Test: How Much Do You Know About Mesothelioma From Asbestos?

Mesothelioma – Chances of Getting Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure The risk of developing mesothelioma increases with exposure to asbestos. It's unclear if the risk decreases once exposure stops. A mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers become stuck in the lung's lining (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). There are a variety of types of mesothelioma. This includes: Age The chance of developing mesothelioma depends on a variety of variables. This includes the age of their initial exposure to asbestos and the type of asbestos, and the time of exposure. The symptoms of mesothelioma usually start in the lungs, and then spread to other parts. So, people who have been exposed to asbestos in the lungs are more likely to develop this condition. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the lining of the abdomen the peritoneum, are less likely to develop mesothelioma. 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 when mesothelioma-related symptoms first start to appear. Asbestos is a natural mineral with fibrous bundles that can form thin sheets or clump together to form an impermeable material. Between the 1930s and 1980s its durability and flexibility made asbestos a very popular material. During this period millions of Americans were subjected to asbestos exposure through occupational or second-hand exposure. The term occupational exposure refers to the time when workers are exposed to asbestos at work. Secondary exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are absorbed home on hair, clothing or skin and inhaled by family members. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers irritate the lung's lining and other organs such as the heart. As time passes this irritation may cause inflammation, scarring, and mutation of healthy cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma is mostly a cancer of the pleura which is the tissue that surrounds the lung. It can also affect other areas of the body, including the stomach and the heart. Asbestos is more likely be found in people who have a blue-collar or military background. They are employed in specific industries and/or are in the military. People who have been exposed in their homes to asbestos or through other sources are also at risk. Additionally, people who carry the BAP1 gene mutation have a higher chance of developing mesothelioma than people without this condition. They are usually diagnosed between ages 50 and 70. Gender Mesothelioma is more common in men than in women. Men are more likely to be affected by asbestos exposure due to the fact that they have worked in industries that are more susceptible. Men could also have brought asbestos fibers home on their clothes from work locations. Asbestos is most often found in factories and mines, with those that made asbestos products such as pipes, insulation, tiles and cement most at risk of developing mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has also been identified in workers who constructed or repaired automotive and railroad products, and also those who constructed ships and produced gas masks. Mesothelioma is typically associated with exposure to chrysotile asbestos. the most popular form of asbestos. The risk of developing mesothelioma increases as exposure to asbestos increases. Most mesothelioma cases happen in people exposed to asbestos for a period of 30 years or more. The time of a person's latency can also vary depending on their gender and the kind of asbestos exposure. It isn't clear why women have a higher mesothelioma recurrence. One reason could be that a lot of the women who develop mesothelioma worked as domestic workers and could have come in contact with asbestos from washing the clothes of their fathers, husbands and brothers. Asbestos was widely used in domestic and commercial building materials when mesothelioma was becoming more common. The fibers were found in drywall, insulation paint, pipe coating and cement. Many of these products were used in homes and workplaces, where the asbestos was often disturbed by renovations or construction. Asbest was present in a variety of kinds of buildings, including schools, churches as well as hospitals and offices even when mesothelioma was employed as an industrial product. A majority of these buildings were constructed before the 1980s, when asbestos was banned. Asbestos is a complicated substance, so researchers are still studying its health effects, especially mesothelioma. Researchers are examining how asbestos affects the lungs as well as the gastrointestinal tract, which is the area where mesothelioma is most prevalent. They are also looking into whether different factors might influence mesothelioma rates, such as gender and the level of exposure to asbestos. Work History A person is more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure if they worked in an industry where the mineral was used for many years. Asbestos in construction and construction was prevalent, particularly in the 1920s to 1980s. Numerous jobs, like manufacturing, mining and power generation shipbuilding, asbestos removal, were at risk. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. It is heat-resistant and tough making it ideal for a variety of products. Its fibers are woven into roofing, insulation, and brake pads, among others. When asbestos is cut or smashed, it releases tiny dust particles that could be inhaled or ingested. Mesothelioma typically takes between 20 and 60 years after initial exposure to develop, however it can develop much earlier than that. It can occur in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), the chest wall (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the abdomen. fall river asbestos attorneys with mesothelioma-related family history are also at a higher risk of the disease, though it's not clear the reason. A mutation in a gene known as BAP1 has been linked to mesothelioma, but it is rare. Mesothelioma can also be a concern when you live with someone who works with asbestos and they bring the fibers back to their clothes hair, skin or even their hair. This is known as secondary exposure. Workers in areas that are exposed to asbestos are at risk of bringing home fibers on their shoes and clothing. These fibers could be breathed in by family members or ingested at home. Asbestosis, which is a lung condition to mesothelioma, often occurs as a result of breathing in asbestos fibers. Asbestosis is most often seen in the lungs. It can cause fluid accumulation around the ribcage and cause breathing difficulties, a cough, chest pain, and a lump on the ribcage. Australia has the highest incidence of mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that asbestos was widely used for many decades in building, manufacturing, and mining. In 1930, a physician reported mesothelioma as a cause of asbestos. This resulted in England to adopt laws in the 1930s that regulated asbestos. These regulations forced companies to install ventilation equipment as well as other safety equipment. Smoking As with many kinds of cancer, mesothelioma is caused when cells receive faulty genetic information and grow unchecked. When these cells are in the lung (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or in the heart (pericardium) and they are able to cause abnormal growths known as tumors. There is no cure for mesothelioma. However, there are several factors that could increase the risk of developing the disease. Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor. The asbestos fibers inhaled into the lungs irritate the lining of the lungs and chest wall, which could result in mesothelioma. The risk of mesothelioma is greater for those who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace compared to those who aren't. It is also crucial to determine the kind of asbestos to which the individual was exposed to. Different types of asbestos can have different effects on the lungs, and the health of a person. Asbestos chrysotile for instance has a higher risk of mesothelioma as compared to amphiboles, such as crocidolite or amosite. A person's mesothelioma history in the family is also a factor in the risk of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is rare in children and younger adults however, it can occur in young adults if they were an adult who worked with asbestos. People who live with a mesothelioma sufferer or who has mesothelioma have a slightly higher risk of developing the disease because they can breathe in stray asbestos fibers on clothing, skin and hair. The kind of work an individual did can also affect the chance of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in those who worked in power plants and ships, or in other areas where asbestos was used. People who worked in certain industries, such as manufacturing and construction, also have a higher mesothelioma risk than other industries. The race, gender, and age can also play a role in their mesothelioma experience. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women, as are those who have a family history of the disease. Women are less likely to have been exposed to asbestos-related work while men were more likely to be exposed at work.