Saturday, February 11, 2012

Why we need to raise Mesothelioma & Asbestos awareness? - Law

We live in a time where cancer is very prevalent, even with advances in medical technology, millions die from some form of cancer each year. Many forms of cancer can be nearly unavoidable due to genetics; however there are some forms of cancer that are caused by our day by day activities and can be avoided. Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma are both really good examples of the latter; smoking has been linked to being one of the major causes to lung cancer, where Mesothelioma is caused solely due to exposure to Mesothelioma.Generally when we look to spread Cancer Awareness, we spread awareness about Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, and just the general umbrella of cancer. While over 200,000 cases of lung cancer and over 175,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year, about only 3,000 cases of Mesothelioma are diagnosed each year. Though Mesothelioma may not have the mainstream media eyes or the number of victims that Breast Cancer and Lung Cancer claims, it is still important that we spread awareness of Mesothelioma and the dangerous fibers that cause it: Asbestos.Much like smoking, the use of asbestos in products and construction wasn't thought to have deadly side effects, however also like smoking time has shown that there is a deadly side effect of asbestos. Asbestos has been the sole link to the incurable Mesothelioma cancer that generally claims the lives of elder males. There are many issues that make Mesothelioma such a deadly cancer, notably the latency period that occurs between the time the victim was exposed to asbestos and when they see symptoms of Mesothelioma. Typically the Mesothelioma latency period is between 30-40 years, but can also be between 10 and 60 years after the victim was exposed to Mesothelioma. The latency period typically causes symptoms of Mesothelioma to not appear until the late stages of the cancer, making the cancer untreatable, and limiting the lifespan of its victims to an average of 4-18 months after diagnos es.It's important that we raise awareness for this cancer as Asbestos is still in use today in the United States. Every day countless people work products that can have asbestos making up as much as 70% of the product, while the government and court system know the dangers Asbestos has. Though an ideal replacement has not been found for Asbestos, there are many suitable substitutes that can be used and save thousands of lives. The public needs to raise up against Mesothelioma and get Asbestos banned in the country for good.


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Friday, February 10, 2012

Mesothelioma and its treatment - Health - Cancer

Mesothelioma is a very uncommon form of a cancer which is mainly caused when one is exposed to asbestos. One of the common types of the Mesothelioma is the Pleural Mesothelioma and it is a cancer that is developed in the Mesothelioma cells that make up the mesothelium. It is membrane that lines many of the bodys organs and cavities.

The Pleural Mesothelioma cancer, the cancer is developed in the lining of the lungs which is known as the pleura or pleural membrane. About two third of the pleural Mesothelioma cases are diagnosed. The Pleural Mesothelioma is developed in one layer but it can metastasize or spread to the other layer. All types of Mesothelioma are not easily diagnosis in the initial stage as soon as one is exposed to asbestos.

The pleural Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to asbestos as all the Mesothelioma is developed. It is developed when the toxic asbestos fibers become trapped in the spaces between the mesothelial cells. Once inside the body, the asbestos fibers cause cancerous cells to divide abnormally. This development results in the thickening of the pleural membrane layers and mesothelial cells which helps in the building up of the fluid and this is known as pleural effusion.

A greater chance of developing Mesothelioma was found among shipyard workers and among people working in asbestos mills and mines, producers of asbestos products, workers inside the heating and construction industries and other trades people.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set limits to the exposure to asbestos in the workplace. They have also created a principle for engineering controls and respirators, protective clothing, exposure monitoring, hygiene facilities and practices, warning signs, labelling, record keeping and medical exams. The friends and family of the person who live with asbestos workers have a greater chance of developing Mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.

The risk of developing Mesothelioma is the result of exposure to asbestos dust which is brought home within the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. It is therefore advisable to that a asbestos worker should take a shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace. Many public and domestic building which were built before the banning of asbestos materials can always contain asbestos within them. Those performing renovation works or do-it-yourself projects may expose themselves to asbestos dust.

The clinical research to treat malignant Mesothelioma is very active and although so far no treatment has so far been successful and there are vast treatments available for the disease. There are three types of treatments used to treat malignant Mesothelioma which include: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

The surgery for malignant Mesothelioma is divided into a number of sub-classes and is specially designed to limit the disease for individuals with particular strains of the disease. The surgical procedure pleurodesis is a distinct technique as it employs a blend of chemicals to create an intentional scar between the layers of the pleura.

The medical technique used to fight the development of malignant Mesothelioma is radiation. Radiation therapy uses the basic technology as other forms of medical radiation as it employs high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.

The Chemotherapy uses the drugs which target cancer cells and stop them from dividing and thus helps in preventing their growth. In systemic chemotherapy, the drug can be taken by mouth or injected. The goal is to have it reach cancer cells by means of the bodys own blood circulation system.


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Mesothelioma and its treatment - Health - Cancer

Mesothelioma is a very uncommon form of a cancer which is mainly caused when one is exposed to asbestos. One of the common types of the Mesothelioma is the Pleural Mesothelioma and it is a cancer that is developed in the Mesothelioma cells that make up the mesothelium. It is membrane that lines many of the bodys organs and cavities.

The Pleural Mesothelioma cancer, the cancer is developed in the lining of the lungs which is known as the pleura or pleural membrane. About two third of the pleural Mesothelioma cases are diagnosed. The Pleural Mesothelioma is developed in one layer but it can metastasize or spread to the other layer. All types of Mesothelioma are not easily diagnosis in the initial stage as soon as one is exposed to asbestos.

The pleural Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to asbestos as all the Mesothelioma is developed. It is developed when the toxic asbestos fibers become trapped in the spaces between the mesothelial cells. Once inside the body, the asbestos fibers cause cancerous cells to divide abnormally. This development results in the thickening of the pleural membrane layers and mesothelial cells which helps in the building up of the fluid and this is known as pleural effusion.

A greater chance of developing Mesothelioma was found among shipyard workers and among people working in asbestos mills and mines, producers of asbestos products, workers inside the heating and construction industries and other trades people.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set limits to the exposure to asbestos in the workplace. They have also created a principle for engineering controls and respirators, protective clothing, exposure monitoring, hygiene facilities and practices, warning signs, labelling, record keeping and medical exams. The friends and family of the person who live with asbestos workers have a greater chance of developing Mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.

The risk of developing Mesothelioma is the result of exposure to asbestos dust which is brought home within the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. It is therefore advisable to that a asbestos worker should take a shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace. Many public and domestic building which were built before the banning of asbestos materials can always contain asbestos within them. Those performing renovation works or do-it-yourself projects may expose themselves to asbestos dust.

The clinical research to treat malignant Mesothelioma is very active and although so far no treatment has so far been successful and there are vast treatments available for the disease. There are three types of treatments used to treat malignant Mesothelioma which include: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

The surgery for malignant Mesothelioma is divided into a number of sub-classes and is specially designed to limit the disease for individuals with particular strains of the disease. The surgical procedure pleurodesis is a distinct technique as it employs a blend of chemicals to create an intentional scar between the layers of the pleura.

The medical technique used to fight the development of malignant Mesothelioma is radiation. Radiation therapy uses the basic technology as other forms of medical radiation as it employs high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.

The Chemotherapy uses the drugs which target cancer cells and stop them from dividing and thus helps in preventing their growth. In systemic chemotherapy, the drug can be taken by mouth or injected. The goal is to have it reach cancer cells by means of the bodys own blood circulation system.


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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Mesothelioma Claims - What Does Mesothelioma Cause - Law - Personal Injury

In the industrial setting, asbestos use has been an epidemic that continues today. Millions have been exposed to it's carcinogenic properties due to corporate greed and lack of interest for the common worker. It's harmful properties were known since the 1930's, yet it's use continues to this day. Despite attempts to hide it's impact on health, more and more mesothelioma claims are surfacing each year.

Asbestos history - It's no surprise that asbestos use still continues today. It happens to be a very reliable product, capable of holding it's integrity against heat and chemical damage. Products such as welding gloves, ovens, and household insulation were commonly known to contain asbestos. During the 1940's, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, millions of workers were exposed to asbestos during the production of new war ships. Even cigarette filters were known, for a time, to contain asbestos fibers.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma - As with other forms of lung cancer, early warning signs are often not present. This is why it is such a devastating form of cancer.

Some forms of mesothelioma can present with early signs, indicating the need for diagnostic testing. Persistent coughing or difficulty breathing indicates trouble in the lungs. This may also include the appearance of blood upon coughing and persistent difficulty with swallowing.

Regardless of asbestos exposure, this should be discussed with your doctor. A change in normal bowel habits or feelings of nausea are often noted, along with weight loss and an unexplained fever. These symptoms tend to accompany periods of unexplainable fatigue.

What to Do - It is very important to seek medical treatment if you suspect past asbestos exposure, or if the symptoms described persist. If mesothelioma is the cause, the prognosis depends heavily on early detection and treatment. Don't hesitate to seek medical attention, as your life could depend on it.

While a diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating, there is something that can be done. Seeking legal counsel through a lawyer will help to determine your options. Sometimes, you can find lawyers who specialize in the area of mesothelioma claims.

The only way to put an end to this unethical practice is to punish those who have, and continue to put people at risk. It's not just a right, it's a duty! Speak with a lawyer immediately, as they will be your best source for legal counsel. It may also be worth seeking a lawyer whom specializes in mesothelioma claims.


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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Mesothelioma: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment - Health - Cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer of the mesothelium, the protective covering on and around most of the organs in the human body. The major cause of the disease is overexposure to asbestos. It most commonly affects the pleura, which lines the lungs and the chest cavity, but can also be found in the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity) and the pericardium (sac surrounding the heart). Despite a common assumption that the disease is of the same origin as a smoker's lung cancer, there is no link between mesothelioma and smoking.Symptoms of the disease may take as many as 20 to 50 years after exposure to become apparent. Different forms of mesothelioma present with different symptoms, but all are unpleasant. Coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain resulting from a build-up of fluid in the pleural area are common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Peritoneal mesothelioma may result in weight loss, ascites (a build-up of fluid in the abdomen), and abdominal pain. A person with peritoneal mesothelioma may also experience bowel obstruction, fever, anemia, or abnormal blood clotting. If the cancer metastasizes past the mesothelium, difficulty swallowing and swelling of the neck and face may occur.

In severe cases where many tumor masses are present, symptoms include: collapsed lung/lungs, blood clotting in the veins, blood clotting in the heart's arteries, severe bleeding in many organs, jaundice, a low blood sugar level, and severe ascites.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are shared by various other disorders, making this cancer a difficult disease to diagnose. When the above symptoms are presented, suspicion of mesothelioma is raised if the patient has a history of exposure to asbestos. A physical examination, chest x-rays, and lung-function tests are performed to rule out other possible problems. X-rays are used to determine if there is the pleural thickening that is normally seen after exposure to asbestos. A CAT scan and an MRI are performed if pleural thickening is detected, and tests are performed to detect abnormal cells in the pleural fluid. If abnormalities are found, a biopsy is performed to confirm results. A laparoscopy may be performed to determine if the cancer is in the abdomen.

Once the diagnosis has been made, doctors will assess the stage of the cancer. The stage is classified as "localized" if the cancer is limited to the membrane surface from which it originated, and "advanced" if it has spread farther.

The disease can be treated with surgery (but the average result is a 5 year survival rate of less than 10%), chemotherapy, radiation (used to relieve symptoms as the tumors are highly resistant to radiation), immunotherapy (which has produced varying results of success and disappointment), and heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (a procedure in which the surgeon removes as much of the tumor as possible before administering chemotherapy treatment immediately after, allowing 60 to 120 minutes to take effect before it is drained).


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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Mesothelioma Caused by Exposure to Asbestos - Law

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, the protective lining around the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but mesothelioma may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (the lining of the heart).

Most people who develop mesothelioma have either worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles or were exposed to asbestos dust and fibers in other ways--such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked around asbestos or by home renovation using asbestos products. There is no link between mesothelioma and smoking, although smoking tends to aggravate mesothelioma side effects.

Asbestos, which was first mined and used commercially in the late 1800s, became quite popular during World War II. Beginning at that time, millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos dust. The risks associated with asbestos exposure were not widely known, or at least they were downplayed by those in the asbestos industry. However, it was soon proven that shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, those who make asbestos products, and laborers in the heating and construction industries were most likely to get a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Between 3,000 and 6,000 new cases of mesothelioma are presented each year in the U.S., with the average age of diagnosis falling between 50 and 70. Treatment for mesothelioma does exist, but the success rate is quite low. There is no cure for mesothelioma, but those affected can receive treatment including surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Since the first mesothelioma lawsuit was filed in 1969, thousands of others followed, and asbestos-related injury quickly became the nation's largest area of product liability litigation.


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Monday, February 6, 2012

Mesothelioma Caused by Asbestos Exposure - Health - Cancer

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer most commonly found in the lungs, heart and abdomen and is usually caused by asbestos. Typically, malignant mesothelioma develops when one is repeatedly exposed to asbestos, which is a flame-resistant material once used for insulation. Asbestos is also found in ceiling and floor tiles, roof shingles, cement, automobile brakes and clutches.Most of those suffering from malignant mesothelioma have breathed asbestos at work. Some have even been exposed to asbestos in their own home, without realizing it. Those who could be at risk include:

- Construction workers.- Maintenance engineers and janitors.- Shipbuilders exposed to asbestos in boiler insulation.- Miners that mined vermiculite or asbestos.- Railroad workers who worked around boilers and furnaces.- Factory workers.- Firefighters.- Drywall removers.- Auto mechanics and workers who worked with brake linings and clutches.- Demolition workers.- Those who live around asbestos factories or mills.

There are a variety of symptoms associated with mesothelioma which are similar to pneumonia. The most common symptoms include:

- Chest pain- Coughing up bloody fluid- Trouble swallowing- Hoarseness- Shortness of breath- Weight loss.

A lot of attention has been given to asbestos exposure and people aren't exposed as much today as they were several years ago. However, it can sometimes take years for the symptoms of Mesothelioma to surface.

Furthermore, asbestos hasn't been completely eliminated and therefore, it still presents a threat to those who are unknowingly exposed. Do the research and make sure that you and your loved ones are not being exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by being exposed to asbestos, even for short periods of time.

Mesothelioma usually shows up 30-40 years after exposure to asbestos. Early symptoms are too often overlooked or diagnosed as minor ailments, which is why it is crucial to look into your exposure to asbestos. If you have been repeatedly exposed and are suffering the symptoms of mesothelioma, you should be screened right away.

However, if you were exposed unknowingly for any length of time at your home or place of employment to asbestos, resulting in mesothelioma, you deserve to be compensated. Seek legal counsel, not only for your own benefit, but for your loved ones as well.

At one time, several businesses, landlords and property owners were fully aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure yet they allowed employees, tenants and home buyers to be exposed. Anyone who was unknowingly exposed absolutely deserves to be compensated.


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