gymjune16

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure People who use products containing asbestos are at risk of breathing in or eating asbestos fibers. The fibers penetrate the lining of the abdomen and chest cavity which is known as the pleura or the peritoneum. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing malignant pleural mysothelioma or peritoneal cancer over the course of your life. Although the risk appears to diminish after 40 years, exposure to asbestos of any kind can be dangerous. Age The older a person gets when exposed, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects mesothelium which is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds important organs in the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, which means they expand beyond control and develop into tumors. Mesothelioma is usually 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. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma due to irritation of the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the linings of the lungs, but it can also affect the abdomen's lining and peritoneum, as well as the lining of the heart. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is durable and heat resistant. It was utilized in the construction industry, insulation and other industrial applications up to the 1980s. During this time millions of Americans were either exposed to asbestos because of their work or by being around someone who was exposed to asbestos. When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into the air. They are too hard for the body's systems to break them down or process. The fibers could become stuck in the lungs and cause irritation that may lead to cancer. Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not show up until decades after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to those of other types of cancer and can be fatal if not treated. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most often diagnosed in those who are over 45. The people who are at highest risk of developing mesothelioma because of workplace asbestos exposure include ship builders, miners railroad workers, and those who worked with or installed products that contain asbestos. The asbestos found on the clothing of these people can expose their families to risk. Smoking The longer a person is exposed to asbestos, the higher the chance of developing mesothelioma. This is due to the long latency time that can range between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma can be found in various parts of the body depending on the type and quantity of asbestos present. The wall of the chest and the lung cavity (the pleura) is afflicted by mesothelioma pleural. Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be found in the lining of the abdomen and is also known as the peritoneum. Most often, those who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma in the chest or lungs. Most at risk are those who worked in shipbuilding, power generation and construction. Mesothelioma is also a possibility for individuals who were exposed at home or in schools to asbestos. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed employees can bring fibers from the workplace home and smear them on their clothes, skin, and hair. This puts them at risk. Mesothelioma patients are usually 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. Mesothelioma can develop when an individual's DNA undergoes mutations that cause cells to multiply without control. This can lead to the formation of tumors that later grow into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the entire body however it is most prevalent in the abdomen and chest. Smoking is not a cause of mesothelioma. However it increases the risk of getting this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos that people breathe in. Therefore anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should consider stopping smoking cigarettes. A person's treatment plan for mesothelioma should include a physician who is familiar with asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma expert can assist determine the best treatment option for this rare cancer. The doctor will be able determine if a patient is eligible for immunotherapy or experimental treatments. Asbestos Exposure Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs that is found in a myriad of products, such as roofing, flooring, and insulation. Workers who handle, manufacture or work on asbestos-containing products are at high risk for exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can cause cancer and other illnesses. There is a long period of latency between exposure to asbestos and the first signs of symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify many asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is the most deadly asbestos-related disease. Mesothelioma symptoms can appear between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos. The most common way that people are exposed. Construction, manufacturing, electrical and automobile mechanic jobs all involve handling or using asbestos components and materials. The risk of exposure to asbestos is also present through activities at home like smoking or renovating older homes that have asbestos. Most mesothelioma cases result by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled can travel into the lungs and cause irritation to the pleura, the lining of the lungs. This irritation can lead to thickened patches of pleura (pleural plates) and fibrosis in the lung. 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 tissues of other organs, including the heart and abdomen. People who are exposed to asbestos in their work are at the greatest risk for developing mesothelioma. But people who have a family history of mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses, are also at risk. The risk of asbestos exposure is increased if a person has held more than one job over the course of their life. Smoking does not increase the risk of mesothelioma but it can make the condition worse for those who have been diagnosed. Quitting smoking is beneficial if you have had a history of asbestos exposure and suffer from mesothelioma. It will also allow you to live longer and enhance the results of your treatment. Inform your doctor if have been exposed to asbestos or if you experience any new symptoms such as abdominal pain or difficulty to breathe. They may prescribe medication or perform surgery to treat the disease. Genetics Many cancers have a genetic connection, which means that the genes of a person could increase their risk of developing a particular disease. However, mesothelioma doesn't have any genetic component. In fact exposure to asbestos is the main cause. Asbestos fibers can enter the body via inhalation or swallowed and sticking to the lining of the chest (the pleura) and the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). Over time the loose fibers could cause damage or alteration to the cells that comprise these small linings, which can result in mesothelioma development. However, mesothelioma may not affect everyone who is exposed. Researchers believe that other aspects can determine if a person develops mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. This includes age, gender, family history of mesothelioma, and other diseases, as well as any additional risk factors such smoking. Mesothelioma is more likely to be found in males than females. This is due to the fact that more males than females were exposed directly to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 20 and 60 years after the first exposure to asbestos. Another risk factor for mesothelioma includes having an infected gene. In the study of two families with mesothelioma incidences that were high researchers found that almost all members of the family had an abnormal gene on their short arm chromosome 3 This gene is known as BAP 1 and regulates the way calcium moves through cells. With a faulty gene the process is affected and calcium levels drop. This allows asbestos to mutate healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma. A gene that is mutated can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. The mutated gene results in a decrease in white blood cells. Rock Hill asbestos attorney are responsible for fighting cancerous cells. The kind of asbestos to which a person was exposed and the work they performed can also increase the risk of mesothelioma. Additionally, the polio vaccine given to children in the 1940s and 1950s may increase the risk of mesothelioma in a person by exposing them to cancer-causing SV40 virus.