When your tenure ends after some hard working years in the office or company, you obviously look forward to a happy retirement. How good it will be if you truly have it! You engage yourself in some entertaining activity, also try to mingle bridges with long forgotten friends, and try giving more time for family. But does this happy time continue? In the lives of many workers who have had asbestos exposure during their tenure, the times may be extremely critical after 30-40 years of retirement!
Asbestos Exposure is Extremely Dangerous -
Here we are not talking merely of asbestos related asthma or other bronchitic conditions. We are talking about a dreaded cancer called mesothelioma that results due to asbestos exposure. Mere diagnosis is enough for the patients and their relatives to feel absolutely helpless. Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation donor Roger Worthington says that patience is not the virtue for Mesothelioma patients. They need answers and help right now! No wonder the cancer qualifies for industrial injury benefit in United Kingdom.
What is Mesothelioma Exactly?
Mesothelioma is a potentially life threatening cancer of mesothelial lining of serous cavities. Most commonly seen in the pleural cavity, it can also affect peritoneal and pericardial cavities. Being highly malignant cancer, the cells divide rapidly and the cancer spreads to other organs. Though it is a rare type of cancer, more and more numbers of cases have been found across the world. In US alone, around 3000 patients are diagnosed of this dreaded cancer.
Causes of Mesothelioma -
A cancer begins with genetic mutation. Accumulation of abnormal cells due to mutation forms a tumor. Though we do not know still what exactly causes the initial genetic mutation, we know that many inherited tendencies, your lifestyle, and your health influence these mutations. In 70 to 80% of cases, asbestos exposure is the cause. Especially the shipyard workers, workers in heating industry, insulation and cement industry, construction, roof shingles, and baking industry have more chances of exposure to asbestos. The tiny asbestos particles during work may be inhaled or swallowed. This irritation due to asbestos particles generates cancer symptoms 30-40 years later.
Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma -
Depending upon the site of cancer, the symptoms vary. Shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, cachexia (unexplained weight loss), etc can be the presenting symptoms in case of pleural mesothelioma. Abdominal pain, swelling, changed bowel habit (undue diarrhea or constipation), lump in abdomen etc are the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Screening and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma -
For surest possible diagnosis, biopsy of mesothelial lining should be carried out. Also additional CT scan and MRI scan can help one diagnose with perfection.
Mesothelioma Treatment -
When the diagnosis is done at later stages, the option of surgery is obsolete, which happens in most cases. But in early stages, the doctor usually suggests pleurectomy or peritonectomy to remove the affected tissue. In advanced stages however chemotherapy and/or radiation are the therapies one looks forward to. Combining above mentioned therapies (Multi-modal) can be beneficial in most cases. Some doctors have secured commendable success with some clinical trials. Whatever therapy is chosen for the patient, the treatment goals are discussed with the patient and his relatives prior.
Prevention of Mesothelioma -
It is obvious that avoiding asbestos exposure can avoid all the complications in future. The employers in the asbestos related industry need to understand the gravity of situation and opt for extreme measures to prevent this dangerous cancer. If 90% deaths are preventable just by using a good-fitting face-mask at the related working places, why can’t the employers make it as a mandatory pre-requisite before entering the premises? They must!
Mesothelioma Suit -
Mesothelioma attorneys are special advocates of the affected people who will help them secure justice in time. Even the relatives of the deceased can file a case against the employer who made them expose to asbestos and win hefty compensation. Isn’t that their due?
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