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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Anyone who uses products containing asbestos are at risk of ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers. These fibers pierce the lining of the chest cavity and abdomen, also known as the pleura, or the peritoneum.

Exposure to asbestos increases the chance of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal cancer over the course of your life. Although the risk is believed to diminish after 40 years, exposure to asbestos of any kind can be dangerous.

Age

The older a person gets exposed to the environment, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can affect the mesothelium, a thin layer surrounding the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, meaning they expand beyond control and develop into tumors. Mesothelioma typically affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. This could be through their work or by being a close family member.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma due to irritation of the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lungs' linings but it can also affect the linings of the abdomen and peritoneum, as well as the lining of the heart.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is extremely durable and heat-resistant. It was utilized for construction as insulation, construction, and other industrial applications until the 1980s. During this period many millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos as a result of their work or being close to an exposed loved one.

When asbestos is disturbed it releases fibers into the air. They are too hard for the body's systems to break them into pieces or process. The fibers may get stuck in the lungs and cause irritation that can lead to cancer.





The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not appear for decades after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar with other cancers, and may be fatal without treatment.

Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma more than women. It is also more often diagnosed for those who are older than 45. Miners, shipbuilders and railroad workers, and others who installed or handled asbestos-containing products are at greatest chance of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in the workplace. The asbestos on the clothing of these people can put their family members at risk.

Smoking

The longer someone is exposed to asbestos, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is due to the long latency time that can range between 20 and 60 year from the time of exposure until diagnosis. Based on the type of asbestos, a patient's mesothelioma can occur in various areas of the body. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's lining cavity and the chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdominal lining, also known as the peritoneum.

Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos the most often develop mesothelioma that is found in their chests or lung. Most at risk are those working in shipbuilding, power generation and construction. Mesothelioma is also a possibility for those who have been exposed at home or at school to asbestos. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed workers may bring fibers from the workplace to their homes on their clothes hair, skin, and. This puts them at risk.

Mesothelioma patients are typically white and older than 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 utilized asbestos extensively because of its flame-resistant properties, and millions of veterans may have been exposed to it.

Mesothelioma can form when DNA of an individual undergoes mutations which cause cells to multiply without control. This leads to the formation of tumors, which then develop into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the entire body however it is most common in the abdomen and chest.

Smoking causes mesothelioma however it increases your risk by increasing the amount asbestos you breathe. 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 mesothelioma expert can assist determine the best treatment for this rare cancer. The doctor will be able determine whether a patient is suitable for experimental treatments or immunotherapy.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, is used in a myriad of products, such as flooring, roofing, and insulation. Workers who handle, make or work with asbestos-containing materials are at risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to cancer and other illnesses.

Many asbestos-related illnesses are not recognized until it is too late because there is a long latency period between exposure and the appearance of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most deadly of asbestos-related illnesses, is no exception. Symptoms of mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.

Exposure to occupational hazards is the most common way that people are exposed. Any job that involves asbestos handling or use, including those in manufacturing, construction, automotive mechanics, and electrical. People can also be exposed through activities at home like smoking or renovating older homes that contain asbestos.

Inhalation of asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to the lung, where they can cause irritation to the lining known as pleura. This irritation can lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plates) and fibrosis within the lungs. As the disease advances, it could cause to the accumulation of fluid within the chest cavity and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the linings of other organs like the heart and abdomen.

People who are exposed to asbestos in their work are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. However, people with a family history of mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases are at risk as well. The risk of a person being diagnosed with asbestos is increased if they were exposed to asbestos at multiple times throughout their life. asbestos lawyer does increase the risk of mesothelioma but it can also aggravate the condition for those already diagnosed. Quitting smoking cigarettes is beneficial if have had a history of asbestos exposure and suffer from mesothelioma. It will also allow you to live longer and improve the results of your treatment. Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos or notice any new symptoms such as abdominal pain or a shortness of breathing. They may prescribe medication or perform surgery to treat the disease.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically related, meaning that a person’s genes can increase the chances of getting a particular disease. Mesothelioma, however not have a genetic component. In fact, exposure to asbestos is the primary factor.

Asbestos fibers enter the body via inhalation or swallowed, and then clinging to the chest's lining (the pleura) and the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). Over time, these loose fibers can damage or mutate the cells that comprise these linings. This can result in the development of mesothelioma.

However, mesothelioma does not affect everyone who is exposed. Researchers believe that other aspects can determine if a person develops mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. This includes the person's age, gender, the family history of mesothelioma as well as other diseases, as well as any additional risk factors such smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to occur in men than women. This is due to the fact that more men than women were exposed to asbestos directly at work. Mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 60 years after the first exposure to asbestos.

A defective gene is a further risk factor for mesothelioma. In the study of two families with high mesothelioma rates scientists discovered that almost every member of the family carried a defective gene on their short arm chromosome 3. This gene, dubbed BAP 1, regulates the movement of calcium within cells. When a gene is not functioning properly this process is affected and calcium levels drop. This allows asbestos to mutate healthy cells into cancerous ones, causing mesothelioma.

In addition the mutated gene within the immune system of a person can also raise the chance of developing mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos. People with this gene mutation have lower levels of white blood cells which are the cells that fight cancerous cells.

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