Mesothelioma Cancer And Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma Cancer And Asbestos Exposure

 

Mesothelioma cancer by way of asbestos exposure has become a widespread disease.  Asbestos, because of it’s excellent fire retardant and chemical resistant properties was once widely used in the manufacturing industry as well as in ship building for the military.  It can be found in commercial buildings and even in some homes.  At the time of it’s use little was known about it’s possible side effects but as workers started coming down with similar illnesses it was soon determined that inhaling the fibers of asbestos by way of asbestos exposure led to mesothelioma cancer.

Asbestos exposure leads to mesothelioma cancer but just what is mesothelioma.  It’s cancer of the mesothelium which is a membrane that surrounds and gives protection to most of our internal organs. When the cells of the mesothelium become damaged they can invade the cells of nearby organs and tissue causing further damage.  Mesothelioma cancer from asbestos exposure accounts for up to eighty percent of all cases.  People who worked with asbestos are most at risk to the disease but since no safe levels of exposure to this mineral has been established, anyone who comes into contact with asbestos fibers are at risk.

An asbestos containing product such as tiles used in the home and commercial buildings offers no danger to you in the form of mesothelioma cancer as long as the product remains intact and undamaged.  Asbestos exposure from these products occurs when the product becomes damaged and release their tiny fibers into the atmosphere.  These fibers can be easily inhaled into the lungs without even realizing it.  In fact, workers who were exposed to asbestos as far back as the 40s are just being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer which makes it a deadly and silent killer.

Mesothelioma cancer by way of asbestos exposure doesn’t just effect the manufacturing worker.  Since asbestos material has been used widely in numerous applications the risk is there for anyone who works or lives where these products are in use.  In the home asbestos products where used primarily in the 50s through the 80s in the form of floor and ceiling tiles, insulation for pipes and furnaces as well as roofing shingles.  Because of asbestos excellent heat resistant properties it was also used in hair dryers and even in iron board covers.  With so many products being made with asbestos and only 80% of mesothelioma cancer cases being linked to known asbestos exposure one should be concerned as to whether this substance is unknowingly in their home.

About 70% of all mesothelioma cancer starts in the pleura.  Pleural mesothelioma starts in the inner chest wall and outer lining of the lungs.  It is not to be confused with lung cancer.  It is caused by asbestos exposure and is not related to smoking.  Some of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma is chest pain, shortness of breath and a dry cough.  If you feel like you are experiencing the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer and have a history of asbestos exposure you should consult your health care professional.