Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Many who die of mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos could result from blue-collar jobs as well as military branches or exposure.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is a powerful, microscopic fibres. These fibers can cling to the tissues that line organs when consumed or inhaled. As time passes, these fibers can cause irritation and damage to DNA, triggering cancer cells to grow out of control.
Occupational Exposure
For the majority of the 20th century asbestos was a common material to manufacture because it was fireproof. It was used in the construction industry, insulation, brakes and shingles and other products manufactured by commercial companies. Due to this, many kinds of workers were exposed to asbestos. Many of them became sick. Mesothelioma is the most common long-term health condition that results from asbestos exposure in the workplace. Mesothelioma affects the linings of the body's organs. This includes the lungs, chest wall, abdominal cavity, and the testicles. Mesothelioma typically develops over a period of time following asbestos exposure.
mesothelioma va disability claims , roofers, painters, and electricians are among the tradesmen who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. Asbestos was also widely used by the military, especially in aircrafts and ships.
The exposure to asbestos can put people at risk of developing mesothelioma even if they've never had a job with asbestos. This is because those who worked with asbestos frequently carried home fibers on their clothes, shoes and skin. The family members of these workers might then be exposed to the asbestos when washing their contaminated clothes. This is why mesothelioma is often found in children and spouses of workers who have been exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos has been banned in the United States. However, it was once used in homes, businesses and military vessels. It was recognized as a risk, but the manufacturers hid this information from the public. Millions of Americans were exposed until asbestos was banned. Today, those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation from asbestos trust funds. Patients should speak with an asbestos lawyer who has had experience in asbestos lawsuits. A lawyer can assist in ensuring patients receive the correct compensation for their diagnosis and treatment. Patients must also receive medical treatment from an oncology specialist. This will improve the outlook of the patient as well as their quality of life. It is essential to seek treatment as quickly as you can in order to ensure that the patient receives the most effective treatment.
Secondary Exposure
If you were not directly exposed to asbestos in your workplace but lived in a house where an occupational exposure victim did possibly get affected by exposure from secondhand sources. Inhaling the asbestos fibers that employees carried home on their clothing hair, skin and skin or that were deposited in the workspace of a family member puts you at risk for developing mesothelioma. This kind of asbestos exposure can also be related to peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can develop 15-60 years after the initial exposure. People who have worked in blue-collar positions, or in the military are at the highest chance of developing this rare cancer. It affects the linings of organs in the chest and abdomen. All people of all ages are at risk.
In addition to mesothelioma exposure, exposure to asbestos can lead to asbestosis and lung cancer. Symptoms of these diseases include difficulty breathing, a persistent cough and pain around the rib cage and abdominal swelling. These conditions can be diagnosed using a chest X-ray or a lung function test.
Mesothelioma is triggered by an accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lining of organs including the lungs and chest cavity. The fibers can cause irritation to the lining and produce scar tissue, which can result in the formation of tumors.
Asbestos is most commonly found in the pleura (the membrane that protects the lungs and chest cavity). The exposure can cause thickened patches of the pleura, scarring of the lungs, or fluid buildup within the chest cavity.
The mesothelium that covers other organs is also susceptible to exposure to asbestos. If you reside in or share the same home with someone who was exposed to asbestos while working at a site, as well as those living close to an abandoned asbestos mine are at risk of contracting this rare cancer that develops in the lining of these organs. A family history of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses also increases the chance of being diagnosed with this cancer. Consult your physician if you have a relative in your family with mesothelioma-related history.
Family History
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the lining of the lungs (pleura) and chest wall, or in the stomach's lining and abdomen (peritoneum). Eight out of ten individuals diagnosed mesothelioma have been diagnosed with asbestos exposure. The occupational asbestos exposure is responsible for the highest number of mesothelioma cases, and it is common among people who worked in shipbuilding, mining or construction industries, manufacturing, or veterans industries.
However, mesothelioma can also be found in non-occupational exposure victims, such as those who worked with asbestos-related products at home or in a business, or as a contractor that removed or disturbed asbestos materials. This includes demolition workers, construction workers, asbestos removers, plumbers, and electrical contractors. Clinicians have not recognized asbestos exposure outside of the workplace due to its remoteness and difficult to obtain information about the history of occupational exposure for the patient.
In many instances, the family members of mesothelioma victims were also exposed. The mesothelioma victims' families may have helped to haul or move asbestos, and they may have touched or handled asbestos-contaminated tools or clothing. Certain relatives could have been exposed to asbestos dust directly from the body of loved ones.
A number of studies have proven that exposure to asbestos from the household increases the mesothelioma risk, particularly for wives of husbands who are exposed to occupational hazards. Roggli and colleagues19 have reported 33 female pleural mesothelioma cases that could be attributable to asbestos exposure in the household. Miller and colleagues10 reported 44 percent of female peritoneal cases of mesothelioma among women who were living with their husbands, or cohabitants, who were exposed to asbestos in their work.
The risk of developing mesothelioma increases depending on the amount of time that a person is exposed to asbestos. The risk of pleural mesothelioma diminishes after approximately 45 years, while the risk of developing mesothelioma in the peritoneal region remains the same. This is in line with the hypothesis that peritoneal and pleural asbestos-related cancers develop more rapidly. Moreover, mesothelioma in the family is linked to longer latency times for both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. It is therefore essential that the clinicians collect a comprehensive occupational and non-occupational history of asbestos exposure in their mesothelioma patients.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation beams are injected into the chest cavity to destroy cancerous cells. This procedure is relatively painless. Doctors use it to decrease tumor size before surgery or to kill lingering cancerous cells that might not have been eliminated during an operation. Mesothelioma patients are often treated with radiation as a form of palliative therapy. It can reduce pain and pressure by shrinking tumors or reducing the tissue that surrounds them.
Radiation can make patients feel better, and may help them live longer. It is not a cure for Mesothelioma. It is typically used as part of a multimodal treatment plan that includes chemotherapy and surgery.
Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of organs including the abdomen and chest. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. People who have a history of exposure to asbestos at work are at a greater chance of developing the disease.
The most common mesothelioma types are pleural and peritoneal. Asbestos fibers are durable and resistant against heat. It is utilized in a variety of ways, including manufacturing and building materials. When these products break down, they create dust that can be inhaled or swallowed. If inhaled, the fibers could cause irritation to the stomach or lungs. If swallowed, they can become lodged in your digestive tract and cause cancerous tumors.
Tests to assess the patient's health can diagnose mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, coughing and difficulty breathing. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed by a specialist, like an oncologist or pulmonologist.
Some studies have linked radiation therapy with an increased risk of mesothelioma. Patients who have received radiation to treat Hodgkin's disease could develop malignant mesothelioma, which is a side effect.
Although the connection between radiation therapy and mesothelioma isn't fully understood, the medical community continues to investigate this possibility of a connection. In the meantime, anyone who is at risk of asbestos should speak with their doctor about any symptoms they are experiencing. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma cause. However, symptoms and signs can be caused by other conditions.