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
Maine Mesothelioma Lawyer here. . .
To your right you will find links to various
Mesothelioma related pages. There you will find great information about
Maine Mesothelioma Lawyer.
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 Maine Mesothelioma Lawyer 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
2003 Asbestos Broadcast Canadian Mesothelioma Study
Alabama Asbestos Mesothelioma Symptom
Alaska Asbestos Lawyer Mesothelioma
Angeles Asbestos Los Removal
Asbestos Association Information
Asbestos Attorney Washington
Asbestos Awareness Training
Asbestos Bill
Asbestos Claim Law Suit
Asbestos Colorado Lawyer
Asbestos Disease Attorney - Internet Error
Asbestos Home
Asbestos Houston Training
Asbestos Lawsuit
Asbestos Lawyer Indian Well
Asbestos Litigation
Asbestos Mesothelioma Papillary
Asbestos Painting Shingles
Attorney Agoura Hills Mesothelioma
Cancer Caused From Asbestos
Center Law Mesothelioma
Failure To Diagnose Asbestos Lawsuit
Hawaii Mesothelioma Attorney
Indiana Mesothelioma Lawyer
Lawyer Malignant Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Lawyer Dallas
Mesothelioma Legal Advice
Mesothelioma News
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Port Charlotte Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma -
Emerging Mesothelioma Treatments
Mesothelioma - Photodynamic
Therapy - Part 1
New approach to treating
Mesothelioma cancer based on using light to kill cancer cells; more Mesothelioma
treatment options to follow.
Because Mesothelioma is a newly publicized disease, many doctors may have a hard
time diagnosing and treating it. Depending on the stage of the disease, the most
common treatments are surgical removal of the affected tissues, chemotherapy, or
radiation.
There is some concern that research into Mesothelioma will be minimal, because
it is projected to be a short-lived disease in terms of new cases after the next
30 years. However, new research is consistently providing physicians with
alternate forms of therapy, and there are many intense studies into control and
cure of the disease, so those diagnosed with Mesothelioma do have many options
and a lot of hope.
Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare
form of cancer which occurs in the lining of the lung (the pleura) or in the
abdomen (the peritoneum). In very rare cases, mesothelioma can occur in other
areas of the body as well. The major known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to
asbestos. Although science is not certain as to the exact mechanism which causes
mesothelioma, it is thought that the asbestos fibers puncture the parenchyma,
become lodged in the pleura, and by process of irritation create the change in
the cells which causes the mesothelioma.
The chance of recovery for a person with mesothelioma depends on several
factors, including:
- Size of the cancer
- Location of the cancer
- Spread of the cancer
throughout the body
- Response to treatment
- Appearance of the cells
under a microscope
- Age of the patient
Diagnosis for
Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer: Screening
Explore the American Cancer
Society's Cancer Resource Center
This community-based organization
claims its mission is "eliminating cancer as a major health problem...through
research, education, advocacy, and service." As a non-governmental organization,
the American Cancer Society is the largest source of private funds earmarked for
cancer research. The ACS website is a very good place for you to investigate
ongoing research and treatment options, as well as find extensive links to help
further direct your medical research.
The American Cancer Society provides a useful fact sheet that describes the
asbestos - mesothelioma link. If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma,
there are several methods which can help to detect the presence of this disease.
While you may find some answers on this particular site, the ACS advises you to
remember that as you cope with cancer and cancer treatment, you need to have
honest, open discussions with your doctor. You should feel free to ask any
question that's on your mind, no matter how small it might seem.
Here are some
Additional
Mesothelioma Resources
-
Maine Mesothelioma Lawyer - Hotline 800.291.0963 - Mesothelioma lawyer, ... MESOTHELIOMA LAWYER - EXPERIENCE ... Maine Mesothelioma Lawyer. York County Maine ... |
Portland, ME Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyers and Attorneys - This free lawyer search can help you find Asbestos Mesothelioma lawyers/attorneys in Portland, ME (Maine) |
... about types of mesothelioma including abdominal, and pleural as well as help with mesothelioma lawsuits, and legal ... Maine mesothelioma lawyer referral ... |
Find Maine Mesothelioma lawyers or a Maine Mesothelioma attorney at Lawyer Central ... Looking for a Maine Mesothelioma Lawyer? ... Mesothelioma Lawyers in Maine " ... |
Maine Mesothelioma Attorney. Asbestos Exposure? ME Lawyers filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits. ... Legal Help FAQs from Our Maine Mesothelioma Lawyers. What is asbestos? ... |
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