Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Anyone who uses products containing asbestos are at risk of ingesting asbestos fibers. The fibers penetrate the lining of the abdomen and chest cavity and are also known as the pleura, or the peritoneum.

Exposure to asbestos confers a lifetime risk of malignant, mesothelioma of the peritoneal or pleural regions. Although the risk appears to decrease after more than 40 years of exposure, even the smallest asbestos exposure can be dangerous.

Age

The older a person is when exposed, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel an extremely thin layer that surrounds the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells multiply rapidly and create tumors. Mesothelioma is most often seen in those who have been exposed to asbestos. This could be due to their work or being a close family member.

Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma because it causes irritation to the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lungs' linings, but it can also affect the abdomen's lining and peritoneum as well as the heart lining.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, is durable and heat resistant. It was utilized in the construction industry, insulation and other industrial applications prior to the 1980s. During this period millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos due to their jobs or because they were close to an exposed loved one.

When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into the air. They are too hard for the body's system to break them into pieces or process. The fibers can be trapped in the lungs, causing irritation that can lead to cancer.

The signs of mesothelioma are usually not appear for decades after asbestos exposure. The symptoms are similar with other cancers, and may be fatal if treated.

Mesothelioma is more common in men than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people over age 45. Those who are at the most risk of developing mesothelioma because asbestos exposure at work include ship builders, miners, railroad workers and those who have handled or installed items made of asbestos. Family members of these individuals are also at a higher risk because the asbestos can be found on their clothing.

Smoking

The longer an individual is exposed to asbestos, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is because of the long time of latency which can range from 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to the disease until it is diagnosed. Depending on the type of asbestos, a person's mesothelioma could be found in various regions of the body. The wall of the chest and lung cavity (the pleura) is afflicted by mesothelioma of the pleural region. Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the abdomen's lining also known as the peritoneum.

Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos the most often develop mesothelioma in their chest or lungs. Most at risk are those working in the fields of shipbuilding, power production and construction. However, mesothelioma can also develop in individuals who were exposed to asbestos in their homes or at school. This is because children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos can take the fibers home on their clothes hair, skin and even their hair which puts them at risk of developing the disease.

Mesothelioma patients are typically white and older than 65. They are more likely to have an occupation with a blue collar or military background. Asbestos was extensively used by the United States Navy and other branches in the military because of its flame-resistant qualities. Many veterans were exposed to asbestos.

Mesothelioma may develop when DNA of an individual undergoes mutations that cause cells to multiply uncontrolled. This leads to the formation of tumors, which eventually turn into mesothelioma. The disease can be affecting any part of the body, however typically, it is found in the chest or abdomen.

Smoking does not cause mesothelioma. However it increases the risk of developing this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos that an individual inhales. Therefore, anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should think about abstaining from smoking cigarettes.

Additionally, a person's mesothelioma treatment program should include a doctor who understands asbestos exposure and the risk factors that can cause this type of cancer. A specialist in mesothelioma who is knowledgeable with them can help them determine the best approach to treat this rare cancer. The doctor will determine if the patient is eligible for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that is found in a variety of items, Youtube.com such as flooring, roofing, and insulation. Workers who handle asbestos-containing materials, manufacture them or work with them are at a high chance of being exposed. Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to breathing them into the lungs where they cause illness and cancer.

Many asbestos-related diseases aren't diagnosed until it's too late due to a long latency period between exposure and the appearance of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most deadly of asbestos diseases, is no exception. The symptoms of mesothelioma may develop between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos.

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

Most mesothelioma cases result by asbestos inhalation. As asbestos fibers inhaled can travel to the lung, where they cause irritation to a lining called the pleura. This irritation can result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plates) and fibrosis within the lung. As the disease progresses, it could cause fluid to accumulate in the chest cavity, and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma may also affect the tissues of other organs like the heart and abdomen.

People who are exposed to asbestos in their work are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma. People who have a family history of mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related illnesses are also at risk. The risk of exposure to asbestos is higher if one has worked in more than one job over the course of their life. Smoking cigarettes doesn't increase the risk of mesothelioma however it can make the illness worse for those who have been diagnosed. If you have had a history of exposure asbestos and have mesothelioma symptoms, quitting smoking can help you live longer and improve the outcome of your treatment. It is important to tell your doctor about your exposure to asbestos and any new symptoms, like breathlessness or abdominal pain, as they can treat the disease by undergoing surgery or medication.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically related which means that a person's genes may increase the likelihood of 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 via swallowing or inhalation, and then stick to the tissues of the abdomen, chest or heart. These loose fibers can harm the cells that make up these linings, which can become thin over time. This can result in mesothelioma.

Despite this, not every person who is exposed to asbestos develops mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors could affect whether a person gets mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. This includes a person's gender and age and their family history of mesothelioma or other illnesses, and whether they are afflicted with other risk factors, such as smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to develop in men than women. This could be because men were more likely than women to have been exposed directly to asbestos in the workplace. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 20 and 60 years 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 lawyers cancer, researchers found that almost everyone in the family was affected by a defective gene located on the short arm of chromosome 3. This gene, known as BAP 1, regulates the movement of calcium inside cells. With a faulty gene the process is broken and calcium levels decrease. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.

In addition, a mutated gene in a person's immune system can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos. The mutated gene causes the loss of white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.

Other factors that can raise the risk of mesothelioma in a person include the type of asbestos they were exposed to and their job. The polio vaccine, given to children between 1940 and 1950, can also increase a person's mesothelioma risk by exposure to cancer-causing SV40.