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.
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Additional
Mesothelioma links
2004 Asbestos Settlement
Alaska Mesothelioma Attorney
Arkansas Asbestos Lawyer Mesothelioma
Asbestos Association Information
Asbestos By Cancer Caused Colon Exposure
Asbestos Company
Asbestos Coverage Environmental Insurance Lawyer
Asbestos Disposal Removal
Asbestos Due Exposure Lawsuit
Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Asbestos Product Uk
Asbestos Removal
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Asbestosis Claim Uk
Asbestosis Insufficiency Vertebrovascular
Attorney Agoura Hills Asbestos
Attorney Austin Malignant Mesothelioma Pericardial
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Colorado Mesothelioma Lawyer
Failure To Diagnose Asbestos Lawsuit
Florida Mesothelioma Attorney
Lawyer Ojai Asbestos
Mesothelioma Injury
Mesothelioma Lawyer Annapolis
Mesothelioma Statistics Online
Mesothelioma Support Law Resource
New Jersey Asbestos Law
North Dakota Mesothelioma Lawyer
Picture Asbestos Insulation
Symptom Mesothelioma Stomach
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 -
Emerging Mesothelioma Treatments
Mesothelioma - Photodynamic
Therapy - Part 2
Photodynamic therapy is a new
approach to treating Mesothelioma cancer and is based on using light to kill the
cancer cells. In photodynamic therapy, a drug is first administered
intravenously that targets and renders the cancerous cells more sensitive in a
number of days.
The drug is easily eliminated by normal cells, ensuring that they will not be
harmed when light therapy is given. After the cells have been given the proper
time of exposure to the drug, a special frequency of light laser beams are
directed towards the Mesothelioma cancer with the intent to eradicate it from
the body without having to use more invasive methods.
Although there are occasional cases of eye sensitivity and nausea and/or
vomiting, the main side effect of photodynamic therapy is skin sensitivity after
the procedure is completed.
More information on photodynamic therapy can be found on new Web site,
Mesothelioma Help ( http://www.mesohelp.net/
) The Web site contains several informative articles, including a primer on
emerging treatments for Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma
Are
new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?
Yes. Because mesothelioma is very
hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical
trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments
and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be
recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether
the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease.
Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many
patients with mesothelioma. People interested in taking part in a clinical trial
should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available
from the Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER.
Information specialists at the CIS use PDQ®, NCI's cancer information database,
to identify and provide detailed information about specific ongoing clinical
trials. Patients also have the option of searching for clinical trials on their
own. The clinical trials page on the NCI's Cancer.gov Web site, located at
http://cancer.gov/clinical_trials on the Internet, provides general
information about clinical trials and links to PDQ.
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.
Here are some
Additional
Mesothelioma Resources
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