Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

The people who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers. These fibers penetrate the chest cavity's lining or abdomen, referred to as the peritoneum and pleura.

The exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal cancer throughout your life. While the risk does appear 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 can be described as a cancer that affects mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that surrounds the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells expand rapidly and create tumors. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in those who have been exposed to asbestos either through their own work or as a family member of someone who was exposed to asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma due to the irritation of the mesothelium. The lung's lining (pleura) is most affected in patients suffering from mesothelioma of the pleural region, but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen and peritoneum, as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is extremely durable and heat resistant. It was utilized for construction, insulation, and other industrial applications up to the 1980s. During this time, millions of Americans were either exposed to asbestos as a result of their work or living near an asbestos-exposed loved one.

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

Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not show up until decades after asbestos exposure. The symptoms are similar with other cancers and can be fatal if not treated.

Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma than females. It is also diagnosed most often among those over 45. Shipbuilders, miners, railroad workers, and others who handled asbestos-containing products are at highest risk of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos legal exposure in the workplace. Family members of these people are also at greater risk since asbestos could be absorbed into their clothing.

Smoking

A person's chances of getting mesothelioma rises the longer they're exposed asbestos. This is due to the long time of latency, which can take between 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to the disease until it is diagnosed. Mesothelioma can occur in different parts of the body, based on the type and amount of asbestos present. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's lining cavity and the chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develop abdominal lining, which is known as the peritoneum.

Most often, people who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma of the chest or the lungs. The most at risk are those who worked in shipbuilding, power production and construction. However, mesothelioma may develop in individuals who were exposed to asbestos in their homes or at school. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed workers can carry asbestos-containing particles from their workplace home on their clothing, skin, and hair. This puts them at risk.

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

When DNA mutations occur, they can cause cells to multiply without a limit. This results in the development of tumors that eventually develop into mesothelioma. The disease can affect any part of the body, however most often it occurs in the abdomen or chest.

Smoking causes mesothelioma however it can increase your risk by increasing the amount of asbestos you inhale. Therefore anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should think about stopping smoking cigarettes.

Additionally, a person's mesothelioma treatment plan should involve a doctor who understands asbestos exposure and the risk factors for this type of cancer. A mesothelioma expert can assist determine the best treatment for this rare cancer. The doctor will be able to determine whether a patient is suitable for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs is used in a variety of items, such as flooring, roofing, and insulation. Workers who handle, make or work with asbestos-containing products are at risk of exposure. The exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to breathing asbestos fibers into the lungs, where they cause illness and cancer.

There is a long period of latency between exposure to Asbestos Legal and the onset of symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose the various asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is the most deadly of asbestos-related illnesses is not an exception. The symptoms of mesothelioma may develop between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.

The most common way people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Manufacturing, construction, electrical and auto mechanic jobs all require handling asbestos-related parts and materials. Some people are also exposed through activities at home such as smoking or renovating older homes that have asbestos.

Most mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos inhalation. As asbestos lawyer fibers inhaled can travel to the lung, where they cause irritation to the lining known as pleura. This irritation can cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plates) and fibrosis within the lung. As the disease progresses it could lead to fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and ultimately to lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue of other organs including the abdomen and heart.

People who are exposed to asbestos at work are at the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma. People who have a family history of mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases are also at risk. A person's risk is also increased if they have been exposed to asbestos in multiple jobs throughout their life. Smoking can 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 are suffering from mesothelioma quitting smoking may prolong your life and improve the outcome of your treatment. It is important to tell your doctor about the exposure to asbestos as well as any new symptoms, like breathlessness or abdominal pain, because they can treat the condition with medication or surgery.

Genetics

Many cancers have a genetic connection, which means that a person's genes can increase their chances of developing a particular illness. However, mesothelioma does not have an element of genetics. Instead exposure to asbestos is the main cause.

Asbestos fibers can enter the body through swallowing or inhalation and adhere to the tissues of the abdomen, chest or the heart. These loose fibers can damage the cells that comprise these small linings over time. This can result in mesothelioma.

Despite this, mesothelioma does not affect all people who are exposed. Researchers believe other factors can affect the likelihood of developing mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. This includes a person's age and gender, their family history of mesothelioma and other diseases, and whether they have additional risk factors like smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to occur in males than females. This is due to the fact that more men than women were exposed directly to asbestos at work. It can take between 20 to 60 years for mesothelioma develop after a person's first exposure to asbestos.

Another risk factor for mesothelioma is having a faulty gene. In a study looking at two families with high levels of mesothelioma cancer, researchers found that almost everyone in the family had a faulty gene located on the short arm of chromosome 3. This gene is known as BAP 1 and regulates how calcium moves through cells. A defective gene can disrupt this process, causing calcium levels to drop. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones, causing mesothelioma.

Additionally the mutated gene within the immune system of a person can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. People who have this mutation have a lower level 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 also increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. Additionally the polio vaccine administered to children in the 1940s and 1950s may increase the risk of mesothelioma in a person because it exposed them to the cancer-causing SV40 virus.