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
Mesothelioma Attorney Houston here. . .
To your right you will find links to various
Mesothelioma related pages. There you will find great information about
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We've taken the time to check out each and every featured Mesothelioma website to make sure they are quality sites, with quality information.
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some of the best resources on Mesothelioma Attorney Houston 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
Arkansas Mesothelioma Attorney
Asbestos Article
Asbestos Attorney Mirage Rancho
Asbestos California Removal
Asbestos Cancer Attorney
Asbestos Indio Lawyer
Asbestos Joshua Lawyer Tree
Asbestos Lawyer Lucerne Valley
Asbestos Lawyer Missouri
Asbestos Product
Asbestos Removal Cost
Asbestos Removal Jobs
Asbestos Vinyl Flooring
Asbestos Vinyl Tile
California Lawsuit Mesothelioma Settlement
Desmoplastic Malignant Mesothelioma
Florida Mesothelioma Attorney
Law Firm Asbestos Woodland Hills 91372
Lawyer Ojai Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Advice
Mesothelioma Law Resource
Mesothelioma Lawyer Houston
Mesothelioma Support
New Jersey Mesothelioma Attorney
New Mexico Mesothelioma Lawyer
New York Mesothelioma Lawyer
Removing Asbestos Siding
Replacement Asbestos Siding
St Louis Asbestos Lawyer
Utah Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma
Who
needs to be examined?
Individuals who have been exposed
(or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos dust on the job or at home via a
family contact should inform their physician of their exposure history and any
symptoms. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung
function tests, may be recommended. Interpretation of the chest x-ray may
require the help of a specialist who is experienced in reading x-rays for
asbestos-related diseases. Other tests also may be necessary.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not become apparent for many
decades after exposure. If any of the following symptoms develop, a physical
examination should be scheduled without delay:
Shortness of breath; A cough or a change in cough pattern; Blood in the sputum
(fluid) coughed up from the lungs; Pain in the chest or abdomen; Difficulty in
swallowing or prolonged hoarseness; and/or Significant weight loss. What are the
treatments for asbestos-related diseases?
The key to successful treatment of asbestos-related diseases lies in early
detection. The health problems caused by asbestosis are due mainly to lung
infections, like pneumonia, that attack weakened lungs. Early medical attention
and prompt, aggressive treatment offer the best chance of success in controlling
such infections. Depending on the situation, doctors may give a vaccine against
influenza or pneumococcal pneumonia as a protective measure.
Treatment of cancer is tailored to the individual patient and may include
surgery, anticancer drugs, radiation, or combinations of these therapies.
Information about cancer treatment is available from the National Cancer
Institute-supported Cancer Information Service, whose toll-free telephone number
is 1-800-4-CANCER.
Mesothelioma -
Ohio Attorney General Tries to Stop Anti-Asbestos Litigation Legislation - Part
1
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Attorney General
Jim Petro has approved the summary of an attempt to stop a law that would make
it more difficult for Ohioans to sue for damages if they were exposed to
asbestos but not showing signs of illness.
Petro, in a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, said a
summary of the law written by backers of a referendum to keep the law from going
into effect represented a "fair and truthful statement" of the referendum.
Petro rejected the language of a previous summary because it did not include the
effect of the referendum, which would nullify the law passed by the Legislature
and signed by Gov. Bob Taft before it could take effect, Petro said.
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
-
Veterans & Mesothelioma. Houston Mesothelioma Attorney ... Houston, Texas, 77056-3104. Phone: 713-621-7944. Fax: 713-621-9638. Home. About Us. Attorneys ... |
Our Asbestos attorneys will fight for you in Houston, Beaumont, and Galveston, Texas. ... Mesothelioma Attorneys - Houston, Texas ... |
Texas Mesothelioma Attorneys - dedicated to fighting on behalf of asbestos victims, the mesothelioma lawyers at SimmonsCooper are on your side. |
Danziger & Dellano has been involved in many significant victories and settlements for mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer victims. For example, the following are ... |
Our Asbestos attorneys will fight for you in Houston, Beaumont, and Galveston, Texas. ... Mesothelioma Attorneys - Houston, Texas ... |
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