Asbestos and Cancer: Mesothelioma

By Daniel Dizon Daniel Dizon
Level: Basic PLUS

Daniel has been writing for over four years now and enjoys covering a multitude of topics from diet, health and fitness to relationships and dating …

Asbestos is a carcinogenic chemical, which has been attributed to the development of cancers within people who have been exposed to its fibres and materials. The predominant cancer developed through an exposure to asbestos is that of mesothelioma. Through studies, it became apparent of the relationship between sufferers and a unique history towards and exposure to asbestos fibres.

Many of these people exposed to asbestos, were as such mainly through their occupation which lead them to develop mesothelioma later in life. Examples of such occupations includes roofing insulation. Other causes for the development of mesothelioma includes a secondary exposure mainly within the household. For example, the partner of a individual who has worked with asbestos may be unintentionally exposed to the substance in doing the laundry of a partner who has worked with asbestos. As a result, of the expansive implementation of asbestos within the industry, and its effects upon the healths of employees and staff thereafter – there has been much lawsuits and pleads for compensations in regards to asbestos – many of them being successful in the process.

The more identifiable symptoms of mesothelioma include troubles with breathing which is mainly due to pleural effusion which also explains the existence of chest pain due to fluid buildups. In order to correctly diagnose mesothelioma, doctors take several steps such as examination by chest X-ray and CT scan, which is further supported with a biopsy. Currently within the cases treated it is clear that despite measures of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or even surgical procedure the prognosis for mesothelioma is still fairly poor.

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Article Submitted On: November 17, 2010