Asbestos – The silent killer

Asbestos is the single biggest work place killer today. People who have worked with the material are at serious risk from developing lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, fatal respiratory illnesses that debilitate their victims. Evidence of asbestos’ deadly effect on those who breathe its fibres is likely to multiply in the decades to come.

Asbestos was once heralded as the greatest building material available to those in the construction industries. Its high tensile strength, durability and flexibility, as well as heat insulation and fire retardant properties meant that it could save lives, make buildings strong and make industries rich. It was first used by the Greeks some 2000 years ago. They were aware of the health hazards it posed but believed that its magical ability to withstand fire far outweighed this danger.

The dangers to health were all but ‘forgotten’ until at the turn of the twentieth century when medical researchers noticed a large number of deaths and lung problems occurring in asbestos mining towns. In 1917 and 1918, several United States studies discovered that asbestos workers were dying unnaturally young.

Asbestosis was first diagnosed in a 33 year old woman in 1924, this lead to studies being carried out on asbestos workers in the UK. Examinations on the workers showed that thirty percent had asbestos-related lung disease. UK laws were introduced in 1931 to increase ventilation and to make asbestosis an identifiable work related illness.

Despite the established link between asbestos and lung diseases the industry continued to grow well into the last century. At the peak of its usage asbestos was produced in 24 countries worldwide; it was also manufactured in over 100. World production climaxed at over 5 million tonnes. The building, shipping, insulation and demolition companies whose workers came into contact with asbestos were often aware that their staff were at risk. They did not take sufficient steps to protect their workforce from personal injury.

Sadly the effects of asbestos take many years to manifest themselves. People who worked in the construction industries some 20 to 40 years ago may still be awaiting their fate. Asbestos causes several diseases, two of which occur only in those who have had contact with asbestos, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Lung cancer and emphysema are more commonly associated with smoking but frequently occur in non smokers with a history of asbestos contact.

It is thought that the worst is yet to come. The peak of asbestos usage was in the 60’s and 70’s so many people may develop lung diseases in the near future.

Due to the latency of asbestos diseases it is thought that we will be seeing many more incidences of mesothelioma in the next 25 years. Hugh Robertson, head of health and safety at the British TUC says: "A realistic estimate is that within the EU alone 500,000 will die in the next 35 years, half from mesothelioma and half from lung cancer. In Japan, an estimated 100,000 will die. If you add the Australian, Canadian and US figures then even a million is an under estimation – and that is only for the developed countries.”

People affected by asbestos are entitled to compensation from the companies who knowingly exposed them many years ago.

People affected by asbestos related illness should speak to a personal injury solicitor who has experience in asbestos cases.

Author: Sophie Evans – www.youclaim.co.uk

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that affects the serous membranes surrounding the major organs of the body i.e. the lungs, heart and the abdominal organs, causing these vital organs to inflate with excessive fluid. This fluid further causes the improper functioning of the organs. The only known cause of this cancerous tumor is asbestos exposure. In this disease, malignant cells are built up in the protective linings (serous membranes) of several internal organs known as mesothelium. Different organs in the abdomen cavity can get affected by mesothelioma because of the presence of the protective linings surrounding them. The most common types of mesothelioma include:

* Pleural Mesothelioma,
* Peritoneal Mesothelioma, and
* Pericardial Mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma:
Pleural Mesothelioma is a tumor in which the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura, gets affected by malignant cells. The pleura is a soft protective tissue that surrounds the lungs in the chest cavity. It helps the lungs in breathing (respiration) by producing a serous fluid that lubricates the pleural surfaces to avoid the teasing of the lungs against the chest wall. The malignant cells, once entered the pleura, begin to spread and affect the surrounding organs and tissues. This leads to further complications resulting pain and severe symptoms. Mesothelioma affecting pleura is of two categories:

Diffused or Malignant (Cancerous):
It is the serious form of pleural mesothelioma that affects the pleural lining of the lungs and its surrounding organs. Localized and Benign (Non-cancerous): It is the non-cancerous form of mesothelioma, which does not affect all parts of the body except the pleura. However, it constricts the lung causing shortness of breath, and in some severe cases, pneumothorax (lung failure).

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a tumor of the peritoneum membrane or the abdomen lining, affecting many organs in the abdominal cavity including stomach. This form of mesothelioma cancer is less common than the pleural form but is more aggressive, resulting severe symptoms and short life expectancy. Like many other cancers, peritoneal mesothelioma can also be either malignant or benign.

Pericardial Mesothelioma:
Pericardial or Pericardium Mesothelioma is the rarest form of cancer, counting less than 10% of mesothelioma cases. In this form of cancer, fluid gets accumulated in the sac that encloses the heart. The main cause of this disease is the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Due to the rarity of this disease, doctors and researchers have not clearly understood how the asbestos fibers enter the heart lining or pericardium. The only logical explanation so far about this form of cancer is the possibility of the asbestos fibers, converted into tiny pieces, transported from the lung into the heart by means of blood circulation. Once the asbestos fibers enter the heart, they expand the tissues in the chest cavity and the pericardium with excessive liquid, disrupting the working of the heart and causing chest pains with breathing disorders.

Each year, approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed. At some point of their lives, the patients of mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos that later cause the hideous cancer of mesothelioma. If you, at some point of your life, have worked in an asbestos-rich environment or used any asbestos materials, you should contact a mesothelioma doctor for correct diagnosis and best treatment options available.


Author: Jennifer White

Article Source: http://goarticles.com/cgi-bin/author.cgi?C=63543

All About An Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit

People who discover that they have developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure may be very angry, frustrated and confused. People feel the pain of the disease and the hurt of something deeper still. They ask themselves why they have been chosen for this fate. People who have worked hard all their lives to remain healthy find that something they did 20 years ago has negated all of their efforts to live comfortable lives. Because of this, they begin to lash out at the world in general, thinking that they are impotent to correct their situation. However, what if people used all this pent-up energy and emotion to bring those responsible to justice? We're not talking about a Batman-style vigilante justice, mind you. We are talking about a concentrated counterattack in the form of an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit.

What exactly is involved in an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit? In a sense, it would be like causing the people responsible for your ailment to own up to their responsibility to you. Although we all know that no one can truly pay for your health, an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit would at least try to get the companies responsible for the full extent of the damages they caused. An asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit would show people that those who made you expose your health to asbestos are the ones responsible for the loss of your health, peace of mind, and productivity. In a sense, it would be like making the company pay for everything that their actions have been responsible for. However, how does one go about an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit?

Well, the first requirement is that there should be the damage. Of course, in this case, the damage would be mesothelioma. Having mesothelioma doesn't automatically qualify you to litigate, however. You need to be able to show some proof that the asbestos exposure you obtained through the product or through working for one company led to your condition. With a great lawyer, you might be able to do this easily. The task is made even easier by the fact that almost all cases of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure. Once you have this initial factor, you can go about preparing your asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit.

What are the things that you should do?

You have to do your research. Try to find information regarding exactly what happened to your body. Most people find that knowing exactly what is causing their conditions can be very calming. This is because people are more afraid of the unknown than anything else. Sure, you know that your illness is caused by asbestos fibers, but do you know what's really going on inside your body? Dread can quickly take over when ignorance is permitted to continue. You should also research the different laws surrounding asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits. Try to familiarize yourself with the terminology so that you won't get confused by your lawyer. Read up on different asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits and learn what made them fail or succeed. This will help you have a hand in planning the strategy of your own asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit.

The next step is to find a lawyer. If you want your asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit to succeed, you have to get great help. This means that you need to get a great lawyer. In order to look for a lawyer to help you handle your asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit, you should look for experience, creativity and knowledge.

Knowledge is the primary reason why you hire an attorney to handle your asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit. You hire a lawyer because he or she has more knowledge concerning the law than you do. Think of a lawyer as a pilot. Since you do not know your way around the law, a lawyer can guide you and help you find your way around the different paths, loopholes and sidetracks of laws which involve your suit. This is a most basic requirement for you to get the smallest of chances with your asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit.

Your asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit should also be handled by someone with experience. This is because only a lawyer with experience will be able to truly apply his or her knowledge in the right situations. Your asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit should have a higher chance of success if it is handled by someone who has already encountered a lot of cases like yours.

You should also know about the hidden art practiced by lawyers and that is interpretation. The law depends upon the interpretation of the people observing it - a fact unknown to many people. Getting a lawyer who can creatively interpret the law in order to get the best results for you is surely what you need.


Author: Nathalie Fiset
For more complete information on mesothelioma please go to: http://freemesotheliomalawyer.com/all-about-asbestos-mesothelioma-lawsuits/ http://freemesotheliomalawyer.com www.drnathaliefiset.com

Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos

Many people have never heard of mesothelioma cancer because it is rare. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 2,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. Compare that to 213,380 lung cancer cases the Institute predicts will be diagnosed in 2007.

Mesothelioma cancer begins in the tissue, called the mesothelieum, that surrounds the lungs, stomach, heart and other organs. The mesothelieum protects these organs with two levels of tissue and a fluid that allows the organs to move. It can be found in the area around any of these organs but is most commonly found in the chest and abdomen area.

Contact with asbestos is the main risk factor. Asbestos can be found in insulation in many buildings. Asbestos can also be found in floor tiles, roofing, dust and rocks.

Most of the use of asbestos in construction products was discontinued after 1989. But the cancer may not be diagnosed until 20 to 50 years after exposure because it takes a long time to develop.

That is why most cases of occur in people in their late 50s and older. According to the American Cancer Society, three-fourths of patients diagnosed are over 65.

Other factors that have been tied to this are:

* Radiation. A material called thorium dioxide that was used in x-rays was found to cause cancer. But this material has not been used for many years.
* Tobacco. Smoking has not been directly associated with this cancer but smoking and asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
* SV40 Virus. This virus was found in polio vaccines in the mid 50s and early 60s. Since symptoms do not develop for 20 to 50 years, it may be some time before it is known if this virus is a risk factor.

The symptoms vary from person to person based on where the affected tissue is located. The overall symptoms include:

* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain
* Abdominal pain
* Abdominal swelling
* Fever
* Anemia

The treatments vary depending on the patient. Many patients have surgery to remove the lining and tissue that is affected. In severe cases, tissue surrounding the chest, a lung or part of the diaphragm may be removed.

Doctors may recommend that some patients have radiation therapy where high energy rays shrink tumors and kill the affected cells.

Another common treatment, chemotherapy, may be recommended but has not been successful in treating patients with mesothelioma. According to the American Cancer Society, anti-angiogenesis drugs which kill these cells by stopping their blood supply are being considered.

The prognosis for patients is grim because the disease is often advanced by the time it is diagnosed. According to the American Cancer Society, the five year survival rate is about 10 percent. Most patients only survive for a year after diagnosis. New treatments and clinical studies are being conducted to improve the survival rate of patients with mesothelioma cancer.

For more information on cancer try visiting http://www.cancercondition.com - a website that specializes in providing cancer related information and resources including information on mesothelioma cancer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Riley_Hendersen

Necessary Steps for Lung Cancer Prevention

Research continues to show that the most common cause for lung cancer is the use of tobacco. Lung cancer typically develops over a long period of time. The first pre-cancerous changes that form in the lungs mutate and produce chemicals that result in the formation of new blood vessels. These blood vessels nurture the cancer cells. The cancer cells grow together and form a tumor. These cancer cells have the ability to easily spread to other parts of our body even before the cancer is detected. This process is known as metastasis and is one of the main reasons why lung cancer is so fast moving and life-threatening.

Lung cancers are classified as small-cell lung cancers and non-small-cell lung cancers. Non-small-cell lung cancer is further divided into three types, known as squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. In the United States alone, about 213,380 people are estimated to be suffering from lung cancer, with nearly 160,390 deaths occurring in the year 2007. Current data shows that lung cancer accounts for 29% of all cancer deaths. About one-third of cancer and 80% of lung cancer are caused by the usage of tobacco, either directly or indirectly.

Lung cancer prevention methods are very important because of the difficulty to detect lung cancer until it is in an advanced stage, when treatments are really not effective. A few simple steps have the potential to prevent the incidence of lung cancer. Smoking and the use of tobacco products should be completely avoided or stopped. Data reveals that long-term cessation of smoking reduces the incidence of lung cancer by over 50%. Exposure to radon gas and other carcinogens like petroleum products should be avoided.

A healthy diet consisting of more vegetables and fruits is highly recommended. Nowadays, many governments have initiated active anti-smoking programs and advertising campaigns because of the strain on the health care system that tobacco products add to it. Many of them also impose high taxes on tobacco products to discourage tobacco users. Several nations have enacted strict laws towards smoking in public places including workplaces and for restricting tobacco access to minors. Studies reveal that smoking bans in workplaces effectively reduce the exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) by 72%.

Mass media anti-tobacco campaigns reduce the initiation of new persons to tobacco, decrease tobacco consumption, and increase cessation of tobacco. A sustained multi-pronged approach alone could create mass awareness about lung cancer prevention. When more and more people realize the harm caused by tobacco, consumption would decline and the effects on lung cancer cases would be immense as well as other health concerns like heart disease, stroke and hypertension.

Darren Dunner is the author of this article on lung cancer prevention. Visit today http://www.facr.org for more information on the subject.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Dunner