Mesothelioma - Chances of Getting Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure

The chance of getting mesothelioma increases with exposure to asbestos. However, it's not fully known if the risk decreases after exposure ends.

A mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers become stuck in the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). There are various kinds of mesothelioma. There are a variety of mesothelioma.

Age

The chance of someone developing mesothelioma are based on a variety of factors. This includes the age at which the person's first exposure to asbestos, the type of asbestos, and the length of exposure. Mesothelioma symptoms usually begin in the lungs before spreading to other body parts. Thus, those who have been exposed to asbestos in the lungs are the most likely to develop the condition. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the lining of the abdomen the peritoneum, are less likely to develop mesothelioma.

The more serious mesothelioma becomes, the more old the person is when diagnosed. This is due to the 20-60 year period between exposure to asbestos and the first symptoms of mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally with fibrous bundles that form into thin sheets or clump together to form an impermeable substance. From the 1930s until the 1980s, its flexibility and durability made asbestos a sought-after material. During this time, millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos via occupational or secondary exposure. The term occupational exposure refers to the time when workers are exposed to asbestos in their work. Secondary exposure is when asbestos fibers are brought home on clothing, hair or skin, and then inhaled by family members.

When inhaled, asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lung's lining as well as other organs such as the heart. Over time this irritation can lead to inflammation, scarring, and mutation of healthy cells into cancerous ones.

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

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

Additionally, people who carry the BAP1 gene mutation have a higher chance of developing mesothelioma than people who do not suffer from this condition. These individuals are usually diagnosed between 50 and 70.

Gender

Mesothelioma is more common in men than in women. This is probably due to the fact that men worked in industries more susceptible to asbestos exposure. They may also have carried home the asbestos fibers on their clothing from work places. Asbestos is usually found in mines and factories which produce asbestos products such as insulation, pipes tiles, cement and tiles most susceptible to developing mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has been observed in those who built or repaired railroad and automotive products, as well as those who built ships and produced gas masks. Chrysotile exposure, which is the most popular type of asbestos is typically related to mesothelioma.

The chance of developing mesothelioma is increased with the duration 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 type of asbestos exposure.

While it isn't known exactly why, women seem to have a longer time to develop for mesothelioma than males. One reason is that many of the women with mesothelioma worked as domestic workers and may have come into contact with asbestos through washing the clothes of their husbands, fathers and brothers.

When mesothelioma was a more prevalent disease, asbestos was used in a variety of commercial and domestic building materials. The fibers were found in insulation, drywall pipe coating, paint and cement. Many of these products were used in workplaces and homes, where the asbestos was often disturbed by construction or renovations.

Even when mesothelioma was being used as an industrial product, asbestos compensation was found in many different types of structures, including schools hospitals, churches and offices. A majority of these buildings were constructed prior to the 1980s, when asbestos was banned.

Asbestos is a complex substance, and scientists are still studying its health effects, especially mesothelioma. Research studies are investigating how asbestos affects the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract, which is the area where mesothelioma is most often found in patients. They are also looking into whether different factors might influence mesothelioma incidence, such as gender and the level of exposure to asbestos.

Work History

A person is more likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure when they worked in an industry where asbestos was extensively used. Asbestos was used extensively in building and construction, especially from the 1920s to the 1980s. Numerous jobs were susceptible to exposure, such as mining, manufacturing power generation, shipbuilding, and asbestos removal.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous minerals. It is heat resistant and tough, making it useful for a variety of products. The fibers of asbestos are used in insulation, brake pads and roofing, among others. When asbestos is cut or disturbed, it releases microscopic particles that can be ingested or inhaled.

It can be diagnosed earlier than 60 years of age. It can develop in the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the chest wall (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the abdomen.

People with mesothelioma in their family are also at a higher risk of the disease, but it's not clear the reason. Mesothelioma can be linked to an inherited mutation in the gene BAP1 however it's not a common.

A person could be at risk for mesothelioma if they grew up with someone who worked with asbestos and then brought the asbestos fibers home on their clothes or hair, skin or even the hair. This is called secondary exposure. People who work in industries with high exposure to asbestos are at risk of bringing home fibers onto their clothing and shoes. These fibers can be inhaled by family members or ingested at home.

Asbestosis, a related lung condition to mesothelioma, is often the result of breathing in asbestos claim fibers. Asbestosis is most often seen in the lungs, and can cause fluid accumulation 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 most mesothelioma-related deaths in the world, mainly because asbestos was used extensively here for a long time in construction manufacturing, mining and manufacturing. A doctor first discovered the link between asbestos and mesothelioma in 1930, which prompted England to pass laws that regulated asbestos in the 1930s. These regulations required businesses to install ventilation equipment 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 lungs (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium) they may cause abnormal growths called tumors. There is no cure for mesothelioma but there are a number of risk factors that could increase the chances of developing this disease.

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor. The asbestos fibers inhaled into the lungs can cause irritation to the lining of the lungs and chest wall, which may cause mesothelioma. People exposed to asbestos while at work have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who were not exposed. The type of asbestos exposure a person has is also important. Different types of asbestos have a different impact on the lungs and person's health. For example, chrysotile asbestos is more prone to mesothelioma than amphiboles such as amosite or crocidolite.

A person's mesothelioma-related family history also contributes to the risk of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is not common in younger and children however, it can occur in young adults if they were an adult who worked with asbestos. People who live with a mesothelioma sufferer or with mesothelioma are at an increased risk of developing the disease, because they can inhale asbestos fibers on clothing, skin and hair.

The kind of work an individual did can also influence the risk of developing mesothelioma. People who worked on power plants, ships or other locations where asbestos was used have a higher mesothelioma risk than those who were not exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma rates are higher for those working in certain fields, like construction or manufacturing.

The gender, age and race could also play a role in his or her mesothelioma experience. Men and those who have a family history are more likely to develop mesothelioma. This is because women are less likely to work in asbestos litigation-related industries and males are more likely than others to be exposed to asbestos in the workplace.