Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
The people who use products containing asbestos are at risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. These fibers can penetrate the tissue of the chest cavity and abdomen and are also known as the pleura, or peritoneum.
Exposure to asbestos can result in a lifetime risk of malignant, pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Although Miramar asbestos lawyers is believed to decrease after 40 years of exposure, asbestos exposure of any kind is a risk.
Age
The older a person is when they are exposed, the more likely they are to develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium - an elongated layer that surrounds the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells multiply uncontrollably and form tumors. Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in people who have been exposed to asbestos, either through their own job or as a member of someone who was exposed to asbestos.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma because it irritates the mesothelium. The lining of the lungs (pleura) is most affected by mesothelioma of the pleural region, but it can also affect the abdomen's lining and peritoneum as well as the lining of the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is a non-porous and durable mineral. It was utilized in insulation, construction and other industrial applications until the 1980s. During this time, millions of Americans were either exposed to asbestos as a result of their work or by being around loved ones who were exposed to asbestos.
When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into air. They are too hard for the body's system to break down or process. The fibers could cause irritation and cancer in the lungs when they get stuck.
Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not show up until decades after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to those of other cancers, and they can be fatal if not treated.
Mesothelioma affects men more often than women, and is most often diagnosed in those who are over 45. People who are at most risk of developing mesothelioma because of workplace asbestos exposure include miners, ship builders railroad workers, and those who worked with or installed products that contain asbestos. The asbestos in the clothing of these individuals could expose their families to risk.
Smoking
The chances of a person developing mesothelioma increases the longer they're exposed asbestos. This is due to the lengthy time of latency, which can be between 20 and 60 years from first exposure until diagnosis. Mesothelioma can occur in different areas of the body based on the type and quantity of asbestos. The chest wall's lining and the lung cavity (the pleura) is affected by mesothelioma pleural. Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdomen also known as the peritoneum.
Most of the time, those who have been exposed develop mesothelioma of the chest or lungs. People who worked in the shipbuilding, power generation and construction industries are most at risk. However, mesothelioma is also able to be found in people who were exposed to asbestos at home or in school. This is because children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos could carry the asbestos fibers to their clothing, skin and hair, which can put them at risk of developing the disease.
Mesothelioma patients are usually white and older than 65. They are also more likely to have a blue-collar job or military history. Asbestos was extensively used by the United States Navy and other branches in the military due to its ability to withstand flames. Millions of veterans were exposed to asbestos.
When DNA changes occur, they may cause cells to grow uncontrolled. This can lead to the growth of tumors which eventually grow into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the entire body however it is most common in the chest and abdomen.
Smoking cigarettes does not cause mesothelioma. However, it may increase the risk of this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos that people breathe in. Therefore anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should consider stopping smoking.
Additionally, a person's mesothelioma treatment plan should involve a doctor who understands asbestos exposure and the risk factors for this cancer. A specialist in mesothelioma who is knowledgeable to assist them determine the best method to treat this rare cancer. The specialist will be able to determine whether a patient is suitable for experimental treatments or immunotherapy.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in many different products, including flooring, roofing, and insulation. Workers who handle, manufacture or work with asbestos-containing materials are at a high risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to cancer and illness.
There is a long period of latency between exposure to asbestos and the first signs of symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify the various asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma one of the most hazardous of asbestos-related diseases, is no exception. Mesothelioma symptoms may manifest between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Occupational exposure is the most commonly used method by which people are exposed. All jobs that require asbestos handling or use include those in manufacturing, construction, automotive mechanics, and electrical. People can also be exposed through activities at home like smoking or renovating older homes that have asbestos.
The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos particles that are inhaled may travel into the lungs and cause irritation to the lining called the pleura. This irritation can cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plates) and fibrosis within the lung. As the disease advances, it could cause to the accumulation of fluid within 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 in their work are at a higher risk for developing mesothelioma. People with a history of family members or mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases are also at risk. A person's risk is also increased if they were exposed to asbestos in multiple positions over their lifetime. Smoking cigarettes does not increase the likelihood 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 have mesothelioma symptoms, quitting smoking can make you healthier and improve the outcome of your treatment. It is essential to inform your doctor about your exposure to asbestos and any new symptoms, like shortness of breath or abdominal pain, because they can treat the condition by undergoing surgery or medication.
Genetics
Many cancers have a genetic connection that means the genes of a person increase the likelihood of developing a particular illness. However, mesothelioma doesn't have an element of genetics. Instead asbestos exposure is the primary factor.
Asbestos fibers enter the body through inhalation or swallowed, and they stick to the lining of the chest (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). As time passes, these loose fibers can damage or mutate the cells that comprise these tiny linings, which can lead to the development of mesothelioma.
However, mesothelioma may not affect every person who is exposed. Researchers believe other factors can determine if a person develops mesothelioma after 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 are afflicted with other risk factors like 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 exposed to asbestos while at work. Mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 60 year after the first exposure to asbestos.
A defective gene is a further risk factor for mesothelioma. In an investigation of two families with mesothelioma incidences that were high scientists discovered that almost every member of the family carried a defective gene on their short arm chromosome 3. This gene, called BAP 1 regulates the movement of calcium within cells. When a gene is not functioning properly this process is disrupted and calcium levels drop. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.
In addition, a mutated gene in the immune system of a person can also raise the chance of developing mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. The mutated gene causes an increase in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.
The kind of asbestos to which a person was exposed and their occupation can also increase the risk of mesothelioma. In addition the polio vaccine administered to children in the 1940s and 1950s may increase a person's mesothelioma risk by exposing them to cancer-causing SV40 virus.