Five Things You Didn't Know About Mesothelioma From Asbestos

Mesothelioma – Chances of Getting Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure The chance of developing mesothelioma increases with exposure to asbestos. It's not clear whether the risk decreases when exposure stops. When asbestos fibers get stuck in the linings of the lungs or abdomen (peritoneum) mesothelioma can develop. There are several kinds of mesothelioma. There are many types of mesothelioma. Age A person's chances of getting mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors. These include the age of the first exposure to asbestos as well as the type of asbestos, and the duration of the exposure. The symptoms of mesothelioma usually start in the lungs, and then spread to other parts. The most likely patients to develop mesothelioma is those who have been exposed to asbestos. People who have come into contact with asbestos in the peritoneum lining the abdomen are less likely to develop this condition. The more severe the mesothelioma becomes, the more old the patient is at the time of diagnosis. This is a result of the 20 to 60 year latency period between exposure and the time when mesothelioma symptoms first appear. Asbestos is a natural mineral with fibrous bundles which can form into thin sheets or clump together into an impermeable material. Between the 1930s and 1980s its durability and flexibility made asbestos a very popular material. In this time millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos exposure through occupational or second-hand exposure. Workplace exposure occurs when employees are exposed to asbestos at work. Secondary exposure occurs when the fibers of asbestos are smuggled home by family members wearing clothing, skin or hair. Inhaling asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lungs and other organs such as the heart. This irritation can lead to inflammation, scarring and the conversion of healthy cells to cancerous cells over time. Mesothelioma is mostly a cancer of the pleura which is the tissue that surrounds the lungs. It can also affect other parts of the body, such as the stomach and the heart. Asbestos is more likely be found in those with a military or blue-collar background. They work in certain industries and/or are in the military. However those who have been exposed to asbestos at home or from other sources may be at risk. Additionally, people who receive the BAP1 gene mutation have a greater chance of developing mesothelioma than those without this condition. They are usually diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 70. Gender Mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than women. This is likely because men worked in areas that were more vulnerable to asbestos exposure. The asbestos fibres from the job site may have been carried home by men. Asbestos is usually found in factories and mines which produce asbestos-based products such as pipes, insulation tiles, cement and tiles most at risk of developing mesothelioma. But mesothelioma also has been observed in those who built or repaired railroad or automotive products, as well as those who built ships and produced gas masks. Mesothelioma is usually associated with exposure to chrysotile asbestos, the most commonly used form of asbestos. The likelihood of developing mesothelioma is increased depending on the duration and severity of exposure to asbestos. Most mesothelioma cases happen when asbestos exposure is for a period of 30 years or more. The latency period can also depend on a person's gender as well as the type of asbestos exposure. While it is still unclear what exactly causes this, women appear to have a longer period of latency for mesothelioma than men. One reason is that many of the women with mesothelioma were domestic workers and may have come into contact with asbestos through washing the work clothes of their fathers, husbands and brothers. When mesothelioma was more widespread and asbestos was utilized in a wide variety of commercial and domestic building materials. The fibers were found in drywalls, pipe coatings as well as paints and cements. These products were frequently used in homes and offices in areas where asbestos was displaced by renovations or construction. Asbest was discovered in a variety of kinds of buildings, such as churches, schools and hospitals, even when mesothelioma used as an industrial product. Many of these buildings were constructed before the 1980s in which asbestos was banned. Asbestos, a complex substance is being studied by researchers, particularly in connection with mesothelioma. Researchers are investigating how asbestos affects the lungs as well as the gastrointestinal tract – which is the part where mesothelioma can be the most prevalent. They are also examining whether other factors, such as gender or the level of asbestos exposure, could influence the mesothelioma rates. Work History The most likely person to develop mesothelioma is one who has worked in a field that has employed asbestos for a number of years. Asbestos was widely used in building and construction particularly from the 1920s to the 1980s. Many jobs, including manufacturing power generation, mining and construction, shipbuilding, and asbestos removal, were at risk. Asbestos is an naturally occurring fibrous mineral. It is extremely durable and heat-resistant, which can be used in a variety of products. The fibers of asbestos are used to make brake pads, insulation, and roofing, among others. When asbestos is cut or smashed and released, it releases microscopic particles that may be ingested or inhaled. gulfport asbestos law firm takes between 20 and 60 years after exposure to develop, but it can occur much earlier than that. It can be found in the lungs, in the chest wall (peritoneal mesothelioma pleural) or in the abdomen. People with a family history of mesothelioma also have higher risks of the disease, though it's not known the reason. Mesothelioma is linked to an inherited mutation in the gene BAP1 but it's a rare. A person could be at risk of developing mesothelioma if they lived with someone who worked with asbestos and brought asbestos fibers to their clothing, skin and hair. This is known as secondary exposure. People who work in areas that are exposed to asbestos are at risk of bringing home-grown fibers onto their shoes and clothing. These fibers could be breathed in by family members or ingested at home. Asbestosis is a lung disorder that is related to mesothelioma. It can be triggered by breathing asbestos fibers. Asbestosis typically develops in the lung and can cause chest pain, a cough and a lump. Australia has the highest rate of mesothelioma, mainly because asbestos was widely used in Australia for a long time in construction, manufacturing, and mining. A doctor first identified the link between mesothelioma and asbestos in 1930, which led England to pass laws that regulated asbestos in the 1930s. These regulations forced companies to install ventilation systems and other safety equipment. Smoking Like many types of cancer, mesothelioma can be caused by cells receiving faulty genetic information and grow unchecked. When these cells are located in the lung (pleura), abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium) and they are able to cause abnormal growths known as tumors. There is no cure for mesothelioma but there are a variety of risk factors that could increase the chances of developing the disease. Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. The asbestos fibers that are breathed into the lungs cause irritation to the lining of the lungs and chest wall, which could result in mesothelioma. People exposed to asbestos at work have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who were not exposed. It is also important to determine the type of asbestos the person was exposed to. Different types of asbestos have different effects on the lungs, and on a person's health. For instance, chrysotile has a higher risk of mesothelioma compared to amphiboles, such as amosite or crocidolite. A person's mesothelioma history in the family can also increase his or her mesothelioma risk. Mesothelioma can affect young people who were exposed to asbestos as an adult. People who live near mesothelioma patients or those suffering from mesothelioma have a slightly higher chance of developing the disease, as they can inhale asbestos fibers from clothing, skin, and hair. The type of job that a person did can impact the risk of developing mesothelioma. Workers who worked on ships, power plants or other places where asbestos was used have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma than those who were not exposed to asbestos. People who worked in certain industries, such as manufacturing and construction, have a higher mesothelioma rate than other industries. A person's gender, age and race can also play a role in his or her mesothelioma experience. Men and those who have a family history are more likely to develop mesothelioma. Women are less likely to have been exposed to asbestos-related work while men were more likely to be exposed at work.