Asbestosis, a severe lung disease, can lead to mesothelioma, a cancer. These diseases are caused by asbestos, a deadly substance that scars the lungs and forms tumors in the mesothelium tissue. Asbestos is on a global path to elimination, but until then, staying out of the danger zones will keep the asbestos danger away from you.Asbestosis and mesothelioma are incurable diseases that occur due to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is deadly when it is air-borne. Microscopic slivered glass-like fibers become airborne, and when the asbestos fibers enter the lungs, they are permanent. The fibers accumulate with long term exposure to asbestos, and even a one-time heavy dose of asbestos leads to permanent lung damage. These fibers eventually cut into the lungs, and it isn’t until well-over ten years later that the symptoms of asbestos begin to erupt, and decades longer for mesothelioma.

Men are more likely to suffer from asbestosis and mesothelioma than women - likely due to the industrial nature of occupations in the past, which required daily heavy doses of asbestos long before effective regulations for working with asbestos were put into place. Individuals who have worked with asbestos and then were diagnosed with mesothelioma are typically over 50 years old, and often, diagnosis does not occur until many are in their 70’s.

Sadly, mesothelioma has even been detected in persons with a short history of asbestos exposure. The fine slivered hairs that are the trademark of asbestos are capable of scarring the lungs or chest of any man, woman or child who is exposed to airborne asbestos. Because of its clingy nature, asbestos was often brought into the home by asbestos industrial workers, and unsuspectedly worked its way into the lungs of family members. Housewives and homemakers were over 6% of the mesothelioma patients back in 1999 - indicating they were exposed to asbestos in the 1950’s, an era when there were more marriages and women were more likely to be doting on their husbands - including washing their asbestos-covered clothing.

Asbestos is used for walls and ceilings, sound-proofing, fire protection, insulation, vinyl floor tiles, and even insulation in common household appliances, such as toasters, irons, dishwashers, refrigerators and ovens. The homes and schools built prior to the 1970s were often filled with asbestos in the products that make up the walls, ceilings and insulation. Elementary school teachers were 2.4% of the cases in 1999, and managers, supervisors and administrators made up 10% of the cases.

The danger zones exist wherever asbestos is airborne. When asbestos-containing insulation around pipes becomes damaged, when walls are being removed for remodeling, or when an attic full of asbestos insulation is decaying, the entire building becomes a danger zone. Activating dry asbestos can be done merely by moving it or piercing it. Vacuuming asbestos severely multiplies its deadly affect. There are procedures referred to as “wet” handling of asbestos that lowers the risk of air-borne fibers. Trained asbestos handlers that are properly protected and experienced in asbestos removal and sealing should always be consulted. The risk of asbestos is neither visible nor immediate, but asbestosis and mesothelioma will likely be a part of your future if you have exposed yourself to a significant amount of the sharp flying fibers of asbestos.

Asbestosis and mesothelioma can clearly be avoided by not exposing yourself to airborne asbestos. Changing occupations or moving into a new house are not always viable options, however wearing proper protection and sealing any potential asbestos sources can keep you out of the danger zone. Read the materials listing on products you buy, and avoid buying from countries that ignore the risks of asbestos. Being aware of the dangers of asbestos and the potential of asbestosis and mesothelioma is the first step to prevention. Twenty years from now you’ll look back on today in good health, and not while suffering from the incurable diseases of asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer. Statistics on asbestos diseases show the odds for living more than a few years after diagnosis of the cancer are slim. But some people beat the odds.Mesothelioma patients know death is imminent - with or without cancer. But statistics on the incurable nature of mesothelioma brings the fearful immanency of death too close for comfort. Early cancer diagnosis improves the chances of eradicating asbestos-instigated tumors, but most doctors will still testify that the chances of eradicating the disease after diagnosis at any stage is slim to none. The cancer cells simply grow back.

For some asbestos cancer patients, the statistics ring true. For a select few, the statistics on mesothelioma and asbestosis made them fight harder to live - driving an insatiable desire to learn every medical term and every treatment option, along with the details and outcomes of clinical trials and medical experiments that were constantly evolving around the world. Drive and logic mixed with faith and luck - and maybe mixed with a few good genes and excellent medical care - added unprecedented months and years onto the lives of a lucky few.

Paul Kraus, a current author on surviving asbestos-related cancer, has thus far lived ten years since recovery - he credits his research, diet and alternative treatment choices. Karen Grant, a current broadcaster on surviving cancer and one of the youngest mesothelioma patients, has had her tumor completely removed and no longer undergoes chemotherapy. Jodi Page, another young woman, has also been free for years after a lung removal. Richard Archer, a former asbestos worker, was originally told he would never see another Christmas. He got the greatest Christmas gift of all - living to see years of more Christmases without chemotherapy.

Clinical trials are responsible for many life-saving and life-changing events. Karen Marcum, 65 was saved by a virus therapy, Bunny Morrow, 72, credits gene therapy to saving her from the deadly asbestos disease. Stephen J. Gould, a well-known Popular Science magazine contributor, biologist and historian lived 20 years past his mesothelioma diagnosis. Craig Kozicki, a chemical engineer was diagnosed in 1998 at the age of 42. He is alive and well today, almost ten years later, sharing his story to give hope to patients who are shrouded in darkness with the bleak statistics of survival rates. Librarian Bonnie Anderson was diagnosed in 2001 and is alive and active today. Kendra Ferreira, an artist and mother of 3, was diagnosed around the same time. Although tired, she is caring for her family and working today. Everyone does not die from mesothelioma.

In all the survival stories, patients did not limit themselves to one prognosis, one treatment method, or one opinion. Heavy research was done, multiple doctors were questioned and multiple treatments were evaluated. The patients faced obstacles with family, health insurance and finances - yet they continued seeking original and alternative ways to finding solutions to their problems. Family support, support from strangers, fundraising and benefits contributed to many success stories. Hope contributed to all - and today these survivors continue to share their stories for the benefit of other cancer patients. What is original about these stories? Not all of these patients were exposed to asbestos. Some success stories are from women substantially younger than classical textbook cases, yet others are a prime example of a classical case of the asbestos cancer.

Mesothelioma is not always fatal - years can be added on to the months of the original prognosis. The disease is rare. It is not easily discovered. Most doctors have not experienced first-hand diagnosis or treatment of a mesothelioma patient. The patient must take their life into their own hands and direct their treatment. They must be strong in a time of searing depression and despair. There is hope and there is a chance to shun statistics and live the life that was meant to be. Just stop searching for statistics, and start searching for solutions.