Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Mesothelioma From Asbestos

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 and are called the pleura or the peritoneum.

The exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing malignant pleural mysothelioma or peritoneal cancer throughout your life. Although the risk is believed to diminish after 40 years, exposure to asbestos of any kind is dangerous.

Age

The older a person gets when exposed, the greater the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue around major organs in the body. The cancerous cells grow in uncontrolled ways and develop into tumors. Mesothelioma usually affects those who have been exposed to asbestos. This could happen through their work or being a close family member.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as it causes irritation to the mesothelium. The lining of the lungs (pleura) is most affected by mesothelioma pleural, but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen and peritoneum, as well as the heart lining (pericardium).

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral is extremely durable and heat resistant. It was used in construction, insulation and other industrial applications until the 1980s. During this period, millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos litigation as a result of their jobs or by being close to a loved one.

When asbestos attorney is disturbed, it releases fibers in the air. They are too difficult for the body's system to break them into pieces or process. The fibers can cause irritation and even cancer in the lungs if they become stuck.

Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not appear for decades after asbestos exposure. The symptoms are similar to other cancers and can be fatal without treatment.

Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma more than women. It is also most often diagnosed among those over 45. Those who are at the most chance of developing mesothelioma as a result asbestos exposure in the workplace include ship builders, miners railroad workers, and those who worked with or installed products made of asbestos. Family members of these individuals are also at a higher risk since asbestos could be found on their clothing.

Smoking

The chances of a person developing mesothelioma increases the longer they are exposed to asbestos. This is due to the long latency time that can last between 20 and 60 years from first exposure to diagnosis. Depending on the type of asbestos, an individual's mesothelioma can occur in various regions of the body. The lining of the chest wall and lung cavity (the pleura) is afflicted by mesothelioma of the pleural region. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develop abdominal lining, which is known as the peritoneum.

Those who have been exposed to asbestos the most often develop mesothelioma in their chests or lungs. The most at risk are those who worked in shipbuilding, power production and construction. Mesothelioma is also a possibility for individuals who were exposed at home or in school to asbestos. This is due to the fact that children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos may carry the asbestos fibers to their clothing, skin and hair, which can put them at risk as well.

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

When DNA mutations occur, they could cause cells to multiply unchecked. This can lead to the development of tumors that eventually become mesothelioma. The disease can affect the whole body however it is most common in the abdomen and chest.

Smoking does cause mesothelioma but it can increase your risk by increasing the amount of asbestos you inhale. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking.

Furthermore, a person's mesothelioma treatment program should include an experienced doctor who is knowledgeable about asbestos exposure and the risk factors for this cancer. A mesothelioma expert can assist determine the best treatment for this rare cancer. The specialist will be able to determine whether a patient is suitable for experimental treatments or immunotherapy.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is used in a variety of different products, including insulation, roofing and flooring. Workers who handle, make or work with asbestos-containing materials are at a high risk of exposure. Exposure to loose asbestos fibers can lead to breathing them into the lungs, where they cause illness and cancer.

Many asbestos diseases are not diagnosed until it's too late due to a long time period between exposure and the appearance of symptoms. Mesothelioma, the most dangerous of asbestos-related illnesses is not an exception. Mesothelioma symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.

The most frequent way that people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Construction, manufacturing, electrical and automotive mechanic jobs all require the handling of asbestos-containing components and materials. Some people are also exposed through activities at home like smoking or renovating older houses that contain asbestos.

Inhalation of asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos particles that are inhaled can travel into the lungs and cause irritation to the lining called the pleura. This irritation can lead to the formation of thickened patches on the pleura (pleural plaques) and fibrosis of the lungs. As the disease progresses, it could cause fluid to accumulate in the chest cavity and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the lining of other organs, such as the abdomen and the heart.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent in people who have been exposed to asbestos while working. People with a history of family members or mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses 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 can increase the risk of mesothelioma but it can also aggravate the disease for those already diagnosed. If you have a history of exposure to asbestos claim and are suffering from mesothelioma quitting smoking can make you healthier and improve your treatment outcome. It is crucial to inform your doctor about your exposure to asbestos and any new symptoms, like shortness of breath or abdominal pain, since they can treat the condition by undergoing surgery or medication.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically related and a person's genes can increase the chances of getting a particular disease. However, mesothelioma does not have an element of genetics. In fact exposure to asbestos is the main reason.

Asbestos fibers can get into the body through swallowing or inhalation, and then stick to the linings of the abdomen, chest or the heart. These loose fibers can harm the cells that make up these linings, which can become thin over time. This can lead to mesothelioma.

However there is a chance that not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors can influence whether a person develops mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. This could include a person's age and gender as well as their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases and whether they have additional risk factors like smoking.

Men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma. This may be because more males than females were directly exposed to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 60 year after the first exposure to asbestos.

Another risk factor for mesothelioma includes having an infected gene. In a study that looked at two families with high levels of mesothelioma cancer, researchers found that almost every member of the family had a defective gene on their short arm of chromosome 3. This gene, dubbed BAP 1 regulates the flow of calcium within cells. A defect in the gene causes disruption to this process and causes calcium levels to decrease. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.

A gene that is mutated can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. This mutated gene causes an increase in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.

The kind of asbestos to which a person was exposed and their occupation can also increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma. The polio vaccine that was given to children between 1940 and 1950, may also increase a person's risk of mesothelioma by exposed to the cancer-causing SV40.