Mesothelioma

The Ailment by Asbestos
By Emma Wanjiku


Some internal organs in the body will be covered by what is referred to as the mesothelium. The protective covering can be affected by a form of cancer that is usually very rare called mesothelioma. It is malignant mesothelioma that will threaten life and this condition will be rife in persons exposed to the naturally occurring substance known as asbestos. The outer lining of the lungs, heart or even abdomen will be affected most when this illness hits.

Asbestos is notorious for causing this condition and the fibres can be ingested through inhalation. Physical contact with the substance is also a point of contact that has seen many suffer from the cancer. Asbestos will be found at work in various places and will be a material used for many things in different industries including the construction sector.

Workers who have been exposed to this substance can carry the fibres in their clothes transmitting the threat to their relatives or people who come in close contact with those clothes. Mesothelioma will take a long time to develop and many years can pass after exposure before the disease forms.

However, when the symptoms are clear, this disease will have advanced and the prognosis is not good at all. There are interventions that will be attempted including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery.

Those who suspect exposure to asbestos are usually advised to go for early screening for this may increase their chances of surviving mesothelioma. There are a number of signs that will inform people of the disease and the following are top symptoms.

First thing is shortness of breath and this will come about as a result of fluid retention in the chest cavity. Weights loss will be observed in those who suffer. Pain is another undeniable sign and will affect the greater chest area. Anaemia and general weakness are other signs. There are many others all depending on the area the malignant mesothelioma develops in.

Asbestos as the main culprit will be used in many industrial products including cement, brakes linings, gaskets, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. In the United States, a lot of exposure was recorded in mid 1800s and by 1940s; many miners and industry workers were exposed. It was until later that people started to notice the full wrath of the substance as mesothelioma became a grave problem.

Prevention in this case is better and it is vital to know where potential dangers lay. Building products and materials have been used over the years in households all over the world leaving imminent danger of asbestos exposure.