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ASBESTOS & MESOTHELIOMA FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
- What is Mesothelioma?
- What Is Asbestos?
- Is Asbestos Still Found In
Products Today?
- How Long Does It Take To Develop
Asbestos Exposure Diseases?
- What Is the Difference Between
Tobacco Related Cancer and Mesothelioma?
- Who Is Most At Risk For Mesothelioma?
- What Are Common Symptoms For
Mesothelioma?
- What is Mesothelioma Treatment?
- Where Can I Get More Information
About My Asbestos and Mesothelioma Legal Rights?
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that
attacks mesothelial cells, which make up membrane
lining in the chest and abdominal cavity. The
mesothelial cells make up the tissue called mesothelium
that helps protect the organs. Mesothelioma is
caused by asbestos exposure
and is commonly located in the pleural and peritoneal
regions. The pleural is the membrane that lines
the lungs and chest cavity and peritoneal is the
lining of the abdomen.
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Asbestos is a very toxic fibrous mineral when
it is inhaled, absorbed, or ingested. Asbestos
is mined from the ground and is found all over
the world. Asbestos was commonly used as an insulation
material before the dangers and risks
of abestos were known. Asbestos fibers last within
the body forever once they are inhaled and cause
ailments like mesothelioma and many other asbestos-related
problems, such as asbestosis and a number of cancers.
Usually extended exposure to asbestos is needed
to develop a problem, though cases of secondhand
asbestos exposure leading to mesothelioma have
been surfacing.
Asbestos is the most dangerous when it is airborne
because the lightness of the asbestos fibers allows
them to stay in the air for long periods of time
and to travel a far distance. Professional abatement
services exist to remove asbestos from your home
or workplace. It is not safe to remove asbestos
yourself.
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There are still many products that contain asbestos
today. A few of the asbestos-containing products
are:
- pipe and duct insulation
- building insulation
- carpet underlays
- roofing materials
- wall and ceiling panels
- artificial fireplaces and materials
- toasters and other household appliances
- furnaces and other furnace door gaskets
- patching and spackling compounds
- electrical wires
- textured paints
- brake pads and linings
- potholders and ironing board pads
- hair dryers
- floor tiles
- cements
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There is a latency period between the time
of exposure to asbestos and the manifestation
of asbestos diseases that usually varies between
several years and several decades. Many asbestos
cancers will not appear in a victim until 20 years
or more after their first exposure to asbestos.
Typically, asbestosis or pleural plaques will
not occur until at least ten to twenty years after
first exposure. The time will vary depending on
the extent of asbestos exposure and the individual’s
susceptibility.
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Mesothelioma affects the lungs but is not
a lung cancer. Smokers are at risk for lung cancer
in the lungas inner tissue opposed to mesothelioma,
which is in the tissue covering the lung.
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Asbestos-exposed people, especially that work
in the building, construction, shipbuilding, railroad,
and automotive industries have a very high risk
for developing mesothelioma. These industries
consist mainly of men, which is a good indicator
of why 80% of the patients with mesothelioma are
male. Exposure to asbestos or any other type of
toxic mineral increases a person’s chances
of developing mesothelioma.
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Mesothelioma is hard to diagnosis early because
the symptoms are very non-specific. Mesothelioma
symptoms may sometimes resemble viral pneumonia
in that shortness of breath, chest pain, or persistent
cough may be present while other people will not
experience any symptoms. It is also confused with
things in your lifestyle, such as obesity, smoking,
or inactivity. Other symptoms may include fever,
night sweats, and weight loss. Pain or swelling
in the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid, nausea,
bowel obstruction, anemia, and swelling of the
feet may also be present.
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Currently a standard mesothelioma treatment does
not exist and the FDA has not yet articulated
a treatment. There is not a good understanding
of mesothelioma at this time, but early diagnosis
of mesothelioma does allow a greater number of
treatment options. Different mesothelioma treatment
options include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery,
experimental therapies and drugs, complementary
medicine and therapies, and lifestyle modifications.
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We can answer any questions you have regarding
asbestos exposure and your mesothelioma legal
rights if you contact an
Asbestos Attorney. Legal compensation is available
for victims of mesothelioma that were improperly
and intentionally harmed by asbestos exposure.
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