Mesothelioma - Chances of Getting Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure
The chance of developing mesothelioma is increased when exposed to asbestos. However, it's not well understood whether the risk decreases once exposure stops.
A mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers become stuck in the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). There are several kinds of mesothelioma. These include:
Age
The chance of developing mesothelioma is contingent on a number of factors. This includes the age of the first exposure to asbestos, the type of asbestos and the time of exposure. The symptoms of mesothelioma usually start in the lungs, and then spread to other areas. Thus, those who have been exposed to asbestos in the lungs are most likely to develop the condition. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the lining of the abdomen and peritoneum are less likely to develop mesothelioma.
The more severe the mesothelioma becomes, the more old the person who is diagnosed. This is due to the 20-60 year time between exposure to asbestos law and the first symptom of mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a natural mineral with fibrous bundles which can form into thin sheets or clump together to create an impermeable substance. From the 1930s until the 1980s its durability and flexibility made asbestos legal a very popular material. In this period, millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos through occupational or secondary exposure. Workplace exposure occurs when employees are exposed to asbestos in their workplace. Secondary exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are carried to home via hair, clothing or skin and unknowingly inhaled by family members.
When inhaled, asbestos fibers irritate the lung's lining as well as other organs like the heart. This irritation can lead to scarring, inflammation and the conversion of healthy cells to cancerous cells over time.
Mesothelioma or lung cancer is a form of cancer that affects the pleura. It can also affect other areas of the body, like the heart and stomach.
People with a blue-collar or military background are more likely to be exposed to asbestos when they work in certain industries or in the military. However those who have been exposed to asbestos at home or from other sources may be at risk.
Furthermore, those who have the BAP1 gene mutation are more likely of developing mesothelioma than those who are not affected by this condition. They are typically diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 70.
Gender
Mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than women. This is likely because men were employed in industries that were more prone to asbestos exposure. Men could also have brought home the asbestos fibers on their clothing from job sites. Asbestos is most often found in factories and mines, with those that made asbestos products such as insulation, pipes, tiles and cement most at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is also found in workers who repair or construct automobile and railroad products as well as those who built ships and manufactured masks. Chrysotile exposure, which is the most popular type of asbestos case is usually related to mesothelioma.
The risk of developing mesothelioma is increased with the length and intensity of exposure to asbestos. Most mesothelioma cases occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos for a period of 30 or more years. A person's latency period may be different based on their gender and the kind of asbestos exposure.
It isn't clear the reason women have a longer latency for mesothelioma. One reason could be that a lot of the women with mesothelioma were domestic workers and could have come in contact with asbestos from washing the clothes of their husbands, fathers and brothers.
When mesothelioma was more widespread, asbestos was used in a variety of commercial and residential building materials. The fibers were present in drywalls, pipe coatings, paints, and cements. A lot of these products were used in workplaces and homes, where the asbestos was frequently disturbed by renovations or construction.
Although mesothelioma wasn't being used as an industrial substance, asbestos was found in many types of structures, including schools churches, hospitals and offices. Many of these buildings were constructed prior to the 1980s which was when asbestos was banned.
Asbestos is a nebulous substance, so researchers continue to study its effects on health, particularly mesothelioma. Studies are looking at how asbestos affects both the lungs and the digestive tract, which is the area where mesothelioma most commonly affects patients. They are also examining how different factors can affect mesothelioma rates, such as gender and exposure to asbestos.
Work History
A person is most likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure if they worked in an industry where asbestos was used for many years. Asbestos was widely used in construction and building in the 1920s through the 1980s. Many jobs were susceptible to exposure, including mining, manufacturing, power generation, shipbuilding, and asbestos removal.
Asbestos is an naturally occurring fibrous mineral. It is heat-resistant and durable making it ideal for a variety of products. The fibers of asbestos are used for insulation, brake pads and roofing, among other things. When asbestos is cut or smashed and released, it releases microscopic particles that may be ingested or inhaled.
Mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years after initial exposure to develop, however it can occur much earlier than that. It can develop in the lungs, in the chest wall (peritoneal mesothelioma pleural) or the abdomen.
It is not known why people who have a history of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Mesothelioma is linked to an inherited mutation in the gene BAP1, but it's rare.
A person could be at risk of developing mesothelioma if they were in a relationship with someone who worked with asbestos and then brought the asbestos fibers to their clothing, skin and hair. This is known as secondary exposure. People who work in industries with high exposure to asbestos are at risk of bringing home fibers on their footwear and clothing. These fibers can be inhaled or ingested by family members at home.
Asbestosis, a related lung condition to mesothelioma often occurs as a result of breathing asbestos fibers. Asbestosis is most often seen in the lungs, and can lead to fluid buildup around the rib cage as well as breathing problems as well as chest pain, and a lump on the ribcage.
Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, mostly because asbestos was widely used in Australia for many years in building manufacturing, mining and manufacturing. A doctor first discovered the link between asbestos and mesothelioma in 1930, which helped drive England to pass laws regulating asbestos in the 1930s. These regulations forced companies to install ventilation and other safety equipment.
Smoking
Mesothelioma is one of the most common cancers is caused by cells that have received faulty genetic information. They multiply unchecked. When these cells are in the lung (pleura), abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium), they can cause abnormal growths, referred to as tumors. There is no known cure for mesothelioma, but there are a variety of risk factors that increase the chances of developing the disease.
Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor. The asbestos fibers that are inhaled into the lungs can cause irritation to the lung's lining as well as the chest wall, which can result in mesothelioma. People who are exposed to asbestos in the workplace have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than those who were not exposed. The type of asbestos exposure a person has is also a significant factor. Different types of asbestos have a different impact on the lungs and a person's health. For example, chrysotile asbestos poses a greater risk of mesothelioma than amphiboles like amosite or crocidolite.
A person's mesothelioma-related family history can also increase the risk of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is rare in younger and children however it may develop in young adults if they were an adult who was exposed to asbestos. Individuals who are mesothelioma patient or a person who is mesothelioma-positive have an increased chance of developing the disease due to the fact that they breathe asbestos fibers on hair, skin, and clothing.
The type of job a person performed can also impact the risk of developing mesothelioma. Those who worked on power plants, ships, or other locations where asbestos was used have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma than those who were not exposed to asbestos. People who worked in certain industries, such as manufacturing and construction, also have a higher mesothelioma rate than others.
The age, gender and race of a person can also affect their mesothelioma. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women and also those with a family history of the disease. This is due to the fact that women are less likely to work in asbestos-related industries and males are more likely than other individuals to be exposed to asbestos in the workplace.