Asbestos cancer, also known as mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure; this by now is well known. A British Parliamentary Commission way back in 1906 said that there was a connection between people working in asbestos environment and their premature death. The carcinogenic or cancer causing asbestos mineral was finally regulated under Section 112 of the 1970 Clean Air Act. The law stated that employers of factories should provide good ventilation symptoms and safety measures so that they do not contract cancer mesothelioma or cancer asbestos.
Sadly, asbestos product manufacturers decided to play truant to the health hazards and since asbestos are profitable, they continued manufacturing it. The US Govt has taken a note of it and called ‘asbestos-the worst occupational health hazard in the history of US’ Now asbestos product manufacturers are according to mesothelioma law, responsible for asbestos related cancers and mesothelioma contracted by employees, their families and even the past employees contract.
About Asbestos Health Problems and Cancers
Asbestos exposure can lead to many diseases that can be serious and fatal. Some of the asbestos related diseases include Malignant Mesothelioma, Asbestos Lung Cancer, Asbestosis, Diffuse Pleural Thickening, Fibrosis and Asbestos Warts.
Out of the above two diseases malignant mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer are the only two serious cancer asbestos diseases which can be directly fatal. Asbestosis is an inflammatory lung disease that can impair lung functioning and cause heart failure. However asbestosis by itself, cannot cause death directly
What is malignant mesothelioma? Malignant Mesothelioma is the most serious type of asbestos cancer, which affects the mesothelial tissue lining of three large body cavities: the pleura (lung cavity), the peritoneum (abdominal cavity) and the pericardium (heart sac). Lung cavity cancer or Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant cancer often confused with viral pneumonia because both have similar symptoms.
The difference between cancer mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer explained:
Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer are confused with each other because both affect similar areas of the chest cavity. Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung cavity whereas asbestos lung cancer is a cancer that affects the parenchymal lung tissue itself.
How does Absestos Cancer Spread?
70 to 80% of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed are in patients who had worked with asbestos at some point in their lives
Asbestos are naturally occurring minerals that are known for heat resistance, strength and flexibility. They are used in construction materials, fire resistant fabrics and gaskets. It is also used in talc products and vermiculite. Asbestos manufacture though banned in the US since 1989, is present in buildings and products that existed before this time.
Exposure to asbestos levels is high in industrial areas and urban areas. During construction activity, demolition, renovation work etc, the material containing asbestos is stressed and the asbestos fibers are released in the air. Asbestos can also happen in tap water where such water passes through cement pipes containing the substance. People involved in mining, ship building, and construction work in factories are at risk.
Mesothelioma Symptoms:
Symptoms of mesothelioma are as follows..
- Quickening breath
- Chest pain, especially after hard work
- Unusual weight loss
- Anemia (extreme weakness)
- Abdominal pain
- Abnormal blood clotting or excessive bleeding
- Bowel obstruction
Mesothelioma Treatment Options
Mesothelioma treatment options depend on various stages. If mesothelioma is localized, surgery is the normal procedure. The oncologist will take out the affected part of the chest lining and surrounding tissue. If the pleura is affected, the lung may have to be removed along with a part of the diaphragm, the process is known as pneumonectony,.
Radiation therapy is another option to treat Mesothelioma. This procedure employs targeted ionizing radiation to destroy malignant cells.
If the cancer has metastasized, chemotherapy or the use of particular anti-cancer medication – is the only and best option. Pain relief and symptoms are taken care of by removing fluid from the chest or the abdominal area.
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