Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?Exposure to asbestos fibers is linked to mesothelioma. These fibers may be swallowed or inhaled. Then they can cause inflammation and scar tissue that leads to cancer.The majority of people who develop mesothelioma have an history of exposure to asbestos. Exposure may have been occupational or environmental. Mesothelioma can develop in as long as 50 years after exposure.What is Asbestos?Asbestos is made up of a grouping of fibrous minerals that are resistant to heat, corrosion and naturally occurring. In the past asbestos was extensively used in construction due to its toughness as well as its fire-resistant and insulating qualities. However, the health risks associated with asbestos caused its use being reduced.Asbestos can release tiny fibers into the air that people living or working close to can breathe in. When inhaled, asbestos particles get trapped in the lungs. what causes pleural mesothelioma can result in respiratory diseases, such as mesothelioma and cancers of larynx, the ovary and other respiratory organs.Asbestos is so durable it can stay in the environment for a long time. This makes it a threat to the health of workers who work with asbestos, as well as their families. It also poses dangers for those who live close to industrial sites.Asbestos is released into air due to mining and manufacturing activities. It can also be released by accidental disturbances or demolition work or by improper disposal of asbestos-containing products.Asbestos can contaminate soil, water and air when it is present in the environment. This can impact the health of animals, humans and plants. It is a risk to inhale or consume and cause illness. Asbestos can remain suspended in the air for extended periods and allow it to be transported across vast distances.Asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. It can take years for these diseases to develop. People who are exposed to asbestos should consult their doctor about regular tests, particularly x-rays and CT scans. They should also not smoke, as it increases the risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses.The most frequent way to get exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Asbestos is a danger for many people who work in industries like manufacturing, mining, or ship repair. Other risks include being around asbestos when renovating or repairing homes and living in close proximity to a mine. Even though asbestos is present in small amounts in the natural environment, many people aren't affected by this exposure.How is Asbestos Exposed?It is possible to be exposed secondhand even if asbestos exposure is the primary reason. Exposure can occur when asbestos fibres are released into the air as a result of an alteration of the material, such as during product usage demolition work and home maintenance or renovation or repair. Inhalation of these fibres increases the risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancers and larynx (voice box) and peritoneum.The small size of the asbestos fibres makes them easily inhaled and they can remain trapped in the lungs for long durations. This results in a thick scar tissue in the lungs, which is known as asbestosis. This scar tissue behaves in a different way from normal lung tissue and makes it more difficult to breathe. The scar tissue can also cause inflammation of the lungs, which could lead to breathing difficulties. Asbestosis is an ongoing, chronic illness. The symptoms usually develop many years after exposure and the resulting damage to the lungs is permanent.Tell your doctor if you have ever been exposed to asbestos. Signs like shortness of breath and bloody coughs or chest pains are often mistaken for other ailments and can take a long time to be diagnosed. Regular visits to a physician who is familiar with asbestos symptoms can increase the chances of an early diagnosis.A number of studies have reported mesothelioma cases among family members of workers working in industries with asbestos exposure like mining, shipbuilding, or cement manufacturing. In one case series report ten of 52 female cases had fathers or husbands who had occupational asbestos exposure. Another mesothelioma case study looking at mesothelioma cases in communities with industrial and residential exposures identified elevated standardized mortality rates in communities that were exposed to vermiculite processing from the Libby, Montana, mines.Asbestos lawsuits led the US to end asbestos in the 1980s. A number of countries have banned the material completely. People who have been exposed to asbestos will continue to suffer until death. People who have suffered from asbestos exposure are entitled to compensation and they should consult a mesothelioma attorney about filing an asbestos lawsuit.What are the signs of MesotheliomaThe symptoms of mesothelioma can differ depending on the type the cancer is located in and the stage of cancer. Some symptoms, like chest discomfort, breathing problems and abdominal swelling, can be present in all types of mesothelioma. Other symptoms, like the pleural effusion (a accumulation of fluid in the lung) are more specific to mesothelioma of the pleural type. Asbestos-related patients can also suffer peritoneal mesothelioma which can lead to bowel obstruction, abdominal pain and a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.When asbestos fibers are removed from their original position in a product or building, they can be swallowed or inhaled. They can be absorbed into the linings of the lungs or other organs. The fibers could cause mesothelioma scarring.Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma often are similar to those of other illnesses such as flu, pneumonia and chronic obstructive lung disease. Patients may also experience a fatigue, cough, fever weight loss, and pain in the abdomen or ribs. Patients who develop mesothelioma of the peritoneal region may experience nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and difficulty digesting food.Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma have had a history of exposure to asbestos. It is common for people to be exposed when they are working with or around substances that contain asbestos, such as shipyards, construction sites and power plants. People who work with asbestos-containing materials are at greatest risk for exposure, including insulation workers as well as plumbers, electricians and construction workers. Shipyard workers or military bases are at greater risk, as are those who were exposed to asbestos by family members who brought home asbestos-contaminated tools and clothing.In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos may cause other types of cancers. Particularly, it can increase the risk of developing colorectal, ovarian and stomach cancers and the gastrointestinal tract, lung and hematologic conditions like leukemia and lymphoma.People who have been exposed to asbestos may be able to reduce the risk of developing mesothelioma through education about the risk factors, having regular medical checkups and reporting any unusual or persistent symptoms to a physician. People with a history involving asbestos exposure should also ask their doctor to refer them to mesothelioma specialists to prevent being misdiagnosed.What is the Treatment for MesotheliomaIt is possible to be confused if you or someone close to you was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to other illnesses, so early diagnosis is essential. Your doctor should be informed of the asbestos exposure and refer you to a specialist. Specialists in mesothelioma are equipped with the training and experience to provide you with the precise diagnosis.The thin layer of tissue that covers the inside of many organs, such as the chest (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), is affected by mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause the cells to develop malignancy and expand beyond their limits. The resulting growths can be similar to tumors or not. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer but it can also be deadly when it grows in the abdominal cavity or lungs.Asbestos fibers are airborne when they are agitated or moved, and then people can inhale or swallow them. They can cause irritation to the tissues, causing scarring and sometimes leads to mesothelioma developing. Mesothelioma can also affect the linings of the heart or reproductive organs.The symptoms of mesothelioma may vary based on the type and location. The majority of mesothelioma cases occur on the lining of the lungs. However, it may also develop on the lining of the stomach or the heart. Symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain, coughing and difficulty breathing. In certain cases, the cancer can be spread to other parts of the body, including the brain.Mesothelioma is classified into three types depending on the type of cell in which the cancer begins. About 80% of mesothelioma patients have epithelioid cancer, which responds well to treatments. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma that occurs in 10% of all diagnoses, is more aggressive and is more difficult to treat.The only known mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma can develop 20-60 years after exposure to asbestos. It is important to be aware of your asbestos history and to be alert to any potential symptoms. Veterans in particular should be aware of the dangers. Asbestos was utilized in military bases as well as on ships, therefore those who served in the Navy or in other branches of the armed forces are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma than people who were part of the civilian population.