Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Anyone who uses products containing asbestos are at risk of ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers. These fibers can penetrate the lining of the chest cavity and abdomen which is called the pleura or peritoneum.

Exposure to asbestos can increase the chance of developing malignant pleural mysothelioma or peritoneal cancer throughout your life. Although the risk appears to decrease after 40 years of exposure, even minimal exposure to asbestos is risky.

Age

The older a person gets when they are exposed the more likely they are to develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue around major organs in the body. The cancerous cells grow uncontrollably and form tumors. Mesothelioma typically affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. This could be due to their work or as a close family member.

Exposure to asbestos case can trigger mesothelioma as it causes irritation to the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma is most commonly found in the linings of the lungs however, it may also affect the linings of the abdomen, peritoneum and the lining of the heart.

Asbestos is a heat-resistant and durable mineral. It was used in construction as well as insulation and other industrial applications up to the 1980s. In the 1980s, millions of Americans were either exposed to asbestos through their work or by being around an asbestos-exposed loved one.

When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers in the air. They can be inhaled and they're too tough for the body to break down or process. The fibers can be trapped in the lungs and cause irritation that may lead to cancer.

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

Mesothelioma case is more prevalent in men than women, and it is most often diagnosed in those who are over 45. People who are at highest risk of developing mesothelioma because of workplace asbestos exposure include ship builders, miners, railroad workers and those who handled or installed products made of asbestos. The asbestos in the clothing of these people can put their family members at risk.

Smoking

The chances of a person developing mesothelioma increases the longer they're exposed asbestos. This is due to the lengthy latency period which can last between 20 and 60 year from the time of exposure until diagnosis. Depending on the type of asbestos, a patient's mesothelioma can occur in various regions of the body. The chest wall's lining and lung cavity (the pleura) is affected by pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdominal lining, called the peritoneum.

Most often, those who have been exposed develop mesothelioma of the chest or lung. People who worked in the power generation, shipbuilding, and construction sectors are the most at risk. However, mesothelioma can also be found in people who were exposed to asbestos in their homes or at school. This is because children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos may bring the fibers home on their clothes hair, skin, and skin which puts them at risk too.

Mesothelioma sufferers are usually white and over 65. They are more likely to have an occupation with a blue collar or military background. The United States Navy and other branches of the military have used asbestos extensively due to its flame-resistant properties, and millions of veterans could have been exposed to it.

Mesothelioma may develop when a person's DNA undergoes changes which cause cells to multiply uncontrolled. This causes the development of tumors, which eventually transform into mesothelioma. The disease can be affecting any part of the body, but typically, it is found in the chest or abdomen.

Smoking cigarettes can cause mesothelioma, but it can increase your risk by increasing the amount asbestos you breathe in. Therefore, anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should think about abstaining from smoking.

The treatment plan of a patient with mesothelioma should also include a physician who is knowledgeable about asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma expert can help determine the best treatment option for this rare cancer. The doctor can determine whether the patient is suitable for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, is used in a variety of products like flooring, roofing and insulation. Workers who handle, manufacture or work with asbestos attorney-containing materials are at risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to cancer and illness.

There is a long time of latency between exposure to asbestos and the first signs of symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose many asbestos diseases. Mesothelioma one of the most hazardous of asbestos diseases is not an exception. Mesothelioma symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos.

Exposure to occupational hazards is the most commonly used method by which people are exposed. Manufacturing, construction, electrical and automotive mechanic jobs all involve handling or using asbestos parts and materials. Some people are also exposed to asbestos litigation through home activities such as smoking or renovating older houses that contain asbestos.

Most mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos fibers inhaled can travel into the lungs and cause irritation to the pleura, the lining of the lungs. This irritation causes the formation of thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) and fibrosis of the lungs. As the disease progresses it may result in the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue of other organs such as the abdomen and the heart.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent in people who have been exposed to asbestos while working. However, people with a family history of mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases are also at risk. The risk of exposure to asbestos is increased if a person has held more than one job in the course of their life. Smoking does increase the risk of mesothelioma, but it can worsen the condition for those already diagnosed. If you have had a history of exposure asbestos and have mesothelioma symptoms, quitting smoking can help you live longer and improve the treatment outcome. Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos or if you notice any new symptoms such as abdominal pain or difficulty to breathe. They may prescribe medication or operate to treat the disease.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically linked which means that a person's genes may increase the chance of developing a specific disease. Mesothelioma, however not have a genetic component. Instead exposure to asbestos is the primary factor.

Asbestos fibers can enter the body through swallowing or inhalation, and then stick to the tissues of the chest, abdomen or the heart. As time passes the loose fibers could alter or damage the cells that compose these tiny linings, which can result in mesothelioma development.

Despite this, not every person exposed to asbestos develops mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors can affect the likelihood of developing mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. This includes gender, age, gender, the family history of mesothelioma as well as other diseases, as well as any additional risk factors such smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to be found in males than females. This could be due to the fact that more men than women were exposed directly to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma is a cancer that can develop between 20 and 60 years after the first exposure to asbestos.

A faulty gene is a second risk factor for mesothelioma. In a study looking at two families with high levels of mesothelioma, researchers discovered that almost every member of the family was affected by a defective gene on the short arm of chromosome 3. This gene is known as BAP 1 and regulates how calcium moves through cells. A faulty gene disrupts this process, causing calcium levels to decrease. This allows asbestos to mutate healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.

In addition an mutated gene in the immune system of a person can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos. People who have this mutation have lower levels of white blood cells which are the cells that fight off cancerous cells.

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