Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they cause scarring and inflammation, which can develop into a mesothelioma tumor. Research has shown that 80% of all cases of mesothelioma are caused by known exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is the leading cause of pleural mesothelioma.
About 8 out of 10 people with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they travel to the ends of the small airways and reach the pleura, where they can cause inflammation and scarring. This can damage the cells' DNA and cause changes that cause uncontrolled cell growth. If ingested, these fibers can reach the abdominal lining, where they may play a role in causing peritoneal mesothelioma.
However, most people exposed to asbestos, even in large numbers, do not get mesothelioma. Most mesotheliomas are thought to be related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a mineral found naturally in the environment. Asbestos fibers are strong and heat resistant, making them useful in a wide variety of applications, such as insulation, brakes, shingles, flooring and many other products.
If small asbestos fibers are released into the air, as in the manufacturing process, they can be inhaled or swallowed, leading to serious health problems. Up to 75% of mesothelioma cases may be related to exposure to asbestos at work. There is also evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers are at increased risk of developing mesothelioma and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may result from exposure to asbestos dust that is carried home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers.
Mesothelioma has also been observed in people living near asbestos mines. “The term “" cancer "” refers to a group of diseases characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth (e.g. Different forms of cancer, including mesothelioma, can be classified according to the type of cell involved, the specific nature of the malignancy, the tissues or organs affected, and the clinical course of the disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the location, type, and stage of the cancer.
Approximately 70 to 80% of mesothelioma cases result from exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. However, once symptoms manifest, mesothelioma can progress rapidly and cause life-threatening complications. Asbestos was commonly used to build various types of structures in the 1930s and early 1980s due to its resistance to fire, water, sound, and more.
Because of this, many industries used materials containing asbestos before the general public knew about the dangers of asbestos. Many people have been exposed to asbestos in some way from the 1930s to today. Although the use of asbestos fell sharply in the 1980s, after the mineral's hazards became widespread, it has not been completely banned. Some of these workplaces still pose a risk of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma even today.
According to OSHA, 1.3 million workers have been exposed to asbestos today. The only known cause of mesothelioma is a history of exposure to asbestos. Many people were exposed to this mineral, as it was widely used from the 1930s to the early 1980s in buildings, building materials and hundreds of other products. Because of the long latency period of asbestos, it can take 10 to 50 years for mesothelioma symptoms to develop after exposure.
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made from microscopic fibers that used to be widely used in construction. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Exposure to asbestos is more common at work. However, exposure can also occur through natural asbestos in the environment or through secondary exposure.
We know that asbestos causes most cases of pleural mesothelioma. This starts in the two sheets of tissue that cover the lungs, called the pleura. Being exposed to large amounts of asbestos for a long period of time increases the risk of mesothelioma. Many people with mesothelioma in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) have also been exposed to asbestos.
. .