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Mesothelioma Causes Other Than asbestos lawsuit

Mesothelioma can be found in the tissues that line the lungs, chest wall, abdomen, and other organs. People who get this cancer usually worked on jobs where they were exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos is a class of minerals that create strong, microscopic fibers. It was used in the manufacture of construction and automotive products because it is impervious to fire, heat and water.

Workplace Exposure

Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used extensively for its fireproof properties prior to when it was banned in the 1970s. The people who worked with asbestos, whether they mined it or worked with it in factories, are at risk of mesothelioma. Those who have the highest risk are those who were exposed to large amounts of microscopic asbestos fibers for prolonged periods of time. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't show until decades after exposure to asbestos. This is why the majority of mesothelioma cases can be traced to occupational asbestos exposure.

When asbestos is disturbed, its tiny fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled or swallowed. These fibers may get into the thin layer of tissue that covers organs. This layer, dubbed the mesothelium, may develop mesothelioma-like cancerous tumors. The most common mesothelioma type is mesothelioma pleural that develops around the lung. Other types of mesothelioma include mesothelioma that develops in the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma developing around the heart.

Mesothelioma can also develop in other areas of the body, if asbestos is inhaled or consumed with smaller amounts. It can be found in the lining of the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the lining of the abdominal cavity (pericardial mesothelioma). It's difficult to determine if mesothelioma is the result of exposure to occupational radiation, or some other cause.

Some people with mesothelioma have developed the disease through contact with asbestos legal from the outside. This is sometimes known as take-home exposure and it happens when asbestos is brought home on the clothing of workers or equipment. In these instances families are often required to clean and wash the clothing of workers which can lead to higher risk of exposure than could be expected. Some studies have found that the use of a similar asbestos, erionite, increases the risk of mesothelioma in those who live near deposits of erionite.

Other factors that may increase the risk of mesothelioma is certain medical treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. These treatments can damage the mesothelium and cause mesothelioma, however they don't account for a significant number of cases.

Secondhand Exposure

Other factors can increase the risk of mesothelioma. This includes genetics, history of radiation therapy to the chest area and exposure through secondhand sources. A family history of mesothelioma can also increase the risk of an individual. However, asbestos remains the most common mesothelioma cause.

Workers who are directly exposed to asbestos have the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. This is particularly applicable to those working in construction, manufacturing shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and other related industries. People who work with asbestos frequently inhale tiny asbestos fibers when they break or alter the material. The asbestos fibers can end up within the lining of the lungs, stomach and the heart. The asbestos could remain in the body for a long period of time and cause malignant mesothelioma cancers to grow.

Inhaling or swallowing these harmful fibers could lead to pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and other types of the disease. The symptoms can take between 30 to 50 years before they appear. To determine mesothelioma, a doctor must first rule out any other conditions that may cause symptoms.

Exposure to asbestos is known to cause pleural mesothelioma the most frequent type of cancer. It is believed that the risk for mesothelioma that is this type decreases after a person's asbestos exposure has ended. However, the risk for mesothelioma peritoneal continues to rise even after exposure to asbestos has ended.

Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring metamorphic fibrous minerals. It is resistant to heat and fire, and is extremely durable, which made it a popular material for industrial, commercial and military applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was extensively used from the end of World War II through to the mid 1970s. It was most commonly found in buildings, ships as well as in automobile parts and insulation.

Workers who handled or inhale asbestos were the most likely group to have developed mesothelioma. However, there are some who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma who do not have a history of occupational exposure to asbestos. These people were exposed to asbestos by other means. For instance, a lot of women who had husbands who worked with asbestos brought home asbestos fibers that landed on their clothing and skin. Those who were vaccinated against polio during the 1950s and 1960s have been found to be at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma because of the contamination of the polio vaccine with asbestos.

Environmental Exposure

While asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma however, there are other factors that could be involved. This may include the person's gender, age, or genetics. People who have a predisposition to mesothelioma or other health problems are at higher risk than people who don't have.

The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases. People who have a long-term, continuous exposure to asbestos, such as shipyard workers or miners workers, are at highest risk. However, many people with mesothelioma didn't directly work with asbestos. The risk of exposure to asbestos can be exacerbated when people live with someone who worked with asbestos and breathed in asbestos fibers. This kind of exposure is most common among spouses of those who worked with asbestos.

The symptoms of mesothelioma may be seen as time passes, and they will vary depending on the kind of mesothelioma a person has. It is crucial for everyone to be aware of the risks and speak to a doctor if they are experiencing any unusual or alarming symptoms.

Asbestos exposure can trigger three types of mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. The lung is affected by pleural mesothelioma, while organs in the abdominal cavity are affected by peritoneal as well as the pericardial. The most common mesothelioma is pleural, which usually develops in the lungs. However, pericardial and peritoneal cancers can develop in the abdominal cavity.

Researchers have discovered that other substances can also cause mesothelioma. These include erionite which is a mineral similar to asbestos, and radiation therapy. A virus known as SV40 and certain varieties of talcum powder can also trigger mesothelioma.

The study of the causes of mesothelioma may help doctors identify the cause more precisely and quickly. Patients suffering from mesothelioma can get treatment earlier and improve their results. It is also essential to understand other mesothelioma risk factors to help prevent more mesothelioma cases in the future. The use of talcum could increase the risk of women developing peritoneal cancer. Through educating the public about mesothelioma, we can decrease the number of patients diagnosed with the cancer. This is especially important since mesothelioma signs are usually delayed for up to 50 years.

Genetics

If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is recommended to consult a physician. Early treatment provides the best chance of survival. While asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma, research continues to identify other risk factors like talcum powder and SV40. Understanding and avoiding these risks can help reduce the incidence of mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a class of fibrous minerals which were used extensively throughout the 20th century for various commercial, industrial and military applications. Its strength and resistance to fire was a major draw for manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos became apparent and were well-documented by researchers, leading to its elimination. The people who were exposed to asbestos while at work are at risk for mesothelioma. This includes miners factory workers, asbestos insulation manufacturers and railroad workers, installers and auto makers, ship builders and those who worked with or wore clothes which was contaminated by asbestos.

Inhaled asbestos fibers settle in the lining of the lungs (the pleura), where they become irritation and eventually grow into tumors. The signs typically take a long time to show up however, by the time they show, mesothelioma is already advanced. The symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest pain or heaviness and fluid buildup in the lungs.

Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous mutations in cells. These are caused by asbestos claim exposure, but many researchers believe that a person's genes can also play a role. Researchers discovered a gene known as BAP 1, located on the short arm of chromosome 3, which causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene through investigating mesothelioma epidemics in two U.S. families with Swiss descent. Each person in the family that developed mesothelioma was affected by this mutation.

Genetics is just one part of the equation for mesothelioma, but it's an important one. A small proportion of people who experience asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma which suggests that the person's genes are also in play. Tumor suppressing genes seem to be altered in the majority mesothelioma patients. As research advances the genes will be investigated and better understood to stop mesothelioma from developing. It is also likely that those who have a genetic predisposition have to be more cautious about asbestos exposure and will need regular screening for mesothelioma symptoms.