Mesothelioma - Catch It Early To Avoid Big Trouble

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Article Title: Mesothelioma - Catch It Early To Avoid Big

Trouble

Author: Rick Hendershot

Word Count: 879

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Many people have never heard of Mesothelioma and are unaware of

its symptoms. Although considered a rare form of cancer, each

year the number of cases grows. With the prevalence of this

disease on the rise, it is critical to understand why and how

Mesothelioma develops and what courses of action can be taken

in the event of diagnosis. The following are some questions and

answers that will provide you with information on 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. The organs

most commonly affected are the lungs, heart and abdominal

organs. The most common form of Mesothelioma is Pleural

Mesothelioma -- cancer of the lung lining. But cancerous cells

are also found in the lining of the abdominal cavity (the

peritoneum) and the lining around the heart (the pericardium).

**What causes Mesothelioma?**

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is often found in building materials used before the

mid 1970’s. In addition, materials such as pipes, boiler

insulation, floor, ceiling and roof tiles may contain asbestos.

It is believed that even insignificant exposure to asbestos in

environments such as asbestos mills, mines, shipping yards,

some older Navy ships or even in patient's homes can result in

mesothelioma. In many cases mesothelioma does not occur for

decades after initial exposure to this cancer-causing asbestos.

2000-3000 cases of mesothelioma per year are currently being

diagnosed. Family members of workers exposed to asbestos can

also contract this disease through exposure to the worker's

clothing. Like many other cancers, smoking greatly increases

the risk of contracting mesothelioma.

**How much asbestos exposure will cause Mesothelioma?**

Generally, the probability of developing this form of cancer is

directly related to the length of time you are exposed to

asbestos. The health risk also increases with the intensity of

the exposure to asbestos.

However, an exposure of as little as one or two months can

result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. At the age of 48,

Canadian Member of Parliament Chuck Strahl, was recently

diagnosed with mesothelioma and traces the cause back to

changing brake pads on logging equipment after he graduated

from high school. Strahl's case is a good example of the fact

that Mesothelioma has a latency period of anywhere from 20 to

50 years. Like thousands of others he developed the disease

long after his exposure to asbestos.

**What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?**

Mesothelioma is a very subtle form of cancer providing only a

few noticeable symptoms until it becomes extremely advanced.

75% of all mesolthelioma cases are Pleural mesothelioma -

cancer of the lung lining. This type of cancer causes shortness

of breath and/or chronic coughing that can easily be mistaken

for allergies or a common cold. Mesothelioma is often

discovered by accident when patients are being examined for

these common symptoms. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma

may include: chest pain, shortness of breath, chronic coughing

that worsens over time, fatigue, wheezing, lung infection,

hoarseness, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, chest or

abdominal pain or blood in the phlegm from the lungs when

coughing

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach

and intestines and can be just as dangerous and deadly.

Symptoms of Peritoneal mesothelioma include: pain or swelling

in the abdomen, weight loss, bowel obstruction (blockage in the

large or small intestines), anemia (reduced number of red blood

cells) , and fever.

The onset of Mesothelioma is usually quite slow. Patients will

begin to experience symptoms such as lower back pain and chest

pain. Unfortunately, once Mesothelioma develops, it quickly

becomes aggressive and treatment must be sought immediately.

**Can Mesothelioma be treated?**

Unfortunately, by the time most infected people become aware

they have mesothelioma it has ceased being dormant and becomes

extremely aggressive. Once it is no longer dormant, this type

of cancer can travel quickly, and this makes it almost

impossible to stop.

While there are treatments that are available in order to keep

the patient comfortable, there is currently no cure for

Mesothelioma, and as many as 75% of those who develop the

disease will lose their life within one year. The remainder may

last for up to an additional six months. Among the treatments

that are used in order to reduce the effects of the disease are

oxygen, postural drainage and pain killers. A wide range of

treatment approaches are being tested, ranging from attempts to

fortify the body's natural immune system to gene therapy which

tries to attack the problem at the DNA level to homeopathy,

herbs and acupuncture. But none have yet been shown to be very

effective once the disease reaches the aggressive stage.

Given the generally poor prognosis for people who do not catch

the disease in time, early detection is the best defence

against Mesothelioma. If you have worked in an industry such as

construction or suspect that you may have been exposed to

asbestos, be alert for symptoms and contact your doctor

immediately. Like all forms of cancer, detecting Mesothelioma

at the earliest stage possible greatly increases your chances

for survival.

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