New York County Pays Fine for Illegal Asbestos Removal

Cayuha Country New York legislators agreed to pay a $10,000 fine in order to resolve illegal removal of asbestos at a county building last year. The fine was issued by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and could have been much higher had they not reached an agreement.

The fine stems from the removal of asbestos from the county’s Board of Elections building in March 2006. Despite the payment, the county still faces at least one more pending violation and a class action lawsuit by people who claim they were exposed to asbestos.

What started as a simple replacement project for asbestos used on a boiler turned into a scandal when it was revealed the asbestos was handled improperly when it was removed. When it was discovered, the building was temporarily closed and the county was investigated by federal prosecutors (though no charges are expected). Earlier this year the contractor in charge of the work pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act.

Cancer Replacing Heart Disease as World's Leading Killer

The leading killer in the United States and across the globe is currently heart disease however, according to the World Health Organization, that is about to change. Cancer is quickly replacing heart disease as the world's number one killer due to various worldwide factors.

The number of patients diagnosed annually with cancer is expected to continually rise over the next decades. In 2008 the number of new cancer cases is expected to reach 12 million with deaths attributed to the disease in the amount of 7 million.

The world's population is continually growing and with that growth comes an increase in the number of new cancer cases. Smoking has become more popular in many developing countries and the populations of India and China now hold over 40% of the world's smokers. The United States, in contrast, has experienced a decrease in smoking over the past decade and less than 20% of America's adults smoke cigarettes. This fact has caused a decrease in the number of U.S. cancer cases. Improved cancer screening methods and better treatments have also helped reduce America's cancer rates.

Many cancer organizations gathered recently to draw attention to the global threat of the disease. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (a part of WHO) released a report that details the current statistics.

According to the report, "The global cancer burden doubled in the last thirty years of the twentieth century, and it is estimated that this will double again between 2000 and 2020, and nearly triple by 2030."

The report outlined additional issues regarding worldwide cancer care including the fact that narcotics are illegal in some African countries even for use during cancer treatment. Many of those same countries have very limited budgets for health care and communicable diseases spread rapidly.

As the Westernized world has seen a decrease in cancer, poorer countries have seen a huge increase. In fact, today more people die from cancer than from TB, malaria and HIV combined. The recent gathering of cancer organizations hopes to spotlight this fact and get assistance from the U.S. government.

Dr. Boyle said, "The rapid increase in the global cancer burden represents a real challenge for health systems worldwide. However, there is a clear message of hope: although cancer is a devastating disease, it is largely preventable. We know that preventive measures such as tobacco control, reduction of alcohol consumption increased physical activity, vaccination for Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and screening and awareness could have a great impact on reducing the global cancer burden."

Bondex on Trial for Asbestos Again

In Illinois last week, a Sangamon County jury decided against St. Louis, Missouri-based Bondex International, manufacturer of textured paints, finishes and joint compounds, and for former Springfield postal worker/handyman William Willis.

The settlement is the result of an asbestos exposure trial which called into question the liability inherent in asbestos-containing products manufactured by Bondex, Minnesota-based CertainTeed Corp., and Atlanta-based paper and building products manufacturer Georgia-Pacific Corp.

Willis, 69, currently lives in Arkansas, but spent most of his life in the Springfield area and worked as a U.S. Postal Service employee on the night shift from 1966 to 1992. In addition to his scheduled work, Willis was also employed as a truck driver, bus driver, and in home construction and repair from about 1960 to about 1980.

It was as a home repair specialist that Willis came into contact with CertainTeed's asbestos-containing pipe, and pipe joint compounds made variously by Bondex, Georgia-Pacific and other firms - all of whom reportedly phased out the use of asbestos in their products in 1977.

Willis, who said he developed incurable pleural mesothelioma as a result of working with the asbestos-containing compounds, noted in his suit that - to the best of his knowledge - none of the products contained warnings about their asbestos content, or if they did the warnings were not explicit.

Asbestos was widely used in insulative products, floor and ceiling tiles, and mastics or sealants, through most of the last century, until health officials began to recognize the dangers. In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limited the use of asbestos in American-made products to one percent by weight (or volume).

Unfortunately, mesothelioma is a legacy disease which lies dormant for decades before causing enough symptoms to allow doctors to readily diagnose it. By that time, the prognosis is almost always poor because so many tissues and vital organs have been affected. Most patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma of long standing are given between a year and 18 months to live. Ten percent survive up to five years.

The settlement was reduced for prior settlements made with Willis, and his pretrial request for punitive damages was denied. The cost is levied solely at Bondex. CertainTeed and Georgia-Pacific were not ruled to be negligent, even though Bondex lawyers argued that, after decades, Willis could not be sure which manufacturer's products he had commonly used and what the labels might have said.

This is the same defense Bondex and Georgia-Pacific used in a similar trial in 2006, when they defended themselves in a Madison County courtroom by calling in metacognition and metamemory specialist Charles Weaver III, Ph.D, of Baylor University, who argued for the plaintiffs that people can't generally remember the brand name of a product used four decades previously, let alone what the product's warning label said.

The 2006 case revolved around 84-year-old Anita O'Connell, whose son Michael argued that Anita's asbestos-related disease resulted from her washing both her husband's and son's work clothes during 1966 to 1970 when the two men worked at the elder O'Connell's firm, Burbank, Illinois-based Bel-Aire Plastering.

According to Michael, the firm used joint compounds made by both Bondex and Georgia-Pacific, though he admits he also saw other manufacturer's products as well. His case was eventually damaged by the fact that, while drywall workers use joint compounds to seal and finish sheetrock wall edges, plasterers do not.

The lawyers in the most recent case also stated that Bondex's pipe compound never contained enough asbestos to cause harm, though in fact OSHA, the CDC, and the American Cancer Society agree there is no minimum, safe level of asbestos exposure; a day or a lifetime can trigger mesothelioma.

Sources: USCourts.gov, Madison Record, Harris Martin website, Jefferson County website.

MESOTHELIOMA TREATMENT OPTIONS

The treatment program for mesothelioma depends on many factors, including: the stage of the cancer, where the cancer is, how far the cancer has spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope and the patient’s age and desires.

Mesothelioma Risk Considered Extremely Low As Asbestos Found in Australian School Playgrounds

Students in the Australian state of Queensland have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos, according to a government report. The asbestos debris has appeared in playgrounds and athletic fields near schools in and around the city of Brisbane. Investigators from the Queensland state government have reported that topsoil that contained asbestos may have been used in as "fill" in some of the playground sites.

In previous years, old school buildings would be demolished and covered with topsoil. Many of those buildings from the early part of the last century contained asbestos as fireproofing and insulation material. As the schools have continued to add playing fields and other improvements, much of that contaminated topsoil has surfaced.

The report, which is due to be published sometime this month, shows that some of the highest concentrations of the toxic material have been found in playgrounds, in sandpits and in many of the oval-shaped fields students use to play Australian Rules Football. Reports continue to surface about children playing with the hazardous material that they find in the fields. In one instance, an elementary school student allegedly took home a sizable piece of asbestos to show to his parents.

State education officials have suspended classes at six elementary schools in the Brisbane area as the investigation progresses. Workers at five of those six sites have verified asbestos findings on the school grounds. Principals at schools in the area state that they have taken steps to insure the children's safety. Two schools have restricted outdoor activities after environmental workers found asbestos on their playgrounds and football ovals, while another school replaced the material in its sandpit when officials learned of asbestos found there.

In Australia, schools are required to keep maintenance logs, including the presence of potentially toxic substances such as asbestos, for every school term. However, officials later found out that these records were either disorganized or not updated at all. At one school, the maintenance record had not been updated in more than ten years.

Queensland Minister of Education Geoff Wilson has stated that he has appointed a special independent investigator, John Gaskin, to look into the prevalence of asbestos on school grounds. Mr. Gaskin is the former president of the Master Builders Association of Australia, the leading business association for the construction industry. Mr. Wilson has said that Mr. Gaskin's experience in the construction field will be invaluable in the course researching this issue.

Another leading expert in the field of asbestos abatement and remediation in Australia is Mark Rentoul. Mr. Rentoul is the manager of Asbestos Auditors, a company that carries out asbestos inspections on private and public structures and creates plans to deal with asbestos removal projects. Mr. Rentoul told the Australian Associated Press that maintenance records at the schools should have been more organized and that independent auditors should have carried out the annual inspections.

William Kwiecien, an asbestos specialist at the Queensland University of Technology, said that children exposed to asbestos in playground settings were at "extremely" low risk to develop mesothelioma, asbestosis, or any other lung diseases associated with long-term exposure to asbestos. Since most of the asbestos found in the playgrounds was still in a solid form, the danger of developing any lung disorders was minimal unless the fibers came loose and became airborne.

Sources: Sydney Morning Herald, News.com.au

Common Questions about mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

pleura (PLOOR-a)

A thin layer of tissue covering the lungs and lining the interior wall of the chest cavity. It protects and cushions the lungs. This tissue secretes a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant, allowing the lungs to move smoothly in the chest cavity while breathing.

Pleural Mesothelioma is the cancer of the pleura.

How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.

Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?

People who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and shipyard workers are facing the risks for developing mesothelioma.

Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos must wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of developing mesothelioma.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.

Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever.

If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

How is mesothelioma treated?

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it.

For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed

New treatment for prostate cancer patients

NEW DELHI: The Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre here has officially launched a new “Sonablate HIFU” service for treatment of prostate cancer patients.

“Sonablate HIFU on initial use is very patient-friendly for those suffering from prostate cancer as there is no immediate morbidity which is expected if the patient chooses radical surgery. The long-term side-effects are also not expected since the treatment is done by sound waves,” said Dr. Sudhir Rawal, who claims to have performed more than 15 HIFU procedures using Sonablate HIFU in Delhi

What is Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is a technique, invented in 1952 by Dr. Michel Pistor, where medication is injected into the mesoderm, the layer of fat and connective tissue under the skin. Over the past 50+ years, an excess of 15,000 physicians world-wide have used Mesotherapy on a daily basis for a variety of purposes, including overall weight loss, spot weight reduction, cellulite reduction, hair loss, scar revision and wrinkle elimination. Mesotherapy is also used to correct unevenness, lumps, or divots that develop after liposuction. In 1987, the French Academy of Medicine recognized Mesotherapy as an inherent part of traditional medicine. The International Society of Mesotherapy encompasses 14 countries throughout Europe and South America. Using a very tiny needle (0.4 to 0.6 cm or the size of an eyelash), the medication is injected into the mesoderm painlessly. Sometimes the technique of “multi-pricking” is used, where a number of swift, painless injections are concentrated in a specific area. Although “multi-pricking” can be done by hand, we at Mesotherapy Associates offer a mechanical delivery system that delivers the medicine in a more accurate fashion with even less discomfort to the patient. Patients have universally reported that the treatments cause less pain than a momentary, light pinch.

The medications that are used in Mesotherapy melt the fat beneath the skin and shrink the fat cells in the Scarpa’s fascia layer. The fat dissolves and is excreted by the kidneys and the bowel without any changes in your bowel habits.

Cellulite is caused by connective tissue bands that hold down the skin, trapping the fat and thereby causing the “dimpling” effect. The medications used in Mesotherapy destroy the connective tissue bands and melt the trapped fat, creating a smooth, dimple-free appearance. In Mesotherapy, very small doses of different medications are administered in specific areas, depending on the condition being treated. The medicines and plant extracts that we use at Mesotherapy Associates, P.C. are obtained from local pharmaceutical companies in the United States . All medicines used are FDA-approved for their use. In combination, medicines for Mesotherapy are used for off-line purposes. A recent illustration of this distinction is Botox. Although Botox is FDA approved for controlling muscle spasms, the medical community embraced it for its cosmetic propberties of controlling wrinkles. For many years, plastic surgeons and dermatologists have used Botox for off-line purposes…..

Bloglines - Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Cyclists Receive Support on 1,200 Mile Journey

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Cyclists Receive Support on 1,200 Mile Journey By JBream on Malignant Mesothelioma Three cyclists riding 1,200 miles to raise awareness about asbestos-related diseases are receiving support from those impacted by asbestos illnesses along the way. Katrina London, Paul Glanville and Jason Addy departed June 20, 2009 from Glasgow, England and will conclude their journey July 4 in Southampton. The three activists are riding to raise money to be donated to the search for a cure for asbestos-related cancers. During their journey, the cyclists will deliver a petition to the Canadian consulate in Birmingham, calling for an end to the mining of asbestos in Quebec. They will also stop in London to meet Members of Parliament who are campaigning for increased asbestos awareness. The cyclists have already stopped in Derby, England and received a warm welcome from those affected by asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Valerie Pepper, whose husband passed away from malignant mesothelioma two years ago, greeted the group upon their arrival in Derby. Pepper noted the importance of raising money for mesothelioma research, stating, "There's lots of money spent on research into other cancers, but very little on mesothelioma. If you don't do research, you won't know if there's a cure." Cyclist London said the group has met "amazing women who have lost their husbands and then channeled their energy into campaigning and fund-raising." One such woman is Carol Anthony who lost her husband to mesothelioma four years ago and now serves on the committee of a mesothelioma research group at a Leicester, England hospital. Prior to departing on the 1,200-mile ride cyclist Addy said, "It will be tough going as we will be cycling up to 100 miles a day, but it is for a very important cause and promises to be a breathtaking journey to raise awareness of the legacy caused by asbestos." Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the second-most prevalent form of asbestos-related cancer, rarer than the pleural variety, and accounting for about 10% - 15% of all diagnosed Mesothelioma cases. This form of cancer affects the lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum.

Doctors and researchers offer two theories as to how asbestos fibers are able to enter the peritoneum. Some believe that the fibers are caught and held by the mucus in the trachea or bronchi and ultimately swallowed. The second explanation notes that fibers lodged in the lungs may move into the lymphatic system and be transferred to the peritoneum.

Regardless of which explanation is correct, peritoneal Mesothelioma can be quite difficult to detect, as the cancer may lay dormant for many years. Like all types of asbestos-related cancers, documented incidences show that this type has, at times, been dormant for up to four decades. That, of course, makes it all the more difficult to treat this disease because, by the time it’s detected, it has reached its advanced stages.

The symptoms of peritoneal Mesothelioma are non-specific and can often be mistaken as indicators of a much less serious disease. Therefore, it’s important to let medical professionals know that the patient has been exposed to asbestos in the past. Symptoms of this type of Mesothelioma might include:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Bowel obstruction
• Breathing difficulties

Location of the tumor will determine which symptoms are present and/or most severe and symptoms may be different according to the patient’s general health and age.

Often, the diagnosis of peritoneal Mesothelioma is accidental, perhaps discovered during an x-ray for another ailment. Additional x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be ordered but, ultimately, a tissue biopsy will be the most conclusive test.

Once this type of Mesothelioma is diagnosed, treatment options will be discussed. While there is currently no cure for this disease, the patient can be treated in a variety of ways to help ease symptoms, reduce pain, and prolong life. Options include:

• Surgery – the surgery performed for peritoneal Mesothelioma may involve cutting out part of the lining and tissue from the abdominal area in order to remove the tumor. If the tumor is particularly large, a lung or a section of the diaphragm may need to be removed as well. Because this type of cancer is so often diagnosed in its late stages, surgery may not be an option as the cancer has already spread too much by this point.
• Chemotherapy – the use of intra-peritoneal chemotherapy is often recommended to patients with peritoneal Mesothelioma. This involves the infusion of chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity. It can be used after surgery or on its own.
• Radiation therapy – radiation may be targeted directly at cancer cells or can be used for palliative reasons such as to reduce pain or shortness of breath or to control the spread of the tumor.
• Clinical trials – some patients choose to participate in clinical trials or employ the use of therapies that have not yet been deemed successful in treating the disease, such as gene therapy or immunotherapy.

Although peritoneal Mesothelioma is not the most prevalent form of asbestos-related cancer, it is indeed a serious problem and many people die each year from the disease. If you, a friend, or a loved one has been diagnosed with this or any other type of asbestos-related cancer, learn about your options and rights by ordering our free Mesothelioma Resource Kit, full of information on the disease, its treatments, and the legal options of an asbestos-related cancer victim.

Pleural Mesothelioma

There are two types of Pleural Mesothelioma: Cancerous and non-cancerous.

Benign mesothelioma many times can be surgically removed and is generally not life threatening or a result of asbestos exposure. Malignant mesothelioma is very serious, though. The infliction is quite rare and less than three thousand people in the US get it each year.

The following section is about malignant pleural mesothelioma:

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that affects the skin or inner lining (known medically as the pleura) outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs. This is caused ONLY by exposure to asbestos fibers found in products made mostly by US corporations. The exposure could have occurred many, many years ago because it takes many years for the disease to show up. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma and chances are that if you have mesothelioma, this is the type you have.

Often Mesothelioma is diagnosed when no symptoms are present. This could be because a tumor is present or is randomly discovered through something like a routine exam. When these symptoms do occur, they can include shortness of breath, weight loss, chest pains, pains about the lower back, chronic cough, difficulty swallowing, and severe weakness. In the initial examination a medical examination will often show a pleural effusion, which is a bunch of fluid in the area between the lungs and the wall of the chest.

A chest x-ray or CT scan is the necessary first step in identifying mesothelioma, which is followed up with what is called a bronchoscopy. A bronchoscopy requires a viewing scope to look inside the lungs. The diagnosis itself requires a biopsy which allows the medical professionals to take a little piece of tissue from the area in question. This can be done using a tiny needle, an open cut, or even these days through a tube with a camera on the end of it. This is a procedure that must happen at the hospital, but it is not a painful procedure typically.

Any fluid build-up from the pleural effusion can generally be viewed via the x-ray and can be heard through the dr.’s stethoscope during examination. The only firm diagnosis of mesothelioma can be made through the biopsy described earlier. Because other things like tumors and benign effusions can look like mesothelioma, a biopsy is the only safe way to tell as a diagnosis of mesothelioma can be one of the most difficult in the book.

As the tumor spreads over the lining between the lungs and the chest, flexibility can be increasingly painful and restricted. Because of this, breathing becomes much more difficult. It begins with shortness of breath potentially while exercising but as function continues to drop short breath can become more and more of a persistent problem.

Although there is no cure for pleural mesothelioma, the treatment options have improved for managing symptoms. As with any cancer, the prognosis is better for those diagnosed early, and treatment can be more aggressive. Most pleural mesothelioma patients are treated with a multimodal therapy, or combination of treatment options. It is possible for patients with pleural mesothelioma to live for 5 to 10 years after diagnosis, although the average survival time is about a year.

Specific types of treatment include:

• Chemotherapy and other drug-based therapies
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery
• Intra-operative photodynamic therapy.

Experimental treatments such as gene therapy, angiogenesis inhibitors, immunotherapy, and many clinical trials are also in the development stages.

Although mesothelioma remains uncurable, many other treatments have had success in pain reduction and improving lung function. Surgeries to remove tumors and reduce pressure have shown promise in pain reduction, and pain control medications are constantly improving. In some cases, X-ray therapy has been shown to control tumor pain as well

Hidden asbestos risks

The risk of developing mesothelioma is not just confined to the person directly exposed but may extend to family members and friends of those directly exposed. Even someone who has not been directly exposed or has been exposed at very low levels is at risk may develop the disease.

An increasing incidence of mesothelioma in spouses and children whose only to asbestos was from the dust laden work clothes of a family member is being reported. People who were in contact with workers in asbestos related injuries should also be vigilant for symptoms and be screened for lung disorders regularly.

Asbestos exposure

The most common way in which people are exposed to asbestos is through their work. There are a number of jobs in which exposure to asbestos may have occurred. Asbestos has been extensively used in industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation as well as shipbuilding and other forms of construction. The risk of developing Mesothelioma increases according to the length and level of exposure to asbestos.

The number of workers exposed to asbestos far exceeds the number of documented cases. The reasons why some people who are exposed to asbestos do not develop the disease are not well understood.

The risk of developing asbestos-related diseases varies with the type of industry in which the exposure occurred and with the extent of the exposure. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), however, has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) for an 8 hour time weighted average. The safest course of action is to limit exposure and always wear protective gear when dealing with any type of suspected asbestos.

Mesothelioma Risk Factors

n as many as 75-85% of mesothelioma cases, there is a history of exposure to asbestos. The material was used extensively in numerous industries from the early 1900’s through the 1960’s. Through the World War II era, over 8 million workers were exposed to asbestos. Evidence that serious health problems were related to asbestos began to mount, and in 1999, a conclusive link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma was made.

Because it can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to develop, anyone who has been exposed should be evaluated by a physician experienced in this form of cancer. Even if you are not ill, you should learn about your legal rights in case mesothelioma is found in the future.

Asbestos is a broad term which refers to a collection of minerals know as asbestiform. It is a small mineral comprised of tiny fibers. Asbestos fibers exist in two forms; they can be either amphibole or serpentine (chrysotile). Several studies suggest that the amphibole form of asbestos is more dangerous than the chrysotile form, especially in mesothelioma.

These small particles float in the air, in an exposed environment and they may be inhaled or swallowed. Asbestos fibers breathed into the lungs cannot be expelled; they become embedded in the thin lining of the lungs, the mesothelium. Over the period of many years, cells in the mesothelium can become cancerous. In most cases of mesothelioma, it takes decades for the disease to cause symptoms.

Although a serious hazard to your health, asbestos is an excellent insulating material. It is used in many products that need to withstand high heat such as home insulation and construction, brake pads, electrical equipment, hot water piping, boilers, ship engines, and welding supplies. People who have worked in these industries should be screened regularly for the development of lung disease.

When the asbestos is contained within finished products such as walls and tiles, it does not appear to pose a health as long as it is not damaged or disturbed. However, damage or inadvertent destruction can release dangerous fibers into the air. When asbestos fibers are set free and inhaled, however, exposed individuals are at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

While smoking has not been found to cause mesothelioma, smoking has been linked to an increased incidence in mesothelioma in asbestos exposed workers. Therefore, if you have had occupational e exposure to asbestos, smoking could raise the risk of developing mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

1. What is the mesothelium? The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

2. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum

Information About Mesothelioma

Information About Mesothelioma: "very informative blog to read how to prevent against mesothelioma desease"

Prevention

Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent. Ronnie D. Laing

In terms of asbestos, mesothelioma prevention is extremely important to reduce the risks of this serious cancer . Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer that affects the lining of the heart, lung, or abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma has been almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure, a group of hazardous fibers that were manufactured in hundreds of industries around the world. There are many ways that people to protect themselves against workplace or non-occupational exposure to asbestos in an effort to prevent mesothelioma.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has enacted a number of workplace asbestos regulations to aid in mesothelioma prevention. Under workplace asbestos laws , the permissible level of exposure is 01. fibers per cubic centimeter for an eight-hour work day and one fiber per cubic centimeter in any thirty minute time frame.

Furthermore, workplace regulations to prevent asbestos exposure require employers to frequently monitor and regulate the work environment in addition to providing their employees with protective clothing and respiratory equipment, sufficient hygiene facilities, routine medical exams, and training .

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a number of steps and precautions people can take to help protect themselves against non-occupational asbestos exposure that may lead to mesothelioma. These mesothelioma prevention methods include, but are not limited to:

  Regular inspection and monitoring of asbestos-containing products or materials around the home since asbestos was commonly used in the production of roof shingles, insulation, flooring, and more.

  Don't attempt to remove any asbestos-containing materials. It is vital that you enlist the help of an asbestos removal professional who is properly trained to handle the material and can ensure safe removal.

  Avoid vacuuming, sweeping, drilling, sanding, or scraping any surfaces that may contain asbestos fibers. Once these fibers are airborne, they may be inhaled or ingested greatly increasing the risk of mesothelioma.

  Quit smoking, especially if you work in an industry in which you are frequently exposed to high levels of asbestos. Studies have indicated that asbestos workers who smoke cigarettes have a 50 to 100 times greater risk of dying from mesothelioma or lung cancer.

If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma side effects, it is vital that you seek immediate medical attention at the first sign of symptoms such as chest pains, shortness of breath, coughs, severe weight loss, and more . Early diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma is the best form of prevention and can produce the most favorable outcome of the disease.

Types of Treatment

Persons with mesothelioma searching for help have a number of options. For some mesothelioma patients, surgical removal of the tumor, pleura, lung and portions of the diaphragm accompanied after surgery by chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both, may lead to prolongation of life. In some cases, surgery cannot or should not be performed. In these situations, oncologist (cancer doctors) may recommend either chemotherapy or radiation therapy or both.

Facts About Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma cancer does not act the same way in all people. In addition, a person's general state of health can have a lot to do with how they fare with the mesothelioma.

There are different cell types of mesothelioma. Of the three cell types of mesothelioma, epithelial mesothelioma seems to grow the slowest. Sarcomatous or spindle-cell mesotheliomas seem to grow the fastest and biphasic mesotheliomas, which have characteristics of both epithelial and sarcomatous mesotheliomas seem to grow at a rate in between those two. Life expectancy from the date of diagnosis with mesothelioma to death varies from as short as several months to five years or in some cases longer. Age at time of diagnosis and overall general health make a big difference in how long a person lives.

A few cases are reported of persons alive five and more years after diagnosis. More of these cases are occurring as time goes on and more is known about how to try and fight the cancer.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma cancer of the lining of the lung or the lining of the abdomen is very different from a lung cancer. A typical lung cancer grows as a single identifiable nodule or mass which is anywhere from the size of a grape to the size of a baseball or larger when discovered. Because most lung cancer grows as a solitary defined mass, sometimes it can be cut out and followed up with chemotherapy or radiation which results in removing and killing off all of the lung cancer cells so that the cancer does not return.

So far, medical science has only very, very rarely been able to accomplish the same thing for persons with mesothelioma. The reasons for this is that mesothelioma grows on the lining of the lung (or the lining of the abdomen) as a diffuse multi-site tumor with tumor nodules being spread on a wide area of the pleura. Even when an individual is able to undergo surgery for removal of the entire pleura, lung on the side where the mesothelioma is located, and parts of the diaphragm, this almost never results in total removal of all of the cancer cells.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the lining of the body's internal organs, a thin layer of cells known as the mesothelium. While very thin, this layer of cells is vitally important to organ function and the health of the inner body structures. There are three recognized types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the pleural lining of the lungs and is the most common form of the disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs within the peritoneum, which lines the abdominal cavity and is the second most common form of the disease. Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest variety of the disease and occurs in the pericardial lining of the heart. The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, though other factors, such as smoking may increase the likeliness of the disease in certain individuals.
How is Mesothelioma Treated?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer but can be managed with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Currently, there is no known cure for asbestos cancer but several mesothelioma treatment regimens have proven to be successful in helping the patient avoid pain and discomfort caused by the disease. Several therapies have emerged in recent years that have extended survival rates to levels previously thought to be impossible. Cancer centers have initiated hundreds of clinical trials in recent years to help mesothelioma patients find a therapy that works for them while still working towards a cure for future patients. Progressive therapies are now being developed through the International Mesothelioma Program under the direction of thoracic specialist Dr. David Sugarbaker.
How is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Malignant mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms of the disease often closely mimic those of less serious conditions. It will often require X-ray and other body scans (CT or MRI) in addition to a biopsy to conclusively diagnose mesothelioma. Nevertheless, those experiencing chronic cough, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or breathing difficulties should alert their physician immediately. This is particularly true among those with a known asbestos-exposure history. Those with asbestos exposure history should communicate this to their physician even before symptoms appear so that they may be able to alert patients to warning signs of the disease. If detected early enough, patients may be eligible for aggressive treatment options, including surgical resection of the mesothelioma cancer and affected tissue. Oncologists and thoracic specialists will be able to assist the patient in determining the extent of the disease and the best treatment options for that particular patient.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure was common among industrial workers. Among the more common jobsites were those in the shipbuilding industry, such as the Todd Shipyards or Newport News Naval Shipyard. Other jobsites include power plants, chemical manufacturing, or the metal works industry. Those with asbestos history should notify their doctor and learn of possible warning signs of health complications caused by exposure. Those who have been made sick by asbestos exposure should fill out the form on this page to receive a free asbestos and mesothelioma information kit detailing top doctors, new treatments, and how to obtain financial compensation for asbestos disease.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart,[1] the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.[2] Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases risk of other asbestos induced cancer.[3] Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).

The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.