Mesothelioma Cancer Main Factors

Mesothelioma cancer can strike anyone, but appears more often in men than in women. It is a disease mainly linked to asbestos and smoke, since most people who have worked on jobs where they breathed in asbestos particles, have developed this pathology.

Experts believe that smoking does not seem to be a directly related risk for developing the disease only by its own, but its combination with asbestos exposure increases the risk of Mesothelioma, so stop smoking if you are exposed to asbestos in your workplace.

According to statistics eight out of ten of all reported cases were exposed to asbestos, however there are cases of people that have not had any exposure to the fibers of this mineral.

Therefore, the main risk factor for developing Mesothelioma can be found in asbestos, a group of fibrous metamorphic minerals which have an special resistance to fire. Asbestos have been exploited for a variety of purposes, such as industrial products, roof shingles and flooring products.

However, some uses of asbestos are banned in many countries, since it is known that the inhalation of some kinds of asbestos fibers can cause various illnesses, including Mesothelioma, lung, larynx and kidney cancer and asbestosis, a chronic lung ailment, but a non cancerous pathology.

Most asbestos fibers are invisible to the unaided human eye and the problem increases because just one asbestos fiber can become the source of hundreds of thinner and smaller fibers over time. As they get smaller and lighter, they become more mobile and more easily to be driven and carried by the air.

That is why people who work in asbestos mines and mills or producing asbestos products must wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure, according to acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United States.

In order to reduce your chance of getting ill with some of the asbestos-related diseases if you are a asbestos worker, is not only to wear the proper clothes and equipment, but also take a shower and change your clothing before leaving the workplace to diminish the possibility of dust brought home on your clothing or hair.

Hector Milla

What is Mesothelioma (Asbestos Cancer)?

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is believed to affect around 2000 people in the UK each year. It develops when the cells of the mesothelium (a thin membrane that covers the chest and abdomen) start to multiply in a rapid and uncontrollable way and can take up to 60 years to fully develop. In this article I will be discussing this type of cancer in greater detail.

As I already said asbestos cancer develops in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is actually divided into two parts. The first is the pleura which lines the lungs. The pleura is comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer which slide over each other as you breath. If it develops in this area it is known as pleural mesothelioma and it causes the two layers to become thicker. The second is the peritoneum which lines the abdomen and it also has an inner layer and an outer layer. If it affects this area it is known as peritoneal mesothelioma and it also causes these layers to become thicker.

Both types can be very painful and lead to a number of undesirable symptoms. Pleural mesothelioma can cause breathlessness, coughing and chest pain. It can also lead to pleural effusion where lubricating fluid in the lungs becomes trapped between the inner and outer layers of the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma can lead to abdominal pain, bowel problems and it swelling in the abdomen.

Almost every asbestos cancer diagnosis is caused by exposure to that very substance. In the past asbestos was a very popular construction material in the UK. However, as people became more knowledgeable they learnt about the dangers associated with this material. In particular they discovered that the very fine fibres that make up asbestos are easily released when the material is handled. This led to a complete ban on the importing and use of asbestos being imposed in the UK in 1999.

Asbesos cancer is a very rare type of cancer and is believed to affect one person in every million. However, it can be deadly. If you have previously been exposed to asbestos you should go see your doctor right away and explain your concerns. Even if it turns out that you do not have this type of cancer it is better to be safe than sorry.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Mesothelioma is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Tom Parker

Asbestos Cancer - What is It?

The mining and use of asbestos started in the latter 1800's. It has been used to make cement stronger, as roofing, insulation, fireproofing, and to soundproof. In shipbuilding they use it for insulation of hot water pipes, steam pipes, and boilers. It is used in brake shoes and clutch pads. This building material has been used in homes, factories, and public buildings.

Asbestos cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos, which are fibrous minerals. For a long time it was considered safe. But it is a carcinogen and being around it causes lung cancer and colorectal cancer amongst others. Close to ten thousand people in the United States die from its carcinogenic effect each year.

Mesothelioma is rare and is not usually cured. It's the most typical kind of cancer caused by being close to asbestos. As many as thirty percent of the people diagnosed with mesothelioma had no clue that they had been exposed to the carcinogen. This illness attacks the mesothelium; this is the gossamer lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart.

It causes two kind of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell. Eighty percent of this form of lung cancer is non-small cell. The symptoms of this disease normally occur years beyond the time of exposure like mesothelioma and other types of asbestos cancer.

Asbestosis is a lung illness caused by exposure to asbestos. It damages and scars the lungs and later the lungs can't expand and contract correctly. It is a kind of pulmonary fibrosis and it takes up to thirty years to show up. If the exposure to the asbestos is stopped the fibrosis discontinues. Though asbestosis has similar symptoms to other breathing disorders it develops differently over extended periods of time.

The symptoms of asbestosis are:

• Shortness of breath if exerted and later at rest
• Tolerance for exercise or physical activity decreases
• Chest hurts
• Chest is tight
• Sometimes finger clubbing

There are other factors to consider when calculating the risk of developing an asbestos cancer or asbestosis. If someone smokes this can increase his risk of getting an asbestos related illness. Development of an associated illness like non-malignant, pleural lung diseases caused by asbestos can help induce lung cancer and smoking plus the asbestos factor are a combination that increases the chances of developing lung cancer more than either carcinogen alone.

These are the symptoms of asbestos induced illnesses:

• Hoarseness
• Wheezing
• Persistent cough
• Blood in liquid coughed from lungs
• Chest pain or it gets tight
• Hard to swallow
• Face and neck swells
• Lose appetite
• Lose weight
• Anemic
• Headaches
  
• Fatigue

The asbestos still used for commercial purposes is known to cause cancer including gastrointestinal and other forms of lung disease. The statistics for asbestos related diseases have risen in the last twenty years. It is thought that it has now slowed down because of more awareness of the danger. There is still disagreement as to whether there is a threshold level of exposure that causes illness from asbestos; some think any level is dangerous.

Ian Pennington

Seeking Support from a Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you are reading this article, you probably are concerned about yourself, a loved one, or a friend who has been diagnosed (or died) with some form of mesothelioma. Many people who have just been diagnosed with an asbestos related mesothelioma cancer are in shock and have many different things to think about.

Some of the issues and concerns on your mind may include the prognosis for your recovery, the different types of treatments that are available to you, how your symptoms will progress, how sick will you become with the disease, and, maybe most on your mind is, how you and your family will be able to live if you are unable to work and earn a living let alone how you will be able to pay the medical bills.

One of the first things to take under consideration is how to determine what type of lawyer is the most capable in dealing with issues of mesothelioma. Picking the right attorney is the key to your success in this undertaking.

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal several years ago saying that the average settlement or award on a mesothelioma lawsuit is around $1,000,000. It is the general practice that the mesothelioma lawyer receives 40% of the settlement or award amount for their work. The article went on to say that many of the lawsuits settle out of court but if a case does go to court, the typical settlement in 2001 was $6,000,000.

Given these figures, it is not surprising that mesothelioma attorneys work diligently to recruit mesothelioma patients or families, so it is critical for you to be sure you take your time in your selection of a lawyer to represent your case and to only select one that feels right to you.

There are many mesothelioma attorneys to choose from so you do not have to select the first one in the phone book or that first one that comes up on a google internet search for mesothelioma lawyers.

You may be wondering why you have legal rights associated with the disease of mesothelioma when other forms of cancer do not have these protections. This is an excellent question and the answer is, f you have mesothelioma you may have fallen prey to the greed that overtook corporations who used asbestos products in their line of work.

Corporations knew 60 years ago about the risks associated with asbestos but many of them did nothing to inform their employees of the risk nor did they begin using alternative products. There have been cases of people acquiring mesothelioma from inhaling the fibers brought in on the clothes of a family member. Laws have been put into place to protect those who have been harmed and/or died from asbestos exposure.

If you feel you have been a victim of asbestos exposure, here are a few questions to think about as you decide which mesothelioma attorney or law firm to use.

Experience Questions

• When you meet with a mesothelioma attorney, inquire about what personal experience he has had in defending patients with mesotheluoma. You want the attorney to tell you exactly how many clients he has handled personally and how many his firm has handled.
• Ask how many cases were settled out of court and how many went to trial. Be sure to include a question about the outcome of each case

Case Management Questions

• Find out if the law firm, or attorney, handles the mesothelioma cases themselves or whether he refers clients to other law firms and receives a percentage of the final settlement fee in exchange for this referral.

What Happens During the Lawsuit Process and Attorney Fees?

• It is important that you ask the attorney what the lawsuit process will look like, how long it will take, and how the attorney expects to be paid. Typically this process takes many months and sometimes even years.
• It is common that attorneys front the initial costs for the clients and make up their compensation when the settlement or trial if completed. It may happen in some cases, where a settlement or award is made, that the attorney earns no money for his time and effort.

A great deal is at stake if you actually do qualify for legal compensation so be sure to interview several attorneys and make a selection on their answers to your questions and on how you feel about them as your advocate.

Tim Dillard

Pleural Mesothelioma: Cancer of the Lining of the Lungs

If you look in a medical dictionary you will read that a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura is called pleural mesothelioma. Often times you may hear physicians describe this type of mesothelioma as cancer of the pleura. A fairly generalized misunderstanding of pleural mesothelioma is that it a form of primary lung cancer and this I not the case.

In actuality, pleural mesothelioma affects the serous membranes of the lungs and thus the cancer settles into these membranes which line a number of organs located around the body's midsection - including the lungs. What is common about this cancer is that it the serous membranes of the lungs are most often affected and when this occurs, someone is said to have pleural mesothelioma.

It is common to hear the term asbestos related lung cancer. To be scientifically accurate this is a misnomer because mesothelioma does not originate in the lungs - it originates in the lining or membrane surrounding the lungs. A very common confusion is made with the diagnosis called Asbestosis which is a type of asbestos lung disease that does originate in the lungs so it is not surprising it is mistaken for mesothelioma.

As mentioned earlier, the serous membrane can be affected in organs other than the lungs and when this occurs in the abdomen, the disease is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma is another disease caused when the serous membrane surrounding the heart is cancerous. The term secondary lung cancer is used to describe the situation when mesothelioma has spread from the membranes or lining encircling the lung, abdomen or heart organs to the lung itself.

When reading about pleural mesothelioma you will find that another name or description of it is asbestos lung cancer. Again, this is technically inaccurate as pleural mesothelioma does not stem from the lungs but from the membrane surround the lung. Research indicates that 75% of mesothelioma cancers are cases of pleural mesothelioma.

The opportunity for pleural mesothelioma to develop is created by inhaling asbestos fibers which put down roots, so to speak in the lining or pleura of the lungs. As the fibers stay embedded in the membrane they begin to create a situation of chronic inflammation which over times leads to the development off cancer cells and tumors. In some situations this can also lead to asbestosis.

The most common presentation of pleural mesothelioma cancer is seen as multiple tumor growths of the pleura which affect what is called the parietal surface (inside near the lung) and the visceral surface (outside away from the lung). It is more common to find that parietal surface involvement than visceral.
Data indicates there is slightly higher incidence of mesothelioma found in the right lung than the left and it is postulated that this is a result of the inherent larger size of right lungs. There is also data to show that lower lungs have more tumor growths than upper lungs. The theory that explains this is related to gravity and that there is a greater potential for the asbestos fibers to settle lower in the lungs.

Unfortunately, mesothelioma is a disease that can take decades to be discovered thus, because of this lengthy latency period, by the time a patient is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, the tumor growths are quite large. Because of the advanced development and size of these tumors, the lungs have become completed destroyed by them and the tumors may have progressed from the pleura of the lung to the heart and abdomen. It is not uncommon for this volatile disease to even attack the body's lymph node and blood systems.

Chest pain is by and large the most frequent symptom of pleural mesothelioma. The pain though frequently is not directly linked with the lung pleura but will appear to generate from the shoulder or upper abdomen. Another typical symptom of pleural meothelioma is shortness of breath described as dyspnea. A cough may occur as well as weight loss to the point of anorexia in particular patients.

As the pleural mesothelioma cancer tumors develop quickly and increase the pleural space, it begins to collect fluid which causes discomfort or pain. This pain is often the catalyst that sends someone to their physician for help and what sets up the situation for the diagnosis of the disease.

There is an assortment of treatment options and are being developed these include: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Tim Dillard

Understanding Mesothelioma Cancer - Causes and Symptoms

Mesothelioma is cancer that affects the mesothelium which is the lining or membrane that protects and covers most of the internal organs in the body cavity. The first layer encircles the organ and the second layer forms a sac for protection. There is a lubricating fluid present between the layers to facilitate movement. The mesothelium is called pericardium when it covers the heart, pleura when covering the lungs and peritoneum when covering the abdominal organs.

In mesothelioma there is uncontrolled cell division which leads to the extra cell masses invading the nearby tissues and organs and causing damage. Mostly it is observed that mesothelioma begins in the pleura or the peritoneum. The cancer then metastasizes to other parts of the body.

Mesothelioma occurs mostly due to exposure to asbestos. This is considered to be the major risk factor. 70% to 80% of sufferers have a history of exposure to asbestos. There are exceptions to this and cases have been reported where asbestos exposure was found not to exist. The condition is more common in men as compared to women. It has also been found that risk increases with age.

Mesothelioma is a very rare. Mostly said to be associated with workplace exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a collection of minerals that can be made to exist as strong masses of sheets or flexible fibers. It is widely used in industrial products like cement, roofs, flooring products, textiles, brake linings and insulation. Tiny particles of asbestos float in the air and can be inhaled or swallowed by the people exposed to it like the workers in manufacturing companies etc.

Continuous exposure over a period can lead to asbestosis. Exposure to asbestosis increases the risk of developing mesothelioma and other types of cancer like that of kidney and larynx. There are acceptable levels of asbestos exposure that have been brought into effect in workplaces using the mineral. Another very interesting aspect of mesothelioma is that family members of people exposed asbestos in their work place show an increased incidence of this cancer as compared to others. This has been attributed to the fact that the remnants of asbestos particles adhering to the clothes, hair etc when brought home can expose the family members to it.

The cancer takes around thirty to forty years to surface. The initial symptoms include shortness of breath, and pain in the chest if it is the pleura that are affected. If the cancer is in the peritoneum then there is weight loss, abdominal swelling and pain, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, bowel obstruction. Fever, anemia and blood clotting irregularities have also been observed. In severe cases there is swelling of the neck and face, trouble swallowing and severe pain.

Diagnosis of mesothelioma is very difficult since there are no specific symptoms. A medical history review would be very valuable since asbestos exposure needs to be determined. X rays of chest, abdomen, lung function tests, scans, MRI are the usual tools that help in confirming the diagnosis. Biopsy is done for the final confirmation and treatment includes chemotherapy and radiations.

To Your Health!

Dr. James S. Pendergraft

Caring For a Mesothelioma Patient

It is estimated that approximately 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Because the latency period (the period of time between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma) is long, people who were exposed to asbestos even decades ago are currently developing the disease. Another variable that is extremely important to a patients out look is his or her overall health at the time of diagnosis. Generally the healthier a patient is, the better he or she will react to cancer treatments, and the greater the chances of longer survival. It may take some time for the diagnosis to be made.

A mesothelioma patient is an individual who has been exposed to toxic asbestos fibers in the last fifty years. Workers in the factory, construction, custodial, automotive, railroad, and shipyard industries are all at risk for developing mesothelioma.

As a mesothelioma patient, you will confront medical costs and related financial demands in addition to the emotional and physical problems of having a serious disease. Diagnosing and treating mesothelioma is expensive. There are a number of changes that are expected to occur in a mesothelioma patient. A lung transplant is a possible treatment option for a mesothelioma patient whose respiratory health has deteriorated to a level at which doctors predict that the patient will not live long without a healthy replacement lung. However, lung transplant surgery is a major undertaking.

Some doctors and medical centers have extensive experience with treating mesothelioma patients. Some cancer centers have experience with all types of cancer. Most often, the hospice care is provided to a mesothelioma patient at his or her home, allowing patients to spend their last days in the comfort of their homes their families present.

For the caregiver of a mesothelioma patient, life will change drastically. This person will not only work tirelessly to physically tend to the mesothelioma sufferer, but will also be involved in numerous decisions about this person and their disease. Most reports indicate that the average age of a mesothelioma patient is 60.

There are groups available to support loved ones of mesothelioma patients. Consult with your doctor to find the best support groups for you and your loved ones.

Renee Dietz

10 Important Facts About Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Exposure to Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Almost all cases of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a natural mineral which is mined from rock found in many countries around the world. It is made up of tiny fibres as strong as steel, woven like cotton and highly resistant to heat, chemicals and electricity.

The first definite link between mesothelioma and asbestos was made in the 1960s. At that time, asbestos was very widely used in the manufacture of insulation materials, such as insulation board and building materials, including cement.

When asbestos is damaged or disturbed, it releases tiny fibres, almost invisible to the naked eye, which, when airborne can breathed in, and cannot be exhaled or coughed out. Once the fibres are in the lungs, the body's defense mechanism tries to break them down and remove them, which leads to inflammation in the lung's tissue.

Asbestos fibres can also penetrate through the lung tissue to settle in the pleura (the membrane around the lung). Over many years they can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma or other lung diseases to develop. Asbestos fibres can also be swallowed, and some of the fibres become lodged in the digestive system. They will then move into the membrane that lines the abdomen (the peritoneum), where they cause inflammation.

Those individuals most likely to have been exposed to asbestos will include: construction workers, boilermakers, construction workers, demolition workers, electricians, plumbers, shipbuilders etc. Family members of those who worked with asbestos and unwittingly brought asbestos dust home on their clothes, will also be at risk and have also been known to developed mesothelioma.

There are three types of asbestos and these are: blue, brown and white. The blue and brown asbestos types are most commonly linked with mesothelioma, and are now very rarely used. However, although originally, white asbestos was thought not to be dangerous, recent studies have shown that it is also harmful.

Although by 1999 the importation and use of all asbestos was banned, and because mesothelioma develops so slowly, it is estimated that by the year 2015, approximately 3000 people will have been diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. After this time, the number of people who develop mesothelioma will begin to fall annually.

Mesothelioma does not typically develop for many years after the initial exposure to asbestos. Although it can take anything from 10 to 60 years, the average time is around 30 to 40 years after asbestos exposure.

Occasionally, mesothelioma will be diagnosed in people who have never had any history of asbestos exposure. Other causes of the disease are to date not fully understood, but in rare cases mesothelioma has been linked to radiation exposure.

Research has found no evidence that smoking increases an individual's risk of developing mesothelioma. It is understood that exposure to other building materials, for example fibreglass also will not increase the risk. Mesothelioma is not a contagious disease and therefore cannot be passed on to other individuals. Family members are only at risk when in contact with asbestos particles.

Trevor Taylor

Treatments For Mesothelioma

Since mesothelioma is a form of cancer, treatments used to treat mesothelioma are the same with typical cancer treatments. Several factors that need to be considered when giving treatments to cancer patients include the extent of the disease, the seriousness of the disease, the patient's age, health condition and medical history record. The common treatments for cancer are radiotherapy, chemotherapy, palliative therapy, surgery, and the combination of the above.

Surgery is the most common treatment for cancer patients. The surgery involves removing the abdomen and its nearby tissue. As for the case of pleural mesothelioma, a surgery called pneumonectomy will be done which involves removing the patient's lung, part of the diaphragm, or the lung's nearby tissue.

Radiotherapy refers to treatment of cancer by radiation. This radiation is produced by the high-tech medical equipment that applies high energy x-rays or similar rays to destroy the cancer cells or malignant tumors in the treated area. At the same time, the patient's normal cells are destroyed as well.

Chemotherapy refers to treatment of cancer by using anticancer drugs. These anticancer drugs are injected into the patient's vein to battle and kill the cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy is often used when the cancer disease has spread to the bigger extent of the body.

Another therapy called Palliative therapy, which involves using suction and needle to drain excess fluid from the cancer patient's lung. The Palliative therapy is not a curative therapy. It cannot give cure to the patient but it can help the patient decrease pain suffering experience.

When it comes to mesothelioma treatments, the combination of the above treatments are often used. However, these treatments are typical cancers treatments and they are not really efficient when treating patients. Therefore, patients are sometimes offered to conduct clinical trials that run by medical professionals in line with mesothelioma medical research. Of course, patients who conducting these clinical trials, may hope that someday in the future, these medical professionals can discover an effective treatment or drugs can that treat mesothelioma.

John Khoo

Essential Facts of Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Despite the efforts of numerous health agencies throughout the world in trying to educate the public on the definition and effects of mesothelioma, it is unfortunate that there still exist a large majority of the local population in trying to comprehend such efforts. With this article, I hope that certain facts can be spelled out much more clearly in as simple terminology as possible.

To start off, mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant or cancerous cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of our body's internal organs. At present, statistics have proven that a majority of people who suffer from mesothelioma, have had first contact with materials known as asbestos, in the course of their work or exposure.

Mesothelioma (or cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. The known effect is that invasion and damage to nearby tissues and organs can occur. The cancer cells can also spread from their original location to other parts of the body. And very often, mesothelioma begins in the pleura or peritoneum. The pleura is the membrane that typically surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity, while the peritoneum is the tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. In addition, the pericardium covers and protects the heart, while the tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. For the female, this will be known as the tunica serosa uteri.

While it has been reported specifically in the United States alone that the occurrence of mesothelioma has been at a rate of 2000 cases per year in the last 20 years, there maybe more unreported cases that have gone undetected and therefore, not captured within official records. Typically, mesothelioma affects mainly the male gender, but although (as mentioned above) this form of cancer has affected mainly those in direct contact with asbestos material in the course of their work, there have also been occurrences to those who have had no direct exposure to asbestos.

Before we go on further, we need to be clear on where asbestos comes from. Essentially, asbestos refers to a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos is often found in construction related materials such as cement, roofing materials, flooring products, etc. How asbestos gets into the human system, is when during the manufacturing process, where there is no strict control on the handling process, the particles generated from asbestos will float in the air and maybe inhaled by individuals, thus causing serious health problems. This therefore gives rise to other forms of cancer and one of them, mesothelioma.

Historically, mesothelioma was discovered particularly after the World War Two, as part of the industrialization process and increased war efforts. Millions of Americans were believed to have been exposed to asbestos dust particles in their course of work. And when these folks return home to their loved ones, it is believed that the dust particles which had remained on their work attires were subsequently inhaled by their family members, thus creating a form of "cross contamination" effect. While the occupational safety and health act today has restricted the amount of asbestos workers can be exposed to, the risk has obviously not been fully mitigated and the occurrence of mesothelioma is still possible.

To minimize exposure as well as cross contamination, workers in such industries should change out before leaving their workstations and showering. This concept is similar to exposure during a chemical fallout where the process of decontamination is deployed.

Gary Ng

Can Fires Cause Mesothelioma Cancers?

Every year, fires occur throughout the world regardless of where you live in. Despite several initiatives as well as government intervention effects to promote fire safety education along with proper adoption of current fire fighting technology, fires still take place resulting in loss of lives as well as property. But can it cause cancer? In particular, mesothelioma cancer?

Studies have shown that whenever fires occur, several by-products are created typically existing in the form of carbon particles along with whichever material is on fire. And depending on the type of material on fire, this will definitely have an effect on the amount of carbon generation as well as rate of flame spread (ie, how fast the rate of fire can progress). And if you're not adequately protected and happen to be in the path of the smoke generated, then chances are that you would pretty much inhale a large component of these poisonous substances. While temporary exposure may not have a significant impact on your health, being caught in an environment with no way to escape will definitely have an effect on your health status. Apart from collapsing due to smoke inhalation due to a lack of oxygen in the environment, subsequent recovery along with rehabilitation efforts maybe rather tough as a result of the large amount of carbon particles inhaled.

Unlike smokers who may suffer from cancer over a prolonged period of indulgence, one will not necessarily be a victim of cancer simply because he or she was involved in a fire situation. But, for those of us who are required to be constantly exposed to the effects of fire as a result of our occupation, then you definitely need to take all available precautions to minimize its effects on your health. And yes, studies have shown that cancer can occur for those who work in such occupations due to prolonged inhalation effects and worse still, where no proper personnel protective equipment is used.

But what about mesothelioma cancers? I have explained in my earlier article, "Mesothelioma and Asbestos Side Effects", that mesothioma cancers occur as a result of asbestos exposure mainly due to excessive inhalation of asbestos made by-products or materials. As such, you can assume that if you're ever caught in a prolonged fire scenario or environment where asbestos substances are involved, the chances of incurring mesothelioma cancers are there (although the level of exposure is dependent on various other factors as well). As a recap, typical asbestos made materials found in your homes or offices (and at the factories) include false ceiling panels, sound insulation panel partition walls, raised flooring panels, and many others.

Given this situation, what specific precaution can you take to ensure that you are not overly exposed to these asbestos substances when a fire occurs at your workplace or home? Well, apart from donning a breathing apparatus set (if you know how to use it or if your office has one) or an escape hood, your minimal but temporary level of protection would be to cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief, and to stay well below the smoke level by adopting a baby crawl position all the way out of the building. That's about as minimal a precautionary level you can adapt when all else is not available and you're caught in a fire scenario. And while on your way out, do not panic ans start to push everyone around, this only causes more distress and may cause you to lose focus as you try to evade the toxic environment.

Hopefully this should give you a clear concept on whether fires can cause mesothelioma cancers

(Note: readers must be aware that the views expressed above are those of the author and should not be considered as legal advice or grounds to pursue legal judgment. Visit our website to find out more on mesothelioma and asbestos solutions.)

Gary Ng

Mesothelioma Causes and the Dangers

People are exposed to different elements in their surroundings. Pollutions from different sources serve as health-threats to many individuals, its not just pollution that causes us problems. Exposure to certain toxins and chemicals can also be extremely harmful to our bodies. One example of a substance that is not healthy but products are manufactured from is asbestos. The EPA has determined that asbestos is a cancer causing agent. Yet, despite its best effort to get it banned in the United States, it is not banned. Many people believe that asbestos is banned, but it is not.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to a form of cancer. This form of cancer is commonly referred to as mesothelioma. People who develop this form of cancer were often exposed to asbestos in the form of asbestos particles, asbestos dust, asbestos fibers, or other types of exposure. In fact, many people who washed the clothing of someone who worked with asbestos.

Mesothelioma develops when the mesothelium or the lining that protects most of the human internal organs develop malignant cells. This lung disease does not provide an instant negative health result. It is commonly felt by a person after 20 to 50 years of continuous exposure to asbestos.

If you worked with or lived with someone who worked with asbestos for a long period of time, you should be aware of the common symptoms of mesothelioma. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma include the following: Fatigue, chest pain, weight loss, coughing up blood, fluid around the lung, blood clots, low blood sugar levels, fever, etc... If you or someone you lived with for a long time were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis, it is best to talk to your doctor about this. If severe enough, it can cause the lung to collapse. To find out if the patient does have this lung disease, doctors use one of several tests.

The most common methods used to discover whether a person has mesothelioma are: Chest X-rays, CT scan, magnetic resonance image or MRI. After one of the above forms of testing is done, it is quite common for the doctor to do a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure where the doctor takes a lung tissue sample. Once the results from these tests are back, the doctor will be able to determine whether the condition is present or not conclusively.

After knowing the result based on these tests, the patient needs to undergo certain treatment to soothe the discomfort that his or her lungs are experiencing.

Donald Plourde

Advanced Mesothelioma Prognosis

There are a variety of details in the advancement of a person's mesothelioma prognosis and fine differences amongst these details may have a dramatic impact on the course the disease will take. The statistical models employed in mesothelioma often miss the extraordinary differences between a person's stated prognosis/diagnosis and the way in which the disease actually impacts his or her life.

Stage is important for determining mesothelioma prognosis because it can be for other cancers. However, mesothelioma stats are hard to find, and the stats that exist are unreliable. Early diagnosis and remedy are alot of important in looking for a favorable mesothelioma prognosis. Since mesothelioma is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, the statistics for you to five year survival are usually unreliable. At Stage IV, mesothelioma has spread to other organs, and since a cure is not possible, the mesothelioma prognosis is poor. Remedy at this stage consists mainly of pain management and supportive care.

The latency period with this disease is usually 10 to 30 years, and symptoms include breathing difficulties and a decrease in the elasticity of the lungs. Effusions, both pleural and peritoneal, represent major symptomatic problems for at least two thirds of the patients. Unfortunately, the duration of symptom control is short-lived. Single agent and combimed chemotherapy have reported higher response rates in STAGE II patients, however the toxicity reported is also higher and there is no evidence which combination treatments cause longer survival or longer control of the symptoms.

Diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma begins with a thorough medical history to document the patient's symptoms and any conceivable asbestos exposure, followed by a complete physical examination. These steps are generally followed by a chest or abdominal x-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other lung diseases and cancers.

The severity of the affliction varies from person to person, but in most cases the onset of Pleural Mesothelioma is usually very slow with the alot of frequent presenting symptom being persistent pain localized in the chest. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by severe difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath. The advancement of asbestosis symptoms including coughing, breathlessness and chest pain typically prompts a sufferer to seek medical attention. Following an initial physical assessment of the patient, a physician will employ the use of a chest imaging scan (x-ray, MRI, CT scan) thus as to view the lungs.

Mesothelioma patients have such common symptoms which the md can not even consider the illness to be asbestos-related let alone malignant mesothelioma. This is a symptom that develops in the later stages of the disease. However, it is critical to note which these tumors are able to spread to various parts of the body, affecting various organs. Surgery, while used successfully for palliative control of symptoms, has only minimal effect on median survival times whenever used because a radical treatment. Extrapleural pneumonectomy, defined as a "radical treatment" is associated with a median survival of 15-24 months.

Typically, mesothelioma takes 10 to 50 years to develop, and during this latency period, sufferers may have no symptoms. Furthermore, mesothelioma happens more often in men than in patient and risk increases with age. Pleurectomy/decortication can be performed to relieve symptoms in pleural mesothelioma. Other procedures such as thoracentesis may be performed to drain pleural effusions and prevent them from recurring. Other symptoms include hoarseness, coughing up blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness, and sensory loss.

Peter Kingston

Diagnosis Of Mesothelioma Cancer

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer is very difficult in many cases, because its symptoms can be associated with other diseases too. Hence patient's medical history is quite important to know, since if there was an exposure to asbestos from the sick person, the risk factors for developing Mesothelioma are greater.

The doctor will order you a physical examination, including chest and abdomen x-rays, and lung function tests. A computerized tomography (CT) or a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan may be useful, along with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The CT scan allows a computer x-rays machine to create a series of detailed pictures of inner body areas. The MRI allows to obtain detailed images of areas inside the body through a powerful magnet linked to a computer.

The way to confirm a Mesothelioma diagnosis is a biopsy, in which an oncologist or a doctor specialized in diagnosing and treating cancer pathologies takes a sample of tissue from the patient to examine it under a microscope.

The biopsy may be performed in various ways. In a thoracoscopy the name of the biopsy if the cancer is in the chest the doctor makes a small cut through the patient's chest and introduce a tube called thoracoscope to look inside and take tissue samples.

In a peritoneoscopy if the cancer is in the abdomen the doctor makes the same procedure but in the patient's abdominal cavity to obtain tissue for examination.

The stage of the disease is important to know if cancer is metastasized to other parts of the body, and to apply the best treatment for the patient.

The disease will be 'localized' if the cancer is found only on the surface of the membrane, but it will be 'advanced' if it has spread to other parts of the body, such as lungs, abdominal organs, chest wall, lymph nodes.

Hector Milla

Mesothelioma Compensation

Over recent years, we have seen many multi-million dollar compensation payouts to victims of mesothelioma, the asbestos exposure related cancer. This is a relatively new disease, both in terms of medical and legal awareness, and sufferers of mesothelioma are finding that they are entitled to a hefty compensation in many cases. In order to help these victims get their dues, many lawyers and law firms have been trained and set up to deal with mesothelioma claims to allow mesothelioma sufferers get the compensation to which they are entitled.

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Why are mesothelioma victims entitled to compensation? Well, most cancers not the fault of an outsider. Heavy smokers may get cancer through smoking, which is their own choice. Other types of cancer, such as breast, cervical and prostate are not anybody's fault, although vigilance and regular check ups can help to identify these caners early on and therefore treat them effectively. However, mesothelioma is a totally different type of cancer. This is a cancer that could have been prevented, and it is the fault of outsiders - namely the irresponsible firms that made no efforts to protect their workers against the hazards of working with asbestos. You see, mesothelioma is the result of regular exposure the asbestos dust and fibres, which are ingested into the system and corrupt the cells of the protective lining that surround major organs - the mesothelium. The cancer lies dormant for many decades, and victims do not realize until thirty or forty years later that they have the disease. By the time tests have been done and a diagnosis has been made, it is often too late to do anything constructive about it, and the patient is left with just a short time to live - typically 4-24 months.

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These mesothelioma lawyers are here to help victims of mesothelioma to get cold, hard cash from the companies responsible for their doomed fate. This compensation will help to cover medical expenses and pain and suffering. But, perhaps most importantly, it helps to provide financial stability and security for the victim's loved ones after he or she has passed away.

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The payouts for mesothelioma have run from hundreds of thousands of dollars, to multi-million dollars. But the mesothelioma sufferer must ensure that the chances of success are optimised by seeking legal advice and assistance as soon as the diagnosis has been confirmed. Most states only provide a certain time within which you can file a mesothelioma lawsuit, so it is vital that you do this immediately. Your lawyer will also need the extra time to put your case together and carry out any necessary research. Time is of the essence where mesothelioma lawsuits are concerned, and just a few days could make the difference between financial security for your family and no compensation at all.

John Khoo