Non Asbestos Causes of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the thin membrane lining of the abdomen or chest. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. The risk increases with the duration and intensity of asbestos exposure.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma might wonder how they got it. A mesothelioma lawyer can help them identify potential asbestos exposure sources.
1. Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer is a disease that affects the linings of the stomach or lungs (peritoneum). It is usually associated with asbestos exposure, and can take between 20 to 40 years to develop. It is not the same as lung cancer and is very rare, affecting only one out of 100,000 people in Australia each year.
Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of strong, microscopic fibers. It was used in a variety of commercial, industrial and residential products, including drywall, insulation, pipes tiles, glues, tiles, and cement. The most common type of asbestos linked to mesothelioma, chrysotile, is chrysotile. Workers who work in asbestos on a daily basis are at greatest risk, especially those who were exposed in their workplaces, like shipyard workers construction workers, shipyard workers, asbestos manufacturers and those who handled asbestos, mixed or removed. Men are more likely than women to have worked in occupations which exposed them to asbestos and this could be the reason why more men are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Your doctor will review your medical history and employ a variety of tools to identify mesothelioma. This includes a physical exam as well as chest x-rays and lung function tests. They will also inquire about your job, culture and family background. If they suspect you have mesothelioma attorneys they will refer you to a specialist.
You'll have to be referred by your GP however, the process of referral can differ depending on where you live.
There are many variables that can affect the treatment options you have.
Early diagnosis can enhance your prognosis and you'll be able to get the treatment that you need. Speak to your GP if you notice any symptoms. They may refer you an expert or the top mesothelioma hospitals. They will run a range of tests to confirm the diagnosis and help you select a treatment option that is suitable for you.
2. Viral Infections
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that grows in the linings surrounding various organs. It is most commonly found in the lung (pleural mesothelioma) however it can also be found in the lining of the tummy (peritoneal mesothelioma) or even in the membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). More than 2700 patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the UK. It's not curable however treatment can help control symptoms.
Exposure to asbestos is the most important factor in mesothelioma. The fire- and heat-resistant mineral was used in the production of a variety building and construction materials until it was banned in the year 1970. Workers who work with or remove these materials, including electricians, plumbers, and miners and pipefitters, insulators, and re-modelers of older homes are at risk.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma lawyers by inhalation or swallowing tiny pieces of the material. These fibers may penetrate the lining of the mesothelium and cause a tumor. The majority of these tumors are malignant and can grow to other areas of the body.
Symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not manifest until a long time after exposure. Shortness of breath and chest discomfort, as well as abdominal distress are some of the symptoms. A person with these symptoms should inform their doctor about their asbestos exposure background. They should also request a referral to mesothelioma specialists to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers believe that genetics, in addition to environmental and chemical factors, can play a role in mesothelioma. Some of these elements could be cocarcinogens, which are substances that increase the cancer-causing potential of other chemicals. Studies have also shown that viruses, including the SV40 virus, could be associated with mesothelioma. A few studies suggest that talcum which is more frequently used by women than men, may contribute to mesothelioma.
More research is required to better understand the causes of mesothelioma. As more information is uncovered, doctors will be able to offer better treatment to decrease the number of cases. Asbestos is still the most commonly cited cause however it is crucial to be aware of non-asbestos risk factors as well. This can improve patient outcomes and may even help prevent mesothelioma.
3. Chemical Exposure
Chemicals are an integral part of our daily lives and are used in the production in many industries. Industrialization and the growing demand for a variety of goods and services has resulted in an increase in the use of chemicals. This has had a negative impact on the environment and workers' safety, particularly for those who frequently use chemicals.
There are many ways people can be exposed to chemicals such as ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Once a chemical is taken into the body, it may be less or more toxic dependent on how it is processed by the liver. For instance carbon tetrachloride is an old solvent, is now recognized to cause liver damage. Once ingested, some chemicals are broken down by the body into safer substances. This process is referred to as metabolism.
Exposure to chemicals may cause cancer and other health problems. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the organ's lining and structures within the body called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is usually associated with asbestos exposure. Exposure to asbestos can trigger peritoneal or pleural cancers, or a combination of both called biphasic. Symptoms typically appear in the lungs and chest wall but they may also be seen in the abdomen and heart.
The symptoms of mesothelioma typically don't manifest for a period of 20 to 60 years after exposure to asbestos. If symptoms do show up it is important to seek a mesothelioma diagnose from a specialist instead of an oncologist. Specialists in mesothelioma are acquainted with the asbestos types that cause the disease and are able to precisely diagnose it based on a patient's history of exposure.
Many people who have been exposed to asbestos are unaware that they could be at risk of developing the disease. Also, their doctor might not recognize mesothelioma from their history. A family member who suffers from mesothelioma has a higher chance of developing cancer. It is essential to speak to a mesothelioma expert about your asbestos exposure, and any health problems you may be suffering from.
4. Genetics
Researchers have discovered that certain genes may increase a person's mesothelioma risk. A genetic mutation could cause mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium- the tissue that covers the majority of internal organs. Asbestos fibers can penetrate this layer of thin tissue, and as time passes the sharp edges disturb the cell's genetic balance. Cells that are not balanced can expand out of control and reproduce themselves, forming clusters. These clumps may become tumors in time and affect surrounding tissues and organs.
Asbestos exposure is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause, however other causes are also present. For example, some people have developed mesothelioma following exposure to other minerals such as silica and erionite. Others have developed mesothelioma after contact with paint additives that contain asbestos. Asbestos paint was used in the past to protect pipes made of steel. Other asbestos-based products were shingles, and fireproof cloth.
A genetic defect on chromosome 3 can also lead to mesothelioma. The cause of this mutation is an alteration in the BAP1 gene. The BAP1 gene regulates the channel which transports calcium within cells. When this gene is altered the calcium levels decrease which increases the risk of developing cancer due to carcinogens like asbestos.
Scientists have observed mesothelioma lawyer clusters within certain families, even those who have not had any asbestos exposure at work. The affected family members have a BAP1 mutation that causes mesothelioma. In one family with a mesothelioma link, all affected members carried the same BAP1 mutation.
Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of mesothelioma. The more information doctors have the better equipped they are to detect and treat mesothelioma. Finding factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma in an individual can help with prevention.
A number of mesothelioma risk factors, like smoking and family history, can be changed. However, some risk factors are unchangeable. Despite the fact that asbestos exposure has decreased since its ban, mesothelioma continues to be increasing in cases across the globe. This is probably because environmental and genetic factors are involved in the development of the disease. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is likely due to the fact that men are more likely to work in jobs that require heavy asbestos exposure, and because wives of asbestos workers could be exposed to asbestos that is on their husbands' clothing.