Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Explained
Friday, February 01, 2008
Mesothelioma is a very serious condition. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should find out as much as you can about this life changing condition. Mark & Associates aims to provide you with important information regarding asbestos and mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. It is characterized by the development of malignant cells in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. These malignant cells most commonly form in the pleura (the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but they can also form in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) and the pericardium (a sack that surrounds the heart). People who have mesothelioma can experience a variety of symptoms including: chest pain, coughing, fever, swelling, coughing up blood, collapsing of the lung, and subsequent shortness of the breath.
Typically most people that develop mesothelioma have a work history where they have been exposed to asbestos fibers. Between 1940 and 1979 there were approximately 27.5 million people who were exposed to asbestos while on the job, in the United States. Between 1973 and 1984 there was a threefold increase in the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma. Then from 1980 to the late 1990s the death rate from mesothelioma in the United States increased from about 2000 per year to 3000 per year. These rates are possibly understate because they do not take into account the fact that many people who have mesothelioma have been misdiagnosed with another condition called adenocarcinoma of the lung.
Occupational exposure to asbestos is most common in the following industries:
- Mining
- Milling
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Ship building
People can also develop mesothelioma from secondary exposure to asbestos. Secondary exposure to asbestos can occur when a worker brings asbestos dust home from work or when asbestos was used in residential and commercial buildings. Often exposure to asbestos occurs during the renovation of older buildings with asbestos.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can take a long time to appear. It is not uncommon for some exposed to absetsos 20 to 50 years ago to first develop mesothelioma. . This long latency period makes mesothelioma extremely difficult to diagnose. The symptoms usually associated with mesothelioma are also very similar to other conditions, which can make its diagnosis even more challenging. If you know that you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is essential that you see your physician and have your doctor do a complete analysis.
Mesothelioma symptoms:
- coughing, coughing up blood
- chest pain and pain in the lower back
- difficulty breathing
- weight loss
- fever
- muscle weakness and sensory loss
- swelling of the face and arms
- hoarseness
Its very important that you follow your doctors treatment plan. Legally there are also remedies for those who have been diagnosed. Mesothelioma has a long legal history with the first exposure lawsuit having been filed in 1929. Since then there have been numerous cases filed against asbestos manufacturers and other entities for neglecting to implement safety measures after the links between asbestos and mesothelioma became known. The companies that manufactured and used asbestos were aware of the deadly effects of asbestos exposure for a long period of time. Numerous scientific journals, medical journals, industry trade organizations and even internal company documentation that all spoke of the health dangers of asbestos, are evidence of that companies manufacturing and using asbestos were aware of its dangers. If these companies put health ahead of profits, they could have easily prevented millions of people from being exposed. This example of corporate has created a huge liability for these companies, and asbestos related lawsuits brought against these companies have resulted in billions of dollars of payouts to victims.
It is absolutely wrong for these companies to have put their workers and the public at such risk. It's tragic that this was preventable, but even more tragic that so many people will have to suffer through this terrible disease. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed and need more information, please visit our website www.diagnosedwithmesothelioma.com. You may also reach our firm at 1-866-50-RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448).
Posted under: Toxic Exposure • Asbestos • Mesothelioma