How To Explain Mesothelioma From Asbestos To A 5-Year-Old
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
The people who use products that contain asbestos are at risk of inhaling or inhaling asbestos fibers. The fibers enter the tissue of the chest cavity or abdomen, also referred to as the peritoneum and pleura.
Exposure to asbestos confers a lifetime risk of malignant, pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Even though the risk seems to decrease after 40 years of exposure, asbestos exposure of any kind is dangerous.
Age
The older the person is when exposed, the greater the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel an extremely thin layer that surrounds the major organs of the body. The cancerous cells are malignant, meaning they grow out of control and form tumors. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in those who have been exposed to asbestos either in their work or as a member of someone who was exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma due to irritation of the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs' linings, but it can also affect the linings of the abdomen and peritoneum, as well as the heart lining.
Asbestos is a highly resistant and durable mineral. It was utilized in the construction industry, insulation and other industrial applications until the 1980s. In the 1980s, millions of Americans were either exposed to asbestos because of their jobs or being near someone who was exposed to asbestos.
When asbestos is disturbed, it releases fibers into air. They can be inhaled and they are too hard for the body to break down or process. The fibers could become stuck in the lungs, causing irritation that leads to cancer.
Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not appear for decades after asbestos exposure. The symptoms are similar to other cancers, and may be fatal if not treated.
Mesothelioma is more common in men than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people over age 45. The people who are at most risk of developing mesothelioma because asbestos exposure at work include ship builders, miners railroad workers, and others who handled or installed products that contain asbestos. The asbestos found on the clothing of these workers can also expose their families to risk.
Smoking
The longer an individual is exposed to asbestos, the greater their risk of developing mesothelioma. This is due to the lengthy latency time that can range between 20 and 60 year from the first exposure to diagnosis. Depending on the kind of asbestos, a patient's mesothelioma can occur in various parts of the body. Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that affects the lining between the lung cavity and chest wall (the pleura). Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the abdomen's lining, also known as the peritoneum.
Most often, people who have been exposed to radiation develop mesothelioma in the chest or the lungs. Most at risk are those who worked in shipbuilding, power production and construction. However, Cassy Lawn mesothelioma can also develop in individuals who were exposed to asbestos at home or in school. This is because children and spouses of workers who were exposed to asbestos can carry the asbestos fibers into their clothes hair, skin and even their hair which can put them at risk as well.
The majority of mesothelioma patients are white and over the age of 65. They are more likely to have had an occupation with a blue collar or military background. Asbestos was used extensively by the United States Navy and other branches of the military due to its resistance to flames. Many veterans were exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma may develop when DNA of an individual undergoes changes which cause cells to multiply without control. This leads to the formation of tumors, which eventually transform into mesothelioma. The disease can affect the entire body but is most prevalent in the chest and abdomen.
Smoking does cause mesothelioma but it increases your risk by increasing the amount of asbestos you breathe in. Therefore anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should consider stopping smoking cigarettes.
Furthermore, a person's mesothelioma treatment plan should involve an experienced doctor who is knowledgeable about asbestos exposure and the risk factors associated with this type of cancer. A mesothelioma expert can help determine the best treatment for this rare cancer. The doctor will be able determine if a patient is eligible for immunotherapy or experimental treatments.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is utilized in many different products such as flooring, roofing, and insulation. Workers who handle, make or work with asbestos-containing products are at high risk for exposure. Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to illness and cancer.
There is a long period of latency between the exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms, which makes it difficult to recognize the various asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma, the most dangerous of asbestos-related diseases, is no exception. Mesothelioma symptoms may manifest between 20 and 60 year after exposure to asbestos.
Exposure to occupational hazards is the most frequent way in which people are exposed. Manufacturing, construction, electrical and automotive mechanic jobs all involve handling asbestos-related parts and materials. Some people are also exposed through activities at home, such as smoking, or renovating older homes that have asbestos.
Inhalation of asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos fibers inhaled may travel into the lungs and cause irritation to the pleura, the lining of the lungs. This irritation can result in thickened pleura patches (pleural plates) and fibrosis in the lungs. As the disease progresses it may cause to the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, and eventually lung cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissues of other organs such as the heart and abdomen.
People who are exposed to asbestos at work are at the highest chance of developing mesothelioma. But people who have the family history of mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses, are at risk as well. The risk of asbestos exposure is higher if one has had more than one job in the course of their life. Smoking can increase the risk of mesothelioma, but it can worsen the condition for cassylawn those already diagnosed. Quitting smoking is beneficial if you have had an asbestos-related exposure in the past and suffer from mesothelioma. It can also allow you to live longer, and improve the results of your treatment. It is essential to inform your doctor about your exposure to asbestos and any new symptoms, like shortness of breath or abdominal pain, since they can treat the disease by undergoing surgery or medication.
Genetics
Many cancers are genetically related, meaning that a person’s genes can increase the chances of getting a particular disease. However, mesothelioma does not have any genetic component. Instead asbestos exposure is the main reason.
Asbestos fibers enter the body by being inhaled or swallowed, and then clinging to the chest's lining (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum) or around the heart (the pericardium). These fibers that are loose can cause damage to the cells that make up these small linings over time. This can result in mesothelioma.
However, mesothelioma does not affect everyone who is exposed. Researchers believe that other factors can influence whether a person develops mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. This includes a person's gender and age, their family history of mesothelioma and other diseases and whether they have other risk factors, such as smoking.
Mesothelioma is more likely to develop in males than females. This is due to the fact that more males than females were exposed to asbestos directly at work. It can take between 20 to 60 years for mesothelioma develop following the first exposure to asbestos.
A defective gene is a further risk factor for mesothelioma. In a study that looked at two families with high rates of mesothelioma, researchers discovered that almost every person in the family had a defective gene located on their short arm of the chromosome 3. This gene, called BAP 1 regulates the flow of calcium inside cells. A defect in the gene causes disruption to this process, causing calcium levels to decrease. This allows asbestos to turn healthy cells into cancerous ones and cause mesothelioma.
Mutations in a gene can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. This mutated gene results in a decrease in white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting cancerous cells.
Other factors that could increase a person's chance of mesothelioma are the type of asbestos they were exposed to and their job. Additionally the polio vaccine that was given to children in the 1940s and 1950s could increase the risk of mesothelioma in a person by exposing them to the cancer-causing SV40 virus.