Can you catch Asbestos Cancer or Mesothelioma

While the sites are going mad with Mesothelioma, I guessed we are entitled to know what the hell it is.
The root cause of Mesothelioma is good old asbestos.

Asbestos is a generic name given to six fibrous minerals that have been used in commercial products.
Several properties that make asbestos so versatile and cost effective are high tensile strength, chemical and thermal stability, high flexibility, low electrical conductivity, and large surface area. The leading domestic markets are roofing products, gaskets, and friction products.
Asbestos was mainly used in Industries such as the Construction Industry, Ship building Industry, Automotive Industry and other manufacturing Industries. However, because of the delayed symptoms of Asbestos Cancer, the use of Asbestos related substances, the use of Asbestos was not banned until the 1990s.

Also, due to the delayed onset of the symptoms of Asbestos related substances, some of the more prominent cases involving Asbestos Cancer are now only expected to become evident in the next 5-6 years. This is why it is important that if you, or someone you know, was exposed to an Asbestos related substance, you should seek medical advice.
Because asbestos fibers are naturally occurring and extremely aerodynamic, virtually everyone is exposed to asbestos. To be a significant health concern, asbestos fibers must be inhaled at high concentrations over an extended period of time. Asbestos fibers then accumulate in the lungs. As exposure increases, the risk of disease also increases. Therefore, measures to minimize exposure and consequently minimize accumulation of fibers will reduce the risk of adverse health effects.
Asbestos is only dangerous if it becomes airborne. As long as asbestos containing materials are not damaged, the asbestos fibers do not become airborne and do not pose a health threat to the building occupants. During an asbestos building survey, inspectors assess the condition of asbestos containing materials. These conditions do deteriorate over time. If you find that an asbestos containing item has been damaged, please contact our office for a hazard assessment.

Asbestos workers have increased chances of getting two principal types of cancer:
· cancer of the lung tissue itself
· mesothelioma

Asbestos Cancer, also known as Mesothelioma Cancer, is one of the common diseases that are a result of exposure to Asbestos related substances.
These Asbestos substances contain Asbestos fibers, which can enter a persons body through the mouth, or through the skin, causing a slow Mesothelioma Cell Cancer to develop.
There are three main types of Asbestos Cancer and one lesser medical condition that can develop as a result of exposure to Asbestos related substances.
The lesser medical condition is known as Asbestosis and involves the scaring of the lining of the chest.

The three main types of Asbestos Cancer are
· Pleural (chest),
· Peritoneal (abdominal)
· Pericardial (heart).
In the case of Peritoneal Asbestos Cancer, there is a higher chance of malignancy.

Asbestos Cancer has become more widely evident in the last 5-10 years, as Asbestos Cancer can take between 20 to 40 years for symptoms to arise. Asbestos Cancer is particularly difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms do not tend to become evident until the final stages of the disease.

The main symptoms of Asbestos Cancer include, respiratory difficulties, continuous coughing and pneumonia. Malignant Asbestos Cancer is usually diagnosed through a biopsy.

The non-malignant form of Asbestos Cancer, known as Pleural, is found in the chest area and its main symptoms include, chest pain, respiratory difficulties and coughing. Pleural Asbestos Cancer is usually diagnosed through conducting a Chest CT Scan

Currently, Asbestos Cancer mostly occurs in people between 50 to 70 years of age. So far, it has been men who are mostly developing Asbestos Cancer, as they have mostly been exposed to Asbestos related substances through their work within the building Industry in the 1950s to 1990s.

Type of Treatments
o Surgery
It could be Aggressive surgery ( removal of the pleura, the lung, the diaphragm and the pericardium Palliative Procedures
Palliative procedures are performed when the cancer is in its advanced form to allay and/or control the symptoms of mesothelioma rather than cure them.
o Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to treat mesothelioma.
o Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses radiation doses to kill the tumor.
Stage wise Treatement of Mesothelima

Stage I Mesothelioma
Most patients with stage I mesothelioma have their cancer surgically removed.. The value of adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy (treatments given after surgery) for stage I mesothelioma is uncertain.
Stages II, III Mesothelioma
Treatment options include palliative and supportive care providing relief of symptoms, such as thoracentesis (to remove fluid accumulation in the chest cavity), operations to remove as much of the tumor as possible in some cases, and radiation therapy or chemotherapy aimed at easing symptoms. Cure is not possible in these stages. Enrollment in clinical trials evaluating the newest treatment possibilities in large medical centers should be considered.
Stage IV Mesothelioma
Because stage IV mesothelioma cancer has spread to distant organs, a cure is not possible. Pain management is an important aspect of patient care.

Mesothelioma is also in news because of the legal claims of the victims. A few are
1. Legal Aid and Financial Compensation
2. Claim from the Asbestos Industry
3. Claim Social Security Disability
4. Disability Insurance
5. Worker's Compensation
6. Health Insurance