Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
People who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. The fibers are absorbed into the tissue of the chest cavity or abdomen, also known as the pleura and peritoneum.
Exposure to asbestos confers a lifetime risk of malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneal or pleural regions. Even though the risk seems to decrease after 40 years of exposure, asbestos exposure of any kind is dangerous.
Age
The older a person gets exposed to the environment, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue surrounding important organs in the body. The cancerous cells expand in uncontrolled ways and develop into tumors. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in people who were exposed to asbestos in their work or as a family member of someone who was exposed to asbestos.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma because it irritates the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lungs' linings however, it may also affect the abdomen's lining and peritoneum, as well as the lining of the heart.
Asbestos is a heat-resistant and durable mineral. It was utilized for construction as insulation, construction, and other industrial applications up to the 1980s. In the 1980s many millions of Americans were either exposed to asbestos as a result of their work or living near loved ones who were exposed to asbestos.
When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into the air. They are too hard for the body's system to break down or process. The fibers can cause irritation and cancer in the lungs if they get stuck.
The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not show up until decades after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to those of other cancers, and they can be fatal if they are not treated.
Mesothelioma affects men more often than women, and is the most frequently diagnosed in those over 45. The people who are at most risk of developing mesothelioma because asbestos exposure at work include miners, ship builders railroad workers, and others who handled or installed products made of asbestos. The asbestos found on the clothing of these workers can put their family members at risk.
Smoking
The longer someone is exposed to asbestos, the greater their risk of developing mesothelioma. Lawrence asbestos lawyers is due to the long time of latency, which can be between 20 and 60 year from first exposure until diagnosis. Mesothelioma can occur in different parts of the body, based on the type and quantity of asbestos present. The chest wall's lining and the lung cavity (the pleura) is afflicted by mesothelioma pleural. Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdomen and is also known as the peritoneum.
People who have been exposed to asbestos most often develop mesothelioma in their chest or lungs. People who worked in the power generation, shipbuilding, and construction industries are the most at risk. Mesothelioma is also a possible risk for those who were exposed at home or in school to asbestos. This is due to the fact that children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos could carry the asbestos fibers into their clothes, skin and hair, which can put them at risk as well.
People with mesothelioma are typically white and over the age of 65. They are more likely to have had an occupation with a blue collar or military background. The United States Navy and other branches of the military used asbestos extensively due to its flame-resistant properties, and millions of veterans could have been exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma can form when DNA of an individual undergoes changes which cause cells to multiply without control. This results in the development of tumors, which then develop into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the whole body however it is most common in the abdomen and chest.
Smoking does not cause mesothelioma, but it may increase the risk of developing this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos one breathes. Anyone who has been exposed asbestos should stop smoking.
A person's treatment plan for mesothelioma should also include a doctor who is familiar with asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma specialist can help determine the best treatment option for this rare cancer. The specialist will be able to determine whether a patient is suitable for experimental treatments or immunotherapy.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs, is used in a variety of items including flooring, roofing, and insulation. Anyone who works with asbestos-containing products and manufacture them, or work with them face a significant chance of being exposed. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to cancer and other illnesses.
There is a long period of time between exposure to asbestos and the first signs of symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose many asbestos diseases. Mesothelioma is the most hazardous asbestos disease. The symptoms of mesothelioma may develop between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.
Exposure to occupational hazards is the most commonly used method by which people are exposed. All jobs that require asbestos handling or usage include those in construction, manufacturing automotive mechanics, as well as electrical. The risk of exposure to asbestos is also present to asbestos through home activities like smoking or renovating older homes that contain asbestos.
Inhalation of asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos particles that are inhaled may travel into the lungs and cause irritation to the lining called the pleura. This irritation can lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plates) and fibrosis in the lung. As the disease advances, it can lead to the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue of other organs including the abdomen and heart.
Mesothelioma is most common in people who have been exposed to asbestos working. But people who have an ancestor with mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses, are also at risk. The risk of exposure to asbestos is increased if someone has held more than one job in the course of their life. Smoking does increase the risk of mesothelioma, however, it can also worsen the disease for those already diagnosed. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos and are suffering from mesothelioma quitting smoking may make you healthier and improve your treatment outcome. Inform your doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos or have any new symptoms, such as abdominal pain or difficulty to breathing. They can prescribe medication or undergo surgery to treat the disease.
Genetics
Many cancers have a genetic connection which means that genetic factors could increase their risk of developing a particular disease. However, mesothelioma does not have any genetic component. In fact asbestos exposure is the primary factor.
Asbestos fibers may enter the body through swallowing or inhalation, and then stick to the linings of the chest, abdomen or heart. Over time, these loose fibers can cause damage or alteration to the cells that make up these small linings, which can lead to the development of mesothelioma.
However, not every person who is exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors could affect whether a person gets mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. This includes the person's age and gender as well as their family history of mesothelioma and other diseases, and whether they have other risk factors like smoking.
Men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma. This could be due to the fact that more males than females were directly exposed to asbestos at work. It can take between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma to develop following the first exposure to asbestos.
A faulty gene is another risk factor for mesothelioma. In a study of two families with high mesothelioma risk scientists discovered that nearly all members of the family had a defective gene on their short arm chromosome 3. The gene is known as BAP 1 and regulates the way calcium moves within cells. With a faulty gene the process is disrupted and calcium levels drop. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous cells and cause mesothelioma.
Additionally an mutated gene in the immune system of a person could also raise the chance of developing mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos. People with this mutated gene have a lower percentage of white blood cells which are the cells that fight off cancerous cells.
Other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma in a person include the kind of asbestos they were exposed to as well as their work. The polio vaccine that was given to children between 1940 and 1950, may also increase the mesothelioma risk by exposure to cancer-causing SV40.