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Mesothelioma And The Dangers Of Asbestos

What is mesothelioma? In short, it's a kind of cancer. It has been linked to asbestos and is commonly found in people who have been exposed to this substance in the past. Most people who develop the disease are elderly men, at retirement age. This is probably because these men are likely to have worked with asbestos thirty to fifty years ago, prior to the implementation of modern precautions.

And since asbestos particles can become trapped within hair and clothes, they can also spread to others. For this reason, there is another group of mesothelioma patients who did not work with asbestos themselves, but who came into regular contact with people who worked with mesothelioma.

This type of cancer is unfortunately hard to treat and may not be responsive to standard cancer therapies. Moreover, the symptoms (weight loss, difficulty breathing, fever, cough, etc.) can masquerade as any number of diseases, making diagnosis difficult.

If you have been exposed to asbestos in the past you should be sure to let your doctor know about it. Especially if you worked with asbestos in an unsafe manner, without the protective chemical suits and masks that asbestos workers are now required to wear, you could be at risk. Or if you were in regular contact with an asbestos worker, also tell your doctor.

Mesothelioma is so called because it affects cells in the mesothelium, which is the outer layer of our stomach, lungs and heart. There are therefore three main types of mesothelioma, depending on which of these organs is affected.

The most common organ to be affected is the lung - probably because the particles were breathed in and trapped in the lung. This type is called pleural mesothelioma and the symptoms that normally come with it are breathing difficulties, short breathing, swallowing problems, weight loss, and fever.

Mesothelioma that affects the abdomen or stomach is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Here the symptoms are somewhat different, including vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, swollen or painful belly, and weight loss.

If the heart is the organ affected then symptoms might include breathing problems, heart palpitations, and bad coughing. This mesothelioma is called pericardial mesothelioma and is the rarest form.

Prognosis is best if the disease is caught early, as with most types of cancer. That's why it's so important to talk to your physician about your medical history and prior exposure to asbestos. But mesothelioma in general has a poor sucess rate, especially when caught later.

Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Also, there are several palliative therapy treatments available that can help alleviate pain associated with the disease.

As with other cancers, there are many mesothelioma treatment clinical trials currently underway around the globe. Doctors and scientists are constantly searching for new ways to treat even such devastating cancers as this one.

The good news is that mesothelioma is easily preventable. Just make sure to stay far away from asbestos, or from people who work with asbestos in unsafe circumstances. Asbestos itself is not dangerous until it is broken up, which causes its particles to be released into the air.

Since it used to be very common in the construction industry it's not uncommon to find it in buildings, especially in roofs or walls. If you think you have asbestos in your home, don't try to fix the problem on your own. Call in a professional, since removing and getting rid of the material yourself is against the law. Getting help with this matter may cost a bit more than doing it yourself, but it's well worth it.

Author Melinda Brindine has worked extensively with sufferers of mesothelioma. She runs the online community, Mesothelioma Y, to warn and inform people of the dangers of mesothelioma. If you would like to understand more about mesothelioma then visit http://www.mesotheliomay.com

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