Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

People who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. These fibers penetrate the lining of the chest cavity or abdomen, also known as the pleura and peritoneum.

Exposure to asbestos confers a lifetime risk of malignant, pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Although the risk is believed to decrease after more than 40 years of exposure, even the smallest exposure to asbestos is risky.

Age

The more senior a person is at the time of exposure the more likely they are to develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue surrounding the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, which means they grow out of control and develop into tumors. Mesothelioma usually affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. This could be due to their work or by being a close family member.

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

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is durable and heat resistant. It was used in the construction industry, insulation and other industrial applications up to the 1980s. During this period many millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos case due to their work or being close to an exposed loved one.

When asbestos litigation is disturbed it releases fibers in the air. These can be inhaled, and they are too hard for the body to break down or process. The fibers could cause irritation and cancer in the lungs if they become stuck.

Mesothelioma symptoms typically do not appear until decades after asbestos exposure. The symptoms are similar with other cancers and can be fatal without treatment.

Mesothelioma is more common in men than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in those who are over 45. The people who are at most risk of developing mesothelioma because of workplace asbestos exposure include miners, ship builders railroad workers, and those who handled or installed products made of asbestos. The asbestos found on the clothing of these individuals can expose their families to risk.

Smoking

The longer an individual is exposed to asbestos, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is due to the long latency period which can last between 20 and 60 year from the first exposure to diagnosis. Based on the type of asbestos, an individual's mesothelioma may occur in different regions of the body. 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, called the peritoneum.

Most often, people who have been exposed develop mesothelioma in the chest or lungs. The most at risk are those who worked in shipbuilding, power production and construction. Mesothelioma is also a possible risk for those who have been exposed at home or in school to asbestos. This is because children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos can bring the fibers into their clothes, skin and hair, which can put them at risk as well.

Mesothelioma patients are typically white and older than 65. They are also more likely to have a blue-collar occupation or a military background. The United States Navy and other branches of the military have used asbestos extensively because of its flame-resistant properties, and millions of veterans could have been exposed to it.

Mesothelioma can form when a person's DNA undergoes mutations, causing cells to multiply uncontrolled. This leads to the formation of tumors that eventually transform into mesothelioma. The disease can be affecting any part of the body, but the majority of cases occur in the chest or abdomen.

Smoking does not cause mesothelioma. However, it may increase the risk of getting this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos one breathes. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking.

Additionally, a person's mesothelioma treatment program should include an expert in asbestos lawsuit exposure and the risk factors associated with this cancer. Having an experienced mesothelioma specialist on their side can help them determine the best method 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 naturally occurs is used in a variety of items including flooring, roofing and insulation. Workers who handle, make or work with asbestos-containing materials are at a high risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can cause illness and cancer.

Many asbestos-related illnesses are not discovered until it's too late due to a long time period between exposure and the appearance of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most dangerous asbestos-related disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos.

Exposure to occupational hazards is the most frequent way in which people are exposed. Construction, manufacturing, electrical and automobile mechanic jobs all involve handling asbestos-related components and materials. However, people can also be exposed to asbestos by home activities, such as smoking cigarettes or renovating older homes that contain asbestos.

Most mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos inhalation. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to the lungs, where they irritate the lining known as pleura. This irritation can lead to the formation of thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) and fibrosis of the lungs. As the disease progresses, it can lead to the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissues of other organs, such as the heart or abdomen.

Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer among those who have been exposed to asbestos working. People who have a family history of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses are also at risk. The risk for a person is increased if they have been exposed to asbestos in multiple positions during their lifetime. Smoking cigarettes does not increase the risk of mesothelioma but it can make the condition worse for those who have been diagnosed. Quitting smoking cigarettes is beneficial if you have an asbestos-related exposure in the past and are suffering from mesothelioma. It can also allow you to live longer and improve the results of your treatment. It is essential to inform your doctor about your exposure to asbestos and any new symptoms, like breathlessness or abdominal pain, since they can treat the condition with medication or surgery.

Genetics

Many cancers have a genetic link, which means that a person's genes increase the likelihood of getting a specific disease. Mesothelioma however does not have a gene component. Instead, exposure to asbestos is the main cause.

Asbestos fibers can enter the body via swallowing or inhalation and adhere to the linings of the abdomen, chest or the heart. Over time the loose fibers could damage or mutate the cells that make up these tiny linings, which could lead to the development of mesothelioma.

However, mesothelioma may not affect every person who is exposed. Researchers believe other factors can influence whether a person develops mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. This includes a person's age and gender and their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases and whether they have additional risk factors like smoking.

Men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma. This may be because more men than women were exposed directly to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 60 year after the first exposure to asbestos.

Another risk factor for mesothelioma includes having a defective gene. In a study looking at two families with high levels of mesothelioma, scientists found that almost every person in the family had a defective gene located on the short arm of chromosome 3. This gene is called BAP 1 and regulates how calcium moves through cells. With a faulty gene, this process is disrupted and calcium levels drop. This allows asbestos to mutate healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.

Additionally an mutated gene in the immune system of a person can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos. This mutated gene causes a decrease in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.

The type of asbestos to which an individual was exposed and their occupation can also increase the mesothelioma Case-related risk. The polio vaccine, which was administered to children between 1940 and 1950, may also increase the risk of mesothelioma by exposure to cancer-causing SV40.