MESOTHELIOMA

But just why is asbestos being outlawed and its use discontinued even in house shingle manufacturing? Let's take a look at this bad boy's infamous rise to fame.

What does asbestos look like?

Asbestos is a natural ore found in the form of hard fibrous pieces of rock. In order to produce a finished product, it is milled, processed, and mixed with other materials. The main reason it was extracted from its natural surroundings to begin with is the discovery of its strength and fire-resistant properties. Once it was determined to be so remarkable, it was introduced to the construction industry and until the 1970s was employed for every use it could think of. Used in thermal insulation, acoustic insulations, fire retardants, roofing, flooring, and house shingles, it seemed the sky was the limit for this great innovative earthly find. But a silent killer was lurking beneath all those perfectly aligned shingles and multi-colored tiles that all the women were doting over. It would take years and painful deaths to unravel the mystery of the wondrous fiber, asbestos.

Why is asbestos so deadly?

After years of exposure to air (especially salty air) and sun, deterioration will release deadly particles of asbestos products into the air. Some are so small that we need a microscope to see them. What this means is that they can actually be floating in the air and as we breathe, they can lodge in our lungs. By inhaling these fibers, our chances of developing lung cancer or mesothelioma are greatly enhanced. The greater the exposure, the greater the risk becomes. What began as a godsend became a disaster. The horror of it all is the time elapsed between exposure and development of disease can be as long as thirty years. As you can see, it's pretty hard to pin down.

Who knew?

No one knew the dangerous properties of asbestos, the material was almost too good to be true. Now we know the material crumbles easily if handled. Now we know better (hopefully) than to saw, scrape, or sand it into a powder. Doing these things are likely to create a health hazard. It is usually not a problem if asbestos is in your home. I stress usually because it is in the releasing of the fibers themselves that lies the danger. If anything inside or outside of your home is questionable, a professional can make an informed decision about its care and maintenance. The important thing to remember is" Don't Touch It! "

Is there a safe amount?

There is no known safe exposure amount to asbestos. This is one of the many reasons why asbestos shingles are no longer used. Meanwhile the mesothelioma lawsuits are lined up at the cancer attorneys in droves. Individuals who receive the deadly diagnosis because of asbestos exposure commission this type of attorney to procure a settlement for them. The lawyer will only take his fee upon eventual settlement. It is a very sad situation even if there is a settlement. My favorite actor of all time, Steve McQueen of Bullitt fame died from mesothelioma at a very young age. He worked in an asbestos factory as a teenager on his way up. Who knew?

carcinogen is a cancer-causing substance.

carcinogen is produced by

1.fungus aspergillus ,which produces aflatoxin B1, grows on stored grains,peanut butter,nuts etc.
2.cooking protein-rich foods at high temperatures
3.cigarette smoke
4.some plants produce carcinogens to prevent animals from eating them.

carcinogens cause cancer by altering the cellular matabolism or by damaging the DNA.

when the cells are unable to detect this,they undergo programmed cell death(to protect the organism),but when the damage interferes with genes,which are responsible for cell death,cancer occur.

cells in skin,stomach,breast,intestinla lining are capable of rapid lining and hence sensitive to carcinogens.

classification

1.Group 1 - Known human carcinogen
when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans.

2.Group 2A - Probable human carcinogen
when there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals

3.Group 2B - Possible human carcinogen
there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and less than sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals.
4.Class 3 - Not classifiable for human carcinogenicity
the evidence of carcinogenicity is inadequate in humans and inadequate or limited in experimental animals
5.Class 4 - Probably not carcinogenic to humans
there is evidence suggesting lack of carcinogenicity in humans and in experimental animals.

Asbestos is a useful but dangerous mineral. It is useful because it can be pulled apart into fibers, making it easy to work into different shapes, and because it has a very high melting point. These qualities make it great for use as insulation or for items, such as brake pads, that need to handle a lot of heat.

Unfortunately, it also poses a health hazard. The fibrous nature which makes it so useful, also makes it an inhalation hazard. So, if the answer is "One of several diseases that may result from breathing in tiny asbestos fibers," the question could be:

What is asbestosis?: a very nasty disease that ruins your lungs because they can't rid themselves of the strands of asbestos.

What is lung cancer?: there are several types of this which may also be caused by things other than asbestos.

What is mesothelioma?: a special type of cancer which is only caused by exposure to asbestos.

And, if the question is "Who makes the most money from asbestos?" the answer is mesothelioma lawyers.
Good luck and good health.

People living and working in New York on that fateful day when the Twin Towers came down are becoming ill in growing numbers. World Trade first responders and others are developing chronic coughs, lung diseases and now other cancers caused by breathing the toxic mix of asbestos, dioxine, benezine, and other carcinogens at and around the site.

Eventually some may develop mesotheliomaa disease specifically related to exposure to asbestos.

And some will also begin to develop potentially lethal blood clots. Patients with cancer of all types tend to have a significantly higher risk of blood clotting then the general population. Because of its severity as a disease, scientists wanted to find out whether patients with mesothelioma followed that trend.

In a small study in the state of New Mexico the rate of dangerous blood clotting (thromboembolism) among mesothelioma patients was significantly higherclose to double the rateamong other cancer patients. If you know someone who may be at risk for mesothelioma, be sure to let them know they should talk to their doctor about the advisability of taking blood thinners (anticoagulants).

There are similarities between the victims of the Towers tragedy and those who've developed mesothelioma as a result of manufacturers who failed to provide adequate warnings and protective clothing and equipment for people working around asbestos. The difference is there will be a far larger public outcry when the consequences to rescue workers at the 9/11 disaster become common knowledge. When you've been the victim of such failures in the private sector, you have to look harder to find a voice on your behalf.

Visit our site to find doctors who appreciate the dangers that 9/11 workers have been exposed to, who are willing to keep an eye on your medical condition, and who will keep an open mind about diagnosing and treating mesothelioma.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or feel you've been exposed to asbestos or other toxic substances on the job, first find the right medical help. Then, understand your legal rights. If you have questions or need help regarding a potential mesothelioma or asbestos-exposure lawsuit, you can visit our site (link below), call us 800.443.6353, or email us at help@mesotheliomaadvice.org We have years of experience helping people just like you and your family face this difficult time in your life.

Asbestos is a major cause of the otherwise rare form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is virtually never seen in people who have not been exposed to asbestos.

Asbestosis is most commonly seen in men, typically who are over age 40. This is because none of the stage were more likely to have worked in buildings containing asbestos. All people who were exposed to asbestos over a long period of time are potentially at risk.

As a person inhales small particles of asbestos, the particles travel to the deepest and smallest airways in the lungs. The asbestos fibers will then collect in the outer edges of the lungs, gradually causing a chronic inflammation and irritation to the delicate lung tissues.

Symptoms

In many cases, it can take up to twenty years for symptoms of asbestosis to become apparent. The most common symptom will be a chronic cough and shortness of breath. The cough will be dry and constant, producing very little sputum.

As the disease progresses, a person can experience chest pain, a coarse voice, a loss of appetite and weight, and changes in sleep patterns. On occasion, a person will cough up some blood. This is a sign that the disease is becoming relatively advanced.

Risk and prevention

Obviously the greatest risk of getting asbestosis is asbestos exposure. If you suspect that you may be working in an area with asbestos, always be sure to wear proper protective masks.

If you are a smoker, try to quit. Smoking can increase the damage done by asbestos exposure. The combination of damage done by the inhaled asbestos fibers and the cigarette smoke can be devastating to your lungs.

Regular exercise can help limit the damage done by asbestos exposure. This helps for a number of reasons, including maintaining good circulation and airflow through the lungs.

If you suspect or know that you have exposure to asbestos, be sure to tell your doctor and plan regular chest x-rays to look for signs of damage to your lungs. Asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of lung cancer.

Treatments

Treatment for asbestos exposure is largely aimed at controlling the symptoms. There is no known way to reverse damage which is already done, but symptoms can be treated and further damage can be prevented.

People with asbestosis must take good care of their lungs. Be sure to get proper treatment for any other condition which can affect your lungs, such as pneumonia, colds, bronchitis, and influenza. These conditions can be made much worse in people who suffer from asbestos exposure.

Respiratory therapists and work with people who have been exposed to teach them proper care of their lungs. Bronchial drainage and the use of misting humidifiers can help tremendously with the symptoms.

If you activity you may have been exposed to asbestos, or maybe experiencing symptoms of asbestosis, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. Asbestosis is not a medical emergency, however the sooner you are able to identify your risk and begin proper care and treatment, the more you can minimize the damage done to your lungs.

Mesothelioma virtually never develops in people who have not been exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma have become a major issue in the medical-legal arena. Not a day goes by when a lawyer isn't advertising on television for people to call if they have been exposed to asbestos. Presumably, these lawyers intend to sue everyone who was involved in creating the exposure, regardless of whether the risk was known at the time the asbestos was installed. As if money will make your lung cancer go away.

Chronic asbestos exposure can lead to a condition known as asbestosis. This is a lung condition typically seen in men. Most men and women with signs of asbestosis are over the age of 40, as it takes quite a long time for asbestos exposure to develop problems. In addition, men are more likely to have worked in buildings containing asbestos. Anyone who has been chronically exposed to asbestos is potentially at risk for developing asbestosis.

So how does asbestos exposure cause damage to your lungs? As a person inhales small particles of asbestos, the particles travel to the deepest and smallest airways in the lungs. The asbestos fibers will then collect in the outer edges of the lungs, gradually causing a chronic inflammation and irritation to the delicate lung tissues.

In many cases, it can take up to twenty years for symptoms of asbestosis to become apparent. The most common symptom experience by an exposed person will be a chronic cough and shortness of breath. The cough is typically be dry, producing very little sputum.

As asbestosis worsens, a person can experience chest pain, a coarse voice, a loss of appetite and weight, and changes in sleep patterns. Coughing up some blood is somewhat common as well. This is a sign that the disease is becoming relatively advanced.

exposure. The combination of damage done by the inhaled asbestos fibers and the cigarette smoke can be devastating to your lungs. Regular exercise can help limit the damage done by asbestos exposure.

If you suspect or know that you have exposure to asbestos, be sure to tell your doctor and plan regular chest x-rays to look for signs of damage to your lungs.

Treatment for asbestos exposure is largely aimed at controlling the symptoms. There is no known way to reverse damage which is already done, but symptoms can be treated and further damage can be prevented.

Asbestos exposure can also lead to mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of lung cancer. Mesothelioma has no association with cigarette smoking. The only cause of this type of cancer that has been found is exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma can taken decades to develop. It does not just appear overnight because you tore out some insulation in your attic last week. It takes chronic exposure over a period of twenty to fifty years for significant damage to appear in your lungs.

Mesothelioma will cause symptoms very similar to asbestosis. A person will begin coughing all of the time. They will appear weak, and be chronically short of breath. In the later stages, a person will experience chest and abdominal pain, as well as significant weight loss. There is currently no cure of mesothelioma. All a doctor can do for an effected person is to try and control the symptoms and extend their quality of life as much as possible.

Asbestos exposure has significant health implications to those who are exposed. Even if a person never develops cancer, it is possible for the asbestos to cause chronic damage to the lungs. If you suspect that you may have been exposed to asbestos over a long period of time, you should talk with a doctor about the possible health consequences.

In fact, mesothelioma is so closely associated with occupational exposure to asbestos that it was banned from commercial use in the United States in 1989, although most manufacturers had voluntarily stopped using asbestos-containing materials over a decade earlier. Because it may not appear until many years after the victim's last exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma is often referred to as "the cancer that kills 40 years later."

In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos has been linked with a greater incidence in cancers arising from the lung tissue itself and there is evidence that asbestos may be associated with increased risks of cancers involving the esophagus and the stomach. There appears to be no direct evidence linking cigarette smoking with mesothelioma, aside from the overall increased risks in the occurrence of all forms of cancer that has long been noted among smokers.

The symptoms related to mesothelioma are directly related to the region of the body where the cancer arises. Among the mesotheliomas that develop in the chest cavity, shortness of breath and/or a cough that does not respond to routine treatment are often the only signs that the disease may be present. Often, mesothelioma is discovered only after x-rays have been taken in order to evaluate the victim for other symptoms. Mesotheliomas that develop in the abdomen are usually discovered only after they cause abdominal pain, or anemia, or have grown large enough to cause an intestinal obstruction.

Mesothelioma is notorious among oncologists, physicians who specialize in the treatment of cancer, for being very difficult to treat with any degree of long-term success, although the exact reasons for this remain unclear. Based on the latest data available from the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute, only about 15 to 20 per cent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma this year can be expected to survive for 5 years despite aggressive surgical and medical treatment.

Another type of Mesothelioma is peritoneal Mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the membrane that lines the abdomen. A person with Mesothelioma can experience chest pain, often caused by a collection of fluid in the lungs and shortness of breath. Since many doctors don't have expertise in the area of asbestos-related diseases, these symptoms are often believed, at first, to be attributable to other medical problems, such as pneumonia. A biopsy may reveal the Mesothelioma and a proper diagnosis can thus be established. A history of the individual's occupational exposure shall be taken.

Since there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, even brief exposure may be enough to cause Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer and there is presently no known cure for Mesothelioma. As the disease progresses, the diseased cells harden the pleura and spread. As time passes, such normal activities as breathing, sleeping and eating become more difficult. As time passes, it becomes extremely hard for the victim to engage in every-day activities and enjoy life. A number of treatments have been established to help contain the spread of the disease and reduce the pain associated with it. Chemotherapy, radiation and radical surgery to remove the lung and pleura are among the options that have been explored by the treating physician.

Mesothelioma is a preventable disease. Many of the companies that manufacture and make profit from the sale of asbestos-containing products are aware of the hazards of asbestos. Alternative fibers are available that could be used instead of asbestos. But asbestos is cheap, and available, and is a good filler and binder. Mesothelioma has a very long latency period, which means that it could be thirty years or more before the person even realizes that they have contracted the cancer. Symptom onset can take up to fifty years or more in some cases, but once the symptoms have manifested, the life expectancy of the person can be as short as several months. So, if you or a loved one are experiencing any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor right away. Make sure that your physician is aware of any previous asbestos exposure, and occupational risk factors.

Family members of workers from any industry that were routinely exposed to as asbestos, asbestos fibers or fine-grained asbestos dust during their employment who subsequently died of mesothelioma may also be able to file a wrongful death claim regardless of which state they currently live in.

When a person dies as the direct result of another's carelessness, malpractice, failure to correct a situation that should have been foreseen as being dangerous to others, or withheld the true nature of a potentially serious danger, the family members of the deceased may be able to file a wrongful death claim.

As a general rule, in the State of West Virginia, any member of a mesothelioma victim's immediate family (parents, spouses, and children) may begin legal action related to a wrongful death claim. Under that state's wrongful death law, such claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. In some cases a West Virginia wrongful death claim can also be made even though the deceased had received compensation resulting from a previous legal action such as a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of a larger group unless the previous settlement specifically barred further claims involving the same victim.

Previous court cases in West Virginia and in other states have established that since mesothelioma is very a rare cancer that has been found to be much more common in those that were repeatedly exposed to asbestos as part of their employment, then such repeated exposures are considered to have been the cause of a mesothelioma that is discovered later. These other cases have also established that a mesothelioma victim need not have been directly exposed to asbestos and that indirect exposure, such as washing work clothes or playing with children while wearing work clothes that had been contaminated with asbestos fibers, is sufficient to establish an asbestos or mesothelioma-related wrongful death claim.

The law in these cases can be both complex and confusing to the layman and can be only briefly summarized here. Anyone believing that they have the right to file a wrongful death claim in West Virginia, or in any other state, should consult an attorney with experience in handling asbestos / mesothelioma wrongful death cases as soon as possible. Most attorneys will be happy to review the facts in a case without charging a fee and without further obligations

Those who had close contact with anyone exposed to asbestos or worked in a building containing asbestos (especially factory workers) are also at risk.

Since it can take as long as forty years after the original exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to develop, it is important to know if you are at risk for this cancer and to be tested. Anyone who has been or thinks they have been exposed to asbestos should speak with their medical practitioner about their exposure and be tested for mesothelioma. If the medical practitioner believes there is a problem, an oncologist should be seen as soon as possible for a definitive diagnosis. As with other cancers, mesothelioma is not necessarily a death sentence. There are many treatments available. An oncologist will best be able to explain those treatments to those who have mesothelioma.

Once a diagnosis has been made, a mesothelioma attorney should be contacted. Mesothelioma attorneys often take their cases on a contingency basis. This simply means the attorney will not have to be paid upfront; the legal fees are taken out of the settlement. If the mesothelioma attorney does not win the case, the client does not pay anything. Those who have mesothelioma may be able to file a lawsuit against the company responsible for the asbestos exposure. Millions of dollars have already been paid to many mesothelioma patients for doctor's bills, lost wages as well a punitive damages. These court cases may take several years to conclude and for those with mesothelioma to get any type of settlement. Should the mesothelioma patient pass away before (and after) a settlement is reached, in some cases, their survivors may be entitled to the compensation for the court case.

Seeing that mesothelioma can take years to develop, if there is a chance of exposure, action must be taken to protect yourself and your family, both medically and financially. Get a definitive diagnosis as quickly as possible and then contact a mesothelioma attorney. Unlike many other cancers, mesothelioma is caused by negligent companies who exposed their employees and clients to asbestos.

But it is found to be harmless to its occupancies unless disturbed: remodeling.

Mesothelioma is a cancer which affects the mesothelium. Mesothelium is made up of mesothelia cells which is a protective lining covering all the internal organs and body cavities: the thoracic cavity, the abdominal cavity, and the heart sac. The thoracic cavity houses the following: the heart, the great vessels-the aorta and the pulmonary artery-the trachea, the bronchi, the lungs, the esophagus, the lymphatic system, and the thymus gland. The abdominal cavity consists of the digestive tract, the liver and the pancreas, the spleen, the kidneys, and the adrenal gland. The heart sac is a membrane which encases and protects the heart.

There are four types of Mesothelioma cancer: Pleural Mesothelioma, which is the lining of the lungs. This is the most common of the four and it makes up seventy-five percent of the reported cases. Pertineal Mesothelioma, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity and it makes up between ten to twenty percent of the reported cases. Pericardial Mesothelioma which is the membrane that surrounds the heart and it makes up bewtween one to five percent of reported cases. Finally, testicular mesothelioma, which is very rare and less than one hundred cases are reported.

Doctors and researchers alike find it difficult to diagnose Mesothelioma because it can reside dormant within the human body anywhere from ten to fifty years without any complications or signs. Symptoms of Mesothelioma are also hard to accurately determine because they can be ordinary symptoms of the flu or mislead the doctor in the direction of another disease. Other then long term exposure to asbestos, there is no real scientific evidence to point to the reasons as to why the asbestos affect the Mesothelium in such an aggressive manner, but they have come to the conclusion that the end result is always cellular damage. Unlike other cancers, Mesothelioma has a high percentage of fatality and there are only two types of treatment: chemotherapy-if the cancer is diagnosed in the early stages-and treatment to help those who are in the late stages of Mesothelioma cope with the pain.

In the United States alone, there will be at least three thousand cases of Mesothelioma reported in 2008. There are many support groups for those diagnosed with the cancer and informative websites to find out more about Mesothelioma and its effects on the human body and how to treat it. The most important step to fighting Mesothelioma is to be informed, which means getting a regular health check up and personally knowing your body so you can know when something is wrong and should immediately be seen by a doctor.