Risks & Causes of Mesothelioma
Learn about the risks of Mesothelioma & causes of cancer
The 'risk of Mesothelioma' is exponentially higher in any persons that have been exposed to asbestos with further increased risk with other prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals, even smoking!. Studies also suggest a higher risk of the cancer in men. Those at risk may be unaware they have been affected as symptoms may take as long as 10 to 50 years before they surface. Up to 90% of cases are directly related to asbestos. Most cases occur in the lining of the lungs.
What causes Mesothelioma Cancer?
Mesothelioma is commonly caused by foreign objects that have become embedded in the lungs. In the case of asbestos related illness, tiny fibres from the asbestos can be breathed in. These embed within the lining of the lung. Over time, these can become cancerous.
Pleural cancer is the most common form of the disease which affects the Pleural lining of the lungs. Cancer in this region restricts smooth movement of the lungs and heart in the chest cavity and poses the risk of spreading cancer to other organs. The pericardium lines the heart for which there are a lower number of cancers than of the pleural.
When cancerous cells invade the mesothelium (lining around the lungs), it becomes increasingly difficult to breathe. In the pleural form of mesothelioma cancer, tumours grow in the mesothelium and cause pleural effusions which limit the movement of the lungs and other organs in the chest. Peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the abdominal cavity and can cause loss of appetite and weight, nausea and vomiting. Most patients take only 4-6 months to seek medical help after the appearance of symptoms.
Who is most at risk of contracting Mesothelioma?
Any persons who have worked around or been in the presence of Asbestos is at risk of the lung cancer and should undertake regular health checks. Asbestos was a popular insulating and fire retardant material used heavily in the 60's & 70's with continued use up in the the late 1990's.
Many men in the construction industry were exposed to asbestos when the mineral was used in building houses, factories and offices. These risks remained intact and continued to pose a threat when buildings were knocked down. People working in asbestos lined building are also at risk.
Further risks were posed by the burning of asbestos lined material as well as the illegal and often untraced disposal of affected material. Therefore even today, asbestos remains a lethal risk and is still used in items such as brake pads.
Other factors are being investigated to find if there are hereditary connections with the disease and further evidence needs to be scrutinised to determine if another building material called 'zeolite' also increases the risk of delveloping mesothelioma.
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