Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

People who use asbestos-containing products are at risk of ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers. The fibers are absorbed into the lining of the chest cavity or abdomen, also referred to as the peritoneum and pleura.

Exposure to asbestos can result in a lifetime risk of malignant, mesothelioma of the peritoneal or pleural regions. Although the risk is believed to decrease after 40 years of exposure, even the smallest asbestos exposure can be dangerous.

Age

The older a person gets when exposed, the greater the chance of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue around the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells grow uncontrollably and form tumors. Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in those who have been exposed to asbestos in their work or as a family member of someone who was exposed to asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as it causes irritation to the mesothelium. The lining of the lungs (pleura) is the most affected by mesothelioma of the pleural region, but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen and peritoneum, as well as the heart lining (pericardium).

Asbestos is a non-porous and durable mineral. It was used in construction as well as insulation and for other industrial uses up to the 1980s. During this time, millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos through their work or by being around someone who was exposed to asbestos.

When asbestos is disturbed it releases fibers into air. They are too hard for the body's system to break into pieces or process. The fibers may become stuck in the lungs, causing irritation that leads to cancer.

Mesothelioma symptoms are typically not likely to manifest until a long time after asbestos exposure. The symptoms are similar to those of other types of cancer, and they can be fatal if not treated.

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

Smoking

The chance of developing mesothelioma increase the longer they're exposed to asbestos. This is due to the long latency time which can range from 20 and 60 years from initial exposure to diagnosis. Based on the type of asbestos, an individual's mesothelioma can occur in various regions of the body. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lung's lining cavity and chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs in the abdomen's lining also known as the peritoneum.

Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos most often develop mesothelioma that is found in their chests or the lungs. People who worked in the power generation, shipbuilding and construction industries are the most at risk. Mesothelioma is also a possibility for those who have been exposed at home or in schools to asbestos. This is due to the fact that children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos may bring the fibers home on their clothes hair, skin and even their hair which can put them at risk of developing the disease.

Mesothelioma sufferers are usually white and over 65. They are more likely to have an occupation with a blue collar or military background. Asbestos was used extensively by the United States Navy and other branches in the military due to its ability to withstand flames. Many veterans were exposed to asbestos.

When DNA mutations occur, they can cause cells to multiply without a limit. This causes the development of tumors that eventually turn into mesothelioma. The disease can be affecting any part of the body, but most often it occurs in the chest or abdomen.

Smoking cigarettes can cause mesothelioma, but it increases your risk by increasing the amount of asbestos you breathe in. Therefore, anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should think about stopping smoking cigarettes.

Additionally, a person's mesothelioma treatment program should include a doctor who understands asbestos exposure and the risk factors associated with this type of cancer. Having an experienced mesothelioma specialist to assist them determine the best approach to treat this rare cancer. The specialist will be able to determine if a patient is eligible for experimental treatments or immunotherapy.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is used in a variety of items like 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 cause cancer and other illnesses.

There is a long period of latency between the exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms which makes it difficult to recognize many asbestos law diseases. Mesothelioma is the most deadly asbestos compensation disease. Mesothelioma symptoms may manifest between 20 and 60 year after asbestos exposure.

The most frequent way that people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Electrical, manufacturing, construction and auto mechanic jobs all require the handling of asbestos-containing components and materials. Some people are also exposed by their home activities, such as smoking, or renovating older houses that contain asbestos.

Most mesothelioma cases result by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos particles that are inhaled may travel into the lungs and cause irritation to the pleura, the lining of the lungs. This irritation leads to the development of thickened patches on the pleura (pleural plaques) and fibrosis of the lungs. As the disease progresses, it can cause fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma may also affect the linings of other organs like the heart and abdomen.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent in those who have been exposed to asbestos working. People who have a family history of mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related illnesses are also at risk. A person's risk is also increased if they have been exposed to asbestos in multiple jobs over their lifetime. Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of mesothelioma, but it can also aggravate the condition for those who are already diagnosed. Quitting smoking cigarettes is beneficial if have an exposure to asbestos in the past and are suffering from mesothelioma. It will also allow you to live longer and enhance the outcome of your treatment. It is crucial to inform your doctor about the exposure to asbestos as well as any new signs, such as breathlessness or abdominal pain, since they can treat the disease by undergoing surgery or medication.

Genetics

Many cancers have a genetic connection which means that a person's genes can increase their chances of getting a specific disease. However, mesothelioma does not have a genetic component. Exposure to asbestos is the primary factor.

Asbestos fibers enter the body via inhalation or swallowed and sticking to the chest's lining (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). These loose fibers can damage the cells that form these tiny linings over time. This can lead to mesothelioma.

But it is not the case that every person who is exposed to asbestos develops mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors can influence whether someone develops mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. This includes the 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 occur in males than females. This is due to the fact that more males than females were exposed directly 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 having an infected gene. In a study that looked at two families with high levels of mesothelioma, researchers discovered that almost everyone in the family was affected by a defective gene located on the short arm of the chromosome 3. This gene, called BAP 1, regulates the movement of calcium within cells. A faulty gene disrupts this process and causes calcium levels to decrease. This allows asbestos to mutate healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.

A gene that is mutated can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. People with this gene mutation have a lower level of white blood cells which are the cells that fight off 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. The polio vaccine that was given to children between 1940 and 1950, can also increase a person's risk of mesothelioma by exposing them the cancer-causing SV40.