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Mesothelioma - The Curse of Asbestos
by Melinda Brindine
http://www.mesotheliomay.com
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer commonly found in people
who have been exposed to asbestos. The majority of those
diagnosed with mesothelioma are men of retirement age,
simply because it was usually men who worked with asbestos
around thirty to fifty years ago, before modern precautions
were introduced.
The cancer may also be found in those who had close
contact with asbestos workers, since particles of it
can get trapped in hair and clothes.
This type of cancer is unfortunately hard to treat and
may not be responsive to standard cancer therapies.
Moreover, the symptoms (weight loss, difficulty breathing,
fever, cough, etc.) can masquerade as any number of
diseases, making diagnosis difficult.
This is why anyone who thinks they may have been regularly
exposed to asbestos particles should be sure to tell their
physician. Be sure to let your doctor know if you have
worked with asbestos in an unsafe environment (fully
protective chemical suits and breathing masks are what
asbestos workers now must wear, so anything less is
considered unprotected), or anyone who spent significant
time with someone who worked with the material.
Mesothelioma is so called because it affects cells in the
mesothelium, which is the outer layer of our stomach, lungs
and heart. There are therefore three main types of
mesothelioma, depending on which of these organs is
affected.
Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung, is the
most common. This is not suprising if you consider
that asbestos particles are easily breathed in and
trapped in the lung. Common symptoms include trouble
breathing, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing,
unexplained weight loss, and fever.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the type that affects the
abdomen or stomach area. The symptoms of peritoneal
mesothelioma include vomiting, feelings of sickness and a
poor appetite, obstructed bowels, a swollen and painful
belly, and weight loss.
The last type of mesothelioma is that which affects
the heart. Here symptoms might include heart
palpitations, severe cough, and trouble breathing. This
form of the disease, known as pericardial mesothelioma,
is the rarest.
It is important to catch the disease early, as that is
when prognosis is most favorable. If you have a history
of exposure to asbestos, don't hesitate in telling your
doctor. Mesothelioma is hard to treat, especially when
it is caught late.
Treatments for this disease range from surgery to
radiation therapy and chemotherapy. To help relieve
the suffering associated with the disease, there are
several palliative therapy treatments available.
Currently, many mesothelioma treatment clinical trials
are going on around the world, as with so many other
cancers, too. The hope is to someday find a powerful
way to defeat this illness.
The good news is that mesothelioma is easily preventable.
Just make sure to stay far away from asbestos, or from
people who work with asbestos in unsafe circumstances.
Asbestos itself is not dangerous until it is broken up,
which causes its particles to be released into the air.
Since it used to be very common in the construction
industry it's not uncommon to find it in buildings,
especially in roofs or walls. If you think you have
asbestos in your home, don't try to fix the problem
on your own. Call in a professional, since removing and
getting rid of the material yourself is against the law.
Getting help with this matter may cost a bit more than
doing it yourself, but it's well worth it.
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