Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Asbestos and Mesothelioma

In our society many people have been being diagnosed with a deadly cancer called mesothelioma, which is a disease of the lining that surrounds vital organs such as the lungs, the abdomen, and the heart. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to a material we have all heard of called asbestos.

Asbestos was widely used in the late 19th century into the middle of the 20th century, and it was so common because of its fire resistant properties. Studies soon started to show that the dust from asbestos would get into your lungs but your body would not reject it.

Asbestos exposure can cause many health problems but mesothelioma is the worst, and in most cases it is deadly. There are many studies being done trying to find something to help battle against mesothelioma, but at this point the life expectancy after a mesothelioma diagnosis is usually around a year.

One of the major problems with mesothelioma is that you can show no signs or symptoms for years and then whee you do show symptoms and get the diagnosis from the doctor it is usually too late.

Advancements are being made in mesothelioma research and there are high hopes for the near future in at least extending the life expectancy and the quality of life for the patient. Doctors and scientists are working on many prescriptions and radiation treatments to try and aid a mesothelioma patient. If you know that you were exposed to asbestos in the past this is a disease you should learn more about and it can be quite scary and overwhelming.

There are many support groups and counselors that can help someone diagnosed with mesothelioma and understand the different types of this asbestos cancer.

So if you or someone you know is seeking more info on mesothelioma there are many great informational and legal sites that can help you become more educated.

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