Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by excessive exposure to asbestos. It is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers in excessive amount that affect your lungs and abdominal cavities. The average lifetime of an inflicted person is less than 24 months.

It is unfortunate that this cancer is increasing at a rapid rate that it has already infected millions of people all over the world. These people are generally those who are working in companies that deal with asbestos refinery or manufacturing of asbestos products in one form or the other. People who are working in these companies day in and day out for their families, to give them better future do not know that while they are working so hard they are putting their own lives at stakes. They are exposed to harmful particles of asbestos all the day. They constantly inhale the white powder and even carry them to their home. And the worst thing to imagine is that they aren’t aware of what harm they are doing to themselves. Mesothelioma has a relatively long latency period of nearly 30 years or more so it becomes too late for a person to realize that he have this cancer because this is how long it can take to manifest.

Its is quite unfortunately that even after knowing that asbestos is so much detrimental to human body, the companies are still employing people in vast number and are making millions, if not billions, of dollars. People have no choice but to work there, risking their own life for making money for their living. These companies are so selfish that instead of taking some steps to assuage the problem they choose to make profit with a deadly product.

It is not that mesothelioma is any new disease but it is now when it is showing its existence and devastating effects. In the recent past we have heard so many cases of mesothelioma that we are bound to do something to counteract it otherwise it will continue spreading its terrible disease over mankind.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium or the sac like protective covering of internal organs. The main cause is exposure to asbestos. Therefore the best possible prevention is to avoid exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma takes about thirty to fifty years for making itself prominent. People above the age of sixty five have shown an increased tendency to develop asbestos cancer. The mesothelioma is more common in men than women.Asbestos is a mineral that is very commonly used. Due to increased health risks the use of asbestos has been reduced according to government regulations. In spite of all the regulations asbestos is being used in many manufacturing industries where it is mandatory for production. The most effective prevention method is to limit the exposure.

Working in a company which uses asbestos is not safe. Looking for alternate employment would be the safest option. The companies have asbestos related safety precautions and one can ensure they are being followed. The commonly seen jobs that pose the highest risk of mesothelioma are:

1-Insulation manufacturing and installations.

2-Mining

3-Railroad workers

4-Workers in the factories

5-Asbestos manufacturing companies

6-Ship yard workers

7-Automotive repairs

8-Manufacturers of gas masks

Many old homes contain traces of asbestos. If you suspect your home to contain materials made of asbestos they can be tested in the laboratory. There are agencies dealing with asbestos removal and they can be contacted for removing asbestos from your home. Though it can be done by yourself it is safer to let an asbestos abatement or removal contractor perform the procedure.

Asbestos that is not disturbed is not considered a health hazard. But if there is flaking, friable ceilings and plumbing and if the building is built before the 1980s then there are chances that they contain asbestos and have to be removed safely. Public buildings like schools, office buildings, libraries, theatres etc are all prone to this hazard. The problem should be brought to the city authorities’ notice. Living near someone who works near asbestos also exposes you to the mineral.

Asbestos can be transported through clothing, skin and hair. Even a few strands of asbestos can sometimes lead to mesothelioma.

Once you have been exposed to asbestos and have not yet been diagnosed with the fatal condition, there is still hope for you. If care is taken you might not even develop it. Blood tests can be done annually to confirm that you are well. There are other diagnostic tools that can be performed annually on asbestos exposed individuals to reconfirm their health status. These tests also aid in early detection when the condition is curable and can be controlled.

Smoking should be stopped since smokers are more susceptible to the onset of the condition if they have asbestos exposure history. Prevention is the best way out in mesothelioma since it is fatal if not diagnosed early.

To Your Health!

DefinitionThe most thorough definition of mesothelioma describes it as a rare cancer caused by asbestos fibers that have been lodged in the mesothelium for many years. The mesothelium is the membrane that encases organs such as the lung, the heart and those of the abdomen. Although it takes many years, these fibers can cause cancer cells to grow in the membrane tissue surrounding the fibers.

Mesothelioma most often develops in the membrane surrounding the lung, and results from inhaled asbestos fibers. This mesothelial membrane is called the pleura. Because lung tissue is so soft and porous, the motion of breathing massages the fibers through the lung tissue to the membrane. The consistency of the membrane is such that the fibers penetrate the pleura and remain trapped there.

Occasionally, fibers that are swallowed follow a similar path through the stomach wall where they become lodged in the lining around the stomach, called the peritoneum. With less frequency, fibers can pass through to the lining around the heart, called the pericardium. Mesothelioma can grow in any of these membranes.

Symptoms

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms can include thickening of the pleura, pleural effusion (fluid collecting in the pleural space), which in turn compresses the lung in that area reducing the amount of oxygen that can get into the blood. This causes shortness of breath along with some pain due to inflammation and, sometimes, infection. Persistent cough is common.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma might include stomach pain or swelling, bowel obstruction, foot swelling, nausea, weight loss, and pain.

Fever, night sweats, or anemia might also be symptoms of either form of mesothelioma. Diagnosis involves specific testing to differentiate it from other diseases, many of which have similar symptoms.

Diagnosis

There are a number of diagnostic tests that are used together with the results of a physical exam to make a diagnosis of mesothelioma. These tests differentiate between diseases and allow the doctor to rule out other diseases and cancers, identifying mesothelioma as the one that matches all of the diagnostic criteria. These include:

• X-rays - X-rays can reveal pleural effusion, pleural calcification, and scarring
• CT or CAT Scan (Computed Axial Tomography) - CT Scans identify tissue density and can identify pleural effusion, pleural thickening and calcification, but it can’t differentiate between mesothelioma and other disease.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) - An MRI is more sensitive than CT or X-ray, and is useful for more accurate identification of tissue changes during the course of treatment, and evaluating for surgery.
• PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) - PET Scans measure cellular activity. Cancer cells are more active than healthy cells, and this activity shows up in PET Scans.
• Biopsy - A biopsy involves taking a sample of the suspect tissue, either with a needle or through a small incision, and sent to the lab for analysis.
• PFT (Pulmonary Function Testing) - PFT involves a set of breathing tests to measure your lung volume, elasticity, airflow, and gas exchange into your bloodstream. These measurements reveal whether areas of your lung have a reduced volume or are not exchanging gas (i.e., from pleural effusion and resulting atelectasis, aka collapsed lung,) restrictive lung disease, or reduced airflow from obstructive lung disease.
• CBC (Complete Blood Count) - CBC shows the number of red and white blood cells and platelets, the amount of hemoglobin, and the percent of blood that is red blood cells. It also tests other common blood factors that indicate health and illness.
• Bronchoscopy - A bronchoscope is inserted into the patient’s lungs through the throat that allows the doctor to view the trachea and upper airways. The scope has the ability to take a tissue sample that can be examined under a microscope, in the same was as tissue collected from a biopsy.
• Cytology - A pathologist microscopically examines cells drawn from fluid near the site of the suspected disease.

The U.S. Department of Labor gives links to OSHA’s standards and guidelines for evaluating exposure to asbestos. These links include medical questionnaires, X-ray interpretation standards, medical surveillance for asbestos and more.

Mesothelioma and its partner disease, asbestosis, are not limited to any one person or any one nation. Asbestos and asbestos products have been mined and manufactured, and sought after and sold, in nations around the world. The latent diseases of asbestosis and its cancerous partner, mesothelioma, are slowly developing into a world-wide epidemic.Mesothelioma and asbestosis diseases have been clearly defined as being attributed to asbestos exposure. Despite these undisputable findings, world production of asbestos has risen from 2.18 million metric tons in 2006 to 2.20 million metric tons in 2007, according to the US Government’s 2007 Minerals Handbook. The International World has yet to agree upon and abide by a universal consensus of asbestos safety levels. As some countries ban the use of asbestos, others continue to seek safe exposure levels, and yet others disregard the impending health epidemic. Many smaller nations continue to ignore the perilous diseases of asbestos, while asbestos workers may or may not be aware of their life-risking work environments. Even advanced nations fail to implement protection and procedures to protect workers exposed to asbestos for fear of substantial economic loss.

Even though the European Union banned asbestos in 2005, European companies still have financial interest in companies located in Africa, Canada and South America. Canada has been one of the world’s largest asbestos producers, however they only use 29% of what they produce, and aggressive sales efforts are targeted towards Asia, Africa and South America. In Japan, local factory and building inspections failed to identify asbestos in more than half of the buildings inspected. Even with occupational laws in place, India and China fail to protect the majority of their asbestos workers.

The leaders of asbestos production, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Canada, and Zimbabwe, are responsible for 96% of the world’s asbestos production. In China, the world’s second largest asbestos producer, a significant portion of asbestos workers work without any protection in environments conducive to asbestosis and mesothelioma production. China not only fails to protect its workers from asbestosis and mesothelioma on a mass scale, but their asbestos producing factories are typically located near heavily populated cities. The effects of asbestos exposure and the incidences of asbestosis and mesothelioma are vastly unreported in highly populated areas due to lack of medical records, non-existent laws mandating lengthy medical record-keeping standards, and political interference.

Asbestosis and Mesothelioma are devastating diseases that can affect men, women and children that are exposed to asbestos. It is up to the socially responsible individuals and corporations to continue their advocacy work to protect hard working men and women from the incapacitating diseases of asbestosis and mesothelioma. With the prevalence of asbestos exposure that still exists, there is little doubt that asbestosis and mesothelioma will continue to develop well into the next century. The deadly misfortune of the disease on hardworking individuals can only be eradicated with an end to the demand for asbestos containing products.