organs. These fibers can cause irritation over time and can damage DNA. This could lead to cancerous cells arising out of control.
Workplace Exposure
Through the entire 20th century asbestos was a very popular material to manufacture because it was fireproof. It was used in construction, brakes and shingles and also for insulation. As a result asbestos was employed by a variety of workers. Many of them became sick. Mesothelioma is the most prevalent long-term health problem associated with exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Mesothelioma affects the linings of our organs in the body. This includes the chest wall, lungs abdominal cavity, lungs and the testicles. It typically takes years after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can grow.
Those most at risk for developing mesothelioma due to workplace exposure are tradesmen who worked with asbestos, for example, plumbers, electricians roofing workers, painters and roofers. Asbestos is also used extensively in the military, particularly on aircrafts and ships.
The exposure to asbestos can put people at risk of developing mesothelioma, even if they have never worked with asbestos. This is because those who worked with asbestos often brought home fibers on their clothing, shoes and skin. Family members of those workers could then be exposed to asbestos when they laundered their clothing that was contaminated. This is why mesothelioma can be often seen in spouses and children of workers exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos is banned in the United States, but it was once a popular material that was used in businesses and homes as well as on military vessels. Its use was known to be dangerous however, the manufacturers concealed this information from the public. Prior to the asbestos ban in the late 1960s, millions of Americans were exposed to the harmful material. Patients who have been diagnosed as having mesothelioma in the present could be eligible to receive compensation from the asbestos trust fund. It is essential for patients to speak with a lawyer with expertise in asbestos lawsuits. The lawyer can help ensure patients receive the correct compensation for their diagnosis and treatment. Patients should also receive medical treatment from an oncology specialist. This will improve the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life. It is crucial to seek treatment as soon as you can to ensure that the patient receives most effective treatment.
Secondary Exposure
Secondhand exposure can occur when you live in the same home as an asbestos exposure in the workplace. Inhaling the stray asbestos fibers that employees carried home on their clothes hair, skin, and skin that were found in a family member's workspace puts you at risk for developing mesothelioma. This kind of exposure can also lead to peritoneal mesothelioma which is a less prevalent form of the disease.
It could take anywhere from 15 to 60 years following exposure for mesothelioma to develop. Men who have been employed in blue-collar jobs, or in the military, are at the greatest chance of developing this rare cancer. It affects the linings of organs in the chest area and abdomen. However, people of all age groups and backgrounds are at risk.
Exposure to asbestos may cause asbestosis and lung cancer. These conditions can cause difficulty breathing, a persistent cold, discomfort in the rib cage, and abdominal swelling. A chest X-ray or lung function test can be used to diagnose these conditions.
Mesothelioma is caused by an accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lining of organs, including the lungs and chest cavity. The fibers can cause irritation to the lining and produce scar tissue which can lead to the development of tumors.
Asbestos is typically found in the Pleura (the membrane that covers the lungs and chest cavity). This exposure can cause thickened patches of the pleura, scarring in the lungs, or the buildup of fluids within the chest cavity.
The mesothelium that covers other organs, is susceptible. People who have lived or shared a home with someone who was exposed to asbestos at a work site, as well as those who reside near an abandoned asbestos mine are at risk of this rare cancer that occurs in the linings of these organs. A family history of mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illnesses also increases the chances of being diagnosed with this cancer. Contact your doctor if you have a family member with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.
Family History
Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is found in the lung linings and chest (pleura), or the stomach lining and abdomen. Eight out of ten people diagnosed with mesothelioma reported exposure to asbestos. The occupational exposure to asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause and is most often seen in those who work in mining, shipbuilding manufacturing, construction or veterans industries.
Mesothelioma can also be a non-occupational cancer that can affect those who have had to deal with asbestos-related products at home or in a business, or as contractors who removed or disturbed asbestos. This includes demolition crews, construction workers asbestos removers, plumbers, and electrical contractors. Clinicians have not yet recognized asbestos exposure outside of the asbestos mesothelioma life expectancy workplace due to its remoteness and difficulties in obtaining information regarding the history of occupational exposure for the patient.
In a majority of instances, family members of mesothelioma victims were also exposed to asbestos. Families of mesothelioma patients may have transported asbestos or handled contaminated clothing or equipment. A few relatives could have been exposed to asbestos dust directly from the body of loved ones.
Several studies have shown that household asbestos exposure increases the mesothelioma risk, particularly for wives of husbands who are exposed to occupational hazards. Roggli and al.19 reported 33 cases of female pleural msothelioma that were attributed to asbestos from the home. Miller and colleagues10 reported that 44% of female cases of peritoneal mesothelioma were women who lived with their spouses or with co-habitants who were exposed to asbestos.
The chance of developing mesothelioma is increased by the length of time that an individual has been exposed to asbestos. The risk of developing pleural mesothelioma decreases after about 45 years, while the risk of developing peritoneal mesothelioma remains the same. This is in line with the theory that peritoneal and pleural asbestos-related cancers grow more rapidly. Furthermore, a family history of mesothelioma is associated with longer latency periods for both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Therefore, it is essential that clinicians obtain an extensive background of both occupational and non-occupational asbestos exposure in their mesothelioma patients.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation sends energy beams into the chest cavity to kill cancerous cells. This procedure is comparatively painless. Doctors use it to decrease the size of tumors prior surgery or to kill cancerous cells that might not have been removed during an operation. Radiation is often used as a palliative treatment for patients suffering from mesothelioma. It can ease pain and pressure, either by shrinking tumors or by softening tissue surrounding them.
Radiation can make patients feel better, and may help them live longer. However, it isn't a cure for mesothelioma. It is most often used as part of a multimodal treatment plan that includes chemotherapy and surgery.
The malignant mesothelioma forms on the linings of the organs. This includes the linings of the abdomen and chest. Exposure to asbestos is the cause. People with a history exposure to asbestos in the workplace are at a higher chance of developing the disease.
The most frequent mesothelioma types are peritoneal and pleural. Asbestos fibers are strong and resistant to heat. It is utilized in various purposes including manufacturing and building materials. These products can create dust that can be inhaled, or swallowed. If inhaled, the particles may cause irritation in the lungs or stomach. If swallowed, they could be absorbed into the digestive tract and cause cancerous growths.
Tests that examine the health of the patient can identify mesothelioma. Signs and symptoms include difficulty breathing, painful coughing, abdominal pain and under the ribs. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed by a specialist like an oncologist, or pulmonologist.
Some studies have shown the connection between radiation therapy and a higher mesothelioma risk. Patients who have had radiation to treat Hodgkin's Disease may develop malignant mesothelioma as a side effect.
Although the connection between mesothelioma and radiation therapy isn't fully known, the medical community continues to research this possible association. In the meantime, a person at high risk for asbestos should speak with their doctor about any symptoms they may be experiencing. Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma however, the symptoms and signs can be linked to other illnesses.