Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

The people who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers. The fibers are absorbed into the tissue of the chest cavity or abdomen, referred to as the pleura and peritoneum.

Exposure to asbestos can increase the chance of developing malignant pleural mysothelioma or peritoneal cancer over the course of your life. While the risk does appear to decrease after more than 40 years of exposure, even a small amount of exposure to asbestos is risky.

Age

The more senior a person is at the time of exposure, the more likely they are to develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium which is a thin layer of tissue surrounding the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells multiply rapidly and create tumors. Mesothelioma usually affects those who have been exposed to asbestos. This could happen through their work or as a close family member.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma due to the irritation of the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lungs’ linings however, it may also affect the linings of the abdomen, peritoneum and the heart lining.

Asbestos is a heat-resistant and long-lasting mineral. It was used in construction, insulation and other industrial applications prior to the 1980s. In the 1980s millions of Americans were either exposed to asbestos as a result of their jobs or being near an asbestos-exposed loved one.

When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into air. They are too difficult for the body’s system to break down or process. The fibers could get stuck in the lungs and cause irritation that leads to cancer.

Mesothelioma symptoms usually do not manifest until a long time after asbestos exposure. The symptoms are similar with other cancers, and may be fatal if treated.

Men are more likely to be affected by mesothelioma more than women. It is also most often diagnosed among those over 45. The people who are at highest chance of developing mesothelioma as a result asbestos exposure in the workplace include ship builders, miners railroad workers, and those who handled or installed products made with asbestos. The asbestos in the clothing of these people can also put their family members at risk.

Smoking

The longer a person is exposed to asbestos, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is because of the long latency time which can range from 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to the disease until it is diagnosed. Depending on the type of asbestos, an individual’s mesothelioma could be found in various parts of the body. The chest wall’s lining and lung cavity (the pleura) is afflicted by pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the abdominal lining, also known as the peritoneum.

Most often, those who have been exposed develop mesothelioma that affects the chest or lung. The most at risk are those who worked in shipbuilding, power generation and construction. However, mesothelioma can also be found in people who were exposed to asbestos at home or in school. Children and spouses of asbestos-exposed workers may carry asbestos-containing particles from their workplace home on their clothing hair, skin and hair. This puts them at risk.

People with mesothelioma are typically white and over 65. They are more likely to have had a blue-collar occupation or military background. Asbestos was extensively used by the United States Navy and other branches in the military because of its resistance to flames. Many veterans were exposed to asbestos.

When DNA mutations occur, they can cause cells to grow uncontrolled. This could lead to the formation of tumors that later grow into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the entire body, but it is most prevalent in the abdomen and chest.

Smoking does cause mesothelioma but it increases your risk by increasing the amount of asbestos you breathe in. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking.

A person’s treatment plan for mesothelioma must also include a physician who is knowledgeable about asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma specialist who is experienced with them can help them determine the best method to treat this rare cancer. The doctor can determine if the patient is eligible for immunotherapy or other experimental treatments.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs that is found in a variety of items, such as flooring, roofing and insulation. People who work with asbestos-containing materials and manufacture them, or work with them are at a high risk of being exposed. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to cancer and other illnesses.

Many asbestos-related diseases aren’t recognized until it is too late due to an extended period of time between exposure and the appearance of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most hazardous asbestos-related illness. The symptoms of mesothelioma may develop between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.

Occupational exposure is the most common way that people are exposed. Manufacturing, construction, electrical and automobile mechanic jobs all involve handling or using asbestos parts and materials. However, people can also be exposed to asbestos through home activities, like smoking cigarettes or the renovation of older houses that contain asbestos.

Most mesothelioma cases result by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos particles that are inhaled can enter the lungs and cause irritation to the lining known as the pleura. This irritation can cause thickened patches of pleura (pleural plates) and fibrosis within the lung. As the disease progresses, it may cause to the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, and eventually lung cancer. Vimeo can also affect the tissues of other organs, including the heart and abdomen.

People who are exposed to asbestos in their work are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma. However, people with a family history of mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses, are also at risk. The risk of a person being diagnosed with asbestos is increased if they were exposed to asbestos at multiple times during their lifetime. Smoking does increase the risk of mesothelioma, but it can worsen the condition for those who are already diagnosed. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos and are suffering from mesothelioma quitting smoking can make you healthier and improve the treatment outcome. It is essential to inform your doctor about your exposure to asbestos and any new symptoms, such as shortness of breath or abdominal pain, because they can treat the condition by using medication or surgery.

Genetics

Many cancers are genetically linked and a person’s genes may increase the chance of getting a particular disease. However, mesothelioma does not have a genetic component. The exposure to asbestos is the primary factor.

Asbestos fibers may enter the body through swallowing or inhalation, and then stick to the tissues of the abdomen, chest or the heart. Over time, these loose fibers can damage or mutate the cells that comprise these small linings, which can result in the development of mesothelioma.

However, mesothelioma may not affect all people who are exposed. Researchers believe that other factors can affect the likelihood of developing mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. This includes the person’s gender and age as well as their family history of mesothelioma or other diseases, and whether they are afflicted with other risk factors, such as smoking.

Mesothelioma is more likely to be found in men than women. This could be due to the fact that more males than females were directly exposed to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 60 year after the first exposure to asbestos.

Another risk factor for mesothelioma is an infected gene. In the study of two families with high mesothelioma risk scientists discovered that nearly all members of the family had an abnormal gene on their short arm chromosome 3. This gene is known as BAP 1 and regulates how calcium moves within cells. With a faulty gene the process is broken and calcium levels decrease. This causes asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones, causing mesothelioma.

Mutations in a gene can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. The mutation causes a decrease in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.

Other factors that increase a person’s chance of mesothelioma are the kind of asbestos they were exposed to as well as their job. The polio vaccine, given to children between 1940 and 1950, may also increase a person’s risk of mesothelioma by exposed to the cancer-causing SV40.