Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
The main mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Veterans and construction workers from all branches of military are at the highest risk.
external pageFamily members of asbestos workers are at risk. After exposure, mesothelioma could develop 30 to 60 years later. The majority of cases manifest in the pleura around the lungs, while other forms of the disease can be found in the peritoneum.
Workplace Exposure
The vast majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. This is because the mineral was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding asbestos cement manufacturing and other industries. Workers in these fields are at greater risk of mesothelioma because the fibers are easily inhaled into the lungs, and propagated throughout the body according to the Mayo Clinic.
It can take up to 50 years before symptoms be seen in patients following exposure. This long latency period makes mesothelioma hard to diagnose. However, those who have mesothelioma-related history should discuss this with their doctor and get periodic screenings.
Those who have been exposed to asbestos at work are at a higher risk than those who have not been exposed to asbestos. This includes those who worked in steel, construction and other manufacturing companies and those who were exposed working. Firefighters, who can become exposed when fighting fires in older houses and structures that were built with asbestos materials are also at a high risk of mesothelioma. The Cleveland Clinic reports that firefighters are twice more likely to develop mesothelioma than the general population due to their constant exposure to asbestos.
Research has shown that the risk of developing mesothelioma varies based on the nature of the asbestos exposure and the duration of it. The most common mesothelioma types are pericardial, peritoneal, and the pleural. The pleural variant is the most prevalent and affects the lung lining which can lead to shortness of breath, fluid accumulation on the lungs (pleural effusion), and an opening in the chest wall.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma in the chest cavity, abdomen and the testicles. Men are more at risk of developing mesothelioma. This is because the majority of those diagnosed with mesothelioma, are men and men are generally exposed to more exposure to asbestos as a result of their job than women. Men in the military are also at a greater chance of developing mesothelioma lawsuit since numerous branches of the military use asbestos on bases and in vehicles, aircrafts, ships and other equipment.
Secondary Exposure
Asbestos may cause irritation to organ linings. If the irritation persists and continues to grow, it can result in a tumor called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in the lungs, but it can also affect the abdomen or chest cavity. It is a kind of cancer that develops when the cell's DNA changes and it becomes mutated, which can cause cells to grow uncontrollably.
When people develop mesothelioma, they are required to seek compensation from the company that was responsible for their exposure. A mesothelioma lawyer or law firm that has expertise in asbestos cases is the best way to do this. These firms and lawyers have access to resources that can help them analyze an exposure history and identify potential parties liable.
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was utilized in construction and manufacturing up to the 1980s. Because of its fire-resistant properties it was utilized as an insulation material in various structures and buildings, including factories, ships, schools, power stations, homes and more. Those who worked in those types of facilities were exposed to asbestos in a number of ways. Workers could breathe in airborne asbestos fibers when working or showering. They could also inhale the fibers when they went home after work because their clothes or equipment would have carried asbestos dust inside.
Furthermore, workers working on sites that were undergoing renovation or demolition could be exposed to asbestos via secondary exposure. This is due to the fact that when workers take asbestos out or remove it in older structures, the fibers could become airborne and infect adjacent areas. This is why many mesothelioma patients that did not work directly with asbestos are still at an increased risk of developing disease.
Second-hand exposure also exposes people who live close to asbestos workers to carcinogen. This is referred to as asbestos exposure in non-work settings or a non-work environment. It can happen when asbestos workers carry the harmful fibers home in their clothing, exposing their family to the carcinogen. It is this kind of exposure that most often leads to mesothelioma in women.
Symptoms
mesothelioma lawyers symptoms typically develop slowly over time and are not evident until decades after exposure to asbestos. The cancer might not be identified until it's at an advanced stage. Symptoms are often mistakenly interpreted as other diseases. Doctors and hospital specialists will look into these symptoms in order to rule out other illnesses before determining mesothelioma. However, it is important to visit your doctor when any of the symptoms are present. Early diagnosis can increase life expectancy.
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, occurs in the linings of certain organs, most commonly the lung (pleural mesothelioma) or the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma). Other types of mesothelioma can be found in the linings of the testicles and the heart. The type of mesothelioma attorney and the location of the tumour can influence the symptoms of the disease.
The symptoms may be different and change over time, so you should tell your doctor if any of these symptoms persist or cause concern even when the symptoms aren't specific to Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a disease that can present symptoms that are similar to other illnesses and may be difficult to recognize. It is essential to inform your GP about any asbestos exposure you might have experienced.
Asbestos is one of the minerals that are made up of tiny fibres. The fibres can be inhaled, ingested or swallowed and cause lung damage over time. People who work in environments that are exposed to asbestos have a much higher chance of developing mesothelioma compared to those who aren't. Other mesothelioma risk factors include having an ancestral history of the disease, and a previous exposure to radiation treatment for another cancer.
Asbest fibres inhaled, can trigger gene mutations and cancerous cells growth. This can lead to symptoms like chest pain, coughing and breathing difficulties. Other signs of pleural mesothelioma include stomach pain (pleural effusion) as well as abdominal discomfort, bowel irritation, and weight loss. In peritoneal cancer, the symptoms are more severe. They can include a feeling that you have lots of food in your stomach, bloating and abdominal pain, diarrhea and a lump in the stomach.
Diagnosis
Asbestos is a collection of minerals that forms long, thin, but strong fibers. The asbestos fibers can be breathed into the lungs, causing cancer. In the 20th century asbestos was mined and used to make consumer products, construction materials, and automobile parts. Scientists discovered the health hazards only after it was used. It's not being mined anymore, however older homes and buildings contain it.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be a sign of other diseases making it difficult to identify initially. The mesothelioma symptoms can also differ depending on the type of mesothelioma attorney and the organ or tissues affected, as well as the stage of the disease.
Early mesothelioma symptoms and signs include coughing, chest pains, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can take a long time to develop after exposure because asbestos mesothelioma has a long period of latency. The time of latency can vary between patients depending on the amount of asbestos and the amount of exposure.
In addition to lung problems mesothelioma may also affect the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). These symptoms are less prevalent than those for pleural mesothelioma, but can be equally life-threatening. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, and despite advancements in treatment, many patients are not able to survive the first year following diagnosis.
A doctor will look over the medical history of a patient to determine any risk factors. This will include an examination of their employment history, particularly if they were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also check for signs of mesothelioma such as fluid accumulation in the abdomen and lungs.
People who have been exposed to asbestos may take steps to prevent mesothelioma from developing. They must inform their employers of asbestos-related risks and adhere to the safety guidelines for their workplace. They should also eliminate from their home any clothing or equipment that may contain asbestos. They should hire mesothelioma removal companies to remove asbestos in their homes, and avoid using cosmetics and talcum powder that could be infected.