Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is linked to exposure to asbestos fibers. These fibers can be breathed in or swallowed. They can trigger inflammation and scar tissue that leads to cancer.
Most patients with mesothelioma are exposed to asbestos. Exposure can be either occupational or environmental. Mesothelioma may develop for in as long as 50 years after exposure.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are tough and resistant to heat and corrosion. In the past, asbestos was widely used in construction due to its durability as well as its fire-resistant and its insulation properties. However, mesothelioma causes besides asbestos have led to its decline.
Asbestos can release tiny fibers into the air that people living or working in the vicinity can breathe in. Asbestos fibers are trapped in the lungs after inhalation. In time, this could cause mesothelioma and cancers of the larynx and the ovary, as well other respiratory illnesses.
Asbestos is so durable it can stay in the environment for a long time. This poses a risk to the health of people who work with it, as well as their families. It also poses a risk to people who live near industrial sites.
Asbestos can be released into the air by mining and manufacturing processes. It can also be released by demolition or accidental disturbance, or by improper disposal of asbestos-containing materials.
Once asbestos is present in the environment, it can cause contamination of air, water and soil. This can cause harm to the health of animals, plants and humans. It can be inhaled or consumed, causing illness. Asbestos can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time which allows it to travel over long distances.
Inhaling asbestos increases the risk of developing illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. It can take years for these illnesses to develop. Consult your doctor about regular tests for asbestos exposure, specifically x-rays or CT scans. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking, which can increase the risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses.
The most common way to get exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Many people who work in fields related to manufacturing, mining and ship repair are at risk of being exposed to asbestos. Other hazards are working with asbestos in home renovations or repairs and working near an underground mine. Even though very low levels of asbestos exist in the environment, the majority of people do not get sick from exposure to asbestos.
What is Asbestos Exposed?
While the primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos in the workplace however, it is possible for people to be exposed to asbestos through exposure from secondhand sources. Exposure can occur when fibres are released into the air due to an alteration of the material, for example, during the use of products, demolition work, building or home maintenance or repair, or renovation. Inhaling these fibres increases the chance of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and cancers of the lungs as well as the larynx (voice box) and peritoneum.
Asbestos fibres are small and can be easily inhaled. They can also remain in the lungs for many years. Asbestosis is caused by a thick scar tissue that develops in the lungs. The scar tissue behaves differently from healthy lung tissue and makes it more difficult to breathe. The scar tissue may also cause inflammation in the lungs that can cause breathing problems. Asbestosis is a chronic, progressive disease. The symptoms typically manifest several years after exposure, and the damage that results to the lungs is permanent.
It is essential to inform your doctor about any previous past exposure to asbestos. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing up blood or chest pains are often mistaken for other ailments and can take a long time to be diagnosed. Regular visits to a doctor familiar with asbestos symptoms will increase the likelihood of a prompt diagnosis.
In several studies, mesothelioma was identified in the family of asbestos-exposure workers like those in mining, shipbuilding and cement manufacturing. In one case series report 10 of the 52 cases had fathers or husbands exposed to asbestos in their work. Another mesothelioma case study looking at mesothelioma patients from communities with industrial and residential exposures identified elevated standardized mortality ratios in communities that were exposed to vermiculite treatment from the Libby, Montana, mines.
Asbestos-related litigation led the US to phase-out asbestos by the 1980s. A number of countries have banned the material completely. However, people who have already been exposed will continue to suffer from asbestos related illnesses until they die. People who have been exposed to asbestos are entitled compensation and should speak with a mesothelioma lawyer regarding filing an action.
What are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
The symptoms of mesothelioma can differ depending on the type, location and stage of cancer. Some signs, like chest discomfort, breathing difficulties and abdominal swelling, are present in all types of mesothelioma. Other symptoms, like pleural effusion (a accumulation of fluid in the lung), are more specific to pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos victims can also experience peritoneal mesothelioma which can lead to abdominal pain, bowel obstruction and a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
When asbestos fibers are ejected from their original location in a product or building they may be inhaled or swallowed. They are then absorbed into the lung's lining or other organs. These fibers can cause mesothelioma-related scarring.
The symptoms of pleural fibrosis are similar to the symptoms of other illnesses such as pneumonia, influenza and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients may also experience a fever as well as weight gain, fatigue and pain in the abdomen. Patients with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region may experience nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and difficulty digesting food.
The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are those with a history of exposure to asbestos. People are exposed to asbestos when they work in or around areas that contain asbestos, like power plants, shipyards and construction sites. The most vulnerable are those who handle asbestos-containing materials, such as insulation workers, electricians, plumbers and construction workers. Workers in shipyards or military bases are also at greater risk, as are those who have been exposed to asbestos by family members who brought home contaminated clothes and tools.
Asbestos can cause cancers that are different than mesothelioma. Particularly, it can increase the risk of developing ovarian, colorectal and stomach cancers as well as the gastrointestinal tract, lung and hematologic conditions like leukemia and lymphoma.
People who are exposed to asbestos can lower the risk of mesothelioma by being aware of the risk factors, obtaining regular medical checkups and submitting any unusual or persistent symptoms to a doctor. Anyone who has a history of asbestos exposure should also request their physician to refer them to mesothelioma specialists to prevent the possibility of a misdiagnosis.
What is the treatment for Mesothelioma?
It is possible to be confused if you or someone close to you has recently been diagnosed mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, so prompt diagnosis is essential. You should report your asbestos exposure to your doctor and request referral to an expert. Mesothelioma specialists are trained and experience to assist you get a correct diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that lines the insides of a variety of internal organs, such as the chest (pleura) and abdomen (peritoneum). Asbestos exposure can make these cells to develop malignancy and grow uncontrollably. The growths that result could be similar to tumors or not. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but it can be deadly if it develops in the lungs or abdominal cavity.
Asbestos fibers are airborne when they are disturbed or moved, and people take them in or swallow them. The fibers can cause irritation to tissues, which can cause scarring that could lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also affect the linings of the heart or reproductive organs.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can differ based on the type and location. The majority of the time, the cancer develops in the lung's lining, however, it can also be found in the stomach's lining or the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, coughing or difficulty breathing. In some instances, the cancer could expand to other areas of the body, such as the brain.
Mesothelioma is classified into three types according to the type of cell from which the cancer develops. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up about 80% of all mesothelioma cases and responds well to treatment. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which occurs in 10% of all diagnoses, grows faster and is harder to treat.
The only known mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. It can take 20 to 60 years after exposure for mesothelioma to be developed, so it is vital to know your asbestos history and remain alert for any signs of asbestos exposure. Veterans in particular should be aware of the dangers. Asbestos is commonly used in military bases as well as ships and other components of the armed services. This puts those who have served in the Navy and other branches at a higher risk of mesothelioma.