Mesothelioma - Cancer that Strikes 40 Years Later

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.
In his article called Knee Deep in Asbestos, freelance writer Phil Jones relates how when he was a teenager he worked for a brief time in an asbestos mine in the Yukon. One of the features of daily life was the constant presence of asbestos dust in the air. As Jones writes,
There were employees that worked in the mill whose sole job was to sweep up the dust that fell on the floor. There was so much of it that this was a constant ongoing job. The asbestos dust in the mill actually fell almost like snow and covered the floor completely. Without sweepers there would probably have been several inches of asbestos dust on the floor within an hour or so. In fact, I remember seeing sweepers go by pushing their wide brooms and the new dust settling onto the floor behind them as they walked.
This story illustrates a number of the more sinister aspects of the whole mesothelioma story.
First, over the course of many decades, countless workers were placed in work environments where they were exposed to high levels of asbestos fibre with little protection. Their exposure to asbestos fibres was constant and often took place over a very long period of time - in most cases, over many years.
Second, the owners and managers of these work places were often either unaware of the risk of mesothelioma, or they actively attempted to hide or cover up those risks.
Third, since the effects of exposure to asbestos fibre often do not become apparent for 30 or 40 years after prolonged exposure, there often appeared to be no immediate health risk in these work environments. This made it very difficult for workers or their representatives to make a convincing case that worker health was being sacrificed on the altar of corporate profit.
For more information about mesothelioma, the causes of mesothelioma, the effects of mesothelioma, and the legal courses of action open to mesothelioma victims, visit Mesothelioma Advisors.

Is Asbestos Killing Your Family?

Mesothelioma is a Cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs and has a direct link to people who have come into direct contact with asbestos.

Mesothelioma is also known as Asbestos Cancer, it strikes many, many thousands of people across the world every year. Over three thousand people are diagnosed in the United States every year. Once a person is diagnosed with Mesothelioma they are usually dead within two years.

The people who are most likely to contract Mesothelioma are usually labourers who have worked in factories, in mines, in manufacturing facilities or have continually been in contact with Asbestos or Asbestos Dust.

Mesothelioma symptoms include: Shortness of Breath, Repetitive Coughing and painful chest and abdomen. Occasionally the patient my feel severe stabbing pains in the chest or abdomen. Mesothelioma symptoms usually only surface 35 - 50 years after Asbestos contact. However, if an individual displays symptoms of Mesothelioma they should consult a doctor immediately.

Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed through a chest X-Ray, Complete Blood Count, Biopsy or a Thoracotomy.

There are a number of different treatment options for people suffering from mesothelioma. The most common form of treatment is surgery, where doctors will try to remove as much of the Cancer as possible.

Palliative surgery is used when the disease is in a more advanced stage.It is used to relive or control symptoms where there is an accumulation of fluid in the lung or the tumour is pressing against the lung wall.

Radiation is used to kill cancer calls and shrink tumours, it works by firing high energy X-Rays at the tumour. Radiation has a few side effects, such as Vomiting, Nausea and general fatigue.

Chemotherapy is another way of treating mesothelioma cancer. Chemotherapy does not show a good success rate when it comes to treating mesothelioma cancer, the response rate is around 15%.

It's important to come to term with your cancer, by doing so will make your life more enjoyable by not living in anger, fear or sadness.

There are many groups that offer support to people living with mesothelioma cancer, ask your doctor first.