10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Mesothelioma From Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

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

Exposure to asbestos can increase the chance of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma, or peritoneal cancer throughout your lifetime. While the risk does appear to decrease after more than 40 years of exposure, even a small amount of asbestos exposure is dangerous.

Age

The older a person is at the time of exposure, the more likely they will develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel a thin layer surrounding the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells expand uncontrollably and form tumors. Mesothelioma usually affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. This could be due to their work or as a close family member.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma because it irritates the mesothelium. The lung's lining (pleura) is most affected in patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural, but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen and peritoneum, as well as the heart lining (pericardium).

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, is durable and heat resistant. It was widely used in insulation, construction and other industrial applications until the 1980s. In this time, millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos because of their jobs or because they were close to an exposed loved one.

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

The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not show up until decades after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to those of other types of cancer, and they can be fatal if left untreated.

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

Smoking

A person's chances of getting mesothelioma increases the longer they are exposed to asbestos law. This is due to the long latency period which can last between 20 and 60 years from first exposure until diagnosis. Mesothelioma can occur in different parts of the body depending on the type and amount of asbestos case. The chest wall's lining and the lung cavity (the pleura) is affected by mesothelioma pleural. Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the abdomen's lining, also known as the peritoneum.

Most of the time, those who have been exposed develop mesothelioma in the chest or lungs. People who worked in the power generation, shipbuilding and construction sectors are the most at risk. However, mesothelioma can also be found in people who were exposed to asbestos at home or at school. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed employees can carry asbestos fibers from the workplace home on their clothing, skin, and hair. This puts them at risk.

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

When DNA mutations occur, they can cause cells to multiply without a limit. This could lead to the formation of tumors that later become mesothelioma. The disease can affect the whole body, but it is most common in the abdomen and chest.

Smoking causes mesothelioma however it increases your risk by increasing the amount asbestos you inhale. Therefore, anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should consider abstaining from smoking cigarettes.

A person's treatment plan for mesothelioma must also include a doctor who is familiar with asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma expert can help determine the best treatment option for this rare cancer. The specialist will be able to determine whether a patient is suitable for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is used in a variety of items like flooring, roofing and insulation. Workers who handle, manufacture or work with asbestos-containing products are at a high risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can cause cancer and other illnesses.

Many asbestos-related illnesses are not discovered until it's too late because there is an extended period of time between exposure and the onset of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most dangerous asbestos disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos case.

Occupational exposure is the most common way that people are exposed. Construction, manufacturing, electrical and automotive mechanic jobs all involve the handling of asbestos-containing components and materials. However, individuals can also be exposed to asbestos through at-home activities, like smoking cigarettes or renovating older houses that contain asbestos.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled may travel into the lungs and cause irritation to the lining called the pleura. This irritation can lead to thickened pleura patches (pleural plates) and fibrosis in the lung. As the disease progresses, it may result in the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and ultimately to lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue of other organs including the heart and abdomen.

Mesothelioma is most common in those who have been exposed to asbestos while working. People who have a family history of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases are also at risk. A person's risk is also higher if they've been exposed to asbestos in multiple jobs throughout their life. Smoking cigarettes doesn't increase the risk of mesothelioma but it can make the disease worse for those who have been diagnosed. If you have a history of exposure to asbestos and experience mesothelioma, quitting smoking can prolong your life and improve the outcome of your treatment. Inform your doctor if have been exposed to asbestos or if you notice any new symptoms like abdominal pain or difficulty to breathing. They may prescribe medication or operate to treat the disease.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically linked which means that a person's genes may increase the likelihood of getting a particular disease. Mesothelioma however does not have a gene component. Exposure to asbestos is the most important cause.

Asbestos fibers may enter the body through inhalation or swallowing and stick to the linings of the abdomen, chest or the heart. As time passes the loose fibers could cause damage or alteration to the cells that comprise these linings. This can result in the development of mesothelioma.

However, mesothelioma may not affect all people who are exposed. Researchers believe other factors can influence whether a person develops mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. This includes a person's age and gender, their family history of mesothelioma and other diseases and whether they have additional risk factors such as smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to develop in males than females. This could be due to the fact that men were more likely than women to have been directly exposed asbestos at work. Also, it takes between 20 to 60 years for mesothelioma develop following the first exposure to asbestos.

A faulty gene is a second risk factor for mesothelioma. In a study of two families with mesothelioma incidences that were high scientists discovered that almost every member of the family had a defective gene on their short arm chromosome 3. This gene, known as BAP 1 regulates the movement of calcium within cells. A defective gene can disrupt this process, causing calcium levels to drop. This allows asbestos case to mutate healthy cells into cancerous ones, causing mesothelioma.

Additionally, a mutated gene in the immune system of a person could increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos. People who have this mutation have a lower percentage of white blood cells which are the cells that fight off cancerous cells.

Other factors that could increase a person's chance of mesothelioma are the type of asbestos they were exposed to and their work. The polio vaccine, given to children between 1940 and 1950, could also increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma through exposure to cancer-causing SV40.