Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
The people who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers. The fibers penetrate the lining of the abdomen and chest cavity which is called the pleura or peritoneum.
The exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing malignant pleural mysothelioma or peritoneal cancer over the course of your life. Even though the risk seems to diminish 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 disease that affects the mesothel an extremely thin layer that surrounds the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells are malignant. This means that they grow out of control and form tumors. Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in people who have been exposed to asbestos either in their work or as a family member of someone who was exposed to it.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma due to the irritation of the mesothelium. The lung's lining (pleura) is the most affected in patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma, although it can also affect the lining of the abdomen and peritoneum or the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, is durable and heat-resistant. It was used in construction, insulation, and for other industrial uses until the 1980s. During this time, millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos as a result of their work or living near an asbestos-exposed loved one.
When asbestos is disturbed it releases fibers in the air. They are too difficult for the body's system to break into pieces or process. The fibers could cause irritation and cancer in the lungs when they get stuck.
The signs of mesothelioma are usually not manifest for a long time after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to those of other cancers, and they can be fatal if left untreated.
Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in those who are over 45. Miners, shipbuilders and railroad workers, and those who handled asbestos-containing items are at the greatest chance of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in the workplace. Family members of these people are also at a higher risk because the asbestos can be found on their clothing.
Smoking
The chances of a person developing mesothelioma rises the longer they're exposed asbestos. This is because of the long latency time which can range from 20 and 60 years from first exposure to the disease until it is diagnosed. Mesothelioma can be found in various parts of the body, based on the type and quantity of asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lung's lining cavity and the chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the abdominal lining, which is known as the peritoneum.
Shreveport asbestos attorneys of the time, those who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma that affects the chest or lung. People who worked in the power generation, shipbuilding and construction sectors are the most at risk. Mesothelioma can also be a risk for those who have been exposed at home or in school to asbestos. This is due to the fact that children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos can carry the asbestos fibers home on their clothes hair, skin and even their hair which can put them at risk too.
Mesothelioma patients tend to be white and older than 65. They are also more likely to have a blue-collar occupation or military background. Asbestos was used extensively by the United States Navy and other branches of the military because of its ability to withstand flames. Millions of veterans were exposed to asbestos.
When DNA mutations occur, they could cause cells to multiply without a limit. This could lead to the formation of tumors that later grow into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the whole body however it is most prevalent in the abdomen and chest.
Smoking does cause mesothelioma but it can increase your risk by increasing the amount of asbestos you breathe. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should quit smoking.
Furthermore, a person's mesothelioma treatment plan should involve an expert in asbestos exposure and the risk factors associated with this cancer. A specialist in mesothelioma who is knowledgeable to assist them determine the best way 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, is used in a variety of items including flooring, roofing and insulation. Workers who handle asbestos-containing materials, manufacture them or work with them are at a greater risk of exposure. The exposure to asbestos fibers can result in breathing asbestos fibers into the lungs, where they cause illness and cancer.
There is a long time of latency between the exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms, which makes it difficult to recognize many asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is the most hazardous asbestos disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.
The most common method by which people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Electrical, manufacturing, construction and automobile mechanic jobs all involve handling asbestos-related components and materials. However, workers can be exposed to asbestos through home activities, such as smoking cigarettes or renovating older homes that contain asbestos.
Most mesothelioma cases result by asbestos inhalation. Inhaled asbestos fibers can travel to the lung, where they can cause irritation to the lining known as the pleura. This irritation can result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plates) and fibrosis within the lung. As the disease progresses it may cause fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and ultimately lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the lining of other organs, including the heart and abdomen.
Mesothelioma is more prevalent in people who have been exposed to asbestos while at work. But people who have a family history of mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases are at risk as well. The risk of exposure to asbestos is increased if a person has had more than one job in the course of their life. Smoking does not increase the likelihood of mesothelioma but it can make the condition worse for those who have already been diagnosed. Quitting smoking cigarettes is beneficial if have a history of asbestos exposure and suffer from mesothelioma. It can also help you live longer and improve the outcome of your treatment. It is crucial to inform your doctor about the exposure to asbestos as well as any new symptoms, like breathlessness or abdominal pain, as they can treat the condition by undergoing surgery or medication.
Genetics
Many cancers are genetically linked, meaning that a person’s genes may increase the chance of developing a specific disease. Mesothelioma however does not have a genetic component. In fact exposure to asbestos is the main reason.
Asbestos fibers may enter the body through swallowing or inhalation, and then stick to the linings of the chest, abdomen or the heart. Over time the loose fibers could cause damage or alteration to the cells that compose these tiny linings, which can lead to mesothelioma development.
However, mesothelioma may not affect everyone who is exposed. Researchers believe that other factors can affect whether a person gets mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. This includes gender, age, gender, family history of mesothelioma, and other diseases, as and any other risk factors, such as smoking.
Mesothelioma is more likely to occur in men than women. This is due to the fact that more men than women were directly exposed to asbestos at work. Additionally, it takes between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma be diagnosed following a person's initial exposure to asbestos.
Another risk factor for mesothelioma includes having a faulty gene. In a study of two families with mesothelioma incidences that were high researchers found that almost all members of the family carried an abnormal gene on their short arm chromosome 3 This gene, known as BAP 1 regulates the flow of calcium inside cells. A faulty gene disrupts this process which causes calcium levels to drop. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones, causing mesothelioma.
Additionally, a mutated gene in a person's immune system can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. People with this gene mutation have a lower level of white blood cells which are the cells that fight cancerous cells.
The type of asbestos to which an individual was exposed and the work they performed can increase a person's mesothelioma-related risk. Additionally the polio vaccine administered to children in the 1940s and 1950s could increase a person's mesothelioma risk by exposing them to the cancer-causing SV40 virus.