What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the
outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs (pleura), or around the abdominal
organs (peritoneum).
 |
The law limits the amount of
time after a patient incurs an injury to file suit.
The amount of time varies based on the theory
of liability and the state in which the patient files the suit.
If you or someone you love is suffering from
mesothelioma – or has died as a result of it –
contact us.
We can help you understand your rights and
options, and ensure that you have the opportunity to seek
compensation for your injuries. |
|
|
|
|
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
Asbestos Disease Fact here. . .
To your right you will find links to various
Mesothelioma related pages. There you will find great information about
Asbestos Disease Fact.
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 Asbestos Disease Fact 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
Alabama Attorney Mesothelioma Pleural
Albuquerque Asbestos Lawyer
Arizona Mesothelioma Attorney
Asbestos Building Survey
Asbestos Ceiling In
Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma
Asbestos Insulation
Asbestos Law Pa Siding
Asbestos Linked Lung Cancer
Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit Austin
Asbestos Shingles
Asbestos Trust Fund
Asbestosis Compensation Uk
Boston Mesothelioma Lawyer
Hawaii Mesothelioma Lawyer
Lawyer Moorpark Asbestos
Lung Cancer From Asbestos
Mesothelioma Article
Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma Attorney Southern California
Mesothelioma Clinical Trial
Mesothelioma Drug
Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma Lawyer Texas
Mesothelioma Treatment Support
New Mexico Asbestos Attorney
Oregon Mesothelioma Lawyer
Texas Asbestos Law Firm
West Virginia Mesothelioma Lawyer - Internet Error
Wyoming Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma -
Ohio Attorney General Tries to Stop Anti-Asbestos Litigation Legislation - Part
2
The law would be the first in the
country to require people to prove exposure to asbestos and provide medical
evidence of an asbestos-related illness before continuing with their lawsuits.
The referendum drive is backed by a group of lawyers specializing in asbestos
litigation.
At issue are thousands of cases now pending in Ohio courts filed by people
exposed to the white flaky substance that was widely used in building material
during the 1950s and 1960s and can cause cancer.
The group would have to collect 193,740 signatures - 6 percent of the vote in
the last election for governor - by Sept. 2 to place the referendum on the Nov.
2 ballot.
The last time a referendum was on an Ohio ballot was in 1997, when voters
soundly rejected a law making changes to the workers' compensation system.
Mesothelioma:
Questions and Answers - Part 5
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
Mesothelioma 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.
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
-
A fact sheet about asbestos, asbestos-related diseases, and who to contact for more information. ... affect the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease? ... |
This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about asbestos. ... and CAT scans also assist in the diagnosis of asbestos-related disease. ... |
This fact sheet was written by the. Agency for Toxic. Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ... asbestos-related disease for 10 to 20 years or more after. exposure. ... |
Resources for those affected by Asbestos Related Diseases ... FACT: The latency period for the development of asbestos disease is generally 10 ... |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - Asbestos. This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about asbestos. ... |
Today's News Related To
Mesothelioma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featured
Mesothelioma Articles |
Peritoneal mesothelioma
At this time there are
treatments, but no known cure, for peritoneal mesothelioma. The prognosis
depends on various factors, including the size and stage of the tumor, its
extent, the cell type, and whether or not the tumor responds to treatment.
However, the options for relief and treatment of people with peritoneal
mesothelioma have improved, especially for those whose cancer is diagnosed early
and treated vigorously. Many people receive a combination of therapies,
sometimes known as multimodal therapy.
Specific types of treatment include:
- chemotherapy and other
drug-based therapies radiation therapy and surgery.
- There are also clinical
trials and various experimental treatments like gene therapy and
immunotherapy, and antiangiogenesis drugs.
For more information about
peritoneal mesothelioma and treatments, please explore this web site or visit:
- National Cancer Institute
- University of Pennsylvania/OncoLink
- American Cancer Society
- Medicine Online
Mesothelioma:
Questions and Answers
What are the Risk Factors for
Mesothelioma? - Part 3
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.
What is
asbestos?
Why is asbestos still a problem?
Asbestos is still a problem
because a great deal of it has been used in the United States and elsewhere,
because many asbestos-containing products remain in buildings, ships, industrial
facilities and other environments where the fibers can become airborne, and
because of the serious human health hazards of inhaling asbestos fibers. Many
Americans believe that use of asbestos in products was banned years ago. The
fact is that asbestos-containing products are still being imported and sold in
this country, continuing to endanger people who may come in contact with such
products. A majority of these products are imported from Canada and Mexico, two
countries where asbestos is still used; further, not all imported
asbestos-containing products are clearly labeled with proper content
information. (Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2003,
and "Asbestos Strategies")
In an August 2003 report, the EPA's Office of Inspector General reiterates that
asbestos is still a product very much around us: a survey in the mid-1980s found
that, on average, 20% of all buildings in the United States contain asbestos.
Further, this latest report confirms that asbestos containing material is still
allowed in pipeline wrap, asbestos-cement corrugated sheet, asbestos-cement flat
sheet, roofing felt, millboard, vinyl-asbestos floor tile, asbestos-cement
shingle, and roof coatings. (Rept. #2003-P-00012).
A 2004 report by the Environmental Working Group provides a timely evalution of
the asbestos-related disease epidemic in America - a "public health tragedy
caused by asbestos." This report documents the history of asbestos use and
provides analysis and statistics to inform the political debate currently being
waged to resolve the problem.
|
|
