What is Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining around the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavities - called the mesothelium - which is primarily caused by chronic exposure to asbestos or asbestos products. As asbestos fibers enter the body, either by breathing or swallowing, they cause normally healthy cells to mutate into cancer. This exposure can come directly, such as working in an asbestos processing center, or indirectly by inhalation of residual asbestos particles remaining on clothing or building materials. Studies show that exposure as short as one year can cause a variety of asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is an insulating material that is heat and fire resistants. In the past, asbestos was used widely in the

• Building industry
• Ship building industry
• Manufacture of household appliances
• Motor industry
• Power stations
• Telephone exchanges

So most of the cases of mesothelioma occur in men who have worked in manufacturing using asbestos or used asbestos products, particularly in construction or engineering. The use of asbestos was very heavy in the years after the war (after 1945). Mesothelioma may not develop until 15 - 40 years after you have been exposed to asbestos, which is why we are seeing an increase in cases now. The number of cases is exremely expected to peak around 2020 and then start to decline.

There are three main types of asbestos: blue, brown and white. Blue and brown asbestos are strongly linked with mesothelioma. They have been banned since the late 1980's. White asbestos is now also thought to be harmful.

How does asbestos cause mesothelioma?

Asbestos is made up of tiny fibres. You can breathe these fibres in when you come into contact with asbestos. The fibres work their way into the pleura lining of the lung. They irritate the pleura and damage the cells that the pleura are made of. Some of the fibres that have been breathed in can be coughed up and swallowed. If you have been exposed to asbestos, your family may also have been exposed. Asbestos fibres can be carried home on your clothes. Research studies have confirmed that the family of people exposed to asbestos also have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Facts

Although asbestos is a widely proliferated material, few people understand the devastating effects this chemical may cause. A few facts about mesothelioma include:

Historical facts about asbestos and mesothelioma

• Asbestos was used extensively in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as modern industry drove the economies of Western Europe and the United States.

• During the Second World War, hundreds of thousands of military personnel were exposed to asbestos on a large scale. Many of these service people are now beginning to demonstrate symptoms of asbestos-related diseases.

• Many asbestos companies knew the dangers of their products, but chose to ignore or downplay the role asbestos played in many illnesses.

• The first reported death caused by asbestos exposure was documented in medical journals in 1924.

Modern facts about asbestos and mesothelioma

• Over 10,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions each year.

• It is estimated that over 110,000 schools in the United States still contain some form of asbestos.

• Even though cigarette smoking does not cause mesothelioma, victims exposed asbestos who smoke suffer a 50-90% increase in the likelihood of developing lung cancers.

• Asbestos has been banned or regulated in many industrialized countries around the world.

• Post-diagnosis survival of mesothelioma is measured in months, because of the time, the cancer is detected it is too advanced for treatments.

• Because of the long dormancy of mesothelioma, experts speculate that there will be an increase of cases for the next 20 to 30 years.

Legal facts about asbestos and mesothelioma

• The first lawsuit regarding asbestos injury was filled in 1966 in Texas against Johns-Manville, Fibreboard, Owens Corning Fibreglas and several other manufacturers.

• Mesothelioma cases settle on average between $750,000 and $8 million.

• More than half a million asbestos cases have been filed, with 50,000 in 1998 alone.

• Up to 8 million people in the United States have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. Asbestos still continues to pose a threat to workers in certain occupations.

• New legislation before the Senate of the United States called the Hatch Bill could potentially limit the amount of compensation victims of asbestos-related diseases could receive.

Asbestos related diseases:

• Although mesothelioma is the most common asbestos disease, asbestosis is another fatal consequence of asbestos exposure. This deadly condition causes the parenchymal tissue within the lungs to become inflamed, which prevents proper air/blood exchange.
• Asbestos induced lung cancer is a fairly rare, yet still dangerous consequence affecting thousands of innocent people across the United States. Victims of lung cancer caused by asbestos have usually been exposed to brown or blue asbestos.
• Asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma are consequences of prolonged asbestos exposure, as are several benign asbestos related diseases. Regardless, any contact with asbestos merits immediate medical consultation, for treatment options and survival rates are greatly improved with early detection.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, causes shortness of breath or a chronic cough that are easily confused with allergies or a cold. In most cases, mesothelioma is discovered by accident, as patients report other symptoms that lead to its discovery.

Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Constant chest pain
• Chronic cough that worsens over time
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Lung infection (pneumonia, bronchitis)
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Wheezing

Mesothelioma is an extremely malignant and incurable cancer that infects the membrane that surrounds most of the internal organs.

Common Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Weight loss - but waist may increase in size.
• Pain or swelling in the abdomen - fluid retention or tumor growth.
• Bowel obstruction - blockage in the small or large intestine.
• Anemia - a reduction in the number of red blood cells to below normal; this forces the heart and other organs to work harder to get oxygen where it's needed.
• Fever

It is important for higher risk groups such as asbestos and construction workers to have frequent check-ups to monitor any conditions leading to mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma is so deadly, early diagnosis and treatment can help prolong life, but the mortality rate for mesothelioma is usually 100% within five years.

What can you do if you are the victim of an asbestos-related disease or mesothelioma?

If you or someone you love is suffering from mesothelioma, you have rights. One way to take stand against the asbestos industry is that to put their profits ahead of your health, take legal action against them. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your pain and suffering.