Asbestos Cancer
In the past one hundred years, several million people have been exposed to asbestos without their knowledge. Asbestos is a mineral shown to cause several types of cancers. Commonly called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer that can form in the lining of several different organs, commonly in the lungs or stomach. Thousands of new cases of asbestos are diagnosed and reported each year. Symptoms can take decades after the initial asbestos exposure. This exposure most often occurs in the workplace. Asbestos has been used in manufacturing plants, shipyards, cars, and as insulation. If you think you may have been exposed to asbestos, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Asbestos cancer (mesothelioma) most often is found in the linings of the lungs, stomach or heart. There are three types of mesothelioma:
• Pleural Mesothelioma: The most common form of asbestos cancer, developing in the lining of the lungs.
• Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Found in the abdominal region, and can affect the stomach and intestines.
• Pericardial Mesothelioma: Develops in the pericardium, a membrane surrounding the heart and provides protection and support to the heart.
Symptoms
Symptoms of asbestos cancer can start to develop as late as 20 to 50 years after the first exposure to asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma are also fairly common symptoms, and often go unnoticed. Common symptoms are:
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Persistent cough
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Fever
Diagnosis
Most patients are not diagnosed with mesothelioma until it is in its last stages, as this is when the symptoms begin to develop. Currently, there is no cure for mesothelioma. However, many patients choose to use treatments designed to make living with the cancer more bearable. Common treatments for asbestos cancer include: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Some patients apply to be a part of clinical trials, where experimental treatments are given in hopes of both curing the patient, as well as help the chance of discovery better cures in the future.
In addition of mesothelioma, asbestos has been known to cause lung cancer, which has similar symptoms as mesothelioma.
Lung Cancer
Asbestos can lead to another kind cancer. Lung Cancer has many of the same symptoms of asbestos cancer, as well as severe coughing, sometimes accompanied by coughed blood. Lung cancer caused by asbestos can take several years to arise after the initial exposure.