Causes Of Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer of the membrane (mesothelium) that lines the lungs, abdomen or heart.

Mesothelioma Causes
Even though mesothelioma is a not so common cancer, it is however common among those who have constantly been exposed to asbestos because asbestos exposure is the only known and established cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos inhalation accounts for over 80% of all diagnosed mesothelioma. There have been instances when there was no clear link between asbestos and mesothelioma, leading to the conclusion that the cause was something else.

Tests in certain cases of mesothelioma where there was no relation with asbestos has revealed that the culprit could possibly be radiation from certain x-rays given in the 1950s that contained the chemical thorium dioxide.

Tests in those suffering from mesothelioma in Turkey pointed to exposure to the chemical zeolite.

These two cases are very rare with diagnosis almost always confirming the cause as asbestos exposure.

Asbestos was discovered as a cause of mesothelioma because almost all of the persons first diagnosed with this disease were either asbestos miners, construction workers, building renovators, ship builders, ship breakers, or those working with automobile clutch and brake assemblies. All those involved in these professions had one thing in common - Asbestos Exposure.

Mesothelioma is a latent disease that can take anything between 30 to 40 years to surface after the initial exposure. This is one of the prime reasons that it is almost always diagnosed very late when a total cure is impossible.

What is Asbestos
Asbestos is a class of minerals that appear naturally in fibrous (thin separable fibers) form. Asbestos are categorized in subgroups of chrysotile and amphibole. Amphibole has got straight needle-like fibers and consist of actinolite, anthophylite, amosite, crocidolite, and tremolite asbestos. Chrysotile is the asbestos that is most used in commercial applications.

Asbestos has been mined and in use since the 1800s with a drastic increase in use from the 1940s through the 80s. The increased used of asbestos was due to certain amazing properties that this group of minerals contain. Some of the properties are excellent heat resistance, excellent fire resistance, excellent chemical resistance, and it is an excellent non-conductor of electricity. All these wonderful properties gave it the nick name 'miracle mineral'.

Asbestos was used widely for all sorts of insulation in buildings and the manufacture of ships. Due to its tensile strength it was used to manufacture clutches and brake liners for automobiles, and also for the manufacture of roofing and tiling for the construction industry. Having good soundproofing qualities it was used extensively in pop ceilings. Ships used them for boiler insulation and steam / hot water pipes. Asbestos was also used widely in adhesives and paints.

Persons at Maximum Risk of Mesothelioma
Persons at a greater risk of mesothelioma are those who have been constantly exposed to asbestos. Many of those suffering from mesothelioma today do not even know it, since the signs and symptoms of the disease surface 30 to 40 years after the initial exposure.

Following are persons who are at a maximum risk of mesothelioma.

-- Workers in asbestos mines
-- Persons living in close proximity to asbestos mines
-- Workers in the construction industry who handle material containing asbestos
-- Workers of asbestos removal companies who were in direct contact with asbestos dust
-- Workers responsible for house / building renovations
-- Workers involved in ship building
-- Workers involved in ship renovation
-- Workers involved in ship breaking
-- Persons who come into direct contact with any of the above mentioned workers, especially friends and members of the family. Fine asbestos particles that are not seen with the naked eye get lodged in such persons hair and clothing and could be inhaled by persons coming into contact with them.

If you have been working in any of the above mentioned categories, or suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos inhalation or ingestion in the 60s or later, please visit a physician / surgeon who specializes in mesothelioma. You could be feeling absolutely healthy today, but the deadly mesothelioma could slowly be building up to incurable proportions.

There are many out there who know for sure that they have been exposed to asbestos for prolonged periods, but avoid going to the physician because of the feeling that its 10, 20, or even 30 years since exposure, and nothing could possibly happen now. Asbestos exposure can take upto 40 (sometimes even 50) years after exposure to surface.

There are tests that the physician / surgeon will perform to diagnose the presence of asbestos and the impending mesothelioma. If diagnosed early (which happens very rarely) the surgeon may be able to stop the spread of the cancer, ensuring you live a longer, healthier life.