Mesothelioma - Chances of Getting Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure

The risk of developing mesothelioma increases when exposed to asbestos. However, it's not well known if the risk decreases once exposure ends.

A mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers get stuck in the lung's lining (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). There are several kinds of mesothelioma. There are several types of mesothelioma.

Age

A person's chances of getting mesothelioma depend on several factors. This includes the age of the first exposure to asbestos case, the type of asbestos and the length of exposure. Mesothelioma symptoms usually begin in the lungs and spread to other areas of the body. So, people who have been exposed to asbestos in the lungs are most likely to develop this disease. People who have been in contact with asbestos in the peritoneum lining of the abdomen are less likely to suffer from this condition.

The more serious mesothelioma becomes, the more old the patient is at the time of diagnosis. This is due to the 20-60 year latency time between exposure to asbestos and the first signs of mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral is made up of fibrous bundles. They can be arranged in thin sheets or clumps to form an impermeable material. Between the 1930s to 1980s its durability and flexibility made asbestos a popular material. During this period millions of Americans were subjected to asbestos exposure through occupational or second-hand exposure. Occupational exposure occurs when workers are exposed to asbestos in their workplace. Secondary exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are absorbed home on hair, clothing or skin and unknowingly inhaled by family members.

Asbestos fibers when inhaled through the lungs or other organs such as the heart, cause irritation. In time this irritation may cause scarring, inflammation and mutation of healthy cells into cancerous ones.

Mesothelioma is predominantly a cancer of pleura, which is the tissue that surrounds the lung. However, it can also affect other organs, such as the stomach and heart.

People who have a blue-collar or military background are more likely to be exposed to asbestos when they work in specific industries or in the military. However those who have been exposed to asbestos in their homes or from other sources can be at risk.

Additionally, people who receive the BAP1 gene mutation have a greater chance of developing mesothelioma compared to those who do not suffer from this condition. The majority of them are diagnosed between 50 and 70.

Gender

Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma more than women. This is likely because men worked in industries more susceptible to asbestos exposure. The asbestos fibres from the job site may have been carried to home by men. Asbestos is usually found in factories and mines, with those that made asbestos products such as pipes, insulation tiles, cement and tiles the most at risk of developing mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has also been observed in those who built or repaired railroad or automotive products, as well as those who built ships and produced gas masks. Mesothelioma is typically associated with exposure to chrysotile asbestos, the most popular form of asbestos.

The likelihood of developing mesothelioma rises as the exposure to asbestos increases. The majority of cases of mesothelioma happen in those who have been exposed to the material for 30 or more years. The time of latency can vary based on a person's gender and kind of Asbestos legal exposure.

While it isn't known exactly why, women seem to have a longer period of latency for mesothelioma than men. Many women who developed mesothelioma were employed as domestic workers. They might have been exposed to asbestos while washing the clothes of their fathers, husbands, or fathers.

Asbestos was extensively used in commercial and domestic building products when mesothelioma became more common. The fibers were present in drywall, insulation pipe coating, paint and cement. These products were frequently employed in offices and homes, where asbestos was disturbed by renovations or construction.

While mesothelioma was used as an industrial substance asbestos was discovered in a variety of structures, including schools, hospitals, churches and offices. A lot of these buildings are from the 1980s, when asbestos was banned.

Asbestos, a nebulous substance, is being studied by researchers, especially in relation to mesothelioma. Studies are looking at how asbestos affects both the lungs as well as the gastrointestinal tract, which is the area where mesothelioma typically affects patients. They are also examining whether other factors, like gender or level of exposure to asbestos, can influence the mesothelioma rates.

Work History

The most likely person to develop mesothelioma is one who has worked in an industry that used asbestos for many years. Asbestos in construction and building was prevalent, particularly between the 1920s and the 1980s. Many jobs, such as manufacturing power generation, mining, shipbuilding, and asbestos removal, were at risk.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. It is strong and heat resistant, which made it useful in many different products. The fibers are weaved into roofing, insulation, and brake pads, among others. When asbestos is cut or smashed it releases microscopic dust particles that can be inhaled or ingested.

It can develop much earlier than 60 years of age. It can occur in the lungs, the chest wall (peritoneal pleural mesothelioma) or in the abdomen.

It isn't known the reason why those with a history of mesothelioma are more at risk of developing the disease. A mutation in a gene called BAP1 has been linked to mesothelioma, however it's a rare.

A person could be at risk for mesothelioma if they were in a relationship with asbestos-related workers and then brought the asbestos fibers home on their clothes hair, skin and even their hair. This is known as secondary exposure. Workers in industries that are heavily exposed to asbestos may bring asbestos fibers home on their clothes or shoes. They can be breathed in or ingested by family members at home.

Asbestosis is a lung disease that is linked to mesothelioma. It can be triggered by breathing asbestos fibers. Asbestosis typically develops in the lungs. It can cause fluid buildup around the rib cage as well as breathing problems as well as chest pain, and an ribcage lump.

Australia has one of the most mesothelioma-related deaths in the world, mainly because asbestos was used extensively here throughout the years in construction, manufacturing and mining. A doctor first discovered the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma in 1930, which prompted England to pass laws that regulated asbestos in the 1930s. These regulations forced companies to install ventilation systems and other safety equipment.

Smoking

Like other types of cancer, mesothelioma is caused by cells that receive incorrect genetic information and multiply without checking. If these cells are found in the lung (pleura), abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium) and they are able to cause abnormal growths, referred to as tumors. There is no known cure for mesothelioma but there are several risk factors that could increase the chances of developing this disease.

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. The asbestos fibers that are inhaled into the lungs can cause irritation to the lung's lining and chest wall, which could cause mesothelioma. The risk of mesothelioma developing is higher for people exposed to asbestos in the workplace than for those who aren't. It is also important to determine the type of asbestos the person was exposed. Different types of asbestos have a different impact on the lungs and person's health. Asbestos chrysotile for instance is a more risky form of mesothelioma than amphiboles, such as crocidolite or amosite.

A person's family history of mesothelioma is also a factor in his or her mesothelioma risk. Mesothelioma can affect young people who were exposed to asbestos when they were an adult. People who are mesothelioma sufferer or with mesothelioma are at a slightly higher risk of developing the disease, because they are more likely to inhale asbestos fibers that are on hair, skin, and clothing.

The type of job a person performed can also influence the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. Workers who worked on ships, power plants or other locations where asbestos was used have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma than those who were not exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma rates are higher for those working in certain industries such as construction or manufacturing.

The gender, age, and race of a person can also affect their mesothelioma. Men and those with a family history are more likely to develop mesothelioma. Women are less likely to have worked in asbestos-related industries while men were more likely to be exposed in the workplace.