What does asbestos have to do with mesothelioma?
The only known cause of mesothelioma in the United States is previous
exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos manufacturers knew about the hazards of
asbestos seventy years ago - but they kept this knowledge to themselves. The
first warnings given to workers exposed to asbestos were in the mid-1960s, and
they were terribly inadequate. Even today, workers are not always told they are
working around asbestos and are at risk for asbestos disease.
What can someone with mesothelioma do?
- Seek out the best and most up-to-date information.
- Seek out the best medical care.
- Early screening for mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Stay in close contact with your doctor.
- Consider whether or not you want to bring a lawsuit because of this
asbestos-related injury.
- Remember that resources are available to you through community and
medical support groups, asbestos victims' organizations, your place of
worship, as well as your family and friends.
How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years,
mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of
mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs
more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease
can appear in either men or women at any age.
What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of
asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all
cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any
known exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of
strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven.
Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement,
brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If
tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing
process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health
problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk
of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other
cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the
combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's
risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use
greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of
American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks
associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of
developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work
in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the
heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable
levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear
personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to
asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief
exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who
are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos
workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other
asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos
dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the
chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are
usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the
workplace.
People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet
Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need To Know. This booklet
describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible
benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI
Publications Locator Web site at
http://cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit is the best way to find information about
Mesothelioma resources.
This web page takes the legwork out of finding great
Mesothelioma resources. We have compiled great links to
Mesothelioma
information and pages dedicated to
Against Asbestos Defense Law Legal Suit here. . .
To your right you will find links to various
Mesothelioma related pages. There you will find great information about
Against Asbestos Defense Law Legal Suit.
We've taken the time to check out each and every featured Mesothelioma website to make sure they are quality sites, with quality information.
Here you will find
some of the best resources on Against Asbestos Defense Law Legal Suit ever compiled
and some incredible resources
for Mesothelioma.
In our "Featured Mesothelioma Article"
section, you'll find an article related to Mesothelioma.
We will be providing you with updated and new featured articles on a regular
basis.
Additional
Mesothelioma links
Advice Attorney From Legal Mesothelioma
Alaska Asbestos Lawyer Mesothelioma
Albuquerque Mesothelioma Attorney
Asbestos Awareness Training
Asbestos Canadian Due Exposure Lawsuit
Asbestos Cancer Attorney
Asbestos Cancer Colon
Asbestos Ceiling Removal
Asbestos Claim Law Suit
Asbestos Contractor
Asbestos Grant Removal - Internet Error
Asbestos Mesothelioma Pericardial
Asbestos Michigan Removal
Asbestos Picture
Asbestos Pipe Transite
Asbestos Replacement Shingles
California Mesothelioma Attorney
Center Law Mesothelioma
Law Firm Asbestos Woodland Hills 91365
Law Mesothelioma Support
Mesothelioma Asbestos Law
Mesothelioma Attorney Baltimore
Mesothelioma Attorney Dallas
Mesothelioma Attorney Houston
Mesothelioma Clinical Trial
Michigan Mesothelioma Attorney
Minnesota Mesothelioma Lawyer
Port Charlotte Mesothelioma Attorney
Vermont Mesothelioma Lawyer
Wyoming Mesothelioma Attorney
Mesothelioma -
Cancer of the Lung Lining - Part 1
Mesothelioma is a very rare form
of lung cancer that arises in the Mesothelioma. The Mesothelioma is made up of
parietal and visceral membranes, thin layers of tissue, which surround organs
and body cavities, such as the lungs or abdomen. The visceral membrane
immediately surrounds the organ, and the parietal membrane is a sac covering the
visceral membrane. The visceral and parietal membranes that make up the
Mesothelioma. This fluid helps organs move easily among surrounding structures.
In the case of the lung, it helps reduce friction between the lung and chest
wall during normal breathing as the lung expands.
Diagnosis for
Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer: Screening
"There's no such thing as a free
asbestos screening," Worksafe! Newsletter (October 1998, p.6) Mesothelioma
Treatment Options - Patient Medical Research & Pain Management
Keep up an open dialogue with
your doctor It is natural to want to understand as much as possible about a
disease and its treatments, particularly when the disease is as rare as
malignant mesothelioma. The Internet has opened up a wealth of information on
mesothelioma, however, it is still important to keep in mind that your doctor is
your FIRST and (hopefully) BEST resource for understanding and dealing with this
disease.
This does not mean that you shouldn't explore resources and treatments on your
own; a good doctor wants informed patients who are interested in discussing
every available option. Only a trained physician, however, can help you
understand each treatment and evaluate how it fits in with your particular
circumstances, including the stage of your disease.
There are valuable research and support resources available via the Internet
which can assist you in your efforts to gain medical knowlege as you begin your
interaction with your doctor. To begin, there is an online resource that tutors
on how to use the Internet to research a lung cancer diagnosis. This tutorial
also cautions you as a researcher to be mindful of the limitations of
Internet-based research and to learn how to evaluate the information that you do
find. Another useful tool to assist in being an informed patient is The Cancer
Patient's Workbook: Everything You Need to Stay Organized and Informed, (DK
Books, 2001). This workbook hopes to help the patient better understand their
situation so they may deal with and fight their disease from an informed
position. This interactive guide helps patients cope and also explains how to
receive the best treatment possible.
Mesothelioma
What
are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not
appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and
pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often
symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include
weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the
abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel
obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has
spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include
pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be
caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to
see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
Here are some
Additional
Mesothelioma Resources
-
... Illinois has filed a similar suit in Texarkana against CAPE Asbestos, now known ... united front that asbestos companies have presented in defense against claims. ... |
... bidding against Mark Lanier," says Robert Thackston, who does asbestos defense. ... In 1998, he won a $115 million verdict in an asbestos suit for 21 plaintiffs. ... |
Top Stories From Law.com. Legal Technology. Backup, Replication and Disaster ... revived a proposed class action suit against a group of lawyers from southern ... |
We can file suit against the appropriate carrier for reimbursement, indemnity ... Home page for asbestos defense. Home page for independent contractor legal services ... |
... on family law, civil litigation, probate, criminal defense, and bankruptcy matters. ... Pfizer's $894 million settlement shakes off Madison County suit ... |
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