Mesothelioma - Chances of Getting Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure

The chance of developing mesothelioma increases with exposure to asbestos. However, it's not well known if the risk decreases once exposure has ended.

A mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers are trapped in the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). There are several types of mesothelioma. This includes:

Age

A person's chances of getting mesothelioma are based on a variety of factors. This includes the age of the first exposure to asbestos as well as the type of asbestos, and the length of exposure. The symptoms of mesothelioma generally begin in the lungs and later spread to other parts of the body. So, people who have been exposed to asbestos in the lungs are more likely to develop the condition. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the abdomen's lining the peritoneum, are less likely to develop mesothelioma.

The more severe mesothelioma becomes, the more old the person who is diagnosed. This is due to the 20-60 year time 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 into an impermeable substance. Between the 1930s to 1980s its flexibility and strength made asbestos a sought-after material. During this time, millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos via secondary or occupational exposure. Occupational exposure occurs when workers are exposed to asbestos settlement in their work. Secondary exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are carried to home via hair, clothing or skin and inhaled by family members.

Once inhaled, asbestos fibers irritate the lining of the lungs and other organs such as the heart. This irritation can cause scarring, inflammation, and the mutation of healthy cells to cancerous cells over the course of time.

Mesothelioma is primarily a cancer of the pleura which is the tissue that protects the lungs. It can also affect other parts of the body, such as the stomach and the heart.

People who have a blue-collar or military background are more likely to be exposed asbestos when they work in specific industries or in the military. However those who have been exposed to asbestos at home or from other sources could also be at risk.

People with the BAP1 mutation also have a higher chance of developing mesothelioma. These individuals are usually diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 70.

Gender

Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma more than women. This is due to the fact that males were employed in industries that were more prone to asbestos exposure. They may also have carried home the asbestos fibers on their clothing from work places. Asbestos is most often found in mines and factories which produce asbestos products such as insulation, pipes tiles, cement and tiles the most at risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also be found in those who repair or construct automobile and railroad products and also those who built ships and manufactured masks. Exposure to chrysotile, the most well-known type of asbestos is typically associated with mesothelioma.

The likelihood of developing mesothelioma increases depending on the duration and severity of exposure to asbestos. Most mesothelioma cases occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos for 30 or more years. The length of time a person's latency may differ based on their gender and type of asbestos exposure.

It isn't clear why women have a higher latency for mesothelioma. One reason is that many of the women with mesothelioma were domestic workers and could have come into contact with asbestos from washing the clothes of their fathers, husbands and brothers.

In the past, when mesothelioma was more prevalent, asbestos was used in a variety of domestic and commercial building materials. The fibers were used in pipe coatings, drywalls, paints, and cements. Many of these materials were employed in workplaces and homes in which asbestos was frequently disturbed during construction or renovations.

While mesothelioma was used as an industrial substance, asbestos litigation was found in many types of structures, including schools, churches, hospitals, and offices. Many of these buildings were constructed before the 1980s, when asbestos was banned.

Asbestos is a nebulous substance, so researchers continue to study its health effects, especially mesothelioma. Research is looking into how asbestos affects the lungs as well as the gastrointestinal tract, which is where mesothelioma typically affects patients. They are also examining how different factors can affect mesothelioma incidence, such as gender and exposure to asbestos.

Work History

A person is most likely to get mesothelioma from asbestos exposure if they worked in an industry where asbestos was used for many years. Asbestos was used extensively in building and construction particularly from the 1920s through 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 strong and heat-resistant, which makes it suitable for a variety of products. The fibers of asbestos are used for insulation, brake pads and roofing, to name a few. When asbestos is disturbed or cut and released, it releases tiny particles that can be breathed in or swallowed.

Mesothelioma generally takes between 20 and 60 years after exposure to develop, but it can develop much earlier than that. It can be found in the lungs, in the chest wall (peritoneal mesothelioma pleural) or the abdomen.

People with a family history of mesothelioma also have higher risks of the disease, though it's not known the reason. Mesothelioma is linked to a mutation in the gene BAP1 but it's a rare.

A person is also 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 referred to as secondary exposure. Workers in industries that have high exposure to asbestos are at risk of bringing home-grown fibers onto their shoes and clothing. The fibers can be inhaled by family members or consumed at home.

Asbestosis, a related lung condition to mesothelioma typically occurs as a result of breathing in asbestos fibers. Asbestosis typically develops in the lungs and can cause fluid accumulation around the ribcage as well as breathing problems, a cough, chest pain, and an ribcage lump.

Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, due to the fact that asbestos was used extensively here throughout the years in construction manufacturing, mining and manufacturing. A doctor first identified the link between asbestos and mesothelioma in 1930, which prompted England to adopt laws regulating asbestos in the 1930s. These regulations forced companies to install ventilation equipment as well as other safety equipment.

Smoking

Mesothelioma, as with many cancers, is caused by cells that receive faulty genetic information. They multiply without being checked. When these cells are located in the lungs (pleura), abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or the heart (pericardium), they can cause abnormal growths, referred to as tumors. There is no cure for mesothelioma. However there are a variety of factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease.

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor. The asbestos fibers inhaled into the lungs irritate the lung's lining and chest wall, which could cause mesothelioma. People exposed to asbestos at work are more likely to developing mesothelioma than people who were not exposed. The type of asbestos the person was exposed to is also a significant factor. Different types of asbestos have a different impact on the lungs as well as a individual's health. For example, chrysotile asbestos poses a greater risk of mesothelioma compared to amphiboles, such as amosite or crocidolite.

A person's mesothelioma history in the family is also a factor in the risk of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is not common in younger adults and children, but it can develop in young adults if they were an adult who worked with asbestos. Individuals who are mesothelioma sufferer or who has mesothelioma have an increased risk of developing the disease because they are more likely to inhale asbestos fibers on hair, skin and clothing.

The nature of the work that a person did can also influence the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. Workers who worked on power plants, ships or other places 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 risk than others.

The person's race, gender, age and gender could also play a role in the mesothelioma experience. Men and those with a family history of mesothelioma are more likely to develop mesothelioma. This is because women are less likely to work in asbestos-related industries, and men typically were more likely than others to be exposed to asbestos in the workplace.