Individuals who have been affected by Hurricane Ike are still dealing with the after affects including exposure to asbestos fibers from destruction of homes caused by flooding.According to the International Herald Tribune, following the hurricane, homes and roads were left with debris as well as a toxic sludge made of mud, human waste, lead, gasoline and asbestos in the wake of floodwaters, which have since receded. The potential for these fibers to dry and become airborne may be serious and could cause an increased risk of mesothelioma cancer among hurricane victims as well as nearby residents because of asbestos exposure.

What is Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos fibers become airborne and cause the development of cancerous cells among victims. For years an exposed individual can live and behave as normal while the cancer remains dormant. Unfortunately, a mesothelioma victim has a slim survival rate the longer they have waited to diagnose their condition.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) described the following symptoms of mesothelioma:

* shortness of breath

* pain in the chest because of an accumulation of fluid

* weight loss

* abdominal pain

* bowel obstruction

* blood clotting abnormalities

* anemia

* fever

Diagnosing Mesothelioma Cancer

Unfortunately, mesothelioma cancer is considered such a rare condition, that it is often misdiagnosed for other similar diseases. The best way to diagnose mesothelioma cancer is to immediately speak with a medical professional upon any indication that exposure to asbestos has occurred.

It is important to set up a mesothelioma cancer screening if you feel you have been exposed to absestos. According to the England center for cancer research, Cancer Research UK, a number or all of the following procedures will likely be administered to narrow down the likelihood of a mesothelioma diagnosis:

* general physician examination

* blood tests

* chest X-ray or abdominal X-ray

* CT scan of chest/abdomen to determine swelling in body organs/lymph nodes

* biopsy of the pleura is done, also known as a thoracoscopy, in which a small incision is made the chest wall in which a video camera is inserted

* fluid drainage, also known as the thoracocentesis or abdoparacentesis), will help to relieve fluid from around the lugs or abdominal cavity for those with peritoneal mesothelioma

Uses for Asbestos

Asbestos has been classified as a human carcinogen because of the scarring of tissue and inflammation it can cause among its victims. Asbestos is a prevalent threat in America because of its extensive use and availability during the 20th century.

Asbestos was mined from the late 1800s up through World War II and was used for commercial use, according to the NCI:

* building and construction

* strengthening cement and plastics

* insulation

* roofing

* fireproofing

* sound absorption

* shipbuilding

* insulate boilers

* steam pipes

* hot water pipes

* vehicle brakeshoes

* vehicle clutch pads

* ceiling

* flooring

* paints/coatings

* tile

* adhesives

* plastics

* gardening materials

* talc-containing crayons

By the end of the 1970s after millions, potentially billions, of tons of asbestos had been used in products as well as homes, apartments, hospitals and elementary schools throughout America, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) finally banned the use of new asbestos in products and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for regulation and cleanup of asbestos.

Professional Mesothelioma Assistance

As millions of individuals remain potentially at risk for asbestos exposure across America it becomes important to be self-educated on the condition, its symptoms as well as diagnosing steps. Individuals who feel they may be suffering from mesothelioma cancer should contact not only a medical professional but also a mesothelioma attorney. Most legal consultations are free, which allows an individual to better understand the development of a mesothelioma case.

Construction Journal Reports Mesothelioma Deaths To Peak By 2015??

Working in the construction industry can be a dangerous job, as the number of fatalities and injuries continue to rise and are accounting for one-third of all employment fatalities, according to the most recent 2007/2008 Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) statistics. However, one of the most dangerous and hidden killers of construction industry employees may actually be the development of mesothelioma cancer, according to an October 2008 issue of Contract Journal.

The journal reported that of the several reasons construction workers die on the job include the following:

* falls from height
* moving or falling objects
* moving machinery
* slips and trips
* asbestos exposure

Of the mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths, the HSE reports that, “in 2006 there were 111 deaths from asbestosis and 2,056 from mesothelioma and the HSE expects deaths from mesothelioma to peak at some point between current levels and 2,450 at some time before 2015.” An additional report from the HSE found that in the United Kingdom alone, there were approximately 4,000 deaths from mesothelioma each year, with a large portion of this number likely deriving from employees within the construction industry.

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers and asbestos dust. Asbestos, which was derived from a mineral known as vermiculite, was heavily mined and valued within the construction industry for its fire-retardant qualities as well as its inexpensive costs for mass production. The Occupation and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) describes asbestos in the construction industry as a “a group of naturally occurring, fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to heat, chemicals and electricity.” It was used, according to OSHA, as part of the following products within the construction industry:

* sprayed-on fireproofing
* pipe insulation
* drywall joint compounds
* roofing felts and shingles
* ceiling tiles
* fire-resistant drywall
* acoustical products
* cement pipe and sheet
* floor tiles

Asbestos and Construction

While OSHA has developed standards for the construction industry as per the Occupational Standards Safety Act of 1970, the industry remains unregulated to a degree. For example, a recent report from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) found that a standard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) check in Florida revealed thousands of falsified documents for individuals employed to remove asbestos. It is a legal requirement that individuals who are in charge of asbestos removal receive authentic certification for their employment. However, thousands of documents had been forged with false or illegally obtained social security numbers.

Developing Mesothelioma Litigation

Individuals who have suffered from the debilitating condition of mesothelioma cancer could potentially qualify for a return of monetary compensation with the development of a mesothelioma lawsuit. If costly medical bills become too much for an individual who is suffering from this rare and painful condition, they may be able to discuss litigation with a knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney.

Copyright (c) 2008 Katie KelleyMesothelioma cancer is one of the rarest and deadliest forms of cancer that can be diagnosed to a patient. The life expectancy is often very short and there are often no successful treatment options, which is why it is imperative for a mesothelioma patient to participate in a clinical trial.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has made available an array of clinical trials for mesothelioma cancer patients to become involved in and explains that “clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people.” Additionally, the NCI claims that those who partake in “cancer clinical trials have an opportunity to contribute to knowledge of, and progress against, cancer,” which may save the lives of others someday. 
 According to the NCI there are several varieties of clinical trials available to participate in, including the following:

* 
 Prevention trials, which test new medications, vitamins, supplements or approaches to decreasing the risk of certain cancers.

* 
 Screening trials are conducted in an attempt to detect types of cancers early on, which is extremely important for mesothelioma case studies.

* 
 Diagnostic trials “study tests or procedures that can be used to identify cancer more accurately,” according to the NCI.

* 
 Individuals who have cancer can become involved in treatment trials that are developed in a way so participants can better understand and evaluate the effectiveness of a new treatment.

* 
 Quality-of-life or supportive care trials study the side effects commonly associated with cancers and cancer treatments.

Individuals who would like to take part in a clinical trial because of their mesothelioma cancer diagnosis will find that clinical trials are professional and safe, according to the NCI, as they are commonly sponsored by government agencies including:

* 
 National Cancer Institute

* 
 National Institutes of Health (NIH)

* 
 the Department of Defense

* 
 Department of Veterans Affairs

Additionally, the NCI reports that individuals who do participate in clinical trials are protected by “strict scientific and ethical principles” and that “every clinical trial has a protocol, or action plan, which acts like a ‘recipe’ for conducting the trial.” Also, all clinical trials that evaluate new drugs or medical devices for treatments of the cancer or its side effects and that are federally funded are “subject to FDA regulation that must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).”

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma cancer is considered a rare form of cancer largely affecting either the mesothelium, which is the membrane that covers the majority of the internal organs, or the peritoneum, which is the “mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity, within the body, according to the NCI.

Mesothelioma has been linked to the inhalation of asbestos fibers or dust, which has often been linked to employees working in an array of construction-related fields. The University of Toronto Environment Health and Safety department described the following asbestos uses: 
 * 
 sprayed fireproofing within buildings on “structural steelwork”

* 
 thermal insulation was used for boilers, pipes, hot water tanks and heaters

* 
 ceilings and walls may have had asbestos applied to them as “acoustic or decorative finishes”

* roofing materials

* 
 acoustic paneling, ceiling tiles

* 
 electric insulation

* 
 laboratory bench tops

* 
 water or sewage piping systems

* 
 asbestos-cement products

* asbestos paper, textile or felt products

* door gaskets on furnaces or stoves

* 
 pipeline wrap

* 
 asbestos coatings, sealants, adhesives

* 
 vinyl floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring

* table pads

* 
 heat protective mats

* 
 fire blankets and protective clothing

Because asbestos was found to be a highly fire-retardant product as well as inexpensive when mass produced, its uses were wide spread for years until researchers made the link between asbestos and mesothelioma. Unfortunately, it took years for the link to be discovered as mesothelioma cancer often remains dormant for 10 to 30 years upon initial exposure. 

 Living With Mesothelioma

Patients living with mesothelioma often face a grim, uphill battle of tremendously debilitating side effects as well as a lack of treatments and poor quality of life. However, by participating in a clinical trial, an individual may find the appropriate treatment needed to overcome their difficulties during their remaining months or years of life. 

 It is also advisable to participate in a mesothelioma lawsuit, which may offer monetary compensation for a victim of this highly preventable and deadly cancer.