Non Asbestos Causes of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the thin lining of the abdomen or chest. Asbestos exposure is the most prevalent mesothelioma-related cause, and the risk increases with the duration and intensity of asbestos exposure.
People diagnosed with mesothelioma may be wondering how they came to it. A mesothelioma lawyer can help them find out how they were exposed to asbestos.
1. Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer affects the linings in the stomach or lungs (peritoneum). It is usually caused by asbestos exposure, and can take between 20 to 40 years to develop. It is not lung cancer that affects a single person in every 100,000 in Australia every year.
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is composed of strong, microscopic fibers. It was used in a variety of industrial, commercial and residential products including drywall, insulation, pipes, glues, tiles and cement. The most popular type of asbestos linked to mesothelioma, called chrysotile, is chrysotile. Workers who work with asbestos on a daily basis are at the highest risk, particularly those who were exposed to asbestos in their workplaces, like shipyard workers construction workers, shipyard workers as well as asbestos manufacturers, and those who handled asbestos in the form of mixed or removed. Men are more likely than women to have worked in jobs which exposed them to asbestos, and this could be the reason more men are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
If you're diagnosed with mesothelioma your doctor will examine the history of your condition and possibly determine your diagnosis using a variety of tools. This includes a physical exam, chest x rays and lung function tests. You will be asked questions about your work, family and cultural history. If they suspect you are suffering from mesothelioma, they will refer you a specialist.
You'll need to be referred by your GP However, the process of referral can differ depending on where you live.
It can take a while to see a specialist, and there are many variables that could impact the treatment options.
There is no cure for mesothelioma however, early detection can improve your odds of survival and help you get the treatment you need. Contact your GP if you notice any signs. They may refer you to specialists or the top mesothelioma clinics. They will run various tests to confirm the diagnosis and help you find the right treatment for you.
2. Viral Infections
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that grows in the linings that surround various organs. It's most often found in the lung (pleural mesothelioma) however it can also occur in the tummy's lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) or even in the membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). In the UK, more than 2,700 people are diagnosed each year with mesothelioma. The cancer is not curable but treatment can reduce symptoms.
The exposure to asbestos is the single most significant factor that causes mesothelioma. The heat- and fireproof mineral was used to create various construction and building materials until it was banned in the year 1970. Workers who handled or removed these materials, like miners, electricians plumbers, insulators and plumbers pipefitters and remodelers of older homes are at high risk of being exposed.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma via inhalation or swallowing tiny pieces of the material. These fibers may penetrate the lining of the mesothelium and create an increase in the size of the tumor. The majority of these tumors are malignant, and they can spread to other parts of the body.
The symptoms of mesothelioma generally are not evident until decades after exposure. Shortness of breath, chest pain or abdominal pain are a few of the signs. A person with these symptoms should inform their doctor of their asbestos exposure history. They should also ask to be sent to a mesothelioma expert to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers believe that genetics, as well as environmental and chemical factors play a part in mesothelioma. Certain of these factors may act as cocarcinogens - chemicals which increase the cancer-causing potential of other chemicals. Other studies have revealed that viruses, including the SV40 virus, may be associated with mesothelioma. There is evidence that talcum, which is more frequently used by women than men, may contribute to mesothelioma.
More research is required to determine the cause of mesothelioma. As more information is discovered, doctors can provide better treatment and hopefully decrease the number of cases. Although asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma cause, it is important to be aware of other risks. This can improve patient outcomes and may even help prevent mesothelioma.
3. Chemical Exposure
Chemicals are a part of our daily lives and are utilized in a variety of industries for production. The growth of industrialization and the demand for diverse goods and services has resulted in an increase in the use of chemical. This has had a negative effect on the environment and worker's safety, especially for those who frequently work with chemicals.
Chemicals can be absorbed into the body through inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. After a chemical is in the body, it may be more or less harmful dependent on how it is processed by the liver. For example carbon tetrachloride is an old solvent, is known to cause liver damage. When ingested the body may break down some chemicals into other, safer substances. This process is referred to as metabolism.
Exposure to chemicals can trigger a variety of health issues including cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the organ's lining and structures inside the body, known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma most commonly occurs after exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can trigger pleural or peritoneal cancers, or a combination of both called biphasic. The symptoms are usually found in the chest wall and lungs, however they can also be observed in the abdomen and the heart.
The symptoms of mesothelioma typically don't appear for between 20 and 60 years after initial exposure to asbestos. When symptoms do show up, it is important to receive a mesothelioma diagnose from a specialist instead of a general oncologist. Mesothelioma specialists are well-versed in the types of asbestos that can trigger mesothelioma and can accurately diagnose the disease based on an individual's history of exposure.
Some people who have been exposed to asbestos do not know they are at risk of developing mesothelioma or their doctor does not think mesothelioma is a valid diagnosis in light of their exposure background. Those who have a family member who has mesothelioma could also be at an increased chance of developing this cancer. It is essential to speak to a mesothelioma specialist regarding your exposure to asbestos and any health issues that you are experiencing.
4. Genetics
Research has found that certain genes may increase a person's mesothelioma-related risk. westminster asbestos attorneys who have a genetic mutation may develop mesothelioma despite having only minimal exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium- the tissue that covers most internal organs. Asbestos fibers may penetrate the mesothelium's thin tissue, and over time the sharp edges disrupt the cell's genetic balance. Cells that are not balanced can grow out of control and reproduce themselves, forming clusters. As time passes these clumps could develop into tumors that affect the surrounding tissues and organs.
Other causes of mesothelioma exist, including asbestos exposure. Some patients have developed mesothelioma after exposure to minerals, such as silica or erionite. Others have developed mesothelioma after contact with paint additives that contain asbestos. In the past asbestos paint was used to protect metal pipes. Other asbestos-based products include shingles and fireproof fabric.
A genetic mutation on chromosome 3 can also lead to mesothelioma. The cause of this mutation is an alteration in the BAP1 gene. The BAP1 gene controls the channel which moves calcium inside cells. If this gene is altered, calcium levels drop which can increase the risk of developing cancer for a person from carcinogens like asbestos.
Scientists have observed mesothelioma clustering in some families that do not have known occupational asbestos exposure. Family members affected carry a BAP1 gene mutation that leads them to mesothelioma. In one family with a mesothelioma-linked link the affected members all carried the same BAP1 mutation.
Researchers are working to find out the causes of mesothelioma. The more information doctors have, better they will be able to detect and treat mesothelioma in the early stages. Identifying the factors that increase the mesothelioma risk can assist in preventing it, too.
Smoking and family history are two of the risk factors that can be changed. However, some risk factors are permanent. Despite the fact that exposure to asbestos has been reduced thanks to the bans on it, mesothelioma cases are increasing across the world. This is probably due to the combination of environmental and genetic factors contributes to the disease. Mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more prone to work in occupations that expose them to asbestos, and also because wives of asbestos workers could be exposed to asbestos through the clothing of their husbands.