9 . What 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 penetrate the tissue of the chest cavity or abdomen, also referred to as the peritoneum and pleura.

The exposure to asbestos increases the chance of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma, or peritoneal cancer throughout your life. Although the risk appears to decrease after 40 years, asbestos exposure of any kind can be dangerous.

Age

The older the person is exposed to the environment, the higher the chance of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium which is a thin layer of tissue surrounding major organs in the body. The cancerous cells grow uncontrollably and form tumors. Mesothelioma is most often seen in those who have been exposed to asbestos. This could be due to their work or as a close family member.

Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma due to irritation of the mesothelium. The lining of the lungs (pleura) is the most affected by mesothelioma pleural, but it can also affect the abdomen's lining and peritoneum as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, is durable and heat resistant. It was used for construction as insulation, construction, and other industrial purposes until the 1980s. During this time many millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos due to their work or being close to a loved one.

When asbestos attorney is disturbed it releases fibers in the air. They are too tough for the body's system to break them down or process. The fibers may become stuck in the lungs, causing irritation that can lead to cancer.

Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not manifest for a long time after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to other cancers, and may be fatal if treated.

Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma than women. It is also more often diagnosed in people older than 45. The people who are at highest chance of developing mesothelioma as a result of workplace asbestos exposure include miners, ship builders, railroad workers and those who have handled or installed items that contain asbestos. Family members of these people are also at higher risk due to the fact that asbestos can be absorbed into their clothing.

Smoking

The longer an individual is exposed to asbestos, the greater the 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 may occur in different areas of the body based on the type and amount of asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining between the lung cavity and the chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining of the abdomen also known as the peritoneum.

Most of the time, those who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma of the chest or lung. Most at the risk are those who worked in shipbuilding, power generation and construction. However, mesothelioma is also able to develop in individuals who were exposed to asbestos at home or in school. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed workers can carry asbestos-containing particles from their workplace to their homes on their clothes hair, skin and hair. This puts them at risk.

The majority of mesothelioma patients are white and over the age of 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 may have been exposed to it.

When DNA mutations occur, they could cause cells to multiply unchecked. This may lead to growth of tumors which eventually become mesothelioma. The disease can affect the whole body, but it is most prevalent in the chest and abdomen.

Smoking is not a cause of mesothelioma, but it increases the risk of developing this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos people breathe in. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking cigarettes.

A person's treatment plan for mesothelioma should also include a physician who is familiar with asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma specialist can help determine the best treatment option for this rare cancer. The doctor can determine if the patient is eligible for immunotherapy or experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is used in a variety of products, such as roofing, flooring and insulation. People who work with asbestos-containing materials make them, or manufacture them, or work with them are at a high risk of being exposed. Exposure to loose asbestos fibers could lead to breathing them into the lungs which can cause illness and cancer.

Many asbestos-related diseases aren't diagnosed until it's too late because there is an extended period of time between exposure and the development of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most hazardous asbestos disease. Mesothelioma symptoms can appear between 20 and 60 year after asbestos exposure.

Exposure to occupational hazards is the most common way that people are exposed. Manufacturing, construction, electrical and automobile mechanic jobs all require handling or using asbestos components and materials. However, individuals can also be exposed to asbestos through home activities, like smoking cigarettes or the renovation of older houses that contain asbestos.

Most mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos fibers inhaled can enter the lungs and irritate the lining known as the pleura. This irritation can lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plates) and fibrosis in the lungs. As the disease progresses, it could cause fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissues of other organs, including the abdomen and heart.

People who are exposed to asbestos in their work are at the highest risk for developing mesothelioma. But people who have a family history of mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases are also at risk. A person's risk is also higher if they've been exposed to asbestos at multiple times over their lifetime. Smoking cigarettes does not increase the likelihood of mesothelioma but it can make the condition worse for those who have been diagnosed. Quitting smoking is beneficial if you have an exposure to asbestos in the past and are suffering from mesothelioma. It can also help you live longer and enhance the outcome of your treatment. Inform your doctor if have been exposed to asbestos or if you experience any new symptoms such as abdominal pain or shortness of breathing. They can prescribe medication or undergo surgery to treat the disease.

Genetics

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

Asbestos fibers can enter the body by being inhaled 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 alter or damage the cells that comprise these linings. This could lead to mesothelioma development.

Despite this, not every person exposed to asbestos case will develop mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors can influence whether someone develops mesothelioma due to asbestos compensation exposure. This could include a person's age and gender as well as their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases, and whether they have other risk factors like smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to develop in men than women. This is because men were more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 20 and 60 year after the first exposure to asbestos.

Another risk factor for mesothelioma is a faulty gene. In a study that looked at two families with high levels of mesothelioma, scientists found that almost every member of the family was affected by a defective gene on their short arm of 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 causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.

Additionally, a mutated gene in the immune system of a person could increase the risk of developing mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. The mutation results in an increase in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.

The type of asbestos to which an individual was exposed and their occupation can also increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma. In addition the polio vaccine that was given to children in the 1940s and 1950s could increase the risk of mesothelioma in a person by exposing them to the cancer-causing SV40 virus.