Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
People who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. These fibers penetrate the tissue of the chest cavity or abdomen, also known as the pleura and peritoneum.
The exposure to asbestos increases the lifetime risk of malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneal or pleural regions. Although the risk appears to decrease after 40 years of exposure, asbestos exposure of any kind is a risk.
Age
The older a person gets when exposed, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds major organs in 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 job or as a member of someone who was exposed to it.
Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma due to irritation of the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma is typically found in the lungs' linings, but it can also affect the abdomen's lining, peritoneum and the lining of the heart.
Asbestos is a non-porous and long-lasting mineral. It was used for construction as insulation, construction, and other industrial applications until the 1980s. During this time millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos because of their work or living near someone who was exposed to asbestos.
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 may be trapped in the lungs and cause irritation that can lead to cancer.
The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not manifest for a long time after asbestos exposure. The symptoms are similar to other cancers and can be fatal if not treated.
Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma than females. It is also diagnosed most often for those who are older than 45. Shipbuilders, miners, railroad workers, and people who work with asbestos-containing products are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma thanks to asbestos exposure in the workplace. The asbestos in the clothing of these workers could expose their families to risk.
Smoking
A person's chances of getting mesothelioma rises the longer they're exposed to asbestos. This is due to the long time of latency which can range from 20 and 60 years from initial exposure to the disease until it is diagnosed. Mesothelioma may occur in different parts of the body depending on the type and quantity of asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining between the lung cavity and chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdominal lining, also known as the peritoneum.
Most of the time, those who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma of the chest or lung. The most at risk are those working in shipbuilding, power production and construction. However, mesothelioma can also develop in people who were exposed to asbestos at home or at school. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed employees can bring fibers from the workplace home and smear them on their clothes hair, skin and hair. This puts them at risk.
Mesothelioma patients are typically white and older than 65. They are also more likely to have a blue-collar occupation or military history. Asbestos was used extensively by the United States Navy and other branches in the military due to its flame-resistant qualities. Many veterans were exposed to asbestos.
When DNA mutations occur, they can cause cells to multiply without a limit. This may lead to formation of tumors that later grow into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the whole body, but it is most common in the chest and abdomen.
Smoking is not a cause of mesothelioma. However it can increase 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 stopping smoking cigarettes.
A person's treatment plan for mesothelioma should also include a doctor who is knowledgeable about asbestos exposure and risk factors. Daly City asbestos lawsuit can help determine the best treatment for this rare cancer. The doctor will determine whether the patient is eligible for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is used in a variety of products including flooring, roofing, and insulation. Workers who handle, make or work with asbestos-containing materials are at risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can cause cancer and other illnesses.
There is a long period of latency between the exposure to asbestos and the first signs of symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify the various asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is the most deadly asbestos disease. Mesothelioma symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
The most common method by which people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Manufacturing, construction, electrical and automobile mechanic jobs all require the handling of asbestos-containing components and materials. People can also be exposed to asbestos through home activities, such as smoking, or renovating older homes that contain asbestos.
Inhalation of asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to the lung, where they cause irritation to the lining known as pleura. This irritation leads to the development of thickened pleura patches (pleural plaques) and fibrosis of the lungs. As the disease advances, it could cause fluid to accumulate in the chest cavity, and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissues of other organs, such as the heart or abdomen.
People who are exposed to asbestos while at work are at the highest chance of developing mesothelioma. People who have a family history of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses are also at risk. The risk of exposure to asbestos is increased if a person has worked in more than one job in the course of their life. Smoking does increase the risk of mesothelioma however, it can also worsen the condition for those already diagnosed. Quitting smoking is beneficial if you have an exposure to asbestos in the past and suffer from mesothelioma. It can also help you live longer and improve the results of your treatment. It is crucial to inform your doctor about the exposure to asbestos as well as any new signs, such as shortness of breath or abdominal pain, because they can treat the condition with medication or surgery.
Genetics
Many cancers are linked to genetics that means the genes of a person can increase their chances of developing a particular disease. Mesothelioma, however, does not have a gene component. Instead asbestos exposure is the main cause.
Asbestos fibers can enter the body via inhalation or swallowing and stick to the linings of the abdomen, chest or heart. As time passes, these loose fibers can cause damage or alteration to the cells that comprise these linings. This could lead to mesothelioma's development.
However, not every person who is exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma. Researchers believe that other factors can influence whether someone develops mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. This could include a person's age and gender as well as their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases and whether they have other risk factors, such as smoking.
Men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma. This could be due to the fact that men were more likely than women to have been directly exposed asbestos at work. It can take between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma be diagnosed following a person's initial exposure to asbestos.
Another risk factor for mesothelioma is having an infected gene. In an investigation of two families with high mesothelioma risk researchers found that almost all members of the family carried an abnormal gene on their short arm chromosome 3. This gene, dubbed BAP 1 regulates the movement of calcium within cells. With a faulty gene this process is disrupted and calcium levels drop. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones and trigger mesothelioma.
Mutations in a gene can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. The mutation causes an increase 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 risk of developing mesothelioma. 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.