Mesothelioma - Chances of Getting Mesothelioma From Asbestos ExposureThe exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma. It's not known if the risk decreases once exposure ceases.When asbestos fibers get stuck in the lung linings or abdomen (peritoneum), a mesothelioma can form. There are different types of mesothelioma. This includes:AgeThe chance of someone developing mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors. These include the age of their initial exposure to asbestos, the type of asbestos and the length of exposure. Mesothelioma symptoms typically begin in the lungs before spreading to other areas of the body. The most likely individuals to develop mesothelioma are those who have inhaled asbestos. People who have come into contact with asbestos in the peritoneum lining of the abdomen are less likely to develop this condition.The older a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma the more severe the condition. This is due to the 20-60 year latency period between exposure and when mesothelioma symptoms first appear.Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, is composed of fibrous bundles. They can be arranged in thin sheets or clumps to form an impermeable material. Between the 1930s to 1980s its durability and flexibility made asbestos a popular material. During this time millions of Americans were subjected to asbestos exposure via occupational or second-hand exposure. Occupational exposure occurs when asbestos is present in the workplace. Secondary exposure occurs when fibers of asbestos are brought home by family members on hair, skin, or clothing.Asbestos fibers, when breathed in by the lungs or other organs such as the heart, cause irritation. This irritation can cause inflammation, scarring and the conversion of healthy cells into cancerous cells over the course of time.Mesothelioma or lung cancer, is a cancer that affects the pleura. 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 asbestos when they work in certain industries or serve in the military. However those who have been exposed to asbestos at home or from other sources could be at risk.Additionally, people who receive the BAP1 gene mutation have a greater chance of developing mesothelioma than those who do not suffer from this condition. These individuals are usually diagnosed between 50 and 70.GenderMen are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely to be affected by asbestos exposure due to the fact that they have worked in areas that are more susceptible. The asbestos fibers that were discarded from the job site may have been transported home by men. Asbestos is usually found in mines and factories which produce asbestos-based products such as insulation, pipes tiles, cement and tiles most susceptible to developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is also found in those who repair or construct automobile and railroad equipment, as well as those who built ships and manufactured masks. Chrysotile exposure, which is the most popular asbestos type is usually related to mesothelioma.The risk of developing mesothelioma increases with the length and intensity of exposure to asbestos. The majority of cases of mesothelioma happen in those who have been exposed to the material for 30 or more years. The latency period can also differ based on the person's gender as well as the type of asbestos exposure.Although it isn't clear exactly why, women seem to have a longer period of latency for mesothelioma than males. A large number of women who developed mesothelioma were employed as domestic workers. They could have been exposed to asbestos when washing the clothes of their husbands or fathers.Asbestos was used extensively in domestic and commercial products for building when mesothelioma began to become more prevalent. The fibers were found in drywall, insulation paint, pipe coating and cement. These materials were commonly used in homes and offices where asbestos was disturbed during construction or renovations.While mesothelioma was used as an industrial substance, asbestos was found in many types of buildings, including schools, churches, hospitals and offices. Many of these structures were built in the 1980s, when asbestos was banned.Asbestos, a nebulous substance is being studied by researchers, particularly in connection to mesothelioma. Studies are looking at how asbestos affects the lungs and the digestive tract, which is the area where mesothelioma is most often found in patients. They are also looking at whether other factors, like gender or level of exposure to asbestos, can affect the mesothelioma incidence rate.Work HistoryThe most likely to develop mesothelioma is a person who has worked in an industry that has used asbestos for many years. asbestos mesothelioma lung cancer was widely used in building and construction, especially from the 1920s to the 1980s. Numerous jobs, like manufacturing power generation, mining and construction, shipbuilding, and asbestos removal, were in danger.Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. It is resistant to heat and strong making it ideal in a variety of products. The fibers of asbestos are used to make insulation, brake pads and roofing, to name a few. When asbestos is disturbed or cut, it releases microscopic particles that can be inhaled or ingested.Mesothelioma generally takes between 20 and 60 years after exposure to develop, however it can occur much earlier than that. It can be found in the lungs, in the chest wall (peritoneal mesothelioma of the pleural), or the abdomen.People who have mesothelioma-related family history also have higher risks of the disease, though it's not known the reason. Mesothelioma can be linked to a mutation in the gene BAP1 however it's not a common.Mesothelioma can also be a concern when you live with someone who works with asbestos, and they bring the asbestos back to their clothes, skin or hair. This is referred to as secondary exposure. Workers in industries that are exposed to asbestos could bring fibers home on their clothes or shoes. These can be inhaled or ingested by loved ones at home.Asbestosis, which is a lung condition to mesothelioma typically occurs as a result of breathing in asbestos fibers. Asbestosis usually develops in the lungs and can cause fluid buildup around the rib cage and cause breathing difficulties as well as chest pain, and an ribcage lump.Australia has the highest rate of mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that asbestos was widely used for a long time in construction, manufacturing, and mining. In 1930, a physician reported mesothelioma as a cause of asbestos. This resulted in England to pass laws in the 1930s that regulated asbestos. These regulations required companies to install ventilation equipment as well as other safety equipment.SmokingMesothelioma, as with many cancers, is caused by cells that have received faulty genetic information. They grow unchecked. When these cells are located in the lung (pleura), abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or in the heart (pericardium) they may cause abnormal growths, referred to as tumors. There is no cure for mesothelioma. However, there are several risk factors that can increase the chances of developing this disease.Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause irritation of the linings of the lungs and chest wall as well as the lungs. This could lead to mesothelioma. The people who are exposed to asbestos while at work have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who were not exposed. It is also essential to determine the type of asbestos the person was exposed. Different kinds of asbestos have a different impact on the lungs and individual's health. For instance, chrysotile asbestos is more prone to mesothelioma than amphiboles like crocidolite or amosite.Mesothelioma can also be an indicator of risk for someone if they have an ancestry of the disease. Mesothelioma can affect young adults who were exposed to asbestos by an adult. People who live close to mesothelioma patients or those suffering from mesothelioma have a slightly increased chance of developing the disease, as they can inhale asbestos fibers from clothing, skin, and hair.The nature of the work that a person performed can affect the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. Workers who worked on ships, power plants or other locations in which asbestos was used are at a higher mesothelioma risk than those who didn't. People who worked in certain industries, such as manufacturing and construction, also have a higher mesothelioma rate than other industries.The person's race, gender, age and gender can also play a role in their mesothelioma experience. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women, as are those who have an ancestor with the disease. This is because women are less likely to work in industries involving asbestos and men are more likely than others to be exposed to asbestos in the workplace.