UPDATED:Causes

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma.In the United States, asbestos is the major cause of malignant mesothelioma and has been considered "indisputably" associated with the development of mesothelioma. Indeed, the relationship between asbestos and mesothelioma is so strong that many consider mesothelioma a “signal” or “sentinel” tumor. A history of asbestos exposure exists in most cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. In rare cases, mesothelioma has also been associated with irradiation, intrapleural thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), and inhalation of other fibrous silicates, such as erionite. Some studies suggest that simian virus 40 (SV40) may act as a cofactor in the development of mesothelioma.

Latency, the time from first exposure to manifestation of disease, is prolonged in the case of mesothelioma. It is virtually never less than fifteen years and peaks at 30–40 years.[6] In a review of occupationally related mesothelioma cases, the median latency was 32 years Based upon the data from Peto et al., the risk of mesothelioma appears to increase to the third or fourth power from first exposure.

Environmental exposures

Incidence of mesothelioma had been found to be higher in populations living near naturally occurring asbestos. For example, in central Cappadocia, Turkey, mesothelioma was causing 50% of all deaths in three small villages — Tuzköy, Karain and Sarıhıdır. 

Occupational

Exposure to asbestos fibers has been recognized as an occupational health hazard since the early 20th century. Numerous epidemiological studies have associated occupational exposure to asbestos with the development of pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening, asbestosis, carcinoma of the lung and larynx, gastrointestinal tumors, and diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum

Paraoccupational secondary exposure

Family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos related diseases.This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers

Asbestos in buildings

Many building materials used in both public and domestic premises prior to the banning of asbestos may contain asbestos. Those performing renovation works or DIY activities may expose themselves to asbestos dust. In the UK use of Chrysotile asbestos was banned at the end of 1999. Brown and blue asbestos was banned in the UK around 1985. Buildings built or renovated prior to these dates may contain asbestos materials.

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of a pleural mesothelioma patient depends upon a number of factors. Each patient has a unique case that affects their prognosis and treatment will revolve around their specific needs. A number of studies have revealed that the median life expectancy for mesothelioma cancer patients ranges between four and 18 months. 

Currently there is no cure for pleural mesothelioma cancer, but advancements in mesothelioma treatment are continuing to improve the life expectancies of many patients. A number of pleural mesothelioma survivors are demonstrating that median life expectancies are merely numbers that can be beaten.

Factors Affecting Pleural Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

There are several factors that can affect the life expectancy of a pleural mesothelioma patient, including:

Latency Period – Though many cancers exhibit symptoms relatively quickly, the signs of pleural mesothelioma cancer do not surface until later stages of cancer development and this may be 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. Because of the latency of symptoms, the cancer is typically diagnosed during the advanced stages. Those with a history of asbestos exposure should seek annual asbestos screenings to check for signs of disease.

Stage at Diagnosis – Life expectancy is greatly affected by the stage of the cancer at diagnosis. A prognosis can be poor if the cancer is detected in a late stage of development and when treatment options are fewer and less effective. If the cancer is caught earlier, a patient’s prognosis may improve since more treatment options will be available.

Age at Diagnosis – A person’s age at diagnosis can affect prognosis because older patients often experience difficulty when receiving an aggressive treatment approach that tries to cure the cancer. The average age of a mesothelioma patient is 60 and more than 75 percent of mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in men age 55 or older.

Feasible Treatment Options – Depending on the health of the patient and their stage at diagnosis, a pleural mesothelioma patient may be able to withstand aggressive treatments that attempt to cure the disease or they may only be able to handle palliative treatment options (which aim to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life rather than cure the cancer). In some cases, taking a more aggressive treatment approach can prolong life expectancy, but this varies from patient to patient.

Smoking and General Health – Pleural mesothelioma patients who refrained from smoking and lived a healthy lifestyle prior to their diagnosis tend to have a better prognosis. Patients who smoked or had poor health before diagnosis often exhibit compromised lungs or immune systems, and this can have a negative affect on life expectancy.

Improving Pleural Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

Though some life expectancy factors such as age at diagnosis or latency period cannot be altered or otherwise improved, advancements in pleural mesothelioma treatment are improving life expectancies for many patients. Medical professionals that research and treat pleural mesothelioma are always seeking and testing new methods to improve the prognosis, which is primarily achieved through clinical trials and mesothelioma research. These trials test new medications and treatment options and a number of mesothelioma patients have benefited from participating in such clinical studies.

Advancements in the early diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma are also opening up more treatment options to a greater number of patients. Early detection allows physicians to take a more aggressive treatment track and this can greatly improve life expectancy, but this option is not available to all mesothelioma patients and varies from case to case. Some of the more aggressive treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Pleural Mesothelioma Survivors

Many patients look to mesothelioma survivors to observe their approach to beating the cancer. One common element seems to unite the fighting factor among mesothelioma survivors, and that is a strong and nourished immune system. Most mesothelioma survivors added alternative and complimentary therapies to their standard treatment and these therapies all worked to improve the immune system and the patient’s well being from a holistic approach.

If you would like to learn more on how to improve mesothelioma life expectancy, please fill out the form on this page to receive a comprehensive and complimentary packet detailing the latest in treatment options, clinical trials and the country’s top doctors.

Mesothelioma Prevention

Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer that affects the lining of the heart, lung, or abdominal cavity. The only known cause for malignant mesothelioma is asbestos fibers, microscopic particles given off by asbestos products. These fibers are tough and resilient, they cannot be seen with the human eye and they can be inhaled or ingested without knowledge. Deteriorating asbestos products in the workplace caused tens of thousands of cases of asbestos related disease over the past fifty years and continues to impact several thousand citizens of the U.S. every year.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has enacted a number of workplace asbestos regulations to aid in mesothelioma prevention. Under workplace asbestos laws the permissible level of exposure is 01. fibers per cubic centimeter for an eight-hour work day and one fiber per cubic centimeter in any thirty minute time frame at a work station. Moreover, employers are required to frequently monitor and regulate the work environment in addition to providing their employees with protective clothing and respiratory equipment, sufficient hygiene facilities, routine medical exams, and training.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a number of steps and precautions people can take to help protect themselves against non-occupational asbestos exposure that may lead to mesothelioma. These mesothelioma prevention methods include, but are not limited to:

Regular inspection and monitoring of asbestos-containing products or materials around the home since asbestos was commonly used in the production of roof shingles, insulation, flooring, and more.

Don't attempt to remove any asbestos-containing materials. It is vital that you enlist the help of an asbestos removal professional who is properly trained to handle the material and can ensure safe removal.

Avoid vacuuming, sweeping, drilling, sanding, or scraping any surfaces that may contain asbestos fibers. Once these fibers are airborne, they may be inhaled or ingested greatly increasing the risk of mesothelioma.

Sources of Asbestos Exposure

The primary locations for asbestos products today are older buildings that were constructed prior to 1975 and haven't undergone much remodeling since. Every year tens of thousands of home buyers encounter old asbestos floor tiles or linoleum, roofing, siding or insulation after moving into an older home. Removing those products can be done safely, but recognizing them for what they are is critical. Take a sample of whatever old product it is that you intend to remove and ask a professional in the home improvement business what it's made of. When asbestos products get old and crumble they give off fibers that can float in a dust cloud. Old adhesives for flooring and joint compound for walls often contained asbestos, so don't sand them if you don't know what they are.

OSHA estimates that 1.3 million workers in construction and general industry still face significant asbestos exposure on the job today. For construction workers it is usually removing old material on a remodel job or demolishing an old building. Much of the exposure concern for industrial workers has to do with auto repair and older industrial structures. While the dangers are greatly diminished compared to thirty years ago, they are still present for hundreds of thousands of American workers.

New York Mesothelioma Notice: Islamic school basement explosion revealed asbestos

Legal news for New York Mesothelioma attorneys–White dust was found in explosion at Islamic school of excellence in Syracuse, New York.

Syracuse, NY (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) — The Ihsan School of Excellence located in Syracuse experienced an explosion in the school basement that released a cloud of white dust and natural gas into the school building Thursday, October 8, 2009, according to the Post-Standard.

The school was closed the rest of the day, and remains closed until further notice. The 75 children were sent home early from the school located on West Onondaga Street. Investigators reported that the explosion sent a dust flying everywhere.

Investigators contacted the FBI and government Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) www.atf.gov to probe the explosion if there were other factors involved in the explosion that occurred in what is respected as a place of Islamic worship.

However, investigators have determined that the blast was caused by an equipment malfunction. Investigators have been attempting to get a hold of the maintenance workers.

The 75 students resumed their studies at Al-Huda Mosque. The school has been reportedly working with an insurance company to fix the damage done to the school in the blast. More importantly, the blast released asbestos into the air. Asbestos is a deadly carcinogen that caused Mesothelioma, which is a type of cancer directly linked to asbestos exposure.

The school is taking the necessary steps to reopen so that the children are safe and that the building is repaired. Investigators ruled the explosion to have been an accident.

Bridget Hom

NewYorkInjuryNews.com

Tags: asbestos, ihsan school of excellence, islamic school, mesothelioma, new york mesothelioma attorney, NY, syracuse, white dust

New Program could mean Air Transportation for Mesothelioma Patients

It has been reported that mesothelioma patients that need to have treatment could benefit from air transportation as part of a new program, which means that they could have access to top cancer centres around the country. The new scheme could mean that malignant mesothelioma patients could benefit from the best treatment as a result of being flown to top cancer centers.

Local clinics and medical facilities do provide many excellent treatment options for patients, but there are cases where the most appropriate treatment may be at a hospital or facility that is only within reach by air, and this is where the program could help some mesothelioma patients that would otherwise suffer.

The scheme is being organised by various volunteer and charity groups including Pilots for Patients, Angel Flight, and Corporate Angel Network. The scheme will mean that those that may not be able to travel to centres that are too far out, or are too sick to travel via regular transport, may now be able fly there to get the treatment that they need.

One official said: “This is great news for many mesothelioma patients, as it means that even if the treatment that they need is at a centre located miles away they could still get to the location and get the best treatment possible.”

Lawsuit Seeks Compensation For Furniture Store Manager’s Mesothelioma Death

The family of a man whose mesothelioma death was caused by his occupational exposure to asbestos is suing hi employer.

Brian Harrison, 71, was diagnosed with the asbestos cancer in December 2008, and passed away just a few months later, in April 2009. The lawsuit is being brought against Moores Furniture Group, for which Harrison was a store manager. It alleges that he was exposed to the deadly asbestos dust during renovations at a Moores location, when workers were converting a Second World War munitions factory. The workers were removing lagging from pipes, which may have released millions of microscopic fibers into the air, where Harrison and other workers could have inhaled them.

Asbestos was widely used in the twentieth century as a constituent of the insulation on pipes, boilers, furnaces, and steam systems. Additionally, it had many other commercial and industrial uses, due to its fireproof, heatproof, strong and flexible nature. Unfortunately, asbestos has become recognized as a carcinogen, because when the microscopic fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can remain in the lungs and other soft tissues, where they promote the growth of abnormal cells and, eventually, tumors.

Harrison, who worked for the Moores firm from 1967 to 1996, was never given a respirator or protective clothing during the removal of the asbestos-laden lagging. Nor was he ever warned about the hazards of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer which is almost always traced back to asbestos exposure, usually at the workplace. It may remain latent within the body for decades before it causes sufficient symptoms to alert the patient of its existence. Unfortunately, by this time the mesothelioma is usually advanced to such a degree that it cannot be successfully removed. Most patients die within two years of diagnosis.

Asbestos-containing products have largely been phased out in developed nations, but many of them still remain in use, and the material itself continues to be popular in some underdeveloped nations, mostly because it is inexpensive and extremely useful.

Causes of Mesothelioma....

Asbestos is made up of tiny fibres that are extremely strong, but can be woven like cotton. Asbestos is highly resistant to heat and was commonly used in household items and building materials (such as interior and exterior wall sheeting and insulation). You may have had an asbestos mat that you used on your stove top to protect Pyrex coffee pots, or you may have had asbestos-lined gloves and oven mitts.

Asbestos only causes problems when it's cut or disturbed in some way because this releases the tiny fibres that you can breathe in. Once inside the lungs, these fibres can cause inflammation, fibrosis (scarring) and cancer. Asbestos can also be swallowed when the tiny fibres are air borne.

Industries at Risk

So who can get mesothelioma? 

Some cases require prolonged and high exposure levels, such as those of people who worked, unprotected, in industries using asbestos prior to 1970. These industries include:

·         factories

·         shipyards

·         mines

·         military

·         engineers

·         pipe fitters

·         steel workers

·         auto mechanics

·         construction

How Much Exposure is Dangerous?

But other patients received relatively short exposure, sometimes only months or weeks. Cases have been recorded of patients whose only exposure was when changing the brake linings on their cars and breathing the dust.

Others had "passive" exposure, such as women who washed their husbands and son's work clothes.

The disease can appear 20 years after exposure or as long as 50 years after, and some experts believe that cases will continue to rise until at least 2020.

Always seek competent medical advice so your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. The earlier you're diagnosed, the better your chances.