Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

People who use asbestos-containing products are at risk of ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers. These fibers penetrate the lining of the chest cavity or abdomen, also known as the pleura and peritoneum.

The exposure to asbestos increases the lifetime risk of malignant, pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Although the risk is believed to diminish after 40 years of exposure, asbestos exposure of any kind is a risk.

Age

The older a person gets when they are exposed, the more likely they are to develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue around the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells grow rapidly and create tumors. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their job or as a member of someone who worked with it.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, as it irritates mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs' linings however, it may also affect the abdomen's lining and peritoneum as well as the heart lining.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral is strong and heat resistant. It was widely used in construction, insulation and other industrial applications until the 1980s. During this time, millions of Americans were either exposed to asbestos because of their work or living near someone who was exposed to asbestos.

When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into air. They can be inhaled and they're too tough for the body to break down or process. The fibers can get stuck in the lungs, causing irritation that leads to cancer.

The signs of mesothelioma are usually not manifest for a long time after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to those of other cancers, and they can be fatal if they are not treated.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people over age 45. Shipbuilders, miners, railroad workers, and others who work with asbestos-containing products are at the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos lawsuit exposure in the workplace. The asbestos in the clothing of these workers can also expose their families to risk.

Smoking

The longer someone is exposed to asbestos, the higher the chance of developing mesothelioma. This is because of the long latency time which can range from 20 to 60 years from the first exposure until diagnosis. Mesothelioma can be found in various parts of the body depending on the type and quantity of asbestos present. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lining between the lung cavity and chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs in the abdomen's lining also known as the peritoneum.

Most often, people who have been exposed develop mesothelioma that affects the chest or the lungs. People who worked in the shipbuilding, power generation and construction industries are most at risk. However, mesothelioma may be found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their homes or at school. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed workers can carry asbestos litigation-containing particles from their workplace home and smear them on their clothes hair, skin and hair. This puts them at risk.

Mesothelioma patients are usually white and older than 65. They are also more likely to hold a blue-collar position or military history. The United States Navy and other branches of the military used asbestos extensively because of its flame-resistant properties, and millions of veterans may have been exposed to it.

When DNA mutations occur, they could cause cells to grow uncontrolled. This may lead to development of tumors that eventually develop into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the entire body however it is most prevalent in the abdomen and chest.

Smoking is not a cause of mesothelioma. However it may increase the risk of developing this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos people breathe in. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking cigarettes.

The treatment plan of a patient with mesothelioma must also include a physician who is familiar with asbestos litigation exposure and risk factors. Having an experienced mesothelioma specialist to assist them determine the best method to treat this rare cancer. The doctor will determine whether the patient is eligible for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs that is found in a variety of products, such as roofing, flooring and insulation. Workers who handle, make or work on asbestos-containing products are at a high risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can cause cancer and other illnesses.

Many asbestos-related diseases aren't discovered until it's too late because there is an extended period of time between exposure and the development of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most dangerous asbestos-related disease. Mesothelioma symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.

The most frequent way in which people are exposed. All jobs that involve asbestos handling or use, including those in construction, manufacturing, automotive mechanics, and electrical. However, people can also be exposed to asbestos by home activities, like smoking cigarettes or renovating older houses that contain asbestos.

Inhalation of asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos fibers inhaled can travel into the lungs and cause irritation to the lining called the pleura. This irritation can lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plates) and fibrosis in the lung. As the disease progresses it can lead to fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma may also affect the tissues of other organs, such as the heart or abdomen.

Mesothelioma is most common in people who have been exposed to asbestos working. People with a history of family members or mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases are also at risk. The risk of exposure to asbestos is higher if one has worked in more than one job over the course of their life. Smoking cigarettes does not increase the risk of mesothelioma, but it can make the condition worse for those who have already been diagnosed. Quitting smoking cigarettes is beneficial if you have had an exposure to asbestos in the past and are suffering from mesothelioma. It will also allow you to live longer and enhance the results of your treatment. It is crucial to inform your doctor about the exposure to asbestos as well as any new symptoms, such as breathlessness or abdominal pain, because they can treat the disease by using medication or surgery.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically linked and a person's genes may increase the likelihood of them getting a particular disease. However, mesothelioma doesn't have an element of genetics. Exposure to asbestos is the most important reason.

Asbestos fibers can get into the body through swallowing or inhalation and adhere to the linings of the chest, abdomen or the heart. As time passes these fibers that are loose can alter or damage the cells that compose these tiny linings, which can result in mesothelioma development.

But, not every person exposed to asbestos gets mesothelioma. Researchers believe other factors can determine if a person develops mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. This could include a person's gender and age, their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases and whether they have other risk factors like smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to occur in males than females. This is because men were more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 20 and 60 years after the first exposure to asbestos.

Another risk factor for mesothelioma is an infected gene. In a study that looked at two families with high levels of mesothelioma cancer, researchers found that almost everyone in the family was affected by a defective gene on their short arm of chromosome 3. This gene, called BAP 1, regulates the movement of calcium inside cells. A defect in the gene causes disruption to this process and causes calcium levels to drop. This allows asbestos attorney to mutate healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.

Additionally an mutated gene in the immune system of a person could increase the risk of developing mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos. The mutated gene causes a decrease in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.

Other factors that can raise a person's chance of mesothelioma are the type of asbestos they were exposed to and their job. Additionally the polio vaccine that was given to children in the 1940s and 1950s could increase a person's mesothelioma risk because it exposed them to the cancer-causing SV40 virus.