Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

People who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of breathing in or eating asbestos fibers. These fibers can penetrate the lining of the abdomen and chest cavity, also known as the pleura, or peritoneum.

The exposure to asbestos increases the lifetime risk of malignant, pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Although the risk is believed to decrease after 40 years, asbestos exposure of any kind can be dangerous.

Age

The more senior a person is at the time of exposure, the more likely they will develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium - an extremely thin layer that surrounds the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, which means they expand beyond control and form tumors. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in people who have been exposed to asbestos either through their own job or as a member of someone who was exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma, as it irritates mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma is typically found in the lungs' linings but it can also affect the linings of the abdomen, peritoneum and the heart lining.

asbestos lawsuits is a highly resistant and long-lasting mineral. It was used in construction, insulation, and for other industrial uses until the 1980s. During this period millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos because of their work or being close to a loved one.

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

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

Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma than women. It is also most often diagnosed in people older than 45. Shipbuilders, miners, railroad workers, and people who handled asbestos-containing products are at highest risk of developing mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The asbestos found on the clothing of these workers can expose their families to risk.

Smoking

The longer a person is exposed to asbestos, the greater their risk of developing mesothelioma. This is due to the long latency period which can last between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma can be found in various parts of the body, based on the type and quantity of asbestos present. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's lining cavity and chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the abdominal lining, called the peritoneum.

Those who have been exposed to asbestos are most often develop mesothelioma that is found in their chests or the lungs. The most at the risk are those who worked in the fields of shipbuilding, power production and construction. However, mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos at home or in school. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed workers may carry asbestos-containing particles from their workplace to their homes on their clothes hair, skin and hair. This puts them at risk.

Mesothelioma patients are typically white and older than 65. They are also more likely to have a blue-collar occupation or a military background. Asbestos was extensively used by the United States Navy and other branches of the military due to its resistance to flames. Many veterans were exposed to asbestos.

When DNA changes occur, they may cause cells to multiply without a limit. This could lead to the development of tumors that eventually develop into mesothelioma. The disease can affect any part of the body, however the majority of cases occur in the abdomen or chest.

Smoking does cause mesothelioma but it increases your risk by increasing the amount asbestos you breathe in. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should quit smoking cigarettes.

The treatment plan of a patient with carson mesothelioma lawsuit should also include a physician who is familiar with asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma expert can assist determine the best treatment for this rare cancer. The doctor can determine whether the patient is eligible for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that is found in a myriad of products including flooring, roofing, and insulation. Anyone who works with asbestos-containing products make them, or manufacture them, or work with them are at a greater risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to illness and cancer.

Many asbestos diseases 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 dangerous asbestos-related disease. The symptoms of mesothelioma may develop between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos.

The most common method by which people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Electrical, manufacturing, construction and automotive mechanic jobs all require handling or using asbestos parts and materials. Some people are also exposed to asbestos through home activities, such as smoking, or renovating older homes that contain asbestos.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos fibers inhaled can travel into the lungs and irritate the lining called the pleura. This irritation leads to the development of thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) and fibrosis of the lungs. As the disease progresses, it may result in the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the linings of other organs such as the heart and abdomen.

People who are exposed to asbestos in their work are at a higher risk for developing mesothelioma. However, people with the family history of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses are also at risk. The risk of a person being diagnosed with asbestos is increased if they were exposed to asbestos at multiple times during their lifetime. Smoking cigarettes doesn't increase the likelihood of mesothelioma however it can make the condition worse for those who have already been diagnosed. Quitting smoking cigarettes is beneficial if have had an exposure to asbestos in the past and suffer from mesothelioma. It can also allow you to live longer, and improve the results of your treatment. Inform your doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos or if you notice any new symptoms such as abdominal pain or a shortness of breathe. They may prescribe medication or perform surgery to treat the condition.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically related which means that a person's genes may increase the chance of developing a specific disease. Mesothelioma, however not have a genetic component. In fact, exposure to asbestos is the primary factor.

Asbestos fibers may enter the body through swallowing or youtube inhalation and adhere to the tissues of the chest, abdomen or heart. These loose fibers can damage the cells that make up these linings, which can become thin over time. This can result in mesothelioma.

However, mesothelioma does not affect every person who is exposed. Researchers believe that other aspects can determine if a person develops mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. This could include a person's gender and age and their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases, and whether they have other risk factors such as smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to be found in males than females. This could be due to the fact that men were more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos while at work. It can take between 20 to 60 years for mesothelioma to be diagnosed following a person's initial exposure to asbestos.

Another risk factor for mesothelioma is an infected gene. In a study looking at two families with high levels of mesothelioma cancer, researchers found that almost every member of the family had a defective gene on the short arm of the chromosome 3. This gene, known as BAP 1, regulates the movement of calcium inside cells. With a faulty gene the process is broken and calcium levels decrease. This allows asbestos to turn healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.

In addition an mutated gene in the immune system of a person can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. This mutated gene causes a decrease in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.

The type of asbestos to which a person was exposed as well as their work can increase a person's risk of mesothelioma. The polio vaccine that was given to children between 1940 and 1950, could also increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma through exposure to cancer-causing SV40.