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Mesothelioma
by: John Moore
What Exactly Is Mesothelioma ?
Mesothelioma the medical name for cancer of the lung or
the abdomen lining, and is usually caused by exposure to
asbestos.
Asbestos is a type of building material used in thermal
insulation products and ceiling tiles. Asbestos usage
peaked during the 1950s - 1970s, but during the late
1960s, concerns over the health consequences of asbestos
exposure began to arise, thereby decreasing the amount of
asbestos manufactured over the following two decades. But
even though new measures where brought in to get rid of
it, many schools and public buildings still contain
asbestos.
Small asbestos fibers that enter the air do not evaporate
and can remain suspended in the air for a long time.
These fibers, when breathed into the body, are toxic. The
people most at risk are :-
People working in factories that manufacture asbestos are
likely to have a high exposure to asbestos and are most
at risk of developing asbestosis or mesothelioma.
Family members of workers exposed to asbestos in the
workplace are susceptible to exposure from asbestos dust
brought home by the worker on his clothes or skin.
Those who live in the vicinity of an asbestos
manufacturing plant are also at risk.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until between
twenty and fifty years after exposure, which explains why
so many new cases of this form of cancer are coming to
light now. Many people who haven't been in contact with
asbestos for decades, are now showing symptoms of this
dreadful desease.
As with many forms of cancer, mesothelioma can spread
rapidly. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing,
loss of weight, and chest pains. If it is diagnosed early
enough, the tumor can be surgically removed, and with
chemotherapy and radiation treatment, a full recovery is
often possible.
However, in more advanced cases, cure is usually not
possible. In such cases, chemotherapy and radiation
treatment can be used alongside other pain relief
treatments, to ease the symptoms. Where cure is not
possible, the average survival time is between four and
eighteen months, depending on the stage of the tumor and
the general health of the patient.
I was prompted to write about mesothelioma because as a
child I lived near a factory which produced asbestos, and
I personally know families who have suffered due to this
terrible desease.
About The Author
John Moore ..I grew up near an asbestos factory, hence my
decision to write this article. You may use this article
as long as you use my link
http://www.online-mesothelioma-guide.com.
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