Mesothelioma is a specific type of lung cancer that is caused by exposure to a material called asbestos. This material was banned from use in new constructions in the United States about two decades ago, however many people who were exposed before that time are still at risk for contracting Mesothelioma, and more people can still become exposed should the asbestos existent in older buildings become exposed.

Asbestos is dangerous because when it is disturbed, it releases microscopic fibers into the air, which can then be breathed in by anyone passing by the area. These fibers travel to the lungs where they lodge in the lung tissues. Once inhaled, the fibers of the asbestos cannot be removed, but will remain there indefinitely. Over time, it is possible for cancerous growth to appear around these fibers, causing the lung cancer known as Mesothelioma.

This cancer can take years or even decades to manifest, making it hard for people to recall that they have been exposed or potentially exposed to asbestos. That means that when the symptoms begin to manifest, they are often mistaken for other diseases or discounted altogether. Unfortunately, the early stages of Mesothelioma are very vague and easy to ignore. If you have been exposed to asbestos, even only briefly, you should go for regular checks to ensure that if you develop Mesothelioma it is caught early. Otherwise you might not know that you are sick until it is too late to do much about it.