Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

People who use asbestos-containing products are at risk of ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers. The fibers penetrate the tissue of the chest cavity and abdomen which is called the pleura or peritoneum.

The exposure to asbestos increases the chance of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma, or peritoneal cancer throughout your life. Although the risk appears to diminish after more than 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 can be described as a cancer that affects mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds important organs in the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, which means they grow out of control and cause tumors. Mesothelioma usually affects people who have been exposed to asbestos law. This could happen through their work or being a close family member.

Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma, as it irritates mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma is most commonly found in the linings of the lungs however, it may also affect the linings of the abdomen and peritoneum, as well as the lining of the heart.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is extremely durable and heat resistant. It was utilized for construction as insulation, construction, and for other industrial uses up to the 1980s. In this time millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos due to their work or being close to a loved one.

When asbestos claim is disturbed it releases fibers into the air. They are too tough for the body's systems to break them down or process. The fibers can become stuck in the lungs and cause irritation that may lead to cancer.

Mesothelioma symptoms are typically not likely to show up until years after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to other cancers, and may be fatal without treatment.

Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma more than women. It is also more often diagnosed among those over 45. Shipbuilders, miners, railroad workers, and those who handled asbestos claim-containing products are at most chance of developing mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Family members of these individuals are also at higher risk because the asbestos can be absorbed into their clothing.

Smoking

The chance of developing mesothelioma rises the longer they're exposed asbestos. This is due to the lengthy latency time that can range between 20 and 60 years from first exposure until diagnosis. Depending on the kind of asbestos, a patient's mesothelioma could be found in various parts of the body. The lining of the chest wall and the lung cavity (the pleura) is affected by mesothelioma of the pleural region. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdominal lining, called the peritoneum.

Most often, people who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma that affects the chest or the lungs. The most at risk are those who worked in shipbuilding, power generation and construction. Mesothelioma is also a possibility for those who have been exposed at home or in schools to asbestos. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed employees can carry asbestos law fibers from the workplace home on their clothing, skin, and hair. This puts them at risk.

Mesothelioma patients tend to be white and older than 65. They are also more likely to have a blue-collar job or military background. Asbestos was used extensively by the United States Navy and other branches in the military because of its resistance to flames. Millions of veterans were exposed to asbestos.

Mesothelioma can develop when DNA of an individual undergoes changes which cause cells to multiply without control. This results in the development of tumors that eventually transform into mesothelioma. The disease can affect any part of the body, but most often it occurs in the abdomen or chest.

Smoking is not a cause of mesothelioma. However it can increase the risk of getting this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos that an individual inhales. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking cigarettes.

In addition, a mesothelioma treatment program should include an experienced doctor who is knowledgeable about asbestos exposure and the risk factors for this type of cancer. A specialist in mesothelioma who is knowledgeable with them can help them determine the best method to treat this rare cancer. The specialist will be able to determine whether a patient is eligible for immunotherapy or experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that is found in a myriad of products including roofing, flooring, and insulation. Anyone who works with asbestos-containing products, manufacture them or work with them are at a high chance of being exposed. The exposure to asbestos fibers could lead to breathing them into the lungs, where they can cause illness or cancer.

Many asbestos diseases are not diagnosed until it's too late due to a long latency period between exposure and the onset of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most hazardous Asbestos legal disease. Mesothelioma symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 year after asbestos exposure.

The most common way people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Manufacturing, construction, electrical and automotive mechanic jobs all require the handling of asbestos-containing components and materials. However, workers can be exposed to asbestos by home activities, such as smoking or renovation of older homes that have asbestos.

Inhalation of asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled may travel into the lungs and irritate the lining known as the pleura. This irritation leads to the development of thickened patches on the pleura (pleural plaques) and fibrosis of the lungs. As the disease progresses, it may cause fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and ultimately lung cancer. Mesothelioma may also affect the linings of other organs such as the heart or abdomen.

Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer among those who have been exposed to asbestos while working. However, those with an ancestor with mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses, are also at risk. A person's risk is also increased if they have been exposed to asbestos at multiple times during their lifetime. Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of mesothelioma, but it can also aggravate the disease for those already diagnosed. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos and are suffering from mesothelioma quitting smoking can help you live longer and improve the treatment outcome. It is important to tell your doctor about the exposure to asbestos as well as any new symptoms, such as shortness of breath or abdominal pain, since they can treat the condition by using medication or surgery.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically related which means that a person's genes can increase the chances of getting a particular disease. But mesothelioma itself does not have a genetic component. In fact exposure to asbestos is the primary factor.

Asbestos fibers can get into the body via swallowing or inhalation and adhere to the tissues of the abdomen, chest or the heart. As time passes the loose fibers could cause damage or alteration to the cells that comprise these small linings, which could lead to the development of mesothelioma.

However, not every person exposed to asbestos develops mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors can affect the likelihood of developing mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. This includes the person's gender, age, and family history of mesothelioma, and other diseases, as in addition to any other risk factors like smoking.

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

Another risk factor for mesothelioma is a defective gene. In a study looking at two families with high rates of mesothelioma cancer, researchers found that nearly every member of the family had a defective gene located on the short arm of chromosome 3. This gene, known as BAP 1 regulates the flow of calcium inside cells. A defect in the gene causes disruption to this process which causes calcium levels to decrease. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones, causing mesothelioma.

Additionally the mutated gene within the immune system of a person could increase the risk of developing mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. People who have this mutation have lower levels of white blood cells which are the cells that fight cancerous cells.

The type of asbestos to which an individual was exposed as well as their work can increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma. The polio vaccine, given to children between 1940 and 1950, may also increase a person’s risk of developing mesothelioma through exposed to the cancer-causing SV40.