Causes of Mesothelioma
The causes of mesothelioma, a rare but rather devastating and aggressive form of cancer, are most often related to asbestos exposure. Even an exposure of two to three months can result in the development of mesothelioma decades later.
It is the inhalation of asbestos fibers that ultimately settle in the body and cause chronic inflammation that leads to one of the primary reasons of mesothelioma. The risk of mesothelioma increases with age and is most often seen in adult males.
Mesothelioma primarily impacts three areas of the body. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma where the lining of the lung is affected. The second most common type of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. With this type of mesothelioma, the cancer invades the peritoneum, or the lining of the abdomen. The rarest type of mesothelioma is known as pericardial mesothelioma, in which the cancer invades the sac lining the heart.
It is possible that you might contract malignant mesothelioma without direct exposure to asbestos fibers. Yes, most people are exposed to asbestos fibers at their work place. Workers in such fields as air conditioning, mining, ship building, auto mechanics, insulation, steel mills, and many other factories are most susceptible.
However, family members of these workers can also be at risk due to the asbestos fibers on the clothing of workers. If there are asbestos particles on the clothing of a worker and then a family member handles that worker’s clothing repeatedly for purposes such as doing the laundry, then those particles can certainly be inhaled or swallowed once airborne and asbestos exposure, as we have already discussed, is one of the leading reasons of mesothelioma.
Currently there is no cure for mesothelioma, but there are options available for both treatment and compensation. It is important to seek the advice of a mesothelioma attorney who is qualified through education and experience to act on your behalf.
Asbestos exposure is one of the major causes of mesothelioma. If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos and have begun to develop symptoms of mesothelioma it is critical that you seek treatment. A leading causes of mesothelioma, asbestos exposure deserves medical attention.