Asbestos cancer, better known as mesothelioma, is perhaps one of the scariest cancers around because there is no cure for it. Not only that, but due to its long latency and the abundance of asbestos in many industries and products, it can be difficult to pinpoint when the exposure occurred and from what. The truth is that asbestos itself is safe, but only under one condition.
When someone gets asbestos cancer, it is because he or she was exposed to asbestos. It does not need to be a sizeable amount; even a small amount of exposure can lead to mesothelioma. However, despite all the press about asbestos, it is actually safe to be around. When asbestos is pure, then there is no problem being around it. The problems start when the asbestos fractures or cracks and pieces go into the air. From here someone breathes in just a few of those airborne pieces and the problems begin.
Normally when someone breathes in any type of mineral it will be later expelled. This is not the case with asbestos, and that is why it causes problems. When asbestos gets into the body, it is going to stay there forever, and as of 2011, there is no cure that can properly treat this type of cancer. As the asbestos moves around, it will cause cuts within the lungs that will eventually become cancer.
Another problem with diagnosing asbestos cancer is its latency. Most medical problems usually occur within a few days to a few years. However, this cancer takes a very long time to form, so elderly people exposed to asbestos may pass away before this cancer ever forms. The shortest recorded latency, or exposure time to cancer development, was 15 years. Normally the latency is around 30 to 40 years, and since so many things can occur in this time, it can be difficult to know when someone was exposed to asbestos and the cancer itself is hard to track.
Unlike normal lung cancer, which just affects the lining of the lungs, this cancer affects much more systems. Commonly the lungs, intestines and heart are all affected when this cancer finally strikes. This cancer tends to be very painful, and most often leads to a dramatic shortness of breath, weight loss and fluid accumulating near the lungs, causing bloating and pain.
Although asbestos has been removed from many buildings and products, it is still a common material used because it is very useful for industries. Due to this, it can still be found in fireproofing materials, some brake pads, caulk and types of plaster. Since the dangers of asbestos are so well known, the upmost care is used when making these products to ensure that consumers do not get this cancer.
Treatment for mesothelioma has been unable to truly fix this cancer, but some treatments have helped patients lived longer. Surgery to remove the cancer and asbestos is usually ineffective, and the cancer tends to grow back. Radiation can sometimes help, but chemotherapy has been able to increase someone’s longevity. Immunotherapy, which is used to boost the patient’s immunity, has had some good results similar to that of chemotherapy, but some people are resistant to the treatment.
This type of cancer can be very difficult to find due to its extended latency, and because the asbestos particles are very hard to find in the lungs. However, if people are safe and do not breathe around asbestos when it is cracked or broken, then there should be no problem being around this substance. Asbestos cancer can be a terrible condition to have, and people should seek out immediate treatment because earlier treatment tends to be better than waiting until the problems get worse.
When someone gets asbestos cancer, it is because he or she was exposed to asbestos. It does not need to be a sizeable amount; even a small amount of exposure can lead to mesothelioma. However, despite all the press about asbestos, it is actually safe to be around. When asbestos is pure, then there is no problem being around it. The problems start when the asbestos fractures or cracks and pieces go into the air. From here someone breathes in just a few of those airborne pieces and the problems begin.
Normally when someone breathes in any type of mineral it will be later expelled. This is not the case with asbestos, and that is why it causes problems. When asbestos gets into the body, it is going to stay there forever, and as of 2011, there is no cure that can properly treat this type of cancer. As the asbestos moves around, it will cause cuts within the lungs that will eventually become cancer.
Another problem with diagnosing asbestos cancer is its latency. Most medical problems usually occur within a few days to a few years. However, this cancer takes a very long time to form, so elderly people exposed to asbestos may pass away before this cancer ever forms. The shortest recorded latency, or exposure time to cancer development, was 15 years. Normally the latency is around 30 to 40 years, and since so many things can occur in this time, it can be difficult to know when someone was exposed to asbestos and the cancer itself is hard to track.
Unlike normal lung cancer, which just affects the lining of the lungs, this cancer affects much more systems. Commonly the lungs, intestines and heart are all affected when this cancer finally strikes. This cancer tends to be very painful, and most often leads to a dramatic shortness of breath, weight loss and fluid accumulating near the lungs, causing bloating and pain.
Although asbestos has been removed from many buildings and products, it is still a common material used because it is very useful for industries. Due to this, it can still be found in fireproofing materials, some brake pads, caulk and types of plaster. Since the dangers of asbestos are so well known, the upmost care is used when making these products to ensure that consumers do not get this cancer.
Treatment for mesothelioma has been unable to truly fix this cancer, but some treatments have helped patients lived longer. Surgery to remove the cancer and asbestos is usually ineffective, and the cancer tends to grow back. Radiation can sometimes help, but chemotherapy has been able to increase someone’s longevity. Immunotherapy, which is used to boost the patient’s immunity, has had some good results similar to that of chemotherapy, but some people are resistant to the treatment.
This type of cancer can be very difficult to find due to its extended latency, and because the asbestos particles are very hard to find in the lungs. However, if people are safe and do not breathe around asbestos when it is cracked or broken, then there should be no problem being around this substance. Asbestos cancer can be a terrible condition to have, and people should seek out immediate treatment because earlier treatment tends to be better than waiting until the problems get worse.
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