What is Mesothelioma Cancer??
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (known as the mesothelium). The most common area affected is the lining of the lungs and chest wall. Less commonly the lining of the abdomen and rarely the sac surrounding the heart, or the sac surrounding the testis may be affected. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma may include shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, a swollen abdomen, chest wall pain, cough, feeling tired, and weight loss. These symptoms typically come on slowly.
More than 80% of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos. The greater the exposure the greater the risk. As of 2013 about 125 million people have been exposed to asbestos at work. High rates of disease occur in people who mine asbestos, produce products from asbestos, work with asbestos products, live with asbestos workers, or work in buildings containing asbestos. Asbestos exposure and the onset of cancer are generally separated by about 40 years. Washing the clothing of someone who worked with asbestos also increases the risk. Other risk factors include genetics and infection with the simian virus 40. The diagnosis may be suspected based on chest X-ray and CT scan findings, and is confirmed by either examining fluid produced by the cancer or by a tissue biopsy of the cancer.
Prevention centers around reducing exposure to asbestos. Treatment often includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. A procedure known as pleurodesis, which involves using substances such as talc to scar together the pleura, may be used to prevent more fluid from building up around the lungs. Chemotherapy often includes the medications cisplatin and pemetrexed. The percentage of people that survive five years following diagnosis is on average 8% in the United States.
In 2015 about 60,800 people had mesothelioma and 32,000 died from the disease. Rates of mesothelioma vary in different areas of the world. Rates are higher in Australia, the United Kingdom, and lower in Japan. It occurs in about 3,000 people per year in the United States. It occurs more often in males than females. Rates of disease have increased since the 1950s. Diagnosis typically occurs after the age of 65 and most deaths occur around 70 years old. The disease was rare before the commercial use of asbestos.
How to Prevent Mesothelioma Cancer??
Mesothelioma Cancer Prevention & Awareness
Print Article Increase Font Size
People often ask how to prevent mesothelioma. Although most Americans are not yet aware of the threat of mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases, the family members and friends of mesothelioma victims are acutely concerned about how to prevent mesothelioma from striking others. Mesothelioma cancer has already killed thousands of Americans, and it continues to be diagnosed at an alarming rate. Asbestos awareness is the first step in mesothelioma prevention.
Prevent Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a mineral used in many products that we encounter on a daily basis. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the use of asbestos was cut back extensively by government regulation. However, asbestos continues to be present in many products and applications. If you’re wondering how to prevent lung cancer and mesothelioma, the most effective way is to avoid or at least limit your asbestos exposure at work, at home, and in public buildings.
Asbestos at Work
If you have (or your loved one has) a job working with asbestos, it’s a good idea to either look for other work or try to ensure that all possible asbestos-related safety precautions are being followed. Some of the jobs that present the highest risk of mesothelioma cancer are:
Asbestos manufacturing and removal, also known as asbestos abatement
Insulation manufacturing, installation, and removal
Factory workers
Miners
Construction workers
Railroad workers
Ship building and shipyard workers
Gas mask manufacturers
Automotive repair (brakes and clutches may contain asbestos)
Asbestos at Home
Another important way to prevent mesothelioma is to eliminate “friable” or crumbling, flaking asbestos in your home. Older homes may well contain materials with asbestos, and if you suspect that there is asbestos in your home, you can have a sample of the building material tested in a laboratory as a necessary step toward mesothelioma prevention. Look in a phone directory under “asbestos removal” for a place to start. It’s possible to safely remove asbestos from your home by yourself, but it’s not easy; your best bet may be to hire a certified asbestos abatement/removal contractor.
Asbestos in Public Buildings
Some schools, libraries, office buildings, theaters, and other public buildings that were constructed before the 1980s have asbestos components. Asbestos that is in place and not disturbed is not thought to present a risk of mesothelioma cancer. However, if you suspect that any of a building’s components (such as ceiling tiles or plumbing insulation) are becoming friable and dangerous, bring it to the attention of city authorities. Many municipalities have already begun campaigns to rid their aging schools of asbestos. Many people want to know how to prevent lung cancer and mesothelioma. Because asbestos can be inhaled and can affect multiple parts of the body, asbestos avoidance and removal is an important step.
Find Out More about How to Prevent Mesothelioma Cancer
Asbestos awareness is an important step towards prevention. Mesothelioma cancer is a frightening disease. There are various treatment options to consider, but each one comes with its own cost. Because this cost can be both personal and financial, many people seek out assistance from a lawyer. An attorney can help determine who is liable for the exposure and help a family seek out compensation. To learn more about how to prevent mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos exposure, contact Mesothelioma Treatment Centers today.
Thanks for
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma
And
https://www.mesotheliomatreatmentcenters.org/mesothelioma-cancer/prevention/