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Mesothelioma - the Asbestos Cancer
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer
that starts in the tissue that surrounds and protects various organs in the
body, including the lungs, heart and stomach. This tissue known as
the mesothelium produces a protective fluid that allows the organs to move
around freely.
The tragedy of Mesothelioma is that it is a disease
that is almost 100% preventable. The only known cause is due
to exposure to the deadly mineral Asbestos. Those who come down with
Mesothelioma have inhaled particles of asbestos dust as the asbestos
degrades. The asbestos irriates and eats away at the lining of your lungs
and other organs. In response, the tissues develop a deadly
cancer.
What is asbestos? Asbestos is a mineral fiber that
has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for
insulation and as a fire-retardant.
Where did the asbestos exposure come
from?
First, the workplace. Workers were exposed in
factories, at shipyards, in mines, for the US military, as engineers, as
pipefitters, as steel workers, as auto mechanics, and in so many other
professions. Asbestos dust as clouds of white powder, were inhaled by
the workers.
Second, the home. This same dust was
also carried home on the clothes of the these many workers,
bringing the exposure to their spouses and children. Eventually the
dust becamse a part of the home environment recirculated
by heating systems in houses, not to mention in offices and
schools...
As the danger of Asbestos in relation to
Mesothelioma reached the public consciousness, the EPA and CPSC began
banning several asbestos products. Manufacturers also voluntarily limited
uses of asbestos. This has removed much of the danger of asbestos in
the workplace.
But asbestos is still commonly found in
older homes and schools, in pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos
shingles, millboard, textured paints and other coating materials, and floor
tiles. And as these material wear out, new asbestos particles are released,
creating new cases of Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is relatively rare. About 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed
in the U.S. And Mesothelioma is more common in males than in
females. It most commonly occurs in the fifth and seventh decade
of an individual's life.
Mesothelioma is 100 percent fatal. The life expectancy for someone who
has been diagnosed with mesothelioma is less than two years. Many people
think that Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer. This is not true.
Mesothelioma starts as a cancer of the tissue or membranes
surrounding the lungs or heart or stomach. It is only when the
cancer has advanced beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of
the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs that
the cancer is usually detected. This is the cause of the confusion over the
description as a lung cancer. The fact that the tumors, while in the membranes,
remain flat and basically undetectable is also why Mesothelioma is so
deadly.
If you have developed mesothelioma or if someone you love has died of the
disease, you should know that you may be entitled to financial compensation from
those who were responsible for exposing you to this life-threatening
hazard.
Visit other pages on this site for more articles, news, links, videos and other Resources about Mesothelioma.
About the Author: Scott Harker is the publisher of several websites including:
Sherlock Holmes Pastiches,
Harvest The Sun | Renewable Energy,
Emeralds for Sale,
California Undergraduate Colleges, and
Gold Investments.
EHE International Window Display at Rockefeller Plaza to Promote Mesothelioma... 2 Sep 2010 at 1:05am
September 26th is National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Though mesothelioma is rarely in the spotlight, this year, EHE International is helping to change this, by generously donating a window display in the heart of New York City to increase awareness of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma: Hospice wins landmark victory in asbestos cancer case 31 Aug 2010 at 7:09pm
Court decision to make engineering firm pay £10,000 towards care of victim to open door for more claims from hospices Hospices that care for victims of a form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure hope to get help with treatment costs following a landmark court ruling. After a three-year legal battle the high court has ruled that a company that exposed a former worker, who later died of ...
The Second Major Version of the Advice for Mesothelioma Site Has Been Recentl... 30 Aug 2010 at 12:01am
The launching of Advice for Mesothelioma 2.0, which includes countless new features that are both user friendly and more accessible, has been announced.
U of M Study Moves To Silver Bay 1 Sep 2010 at 7:01am
The University of Minnesota is conducting a study in Northeastern Minnesota to determine whether or not miners and their spouses are more likely to contract a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma.
House on Fire 1 Sep 2010 at 7:45pm
According to a theorem laid down by the late great Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt, the world of song can be broken down most essentially into two broad categories: there?s the blues, and there?s zippety do da.
Fighting for Karen 2 Sep 2010 at 2:01am
On June 24, Aurora resident Karen Miller was rushed to the hospital. For the past two years, she'd suffered from shortness of breath, but this time she was having chest pains and didn't look good. "When we first got to the hospital, they thought she was having a heart attack," said Dorthy Treadway, also an Aurora resident and one of Miller's four daughters. "They gave her some chest X-rays and ...
?All our possessions are gone? 1 Sep 2010 at 8:40pm
A fire Tuesday night destroyed the Sandy and Ron Wharton residence at 6030 Alamo Rd., Carrollton, and also claimed their six pet cats.
James Hardie asbestos fund 'at risk' 1 Sep 2010 at 1:07am
LAWYERS representing asbestos disease victims say a Federal Court ruling against James Hardie could put victim compensation payments at risk.
Asbestos victims fear Hardie fund risk 1 Sep 2010 at 1:35am
Lawyers representing asbestos disease victims say a Federal Court ruling against James Hardie could put victim compensation payments at risk.
Sandra Cohen, meticulous and passionate attorney 31 Aug 2010 at 10:14pm
Sandra Cohen, former head of the municipal-law section of the Seattle city attorney's office, has died at 59.
Visit other pages on this site for more articles, news, links, videos and other Resources about Mesothelioma.
News About Mesothelioma
EHE International Window Display at Rockefeller Plaza to Promote Mesothelioma... 2 Sep 2010 at 1:05am
September 26th is National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Though mesothelioma is rarely in the spotlight, this year, EHE International is helping to change this, by generously donating a window display in the heart of New York City to increase awareness of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma: Hospice wins landmark victory in asbestos cancer case 31 Aug 2010 at 7:09pm
Court decision to make engineering firm pay £10,000 towards care of victim to open door for more claims from hospices Hospices that care for victims of a form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure hope to get help with treatment costs following a landmark court ruling. After a three-year legal battle the high court has ruled that a company that exposed a former worker, who later died of ...
The Second Major Version of the Advice for Mesothelioma Site Has Been Recentl... 30 Aug 2010 at 12:01am
The launching of Advice for Mesothelioma 2.0, which includes countless new features that are both user friendly and more accessible, has been announced.
U of M Study Moves To Silver Bay 1 Sep 2010 at 7:01am
The University of Minnesota is conducting a study in Northeastern Minnesota to determine whether or not miners and their spouses are more likely to contract a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma.
House on Fire 1 Sep 2010 at 7:45pm
According to a theorem laid down by the late great Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt, the world of song can be broken down most essentially into two broad categories: there?s the blues, and there?s zippety do da.
Fighting for Karen 2 Sep 2010 at 2:01am
On June 24, Aurora resident Karen Miller was rushed to the hospital. For the past two years, she'd suffered from shortness of breath, but this time she was having chest pains and didn't look good. "When we first got to the hospital, they thought she was having a heart attack," said Dorthy Treadway, also an Aurora resident and one of Miller's four daughters. "They gave her some chest X-rays and ...
?All our possessions are gone? 1 Sep 2010 at 8:40pm
A fire Tuesday night destroyed the Sandy and Ron Wharton residence at 6030 Alamo Rd., Carrollton, and also claimed their six pet cats.
James Hardie asbestos fund 'at risk' 1 Sep 2010 at 1:07am
LAWYERS representing asbestos disease victims say a Federal Court ruling against James Hardie could put victim compensation payments at risk.
Asbestos victims fear Hardie fund risk 1 Sep 2010 at 1:35am
Lawyers representing asbestos disease victims say a Federal Court ruling against James Hardie could put victim compensation payments at risk.
Sandra Cohen, meticulous and passionate attorney 31 Aug 2010 at 10:14pm
Sandra Cohen, former head of the municipal-law section of the Seattle city attorney's office, has died at 59.