What’s Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is best described as a form of lung cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, also known as the mesothelium. Though rare, this form of cancer is very aggressive and those who are diagnosed with the disease rarely survive beyond a year or two from the date of diagnosis. Many die within months, as the disease is generally not diagnosed until its later stages when treatment options are few.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
While individuals develop certain other cancers for a number of reasons, such as poor diet or stress, there is only one known cause of mesothelioma – exposure to asbestos. Doctors estimate that in more than 85% of all mesothelioma diagnoses, they can establish a definite link to asbestos.
Many wonder what makes asbestos so dangerous. In actuality, asbestos when it is in its whole, intact state is not at all dangerous. Damaged or “friable” asbestos, however, is a cause for concern. Friable asbestos is asbestos that has gotten old or has been in some way destroyed or damaged so that it now produces dangerous asbestos dust. The tiny fibers in the dust circulate throughout the air and may be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity. Unfortunately, the fibers are sharp and easily embed themselves in the lungs or mesothelium of those exposed, ventually causing scarring and perhaps cancer.
For many years, asbestos was used in myriad industries and products because of its extraordinary heat- and fire-resistant properties. Because of that, it’s common to encounter asbestos in old homes or commercial buildings, where it may be found in the walls, floors, and ceilings. Anyone living in a home or working in a commercial location where asbestos is present should exercise great caution in dealing with the dangerous mineral.
Who Gets Mesothelioma?
Doctors are hard-pressed to understand why some people exposed to asbestos get the disease and others don’t. They do agree, however, that any amount of asbestos exposure is unsafe and that small children and those with compromised immune systems may be especially susceptible to the affects of asbestos.
Some industries report a higher incidence of mesothelioma among employees, mostly because asbestos was more widely used in those lines of work. Those industries include:
· Contractors/construction workers
· Shipyard workers
· Plumbers
· Auto mechanics
· Electricians
· Power plant workers
· Railroad employees
· Boilermakers
· Steamfitters
· Pipefitters