What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma the medical name for cancer of the lung or the abdomen lining, and
is usually caused by exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a type of building material used in thermal insulation products and
ceiling tiles. Asbestos usage peaked during the 1950s - 1970s, but during the
late 1960s, concerns over the health consequences of asbestos exposure began to
arise, thereby decreasing the amount of asbestos manufactured over the following
two decades. But even though new measures where brought in to get rid of it,
many schools and public buildings still contain asbestos.
Small asbestos fibers that enter the air do not evaporate and can remain
suspended in the air for a long time. These fibres, when breathed into the body,
are toxic. The people most at risk are :-
People working in factories that manufacture asbestos are likely to have a high
exposure to asbestos and are most at risk of developing asbestosis or
mesothelioma.
Family members of workers exposed to asbestos in the workplace are susceptible
to exposure from asbestos dust brought home by the worker on his clothes or
skin.
Those who live in the vicinity of an asbestos manufacturing plant are also at
risk.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until between twenty and fifty years
after exposure, which explains why so many new cases of this form of cancer are
coming to light now. Many people who haven't been in contact with asbestos for
decades, are now showing symptoms of this dreadful disease.
As with many forms of cancer, mesothelioma can spread rapidly. Symptoms include
shortness of breath, coughing, loss of weight, and chest pains. If it is
diagnosed early enough, the tumor can be surgically removed, and with
chemotherapy and radiation treatment, a full recovery is often possible.
However, in more advanced cases, cure is usually not possible. In such cases,
chemotherapy and radiation treatment can be used alongside other pain relief
treatments, to ease the symptoms. Where cure is not possible, the average
survival time is between four and eighteen months, depending on the stage of the
tumor and the general health of the patient.
I was prompted to write about mesothelioma because I personally know families
who have suffered due to this terrible disease.
About the Author: John Moore - As a
child, I lived near an asbestos factory, hence my decision to write this
article. Please use my link.
http://www.online-mesothelioma-guide.com