9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Mesothelioma From Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

People who use asbestos-containing products are at risk of ingesting asbestos fibers. These fibers pierce the tissue of the chest cavity and abdomen, also known as the pleura, or the peritoneum.

Exposure to asbestos (click through the next article) can result in a lifetime risk of malignant, mesothelioma of the peritoneal or pleural regions. Although the risk is believed to diminish after more than 40 years of exposure, even minimal asbestos exposure is dangerous.

Age

The older a person gets at the time of exposure, the more likely they will develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium - a thin layer surrounding the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, meaning they grow out of control and develop into tumors. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in those who have been exposed to asbestos in their work or as a member of someone who was exposed to it.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma as it causes irritation to the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma is typically found in the lungs' linings however, it may also affect the linings of the abdomen and peritoneum as well as the lining of the heart.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral is strong and heat-resistant. It was widely used in the construction industry, insulation and other industrial applications up to the 1980s. During this time many millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos as a result of their jobs or because they were close to an exposed loved one.

When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers in the air. They can be breathed in, and they are too hard for the body to break down or process. The fibers could get stuck in the lungs, causing irritation that leads to cancer.

The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not appear for decades after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to those of other types of cancer but they can also be fatal if not treated.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is the most frequently diagnosed in those who are over 45. The people who are at most chance of developing mesothelioma as a result asbestos exposure at work include miners, ship builders, railroad workers and those who worked with or installed products that contain asbestos. Family members of these people are also at higher risk because the asbestos can be absorbed into their clothing.

Smoking

The chances of a person developing mesothelioma rises the longer they are exposed to asbestos. This is because of the long latency time that can last between 20 and 60 years from initial exposure to the disease until it is diagnosed. Mesothelioma may occur in different areas of the body based on the type and amount of asbestos present. The lining of the chest wall and the lung cavity (the pleura) is affected by pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs in the abdomen's lining also known as the peritoneum.

Most often, people who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma that affects the chest or the lungs. People who worked in the shipbuilding, power generation and construction industries are the most at risk. However, mesothelioma may develop in individuals who were exposed to asbestos at home or at school. This is because children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos may bring the fibers into their clothes hair, skin and even their hair which puts them at risk of developing the disease.

People with mesothelioma are typically white and over 65. They are more likely to have an occupation that was blue collar or a military background. The United States Navy and other branches of the military have used asbestos extensively because of its properties to resist flames, and millions of veterans could have been exposed to asbestos.

When DNA changes occur, they may cause cells to grow uncontrolled. This may lead to formation of tumors that later develop into mesothelioma. The disease can be affecting any part of the body, however most often it occurs in the chest or abdomen.

Smoking cigarettes does not cause mesothelioma. However it may increase the risk of getting this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos one breathes. Anyone who has been exposed asbestos should stop smoking cigarettes.

The treatment plan of a patient with mesothelioma should include a physician who is knowledgeable about asbestos exposure and risk factors. A specialist in mesothelioma who is knowledgeable with them can help them determine the best way to treat this rare cancer. The doctor can determine if the patient is eligible for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs that is found in a variety of items, such as flooring, roofing, and insulation. Workers who handle, manufacture or work with asbestos-containing products are at risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to cancer and illness.

There is a long time of latency between the exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms which makes it difficult to identify the various asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is the most deadly asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos.

Exposure to occupational hazards is the most common way that people are exposed. Electrical, manufacturing, construction and automobile mechanic jobs all require handling or using asbestos parts and materials. The risk of exposure to asbestos is also present by their home activities such as smoking or renovating older homes that contain asbestos.

Inhalation of asbestos legal is the most common mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos particles that are inhaled may travel into the lungs and irritate the pleura, the lining of the lungs. This irritation can cause thickened pleura patches (pleural plates) and fibrosis in the lung. As the disease progresses, it may cause fluid to accumulate in the chest cavity, and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma may also affect the tissues of other organs, such as the heart and abdomen.

Mesothelioma is most common in people who have been exposed to asbestos compensation at work. However, people with an ancestor with mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses, are also at risk. The risk for a person is increased if they were exposed to asbestos in multiple positions throughout their life. Smoking does not increase the likelihood of mesothelioma however it can make the condition worse for those who have been diagnosed. Quitting smoking cigarettes is beneficial if you have an asbestos-related exposure in the past and suffer from mesothelioma. It can also help you live longer and enhance the outcome of your treatment. It is essential to inform your doctor about the exposure to asbestos as well as any new symptoms, such as shortness of breath or abdominal pain, because they can treat the condition by using medication or surgery.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically linked, meaning that a person’s genes can increase the chances of getting a particular disease. However, mesothelioma does not have any genetic component. Instead, exposure to asbestos is the main cause.

Asbestos fibers are introduced into the body via inhalation or swallowed and sticking to the chest's lining (the pleura) and the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). Over time these fibers that are loose can damage or mutate the cells that compose these small linings, which could lead to the development of mesothelioma.

However, mesothelioma may not affect every person who is exposed. Researchers believe that other factors could determine if a person develops mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. This includes the person's age and gender and their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases, and whether they are afflicted with other risk factors such as smoking.

Men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma. This is because men were more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos while at work. Additionally, it takes between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma to develop following the first exposure to asbestos.

A faulty gene is a second risk factor for mesothelioma. 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 on their short arm of chromosome 3. This gene, dubbed BAP 1 regulates the flow of calcium within cells. When a gene is not functioning properly, this process is disrupted and calcium levels drop. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous cells and cause mesothelioma.

In addition, a mutated gene in the immune system of a person could also raise the chance of developing mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos. The mutated gene results in a decrease in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.

Other factors that can raise the chance of developing mesothelioma include the type of asbestos they were exposed to and their job. The polio vaccine that was given to children between 1940 and 1950, can also increase a person’s mesothelioma risk by exposure to cancer-causing SV40.