Asbestos Cancer

What is Asbestos Cancer?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was found to have significant fire and heat resistant qualities by the early Greeks. At the turn of the twentieth century, reports indicate that researchers were seeing a high rate of death from lung disease among asbestos miners. Still, asbestos use continued in everything from building insulation to automotive brake shoes and more.

The most common forms of asbestos disease include the following:

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. The fine asbestos fiber particles travel easily on the air and, when inhaled, can penetrate the body’s tissue not unlike fiber glass sticking your hand. In this case, the fibers enter the lungs causing irritation.

While asbestosis is not a form of cancer, it is a type of lung disease and is only associated with long-term exposure to asbestos.

Lung Cancer

Not all forms of lung cancer are asbestos-related. It is common for people in the early stages of asbestos lung cancer not to show any symptoms
Symptoms to watch for include a persistent cough, hoarseness, chest pain, weight loss and bloody phlegm. Should your doctor suspect asbestos lung cancer, he will need to conduct other tests to confirm his diagnosis before proceeding. It is possible, if detected early enough, for patients to survive asbestos lung cancer provided the treatment is in time.

Mesothelioma

Malignant, or cancerous, mesothelioma is the most common, yet rare, type of asbestos cancer. Frequently, mesothelioma will involve severe respiratory problems. While it does affect the lungs, however, mesothelioma is not the same thing as lung cancer. Treatment for mesothelioma can range from surgery to chemotherapy to radiation treatments or a combination thereof. Mesothelioma symptoms, as with any of the asbestos-related cancers, can take decades to appear. While asbestos is still manufactured and used today, the guidelines surrounding those areas are much more stringent and now include such things as upgraded ventilation requirements in plants and full-body protective gear when asbestos removal is required.
Things You Can Do to Prevent Mesothelioma and Asbestos Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium or the sac like protective covering of internal organs. The main cause is exposure to asbestos. Therefore the best possible prevention is to avoid exposure to asbestos. People above the age of sixty five have shown an increased tendency to develop asbestos cancer.
Asbestos is a mineral that is very commonly used. Due to increased health risks the use of asbestos has been reduced according to government regulations. Working in a company which uses asbestos is not safe. The companies have asbestos related safety precautions and one can ensure they are being followed.
1-Insulation manufacturing and installations.
2-Mining
3-Railroad workers
4-Asbestos manufacturing companies
5-Ship yard workers
6-Automotive repairs
7-Manufacturers of gas masks
Many old homes contain traces of asbestos. If you suspect your home to contain materials made of asbestos they can be tested in the laboratory. There are agencies dealing with asbestos removal and they can be contacted for removing asbestos from your home. Public buildings like schools, office buildings, libraries, theatres etc are all prone to this hazard. Living near someone who works near asbestos also exposes you to the mineral.
Asbestos can be transported through clothing, skin and hair. Even a few strands of asbestos can sometimes lead to mesothelioma.
There are other diagnostic tools that can be performed annually on asbestos exposed individuals to reconfirm their health status. Smoking should be stopped since smokers are more susceptible to the onset of the condition if they have asbestos exposure history.
Prevention is the best way out in mesothelioma since it is fatal if not diagnosed early.