Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that most often develops in the pleura, or the lining around the lungs. It can also occur in the lining of the abdomen and heart.
How is mesothelioma caused?
Asbestos is a strong mineral that has been used for various purposes, the most common among them being fireproofing and construction. When asbestos is broken or damaged, the individual fibers in it break free. These fibers are thin and needle-like and they easily float in the air. Thick clouds of asbestos dust are quite a common occurrence in sites of building demolition, factories or workshops. Humans who come into contact with these free-floating fibers inhale it through their nose or ingest it from the air. Once inside the body, these fibers cling to the lining around the lungs or abdomen. This leads to inflammation and ultimately cancer.
Who can suffer from mesothelioma?
According to studies, about 70-85% of people who suffer from mesothelioma were exposed to some form of asbestos for a considerable period of time.
The average age of patients at the time of diagnosis is 50-75 years. This might seem surprising considering that people are mostly retired or working on jobs that do not involve asbestos when they are diagnosed with the cancer. Actually, mesothelioma has a rather long lag period and there may be a delay of 15-30 years between exposure and the first symptoms of the disease. This is in fact one of the most terrible aspects of asbestos exposure. Once a person is exposed, they can never be sure of the consequences.
Duration and concentration of exposure seem to be the two decisive factors when it comes to the development of the disease. However, there is no conclusive proof in this regard.
In recent years, an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 fresh cases of mesothelioma are seen in the US every year, and experts believe that this figure will increase steadily till 2020.
How can mesothelioma cancer attorneys help?
Mesothelioma is caused by occupational, accidental or passive exposure to asbestos. However, corporations that manufacture and use asbestos have known about the risks related to asbestos exposure for more than 70-80 years. But they hushed up this vital information and put employees and their families at risk in order to keep their businesses running. Today, many of them are paying the price for this act; though the unfortunate employees and their families are paying a much greater price.
When mesothelioma hits your family or loved one, there is a lot of pain. In addition to that, the huge financial burden of caring for a cancer patient can really run you down. Mesothelioma cancer attorneys can help reduce this overwhelming burden. By ensuring a fair compensation, they can help you fight the disease aggressively. In case of death, this money will help the rest of the family meet their needs with dignity and decorum.
If you suspect asbestos exposure, you need to contact a mesothelioma exposure attorney at your earliest.
