Asbestos Exposure and Malignant Mesothelioma March 9, 2010 on 5:18 am | In Asbestos Exposure | No Comments
Asbestos exposure is the number one cause of malignant mesothelioma. many industrial, construction and naturally accruing sites can expose you to asbestos fibers. Serpentine fibers and amphiboles are the 2 primary types of asbestos used. Chrysotile is a form of serpentine fiber and the most frequently used. these fibers are curly and flexible. Amphibole fibers, differ, they are mostly straight and thin and normally are made of one of five types: crocidolite, amosite, anthrophylite, tremolite, and actinolyte. the crocidolite type of Amphiboles is believed to be the leading factor in cancer caused by asbestos. Serpentine fibers are deadly also, but, they are linked to mesothelioma.
Asbestos Exposure By Inhalation
Some research shows that inhaled asbestos fibers cause a physical irritation resulting in cancer rather than the cancer being caused by a reaction that is more chemical in nature. As fibers are breathed in through the mouth and nose they are strained from the body by adhering to mucus in the nose, throat and airways and then get expelled by coughing or swallowing. the Amphibole fibers do not pass as easily and it is therefore believed that they can get stuck the lining of the lungs and chest and result in mesothelioma cancer.
Malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma can be caused by the breathing in of asbestos fibers. Really, most exposed to asbestos are seven times more likely to get malignant mesothelioma then the general public. People who are exposed to high levels of asbestos exposure often suffer from malignant mesothelioma than any other illness. it is also believed that the action of coughing up and swallowing asbestos could contribute to a form of mesothelioma originating in the abdomen called peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has been seen in other organs of the body as well like the larynx, pancreas and colon, but those occurrances are very rare when compared to lung cancer incidents.
Length of Time Increases Risk
The chance of getting malignant mesothelioma is in directly related to the amount of time and length of asbestos exposure that a person sustains. Those who are exposed to high levels of asbestos at an early age, for long a number of years have a larger risk of contracting malignant mesothelioma than those who have small, low level exposure. another important consideration is that Mesothelioma can take a long time to appear. many times, twenty to forty years can go by from the time of exposure to diagnosis. Genetic factors can also play a role which clarifies why not everyone exposed to asbestos develops an asbestos related disease. If have any of these risk factors you should have frequent checkups with your doctor so that you can be diagnosed as soon as possible. Early detection can increase favorable results to treatment.