Asbestos Causes Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, and Other Cancers
Asbestos Causes Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, and Other Cancers
There are few materials that are as inextricably linked as are the development of mesothelioma asbestos exposure. Numerous asbestos class action law suits fought to establish the link between asbestosis (scaring in the lungs due to repeated exposure to high concentrations of asbestos), but were hampered by the “causal relationship”. This is largely related to the fact that though it is known that asbestos exposure can cause scaring of the lung tissue, it is not the only material that can do so. Exposure to coal dust, silica, and even wheat chaff can cause similar scaring of the lungs.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma on the other hand has been linked almost exclusively to asbestos exposure. Though mesothelioma makes it easier to determine the cause of the cancer, it does not necessarily make it easier to recover legal remedies. One part of this is the aggressive nature that mesothelioma attacks the victim. It is amazing that it takes 15-40 years to manifest itself, but it is then not uncommon to cause death within 6 months. Those cases that are diagnosed early have a markedly improved rate of success, but a successful cure for mesothelioma still does not exist, though many relatively new and experimental treatments are showing moderate success to early stage cancer.
Symptoms of mesothelioma
Early stages of mesothelioma are associated with few symptoms, when it is diagnosed it is usually fatal. Individuals who were exposed to significant amounts of asbestos and their families are encouraged to receive regular chest x-rays to assist with early detection. Some evidence shows that family members of those who worked with asbestos are also susceptible to the diagnosis. It is believed that this is due to spouse washing asbestos contaminated clothing, or children being in close proximity to those individuals. Since there are few symptoms, it is advisable for former asbestos workers, their families, or those that who have lost loved ones to mesothelioma are encouraged to receive regular X-rays to identify warning signs earlier.