Mesothelioma - Chances of Getting Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure
The chance of developing mesothelioma increases with exposure to asbestos. However, it's not fully established if the risk decreases once exposure stops.
A mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers get stuck in the lung's lining (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). There are various types of mesothelioma. These include:
Age
The probability of developing mesothelioma varies based on a variety of factors. These include the age of the person's first exposure to asbestos and the type of asbestos, and the time of exposure. Mesothelioma symptoms usually begin in the lungs and spread to other areas of the body. Thus, those who have been exposed to
asbestos case in the lungs are more likely to develop this disease. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the abdomen's lining the peritoneum, are less likely to develop mesothelioma.
The more serious mesothelioma becomes, the more old the person who is diagnosed. This is due to the 20-60 year latency time between exposure to asbestos and the first symptoms of mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally with fibrous bundles which can form thin sheets or clump together into an impermeable material. Between the 1930s and 1980s its durability and flexibility made asbestos a sought-after material. In this period millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos through occupational or secondary exposure. Workplace exposure occurs when employees are exposed to asbestos at work. Secondary exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are brought home on clothing, hair or skin, and then inhaled by family members.
Once inhaled, asbestos fibers irritate the lining of the lungs and other organs such as the heart. This irritation can cause inflammation, scarring, and the mutation of healthy cells to cancerous cells over time.
Mesothelioma is predominantly a cancer of pleura which is the tissue that surrounds the lungs. It can also affect other areas of the body, including the heart and stomach.
People who have a blue-collar or military background are more likely to be exposed to asbestos when they work in certain industries or in the military. However those who have been exposed to asbestos at home or from other sources could also be at risk.
Additionally, people who receive the BAP1 gene mutation have a higher chance of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are not affected by this condition. These individuals are typically diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 70.
Gender
Mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. This is likely because men worked in areas that were more vulnerable to asbestos exposure. They may also have carried home the asbestos fibers on their clothing from job sites. Asbestos is usually found in mines and factories and those that produced asbestos products such as insulation, pipes, tiles and cement most susceptible to developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also be found in those who repaired or built automobile and railroad products as well as those who constructed ships and masks. Exposure to chrysotile, the most common type of asbestos is usually related to mesothelioma.
The likelihood of developing mesothelioma increases with the duration and intensity of exposure to asbestos. The majority of cases of mesothelioma happen in people who have been exposed to asbestos for a period of 30 or more years. The length of time a person's latency may differ based on their gender and form of asbestos exposure.
It isn't clear why women have a higher mesothelioma recurrence. One reason is that many of the women who developed mesothelioma worked as domestic workers and could have come in contact with asbestos from washing the clothes of their fathers, husbands and brothers.
In the past, when mesothelioma was more prevalent, asbestos was used in a myriad of commercial and residential building materials. The fibers could be found in insulation, drywall pipe coating, paint and cement. Many of these materials were used in workplaces and homes in which asbestos was often disturbed by renovations or construction.
Although mesothelioma wasn't being used as an industrial substance, asbestos was found in a variety of structures, including schools, hospitals, churches and offices. Many of these buildings were built before the 1980s in which asbestos was banned.
Asbestos is a complex substance, and scientists continue to study its effects on health, particularly mesothelioma. Studies are looking at how asbestos affects both the lungs and the digestive tract, which is the area where mesothelioma is most often found in patients. They are also examining the impact of different factors on mesothelioma incidence, such as gender and level of exposure to asbestos.
Work History
A person is more likely to get mesothelioma from asbestos exposure when they worked in an industry where asbestos was utilized for a long time. Asbestos was used extensively in construction and building particularly from the 1920s until the 1980s. Many occupations were susceptible to exposure, including mining, manufacturing power generation, shipbuilding and
asbestos removal.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous minerals. It is strong and heat-resistant, which has can be used in many different products. The fibers of asbestos are used in insulation, brake pads and roofing, to name a few. When asbestos is cut or disturbed and released, it releases microscopic particles that may be inhaled or ingested.
Mesothelioma typically takes between 20 and 60 years after initial exposure to develop, but it can happen much sooner than that. It can be found in the lungs, in the chest wall (peritoneal mesothelioma of the pleural) or in the abdomen.
It isn't known the reason why those who have mesothelioma-related history are more at risk of developing the disease. A mutation in a gene known as BAP1 has been linked to mesothelioma, but it is rare.
A person could be at risk for mesothelioma if they were in a relationship with someone who worked with asbestos and then brought the
asbestos lawsuit fibers to their clothing or hair, skin or even the hair. This is known as secondary exposure. Workers in areas that are exposed to asbestos are at risk of bringing home-grown fibers onto their clothing and shoes. These can be inhaled or ingested by family members at home.
Asbestosis is a lung disease to mesothelioma is often the result of breathing in asbestos fibers. Asbestosis usually develops in the lungs, and can cause fluid accumulation around the rib cage, difficulty breathing and coughing, chest pain, and a lump on the ribcage.
Australia has one of the most mesothelioma-related deaths in the world, due to the fact that asbestos was widely used in Australia for a long time in construction manufacturing, mining and manufacturing. A doctor first reported the link between asbestos and mesothelioma in 1930, which helped drive England to pass laws regulating asbestos in the 1930s. These regulations forced companies to install ventilation and other safety equipment.
Smoking
Like many types of cancer, mesothelioma can be caused by cells that receive incorrect genetic information and multiply without checking. If these cells are found in the lungs (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or in the heart (pericardium) they may cause abnormal growths, referred to as tumors. There is no known cure for mesothelioma, but there are several risk factors that increase the chances of developing the disease.
Asbestos exposure is the most significant mesothelioma risk factor. The asbestos (
Articlescad.com) fibers inhaled into the lungs can cause irritation to the lining of the lungs and chest wall, which may result in mesothelioma.