Throughout the 20th century information regarding asbestos and its link to cancerous diseases has been suppressed and hidden from the American public. Please help spread awareness for this life threatening cancer.

Mesothelioma (pronounced meh-zuh-thee-lee-OH-muh) is a rare malignant tumor of the lung membrane which lines the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma).

Almost all cases of mesothelioma are due to prolonged asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma can go undetected for 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos since its symptoms often do not appear until the cancer is in its advanced stages. The average age at diagnosis is 60.

Asbestos exposure is the major cause of mesothelioma.

Materials that contain asbestos include:

• Exterior siding shingles
• Fireproof drapes and curtains
• Friction products (brake and cluth facings)
• Primary insulation and lagging material for high temperature machinery, boilers, and piping.
• Reinforcing materials (cement pipe and sheet materials)
• Suspended ceiling tiles
• Thickening agents in paints
• Vinyl flooring and mastic (glue)

If you work with any of these materials on regular basis smoking increases your chance of getting lung cancer by 50%.

Asbestos is very common in many work places and older buildings so many people don't understand that it is a serious health risk.

Symptoms of the two major types of mesothelioma can take 30-50 years to show up and include:

• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Anemia
• Blood clotting abnormalities
• Bowel obstruction
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the neck or face
• Trouble swallowing
• Weight loss

Treatment for mesothelioma is dependent on the location of the cancer, its stage, and a patient's age.

Standard mesothelioma treatment options include: 

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery

A procedure for removing fluid from the chest called thoracentesis and a procedure for removing of fluid from the abdomen called paracentesis can help relieve symptoms. Certain drugs can be administered to prevent more fluid from accumulating.