Protect Against Mesothelioma by Avoiding Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the body's mesothelial cells around the organs. The mesothelium provides a protective membranous lining for the internal organs and allows moving organs (i.e. the heart and the lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures. The names of the three regions of mesothelial cells that provide protective coating are 1) pleura, the sac which surrounds the lungs; 2) peritoneum, the lining which protects the abdominal cavity; and 3) pericardium, the sac which surrounds the heart. Three different types of mesothelioma cancer attack these three different regions.

Pleural mesothelioma: A type of lung cancer which attacks the pleura surrounding the lungs, this is the most common type of mesothelioma, affecting approximately two-thirds of all mesothelioma patients. Symptoms include horseness, fever, blood in sputum, swollen arms and face, coughing, loss of weight, difficulty breathing, chest pain, weak muscles, and reduced tactile sensitivity.

Peritoneal mesothelioma: A cancer of the abdomen which attacks the peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity. This affects approximately one-third of all mesothelioma patients. Symptoms include abdominal bloating, impaired bowl function, fever, swollen feet, and nausea.

Pericardial mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma which attacks the pericardium surrounding the heart is extremely rare. Symptoms include chest pain, dyspnea, cough, and palpitations.

Mesothelioma has been linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a type of building material used in thermal insulation products and ceiling tiles. In the United States, asbestos usage peaked during the 1950s - 1970s. During the late 1960s, concerns over the health consequences of asbestos exposure began to arise, thereby decreasing the amount of asbestos manufactured in next two decades. By the 1980s, a new industry of asbestos abatement began to flourish. But according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as many as 733,000 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 fibers, when breathed into the body, are toxic. There are three types of asbestos exposure.

Occupational asbestos exposure: People working in factories that manufacure asbestos are likely to have a high exposure to asbestos and are most at risk of developing asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Paraoccupational asbestos exposure: 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.

Neighborhood asbestos exposure: Those who live in the vicinity of an asbestos manufacturing plant are also at risk.

Mesothelioma is still a relatively rare form of cancer. There are an estimated 2,000 - 3,000 new cases per year in the United States. Approximately 7-13 per one million male patients with a history of asbestos exposure contract mesothelioma. Diagnosis usually occurs 20-40 years after initial exposure to asbestos.

Jimmy Atkinson writes for the Mesothelioma Reporter at http://www.mesotheliomareporter.org .

---

Lung Cancer-Non-Smokers at Risk!

Most of us non-smokers feel we've got little to worry... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosed- Questions to ask

Following diagnosis, uppermost amongst a patient's thoughts will be these..."Am... Read More

How to Tell if You Have Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma - Symptoms and SolutionsSymptoms of Mesothelioma can be latent... Read More

What You Need To Know About Lung Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs in thin... Read More

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease... Read More

Mesothelioma Information Help

Depending on the stage of the disease, the most common... Read More

How to Treat Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure

There are many forms of treatment for Mesothelioma. Their effectiveness... Read More

How to Sense Low Levels of Asbestos in Your Daily Environment

My discovery came to me by accidentally removing an asbestos... Read More

Does It Pay to Get a Mesothelioma Attorney?

Mesothelioma is a serious form of rare cancer. There is... Read More

How Is Mesothelioma Treated?

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where... Read More

Asbestos - Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral found in the... Read More

Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the linings of the heart,... Read More

The Facts About Lung Cancer - Better To Be Aware

Keep yourself abreast of facts about lung cancer, as the... Read More

Screening for Mesothelioma

Doctor appointments are critical to make sure you're staying in... Read More

Asbestos Killed My Husband

He was only a child when it begun -and he... Read More

Is Replacing the Lungs the Answer to Lung Cancer?

Late stage lung cancers are some of the hardest to... Read More

Mesothelioma Attorneys and Asbestosis Treatment Data

Mesothelioma attorneysIt is very important to work with specialized mesothelioma... Read More

Mesothelioma or Asbestos Cancer

Mesothelioma: What is it?Mesothelioma is a malignant cancerous disease of... Read More

Mesothelioma

Tragically the word mesothelioma is becoming more and more well... Read More

Mesothelioma - an Asbestos Related Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer located in the lining... Read More

Asbestos Litigation ? Some Basic Facts About The Process

When Should I Consult an Asbestos Attorney?If asbestos diseases have... Read More

What Are The Risk Factors For Mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer - What to Tell Children

The amount of information you should give them depends on... Read More

Acoustic Asbestos Ceiling Removal, Is It Necessary?

Homeowners with acoustic asbestos ceiling question about the effects of... Read More

Mesothelioma Book - Review

"Lean on Me" Cancer through a carer's eyes Lorraine Kember... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer: Early Warning Signs and Causes

What is Mesothelioma?Chances are you may never have heard of... Read More

Knee Deep in Asbestos

When I was 17 old I started working at an... Read More

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an extremely nasty and permanent cancer that infects... Read More

Your Mesothelioma Case

Your Mesothelioma case is important to you. You have been... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosed: Dealing With Emotions

People deal with and react to having cancer in different... Read More

Beryllium The New Asbestos?

It was American workers on the world's first atomic bomb... Read More

Coping With Cancer-A Family View

An often forgotten feature of dealing with cancer is what... Read More