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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

People who use asbestos-containing products are at risk of ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers. The fibers penetrate the wall of the chest cavity and abdomen and are also known as the pleura, or the peritoneum.

The exposure to asbestos increases the lifelong risk of malignant pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Even though the risk seems to decrease after 40 years, asbestos exposure of any kind can be dangerous.

Age

The older a person is when they are exposed, the more likely they will develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue surrounding important organs in the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, meaning they expand beyond control and cause tumors. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in those who have been exposed to asbestos either in their job or as a member of someone who was exposed to asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma due to irritation of the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs' linings but it can also affect the abdomen's lining and peritoneum, as well as the heart lining.

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

When asbestos litigation is disturbed, it releases fibers in the air. They are too tough for the body's systems to break them down or process. The fibers can become stuck in the lungs, causing irritation that can lead to cancer.

The signs of mesothelioma are usually not manifest for a long time after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to other cancers and can be fatal if treated.

Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma more than women. It is also diagnosed most often in people older than 45. Those who are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma because asbestos exposure at work include miners, ship builders railroad workers, and others who have handled or installed items made with asbestos. Family members of these people are also at a higher risk since asbestos could be found on their clothing.

Smoking

A person's chances of getting mesothelioma increases the longer they're exposed asbestos. This is due to the long latency time that can range 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 present. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's lining cavity and chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the lining of the abdomen and is also known as the peritoneum.

Most of the time, those who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma that affects the chest or lung. People who worked in the shipbuilding, power generation and construction sectors are the most at risk. Mesothelioma can also be a risk for those who have been exposed at home or in schools to asbestos. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed employees can carry asbestos-containing particles from their workplace home and smear them on their clothes, skin, and hair. This puts them at risk.

Mesothelioma sufferers are usually white and over 65. They are also more likely to have a blue-collar occupation or military history. The United States Navy and other branches of the military have used asbestos extensively due to its properties to resist flames, and millions of veterans could have been exposed to it.

Mesothelioma can develop when DNA of an individual undergoes alterations which cause cells to multiply without control. This leads to the formation of tumors that eventually transform into mesothelioma. The disease can be affecting any part of the body, however most often it occurs in the chest or abdomen.

Smoking causes mesothelioma however it increases your risk by increasing the amount asbestos you breathe in. Anyone who has been exposed asbestos should quit smoking cigarettes.

The treatment plan of a patient with mesothelioma should also include a physician who is familiar with asbestos exposure and risk factors. Having an experienced mesothelioma specialist to assist them determine the best approach to treat this rare cancer. The doctor will be able to determine if a patient is eligible for immunotherapy or experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in many different products, including flooring, roofing, and insulation. Workers who handle, make or work on asbestos-containing products are at risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers can result in breathing them into the lungs which can cause illness and cancer.

Many asbestos-related diseases aren't recognized until it is too late due to a long latency period between exposure and the appearance of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most deadly of asbestos-related illnesses, is no exception. Mesothelioma symptoms can appear between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.

The most common method by which people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. All jobs that involve asbestos handling or usage include those in construction, manufacturing automobile mechanics, construction, and electrical. However, people can also be exposed to asbestos through at-home activities, such as smoking cigarettes or the renovation of older houses that contain asbestos.

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

People who are exposed to asbestos at work are at the greatest risk for developing mesothelioma. People who have a family history of mesothelioma, or any other asbestos legal-related illnesses are also at risk. A person's risk is also increased if they have been exposed to asbestos in multiple jobs during their lifetime. Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of mesothelioma however, it can also worsen the condition for those already diagnosed. Quitting smoking cigarettes is beneficial if you have a history of asbestos exposure and are suffering from mesothelioma. It can also allow you to live longer, and improve the results of your treatment. It is important to tell your doctor about the exposure to asbestos as well as any new signs, such as breathlessness or abdominal pain, since they can treat the condition by undergoing surgery or medication.

Genetics

Many cancers are linked to genetics, which means that a person's genes increase the likelihood of getting a specific disease. Mesothelioma however does not have a genetic component. Exposure to asbestos is the primary reason.

Asbestos fibers can enter the body via inhalation or swallowed and sticking to the chest's lining (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). These loose fibers can harm the cells that comprise these tiny linings over time. This can result in mesothelioma.

Despite this, mesothelioma does not affect everyone who is exposed. Researchers believe other factors can affect the likelihood of developing mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos. This could include a person's gender and age as well as their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases, and whether they have other risk factors like smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to develop in males than females. This could be because men were more likely than women to have been directly exposed asbestos in the workplace. Additionally, it takes between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma to develop after a person's first exposure to asbestos.

A faulty gene is another risk factor for mesothelioma. In a study looking at two families with high levels of mesothelioma cancer, researchers found that almost everyone in the family had a defective gene on their short arm of chromosome 3. This gene is known as BAP 1 and regulates how calcium moves through cells. A defective gene can disrupt this process which causes calcium levels to decrease. This enables asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.

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

The kind of asbestos law to which a person was exposed and the work they performed can also increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. The polio vaccine that was given to children between 1940 and 1950, may also increase the mesothelioma risk by exposure to cancer-causing SV40.