Thursday, June 26, 2008

Define mesothelioma:

Mesothelioma exposure: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.A person undergoing mesothelioma treatments cannot recover fully.Nowadays there are many mesothelioma center all over the world.

Mesothelioma asbestos exposure:

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

Mesothelioma and asbestos are not the same they are different. Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Mesothelioma cancer as a byproduct of asbestos in the workplace has caused many lawsuits affecting companies who have asbestos products in the workplace environment.Here we hep for Mesothelioma asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma Facts:

Although asbestos is a widely proliferated material, few people understand the devastating effects this mineral can cause. It is doubtful anyone would have used it in so many applications had they only known the truth. A few staggering facts about mesothelioma include:


Malignant Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, generally caused by exposure to asbestos.

* 2,500 new cases of mesothelioma are reported each year.

* 70% to 80% who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

* Metastatic mesothelioma does not appear until 20 to 40 years after asbestos exposure.

* More men than in women (3 to 1) have mesothelioma.

* Risk for mesothelioma increases with age (median age is 73).

* This disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

1. Historical facts about asbestos and mesothelioma:

* Asbestos has been used since ancient times. Greeks and Romans wove the fibers into tablecloths, napkins, and clothes, and threw them into fires to clean them. They also noted the slaves forced to deal with this material lived shorter lives and usually died of breathing or respiratory problems.

* Asbestos was used extensively in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as modern industry drove the economies of Western Europe and the United States.

* During the Second World War, hundreds of thousands of military personnel were exposed to asbestos on a large scale. Many of these servicepeople are now beginning to demonstrate symptoms of asbestos-related diseases.

* Many asbestos companies knew the dangers of their products, but chose to ignore or downplay the role asbestos played in many illnesses.

* The first reported death caused by asbestos exposure was documented in medical journals in 1924.

2. Modern facts about asbestos and mesothelioma:

* Over 10,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions each year, 3,000 in the US alone.

* It is estimated that over 110,000 schools in the United States still contain some form of asbestos.

* Even though cigarette smoking does not cause mesothelioma, victims exposed asbestos who smoke suffer a 50-90% increase in the likelihood of developing lung cancers.

* Asbestos has been banned or regulated in many industrialized countries around the world.

* Post-diagnosis survival of mesothelioma is measured in months, because by the time the cancer is detected it is too advanced for treatment.

* Because of the long dormancy of mesothelioma, experts speculate that there will be an increase of cases for the next 20 to 30 years.

3. Legal facts about asbestos and mesothelioma:

* The first lawsuit regarding asbestos injury was filled in 1966 in Texas against Johns-Manville, Fibreboard, Owens Corning Fibreglas and several other manufacturers.

* Metastatic mesothelioma cases settle on average between $750,000 and $8 million.

* More than half a million asbestos cases have been filed, with 50,000 in 1998 alone.

* Up to 8 million people in the United States have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. Asbestos still continues to pose a threat to workers in certain occupations.

* New legislation before the Senate of the United States called the Hatch Bill could potentially limit the amount of compensation victims of asbestos-related diseases could receive.