Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
The primary risk factor for mesothelioma is occupational asbestos exposure. People with blue-collar jobs in the construction industry and veterans of all branches of the military are particularly at risk.
Family members of asbestos workers also are at risk. After exposure, mesothelioma can develop between 30 and 60 years later. Most cases occur within the pleura which is the lung's protective cover. Other forms of the disease can be detected in the peritoneum.
Workplace Exposure
The majority of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos as a result of occupational exposure. Costa Mesa asbestos lawsuits was widely employed in construction, shipbuilding, asbestos cement manufacturing and other industries. Workers in these fields are more at risk of developing mesothelioma since the fibers can be easily breathed into the lungs and spread throughout the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The symptoms of mesothelioma could take 10 to 50 years after the initial exposure to begin manifesting in patients. Mesothelioma is a difficult diagnosis because of the long period of latency. Anyone with a mesothelioma diagnosis should tell their doctor about it and be screened regularly.
The people who were exposed asbestos in the course of their work are at higher risk than those not. This includes those who worked in construction, steel, and other manufacturing firms, as well veterans who were exposed working. Mesothelioma also poses a significant danger for firefighters exposed to asbestos when fighting fires inside older homes or structures built with asbestos. The Cleveland Clinic reports that firefighters are twice more likely to develop mesothelioma as the general population due to their continuous exposure to asbestos.
Studies have shown that the chance of developing mesothelioma is contingent on the kind of asbestos exposure and the duration of it. The most common mesothelioma forms include the pericardial, peritoneal, and pleural forms of the disease. The pleural type is the most prevalent and affects the lung's lining which can lead to shortness of breath, fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion), and a hole in the chest wall.
Asbestos may also cause mesothelioma growth in the chest cavity and testicles. Men are more susceptible to developing mesothelioma. This is because most people diagnosed with mesothelioma are males, and men generally have more exposure to asbestos from their jobs than women. Military personnel have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma, because many branches used asbestos in their bases, ships, planes and vehicles.
Secondary Exposure
Asbestos can irritate organ linings. If the irritation continues to persist and continues to grow, it can result in mesothelioma, a cancer. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in the lungs, however it can also affect the chest cavity or abdomen. It is a type of cancer that occurs when the cell's DNA alters and is mutated which can cause the cells to expand in uncontrollable amounts.
If you suffer from mesothelioma or are exposed to asbestos, you must seek compensation from that company. The best way to accomplish this is to work with a mesothelioma legal firm or lawyer who has experience in handling asbestos cases. Lawyers and law firms have access to resources which can assist them in analyzing the history of exposure and identify responsible individuals.
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was employed in the construction and manufacturing industries up to the 1980s. It was used in many structures and buildings, including factories, ships and schools as well as in homes, because of its fire-resistant properties. Those who worked in those kinds of establishments were exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. For example, workers could inhale the airborne fibers while showering or working. They could also inhale fibers after returning home after work because their clothes or equipment would have carried asbestos dust inside.
Workers who were working on construction sites that were undergoing demolition or renovation may also be exposed to asbestos through secondary exposure. This is due to the fact that when workers break up or remove asbestos in older buildings, the asbestos fibers can be released into the air and contaminate nearby areas. This is the reason mesothelioma patients who did not work directly with asbestos are still at a risk of developing the disease.
Second-hand exposure can also expose those who live near asbestos workers to the carcinogen. This is referred to as non-workplace exposure or para-occupational exposure. It can occur when asbestos workers bring the harmful fibers home on their clothing and expose their family members to the carcinogen. It is this type of exposure that often causes mesothelioma to women.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma usually appear years after asbestos exposure. The cancer may not be discovered until it's at an advanced stage. It is common for symptoms to be misdiagnosed as other ailments. GPs and hospital specialists will look into these symptoms to rule out other illnesses before diagnosing mesothelioma, but it's important to see your doctor if you're suffering from mesothelioma as early diagnosis can help increase the likelihood of survival.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the lining of certain organs, mainly the lung (pleural mesothelioma) or the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma). Other mesothelioma types can be found in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) and in the lining around the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). The type of mesothelioma and the location of the tumor can impact the symptoms of the disease.
The symptoms may be different and come and go, so you should tell your doctor if any of these symptoms persist or are worrying, even in cases where the symptoms aren't specific to Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma may present symptoms that are similar to other illnesses and can be hard to diagnose. This is why it is crucial to inform your GP know about any exposure to asbestos you have had in the past.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. These fibres can be breathed in or swallowed, and damage the lungs over time. People who are exposed to asbestos at work have a higher risk of developing the disease. Mesothelioma is also more likely to develop if have a family history of the disease and have been exposed to radiation therapy.
Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause irritation to the lining of the lung (the pleura) and cause gene mutations that lead to cancerous cell growth. This can result in symptoms such as difficulty breathing and coughing as well as chest pain. Other symptoms of pleural mysothelioma may include the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion) stomach ache as well as abdominal pain, bowel irritation and weight loss. In peritoneal cancer, symptoms are more severe. They may include a feeling that you have plenty of food in your stomach, bloating and abdominal pain, diarrhea and a lump on the stomach.
Diagnosis
Asbestos is a class of minerals that make long, thin, but very strong fibers. Inhaling asbestos fibers into your lungs can cause cancer. Asbestos was once mined, and used in consumer products construction materials, automobile components in the 20th century before scientists discovered its danger to human health. It is not being mined in the US but it can still be found in older homes and buildings.
Mesothelioma symptoms often mimic other diseases which makes it difficult to identify at first. The mesothelioma symptoms can also differ according to the type of mesothelioma as well as the organ or tissue affected and the stage of the disease.
Early mesothelioma signs and symptoms include coughing, chest pains, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can take a long time to develop following exposure, due to asbestos mesothelioma's long period of latency. The time of latency can vary between patients depending on the amount of asbestos and the amount of time they were exposed.
Mesothelioma is not limited to lung cancer. It can also affect the stomach's lining and the heart (peritoneal mesothelioma pericardial) or the testicles and the heart (pericardial pericardial mesothelioma). These signs, though less common than pleural tumors, can be just as devastating. Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer, and despite advancements in treatment, a large number of patients are not able to live the first year following diagnosis.
If a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma symptoms, the doctor will likely collect a detailed medical history to determine risk factors. This may include an examination of their employment history, particularly when they've been exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also check for mesothelioma-related signs such as fluid accumulation in the abdomen and lungs.
People who have been exposed to asbestos may take steps to reduce the risk of the development of mesothelioma. They must inform their employers of asbestos-related dangers and adhere to workplace safety regulations. They should also remove from their home any clothing or equipment that could contain asbestos. They should employ an asbestos removal company to remove asbestos in their homes and avoid cosmetics and talcum powders that may have been infected.