Category Archives: Meso Causes

Meso Causes, Stories & News

Vacuum Cleaner Theft Sparks Asbestos Fears

Asbestos Fears Sparked By Vacuum Cleaner Theft

Police from Great Britain  are asking the public to help find a stolen industrial vacuum cleaner which was used to suck up and remove asbestos.  According to BBC reports, thieves broke into a construction site under renovation over the weekend in the town of Carlisle, northern England.  After moving five vacuum cleaners into another room, the robbers chose to steal a yellow Numatic cleaner.  Unfortunately,  anyone coming in contact with that cleaner will now face serious health risks  and is advised not to touch the unit because it contains asbestos.  Just three years previously, a  situation just like this occurred when burglars stole a batch of industrial vacuums from Redcar & Cleveland College in Northeast England.  According to the BBC, the police responded by releasing a warning to the public that told them not to purchase the cleaners if they were offered them.

Asbestos is Cause for Extreme CautionAsbestos is Cause for Extreme Caution Danger

When it comes to asbestos, the cause for extreme caution is warranted. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, there is no recognized safe level of asbestos exposure.  Inhalation of the fibrous mineral causes serious illnesses, including asbestosis, cancers of the lungs and other organs, and mesothelioma.  Asbestos is present in many older buildings in the United Kingdom and the United States.  Versatile, cheap, and flame-retardant, the fibrous mineral was used extensively in building materials until about 1980, when the dangers of inhaling the material became widely known.  Because asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma take decades to develop, thousands of people were exposed to the material while working on job sites.  Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related condition?  Do you believe you were exposed to asbestos at a job site?  Then you may be interested in having your questions about asbestos exposure and the possibility of having mesothelioma answered by Dr. Gill, here at the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America

 

 

Meso Causes

What Causes Mesothelioma (part 2 of 2)?

mesothelioma lung cancerMesothelioma cancer affects many former workers who were employed at factory, military, shipyard and construction projects.  Mesothelioma has been proven to be primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, even though there are other aggravating factors that also worsen a mesothelioma condition.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma are tumors that affect the lining surrounding many of the body’s internal organs.  The tumors can cause symptoms such as severe chest pain, fatigue, anemia, low blood sugar levels, lung collapse, and shortness of breath.  Mesothelioma can also spread as tumors all over the body except for the brain, the skeletal system and the adrenal glands.  Mesothelioma symptoms will usually have a long latency time before they manifest as much as 15 to 30 years.  The cancer is difficult to treat or prevent because in most cases it is not diagnosed until decades after the patient had their initial exposure to asbestos which caused the mesothelioma tumors.

How Does Asbestos Exposure Occur?

Asbestos is the common word given to a wide range of minerals that have been used for many years of history being most recently processed for use in several industrial applications.  Asbestos is efficient as an inexpensive insulator which made it popular for use in the construction of homes created before the 1970s.  It was also applied a lot to military ships during World War II.   Asbestos in its raw mineral form has small particles which can easily become airborne, and when they are inhaled can cause a great risk to health.   Once the asbestos particles get inside the body, their abrasive dust fragments lead to the development of mesothelioma tumor cancer.  Unfortunately, there have been shipyard workers and factory people that have been exposed to the inhalation of asbestos particles long before the correlation between asbestos and mesothelioma became recognized.

What Can Be Done About Mesothelioma

Contemporary construction workers involved with the renovation of older buildings are much at risk for exposure to asbestos which induces mesothelioma.  Because mesothelioma has many symptoms that are similar to many other common diseases, its early diagnosis is very complicated to do.  A detailed review of a patient’s medical history and occupational experience is necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma.  A thorough patient medical history review is usually followed by thorough physical examinations that include chest X-rays, lung function tests and CT scans or MRIs.

Mesothelioma can be resistant to surgery, so there are few other treatments that might provide some form of cancer relief.  Chemotherapy is a common treatment administered as a recourse, and immunotherapy treatments have shown promise to provide various results of success.

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Identifying Mesothelioma and Asbestos Related Diseases

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a term for several commonly found fibrous magnesium-silicate minerals. Due to their durable and versatile nature, asbestos materials were used widely in construction and manufacturing for most of the 20th century. Today, it is widely understood that asbestos is an extremely harmful substance. However, this was not always known. Even minimal inhalation of these asbestos fibers can develop into serious, and even fatal, conditions. In 1918, The United States Department of Labor issued a bulletin stating that there was an “urgent need for more qualified extensive investigation” into the severe harm caused by asbestos. Nevertheless, many industries kept using asbestos.

For decades, construction workers, vehicle mechanics, shipyard workers, electricians, and others employed in the building trades did not realize the danger, as they were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis. Even now, workers renovating or demolishing old buildings may encounter asbestos. The danger was not limited those who directly handled the asbestos. If a worker had substantial exposure to asbestos, his or her co-worker or spouse also was vulnerable to asbestos-related illness.

Eventually scientific research confirmed the life-threatening risks caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. However, companies still ignored the danger, and continued to make and use products containing asbestos, until it was banned during the latter part of the 20th century. Asbestos was used widely in heavy industry, as well as insulation in hair dryers, electrical wiring, cement, paper, roofing materials, floorboards, and hundreds of other common items. Despite the legal ban on new uses, over one million Americans are endangered by exposure to existing asbestos sources every year.

Asbestos Removal

Asbestos still exists in many older buildings, including schools, hospitals, airports, and factories across Michigan. From skyscrapers to residential buildings, asbestos continues to threaten the health of unsuspecting citizens.

Removal of asbestos is a complex process. Special precautions are necessary, to avoid release of asbestos fibers into the surrounding environment. Otherwise, the asbestos will endanger anyone in the area, who inhales or ingests its odorless and tasteless microscopic fibers. The danger is great, because any amount of asbestos can be harmful. For these reasons, there is a conflict between those who push for removal of asbestos from existing structures, and those who oppose it, if it is unlikely to enter building ventilation systems.

Some companies and government agencies arrange for asbestos removal to prevent public exposure, while others do so to avoid potential litigation. Still other projects are driven by legislation or public outcry for asbestos removal from public buildings, including many older schools across the country.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Related Diseases

Three serious health conditions may result from exposure to even a small amount of airborne asbestos fibers. All three conditions result from inhaling the fibers, which become embedded in the lungs or other parts of the body. It can take years for symptoms of any of these asbestos illness to appear. Some experts believe that no symptoms appear for more than a decade after exposure. In some cases, it takes even longer for the illness to become evident. The following is information about the three major conditions resulting from asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma

The medical profession used to consider this type of cancer as quite rare. While still uncommon, the number of workers diagnosed with mesothelioma has risen. Now, about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are reported in the United States every year. The incidence of this disease is increasing at an even higher rate in Europe. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, usually caused by asbestos fibers that actually penetrate lung tissue. It is also possible for mesothelioma to develop after these fibers penetrate the heart or the abdomen. While doctors have found many different causes for other forms of cancer, the only definitely identified cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

Asbestosis

Sometimes, this term is used incorrectly to refer to all ailments resulting from asbestos exposure. However, it is actually a very specific condition. Asbestosis (also known as interstitial fibrosis) develops when inhaled asbestos fibers cause scarring of the lung tissue. Over time, this scarring reduces the capacity of the lung. Individuals with asbestosis may suffer disabling lung impairments, and must be monitored closely because they are at increased risk of even more serious asbestos-related conditions.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is all too common in our society and has many possible causes. However, there is evidence of a link between asbestos exposure and lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer is even higher for an individual who has been exposed to asbestos, and also smokes cigarettes. Mesothelioma Treatment Options “Staging” is a term that medical professionals use to define the spread and extent of cancers like mesothelioma. In general, the least serious “first stage” only involves the lining of the lung. By the most serious “stage four,” cancer has spread to other organs of the body.

Medical researchers continue to improve treatment for mesothelioma. The most common form of treatment is still chemotherapy. With new combinations of drugs, such as pemetrexed and carboplatin, chemotherapy may slow the progression of cancer in some victims. Radiation or surgery is the an appropriate treatment for other mesothelioma patients. In addition, some experimental treatments are yielding promising test results and offer hope for future victims.

Mesothelioma is still regarded as a deadly form of cancer. The average life span after diagnosis is only one to two years. However, the stage of the disease when it is discovered, and an individual’s response to treatment are significant factors in determining life expectancy. Due to medical progress, 20% of those diagnosed at an early stage of mesothelioma have at least 5 more years to live.

Mesothelioma Symptoms and Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Men are many times more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This may be due to the higher percentage of men who work in factories and construction, where there is an increased risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Older men are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is not surprising, because of the relatively long period of time between asbestos exposure and the onset of this cancer.

Physicians may have difficulty diagnosing mesothelioma, because initial symptoms, such as shortness of breath and chest or abdominal pain, can be confused with other conditions. There are tests to rule out mesothelioma, including a thoracoscopy or a peritoneoscopy.

  • If you have symptoms and believe that you may have past asbestos exposure, see your doctor immediately.
  • If you or a loved one suffer from asbestos related cancer or mesothelioma cancer, talk today with an experienced asbestos lawyer specialist, Jerry Neil Paul.

 

Meso Cancer, Meso Causes, Meso Treatments, Press Releases, Stories & News

Aggressive Mesothelioma Cancer: Some Characteristics

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer currently without a cure. Exposure to free-floating asbestos dust particles is the primary cause for getting this disease.  Generally, no amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe, and the disease almost always develops in persons that have had extensive, recurring exposure.   Once the exposure has taken hold with asbestos particles stuck in the lining of the lung(s), the detection of mesothelioma cancer may take 20 to 50 years.  The type of asbestos, fiber particle size as well as the duration of recurring exposure are decisive in the development of the mesothelioma cancer.  Today, asbestos is banned in most countries from all industries, particularly the construction industry, which only a few decades ago used it in many building materials.  Asbestos is still being consumed and used by lesser developed nations, and some nations like Canada still mine the ore and ship it to these user nations.

Mesothelioma is frequently mistaken as a lung cancer, which it is not, simply because it affects the thoracic cavity (pleura) most often as well as other thin membranes that cover the body’s organs.

Body organ membranes where mesothelioma can also develop include the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum);  the fibroserous sac which encloses the heart (the pericardium); and the serous membrane that covers the testis and epididymis (the tunica vaginalis).

Generally, symptoms of having mesothelioma include: a cough, husky voice, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, difficult swallowing, chest pain, abdominal swelling with pain, fatigue, anemia, loss of appetite, weight loss, fluid in the chest or abdomen, lack of sleep, and other characteristics.  Obviously, to diagnose mesothelioma is challenging and to connect the symptoms with the cancer because so many of its symptoms are easily mistaken for more common diseases that are not life threatening such as flu, pneumonia or bronchitis.

So, there are three main types of mesothelioma cancers:

  • malignant pleural mesothelioma
  • malignant pericardial mesothelioma
  • malignant peritoneal mesothelioma

And less common types of this disease include:

  • testicular mesothelioma
  • epithelial mesothelioma
  • biphasic mesothelioma
  • cystic mesothelioma
  • liver mesothelioma
  • brain mesothelioma
  • papillary mesothelioma
  • adenocarcinoma mesothelioma
  • sarcomatoid mesothelioma
  • desmoplastic mesothelioma

There are several primary options for the treatment of mesothelioma cancer:

  • mesothelioma surgery
  • mesothelioma chemotherapy
  • mesothelioma radiation

These treatments can be combined for a best-results treatment.  During surgery, the cancer cells are removed and post-surgery mesothelioma doctors usually use radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Treating mesothelioma cancer with these methods will give the patients a possible extension of five years to their lives. Additional treatments used by mesothelioma doctors are anti-angiogenesis drugs, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, and intraoperative photodynamic therapy.

Special research and clinical trials are being conducted by the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America on a cure for mesothelioma with good results on the early Phase I and Phase II trials.  This work is done as a collaborative effort for a mesothelioma cancer patient by a team of general practitioners, epidemiologists, pathologists, thoracic surgeons, radiation therapists, oncologists, rehabilitation specialists and psychotherapists.

Contact a mesothelioma doctor in your area with the help of our support staff.

Find out more about mesothelioma victims.

Meso Cancer, Meso Causes

Genetic Predisposition and Susceptibility: How to Get Mesothelioma Cancer?

 

Recent researchers studying mesothelioma cancer are proposing a genetic component to this aggressive cancer long associated with asbestos.  Dr. Jill Ohar MD at Wake Forest School of Medicine reported in 2010 at an International Symposium about her research that supported the possibility that people who develop mesothelioma may have a genetic predisposition and susceptibility.

Between 1940 and 1980, asbestos was commonly used as a material in the construction, particularly in shipbuilding, aircraft fabrication, plumbing, insulation, railroad and automotive brakes and clutches, ceiling tile, floor tile, drywall, fireproofing materials, cement, and many, many other uses.  It is estimated that 40% of U.S. employees or nearly 27 million Americans , have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos in their place of work; even when employers and manufacturers of asbestos products knew the danger.  Fortunately, many of the persons exposed to asbestos have not developed mesothelioma cancer.  So, the frequency of new mesothelioma cases identified in recent years has stabilized at a constant of approximately 3,000 per year.

Because so few persons who have been exposed to asbestos develop mesothelioma cancer leads researchers to wonder why and ask what could differ among workers who have experienced equal exposure to asbestos?  Why does a majority of asbestos exposed workers not develop mesothelioma cancer, and the remainder do?

Dr. Ohar and fellow researchers studied a database of 5,000 people who have been exposed to asbestos in which only 6.5% or 327 incurred the mesothelioma cancer.  The researchers questioned all 5,000 individuals regarding their exposure to asbestos at work and at home, and about the status of their health.  The answers reveal some interesting patterns:

  • Age of first exposure: those workers who developed mesothelioma tended to be younger at their first exposure to asbestos. In the 1940’s, they were the young men and women who volunteered out of high school, at age 17 or 18 to join the military, or work in defense industries. Cells in younger people tend to be more vulnerable to carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents.  Even a few years’ delay, time spent in college or in work that did not involve exposure to asbestos, seems to have had a protective effect.
  • Military service: Mesothelioma patients were more likely to have served in the military.  Service in the military increased the odds of exposure to asbestos.
  • Other cancer diagnoses: Mesothelioma patients were three times more likely than other workers exposed to asbestos to have had another cancer diagnosis at the time of diagnosis of their mesothelioma.  This suggests a greater vulnerability, probably genetically mediated, to carcinogenic agents.
  • Cancer in first-order relatives: People diagnosed with mesothelioma were also three times more likely than other workers exposed to asbestos to have a first-order relative (a parent, a brother or a sister, or a child) who had a cancer diagnosis.  Children of people with a mesothelioma diagnosis were seven times more likely to have a cancer diagnosis.

The conclusion, based on Dr. Ohar’s study, is that getting mesothelioma cancer caused by exposure to asbestos could possibly be attributed to a genetic predisposition and susceptibility to cancer-causing agents.  Genetic susceptibility alone does not determine a diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer; and exposure to asbestos does not always assure that a person will get mesothelioma cancer.  However, the combination of asbestos exposure, especially at a young age, with genetic predisposition and susceptibility increases the likelihood of a person developing mesothelioma cancer.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos fibers, especially in the workplace, and has received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you need to consult with an experienced asbestos mesothelioma lawyer to determine whether you may have an actionable case against the employer.

Related Mesothelioma Articles

Meso Causes

EPA Inspector General says Asbestos at All Levels Causes Mesothelioma

Beware of Asbestos Exposure Causes Mesothelioma Cancer

 

The Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in response to allegations that the Agency has authorized the use of unapproved methods to demolish buildings containing asbestos, has issued a warning reiterating previous findings that “asbestos is a human carcinogen with no safe level of exposure.”  Inspector General Arthur A. Elkins Jr. adds, “Asbestos exposure can lead to serious diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.”

Mesothelioma and other respiratory diseases result when asbestos is improperly managed. When asbestos fibers and dust become airborne they can put pedestrians and residents occupying areas near a demolition project at high risk of contracting a deadly, asbestos-related illnesses.  For that reason, experienced and certified contractors should always be hired to carry-out any asbestos abatement projects.

The EPA in 1974  issued asbestos management standards to protect human health from the adverse effects of exposure to asbestos, particularly when demolition of buildings is removing asbestos.  These standards demand that special trained technicians remove materials that contain asbestos prior to demolition except when a building is structurally unsafe to enter.  This is to mitigate the possibility that asbestos material will become dust particles being airborne and breathed by humans.  Inhalation of asbestos particles causes mesothelioma cancer 20 to 50 years after exposure.

But according to the recent December 2011 report, even the EPA has not complied with the guidelines it produced in 1974.  The EPA has allowed unapproved asbestos removal methods to be used or considered at multiple demolition sites.  These construction sites including the Hanford Superfund Site (near Richland, Washington) and a gaseous diffusion plant in Paducah, Kentucky are examples of two locations where questionable removal methods have been used, or are proposed to be used.

The EPA report states:

The current and proposed use of unapproved methods may jeopardize the health and safety of the public.

EPA Inspector General, Mr. Elkins says:

The use of unapproved methods is counter to EPA regulations, and the EPA should retract any approval for the use of alternative asbestos removal methods that deviate from the recognized standards.

Why?  Because asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a disease that kills between 2,500 and 3,000 people in the U.S. each year. Symptoms of mesothelioma, such as shortness of breath and chest pains, may take as many as 20 to 50 years to develop which is frequently a stage three or later.  Once diagnosed, mesothelioma progresses rapidly.

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America was founded in 2001 with a mission: fund research that leads to the quickest and surest cure for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by asbestos exposure. This cancer disease had few treatment options until this MesoRFA.org and Dr. Parkash Gill’s work created better treatment options. Today, the future looks more hopeful for additional improved treatment options available to those stricken by this cancer.

Submit your mesothelioma questions to Ask Dr. Parkash Gill to receive the oncologist’s Free response and opinion.

 

 

 

Meso Causes, Stories & News

Mesothelioma Risk Increases Along With Consumption of Asbestos Products

Asbestos is proven to cause deadly respiratory illnesses including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and countless other pulmonary diseases. For years, medical professionals, environmentalists, private interest groups, and others affected by the tragedy of mesothelioma have  tracked the continued use of asbestos products known to cause this disease.

The United States Geological Survey

The United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) has released its findings in their report Mineral Commodity Summaries 2012 and the results has caused mesothelioma advocates to be shocked.  This report indicates that the U.S. continues to increase the quantity of asbestos imported into the country.  An increase to importing this mineral is a serious offense because Asbestos is renown and proven to cause deadly respiratory illnesses including many pulmonary diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

For years there has been an outcry from the public calling for a ban on asbestos.  Many people understand that the only way to eliminate mesothelioma as well as other deadly diseases caused by asbestos is to eliminate exposure to this mineral.  On December 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a warning saying, “asbestos is a human carcinogen with no safe level of exposure.”

Linda Reinstein, co-founder and president of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), has prepared a  statement in which she states she “was appalled and shocked to discover”  a 34 percent increase in asbestos consumption from the years 2010 to 2011.  The Geological Survey Report states that industries in the United States consumed 820 metric tons of asbestos in 2010 from January through July, and then consumed 1,100 metric tons of asbestos for the same period in 2011 . This clearly a 34 percent increase in asbestos consumption.

The U.S.G.S. report indicates that the use of asbestos in 2011 and the preceding 5 years is the lowest it has been in the United States since 1909.  Additionally, the report shows that in 2011, U.S. apparent consumption increased by 6%, but it is unlikely to represent any resurgence in the asbestos industry.  According to the report and based on current trends, the consumption of asbestos within the United States is scheduled to remain near the 1,000-ton level into the future.

The U.S. depends 100% on asbestos imports rather than mining locally, with the primary sources coming from Canada (92%) and Zimbabwe (6%).  This means that miners in these countries also must be exposed to the deadly mineral in order to service the U.S. demand for asbestos import!

Reinstein issued an appeal to Congress and President Obama, saying:

On behalf of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), I am calling on Congress and the President to immediately prohibit the importation of raw asbestos and asbestos-containing products from crossing our borders to protect public health. I have lost my husband, Alan, to Mesothelioma, a disease caused from asbestos exposure. Nothing can bring him or the hundreds of thousands of other victims back to life, but we can begin by aggressively preventing exposure thus eliminating deadly diseases.

Mesothelioma is a deadly disease caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibers.  The Symptoms of mesothelioma often do not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos and include shortness of breath, pain in the chest, and a persistent cough.  Most cases of mesothelioma are not diagnosed until symptoms appear and the disease has progressed to an advanced stage leaving the patient with life-threatening complications.  Once the disease has reached an advanced stage, median survival is often less than one year.

ADAO was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004.   ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is the largest independent organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases.

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America was founded in 2001 with a mission: fund research that leads to the quickest and surest cure for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by asbestos exposure. This cancer disease had few treatment options until this MesoRFA.org and Dr. Parkash Gill’s work created better treatment options. Today, the future looks more hopeful for additional improved treatment options available to those stricken by this cancer.

Submit your mesothelioma questions to Ask Dr. Parkash Gill to receive the oncologist’s Free response and opinion.

Meso Causes

Mesothelioma Causes and Prevention

English:

 

Mesothelioma cancer is a rapidly increasing threat to many people, it  has already killed thousands of Americans, and it continues to be diagnosed at an alarming rate. One of the main reason for this rapid increase is because of the lack of awareness about this peculiar disease among the public.  A common question is how to prevent mesothelioma. Although most Americans are not yet aware of the threat of mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases, the family members and friends of mesothelioma victims are acutely concerned about how to prevent mesothelioma from striking others. The time is now urgent to raise concern.

Origins of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is closely related to the term Asbestos, a mineral used in many products that we encounter on a daily basis which is the main cause for this type of cancer. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the use of asbestos was cut back extensively by government regulation. But we must accept the truth that we all use Asbestos on day to day basis in our life. Places like School, Work places and in public building.

Asbestos At Work

If you have (or your loved one has) a job working with asbestos, it’s a good idea to either look for other work or try to ensure that all possible asbestos-related safety precautions are being followed. Some of the jobs that present the highest risk of mesothelioma cancer are: Asbestos manufacturing and removal, also known as asbestos abatement Insulation manufacturing, installation, and removal Factory workers Miners Construction workers Railroad workers Ship building and shipyard workers Gas mask manufacturers Automotive repair (brakes and clutches may contain asbestos)

Asbestos At Home

It’s possible to safely remove asbestos from your home by yourself, older homes may well contain materials with asbestos if you suspect that there is asbestos in your home. Be sure to check the sample of the building material tested in a laboratory. Look in a phone directory under “asbestos removal” for a place to start. The best bet may be to hire a certified asbestos abatement/removal contractor.

Asbestos In Public Buildings

Some theaters, schools, libraries, office buildings and other public buildings that were constructed before the 1980s have asbestos components. Asbestos that is in place and not disturbed is not thought to present a risk of mesothelioma cancer, but if you suspect that any of a building’s components (such as ceiling tiles or plumbing insulation) are becoming friable and dangerous, bring it to the attention of city authorities. Many municipalities have already begun campaigns to rid their aging schools of asbestos.

If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer, learn all that you can about this disease caused by asbestos exposure, and your options for finding a cure.

Contact the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, today.

Meso Cancer, Meso Causes

Mesothelioma: Causes and Treatments in Simple Terms

Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer that affects the body of many retired factory, military, shipyard and construction workers. While there are many aggravating factors that can worsen the severity of a mesothelioma case, it has been demonstrated with strong evidence to be primarily caused by exposure to asbestos.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma tumors affect the protective lining surrounding a great deal of the body’s internal organs. These tumors can lead to the development of severe chest pain, low blood sugar levels, fatigue, anemia, shortness of breath and even lung collapse. Mesothelioma tumors can spread all over the body, with the exception of the brain, skeletal system and adrenal glands. Mesothelioma symptoms can take a very long time to manifest, in some cases at least 15 years. The fact that some cases are not diagnosed until decades after the initial asbestos exposure that caused them makes the cancer very hard to treat or prevent.

How Does Asbestos Exposure Occur?

Asbestos is a general term for a wide range of minerals used throughout human history, and more recently in a variety of industrial settings. Its efficiency as a cheap insulator led to it becoming very popular in homes built before the 1970s, as well as military ships during World War II. In their raw mineral form, small asbestos particles can easily become airborne, where they pose a huge risk of being inhaled. Inside the body, these abrasive dust fragments lead to the development of cancers. Many shipyard workers and factory personnel were exposed to asbestos long before the correlation between asbestos and mesothelioma was commonly noted. Modern workers who renovate older buildings are also at risk for mesothelioma inducing asbestos exposure.

How to detect Mesothelioma and What to do About it?

Diagnosis of this desease is complicated by the similarity of mesothelioma symptoms to a many other common diseases. Generaly, a complete detailed review of a patient’s medical history as well as their occupational history and experience is necessary in obtaining an accurate diagnosis. The historic study is usually followed by thorough physical examinations including chest X-rays, lung function tests and CT scans or MRIs.

There are few treatments  for mesothelioma that can provide some sort of cure by themselves, and surgery has proven frequently ineffective on mesothelioma.   Chemotherapy is the most commonly administered effective therapy, and immunotherapy treatments have provided various results, some of which were in fact successful.  There are clinical trials of new treatments that are in Phase II and Phase III study that are proving to be very hopeful of a cure to mesothelioma cancer.

Get more information about Asbestos Exposure, here!

Get more information about Mesothelioma Causes and Treatments, here!

 

 

 

Meso Causes

Erionite, Mesothelioma and Genetics: Dr. Michele Carbone

Erionite is a fibrous zeolite mineral, and its dust is categorized as a class I carcinogenic agent for its causative role in mesothelioma.

Erionite-associated disease can occur in North America and that subjects with erionite exposure are not only at risk of developing mesothelioma, but may develop interstitial fibrosis and additional pulmonary pathology impacting lung function and patient survival.

Dr. Michele Carbone and researchers from the University of Hawaii Cancer Center identify genetic mutation that increases susceptibility to mesothelioma and potentially other forms of cancer caused by Erionite.
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