10 Meetups About Mesothelioma From Asbestos You Should Attend

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
The people who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of ingesting asbestos fibers. These fibers penetrate the lining of the chest cavity or abdomen, also referred to as the peritoneum and pleura.
Exposure to asbestos can increase the chance of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma, or peritoneal cancer throughout your life. Although the risk is believed to diminish after more than 40 years of exposure, even a small amount of asbestos exposure can be dangerous.
Age
The older a person gets when exposed, the higher the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue around major organs in the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, which means they grow out of control and cause tumors. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in people who have been exposed to asbestos in their work or as a member of someone who worked with asbestos.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, as it irritates mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the linings of the lungs however, it may also affect the abdomen's lining, peritoneum and the lining of the heart.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral is strong and heat resistant. It was used in construction as insulation, construction, and other industrial applications until the 1980s. During this time many millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos because of their work or being close to an exposed loved one.
When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into air. They are too hard for the body's system to break them down or process. The fibers could get stuck in the lungs and cause irritation that may lead to cancer.
The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not manifest for a long time after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms are similar to other cancers, and may be fatal without treatment.
Mesothelioma affects men more often than women, and it is the most frequently diagnosed in those over 45. Shipbuilders, miners, railroad workers, and those who installed or handled asbestos-containing products are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in the workplace. The asbestos on the clothing of these workers could put their family members at risk.
Smoking
The chances of a person developing mesothelioma rises the longer they're exposed to asbestos. This is due to the long latency period which can last between 20 and 60 year from the first exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma can occur in different areas of the body based on the type and amount of asbestos present. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining between the lung cavity and the chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdominal lining, also known as the peritoneum.
Most often, people who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma in the chest or lung. People who worked in the shipbuilding, power generation and construction sectors are the most at risk. Mesothelioma is also a possibility for those who have been exposed at home or in schools to asbestos. This is due to the fact that children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos can bring the fibers to their clothing hair, skin and even their hair which puts them at risk too.
Mesothelioma patients are usually white and older than 65. They are more likely to have had an occupation with a blue collar or military background. Asbestos was used extensively by the United States Navy and other branches of the military due to its resistance to flames. Many veterans were exposed to asbestos.
When DNA mutations occur, they can cause cells to grow uncontrolled. This leads to the formation of tumors, which then transform into mesothelioma. The disease can affect any part of the body, however the majority of cases occur in the abdomen or chest.
Smoking is not a cause of mesothelioma. However, it can increase the risk of getting this cancer by increasing the amount of asbestos an individual inhales. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should stop smoking cigarettes.
A person's treatment plan for mesothelioma must also include a doctor who is familiar with asbestos exposure and risk factors. A mesothelioma specialist can help determine the best treatment for this rare cancer. The doctor will be able determine if a patient is eligible for experimental treatments or immunotherapy.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is used in a variety of items like flooring, roofing and insulation. Workers who handle, make or work on asbestos-containing products are at a high risk of exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to cancer and other illnesses.
Many asbestos-related illnesses are not recognized until it is too late because there is an extended period of time between exposure and the onset of symptoms. Mesothelioma is the most hazardous asbestos disease. Mesothelioma symptoms can manifest between 20 and 60 years after asbestos exposure.
The most common way people are exposed to asbestos is through occupational exposure. Construction, manufacturing, electrical and automotive mechanic jobs all involve handling asbestos-related parts and materials. However, people can also be exposed to asbestos through home activities, such as smoking cigarettes or the renovation of older homes that contain asbestos.
Most mesothelioma cases result by asbestos inhalation. Asbestos particles that are inhaled can enter the lungs and cause irritation to the pleura, the lining of the lungs. This irritation can result in thickened patches of pleura (pleural plates) and fibrosis within the lung. As the disease progresses it may cause fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (pleural effusion) and ultimately to lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the linings of other organs such as the heart or abdomen.
People who are exposed to asbestos in their work are at the greatest chance of developing mesothelioma. People with a family history or mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses are also at risk. The risk of a person being diagnosed with asbestos is increased if they were exposed to asbestos in multiple positions during their lifetime. Smoking cigarettes doesn't increase the risk of mesothelioma, however it can make the condition worse for those who have already been diagnosed. If you have had a history of exposure asbestos and experience mesothelioma, quitting smoking can prolong your life and improve your treatment outcome. It is essential to inform your doctor about the exposure to asbestos as well as any new signs, such as shortness of breath or abdominal pain, because they can treat the disease by undergoing surgery or medication.
Genetics
Many cancers have a genetic connection that means a person's genes can increase their chances of developing a particular disease. Mesothelioma however does not have a gene component. Instead asbestos exposure is the primary factor.
Asbestos fibers can get into the body via swallowing or inhalation, and then stick to the tissues of the abdomen, chest or heart. These fibers that are loose can cause damage to the cells that comprise these small linings over time. This can lead to mesothelioma.
Despite this, mesothelioma does not affect every person who is exposed. Researchers believe that other aspects can influence whether someone develops mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. This includes the person's gender, age, gender, the family history of mesothelioma as well as other illnesses, as and any other risk factors such smoking.
Men are more likely than women to develop mesothelioma. This could be due to the fact that men were more likely than women to have been exposed directly to asbestos in the workplace. Also, it takes between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma develop after a person's first exposure to asbestos.
Another risk factor for mesothelioma is having a faulty gene. In a study looking at two families with high rates of mesothelioma, scientists found that nearly everyone in the family was affected by a defective gene located on the short arm of the chromosome 3. YouTube is known as BAP 1 and regulates the way calcium moves within cells. When a gene is not functioning properly this process is disrupted and calcium levels drop. This enables asbestos to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.
Mutations in a gene can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. The mutated gene causes a decrease in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.
Other factors that increase a person's chance of mesothelioma are the type of asbestos they were exposed to and their work. Additionally the polio vaccine that was given to children in the 1940s and 1950s may increase the risk of mesothelioma in a person by exposing them to cancer-causing SV40 virus.