Saturday, April 24, 2010

Mesothelioma, Asbestos and Lung Cancer


Mesothelioma, Asbestos & Lung Cancer - "A Few Things You Must Know

For greater than one hundred years asbestos and lung cancer have been partners in cancer. Most folks who've contracted mesothelioma had jobs where they were exposed to and inhaled asbestos dust particles. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which can be either malignant or benign. It is found in the mesothelium which is a thin protective tissue covering most internal organs of the body. The one known reason behind mesothelioma results from being exposed to and inhalation of asbestos fibers floating in the air. 

Mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, a persistent non-cancerous progressive lung disease, can result from the inhalation of asbestos particles over the long term. Even though asbestos and lung cancer have had a recognized association for decades, fresh cases of asbestos-triggered cancer continue to appear each and every year.

Asbestos is mostly seen in the mining, milling, manufacturing, application, or removal of asbestos products. Asbestos was banned from use decades ago, but still exists in products produced previous to them being banned. The chance of getting a progressive lung disease, cancer of the lungs, or mesothelioma is related to the entire life exposure to asbestos dust particles.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals which are resistant to fire and chemicals. They are fibrous mineral forms of impure magnesium silicate and found in fire-retardant products, insulation, cement, roof shingles, acoustic and ornamental ceiling or wall plaster, and other building materials. When small asbestos dust particles are released into the air as a result of removal, replacing, fixing, or from being disturbed, they might be inhaled into the lungs, resulting in mesothelioma, lung cancer, and progressive lung conditions.

Asbestos is not the actual causative factor of lung cancer, but is a promoter of the condition. As soon as asbestos particles enter the lungs the body's immune system cells try and remove them. Unfortunately, the immune cells die which cause scar tissue to be produced, surrounding the dead cells. The scar tissue continues to develop until there's a sufficient amount to cause an individual's lungs to stop working. The chance of getting lung cancer is increased in people who smoke with asbestosis. The possibility of getting lung cancer is greatly increased in people who are both intense smokers and exposed to asbestos.

Cancer in the mesothelium results from irregular tissue cells dividing without control. Cancerous cells can metastasize, which implies they'll invade tissues that are near the cancerous area, and distribute via the lymphatic system and bloodstream to other locations of the human body. Mesothelial tumors normally grow in the mesothelium of the peritoneum or pleura. Pleura is the skinny membrane overlaying each lung which folds back to produce a lining for the chest cavity. The peritoneum is tissue lining the walls of the belly cavity which wrap around the soft internal organs. Primary mesothelial cancerous tumors of the tissue encircling the heart are atypical.

Mesotheliomas related to asbestos exposure are virtually always deadly in just 2 to 4 years from the time it is diagnosed. The National Cancer Institute sponsors scientific trials, hoping that they will someday lead to a remedy or at least new and improved therapy.

If there's any danger that someone could become exposed to asbestos dust particles, the hazardous material must be removed or contained without delay. The asbestos removal cost is certainly worth the peace of mind you will obtain knowing you aren't inhaling this hazardous mineral.

If you were diagnosed with asbestos cancer, also called mesothelioma, you can go to asbestos.com and obtain a free packet that contains details about specific treatments geared to your specific diagnosis. The packet additionally contains top mesothelioma medical doctors and cancer centers throughout the country, in addition to several options for financial assistance that may possibly help cover therapeutic costs.

Source: Joshua A. Harding