Asbestos & Mesothelioma
South Carolina Asbestos And Mesothelioma Lawyers can help!
Asbestos is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers thus causing Mesothelioma which is lung cancer . Mesothelioma can be lethal, and can be caused by inhaling even the smallest (microscopic) asbestos fibers. Approximately 2,500 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. Because the tiny asbestos fibers can lie hidden in your lungs for decades before being discovered, the risk of developing mesothelioma increases with age.
You may be at risk for developing mesothelioma if any of the following is true:
- You handle asbestos or come into direct contact with asbestos on your job, or…
- You work in an area where asbestos was handled by others, or…
- You are a family member of someone who worked with asbestos, or…
- You live within one mile of an asbestos plant, shipyard or other source of asbestos
Delayed onset of mesothelioma is common
One unique characteristic of asbestos-related injuries is the long period of time between exposure to asbestos and the onset of injury or disease. This can be anywhere between 15 and 50 years, sometimes even more. So, a person could be exposed to asbestos and not develop mesothelioma until 50 years later! The average latency period (amount of time the disease is hidden from detection) is approximately 35-40 years.
The Result of prolonged exposure to asbestos
When mesothelioma is diagnosed in the United States, its onset is typically linked to a prolonged exposure to asbestos fiber, or an extended asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used for decades as insulation material. Since the 1920's, asbestos has been known to be a carcinogen (meaning it causes cancer in humans). Even so, asbestos use continued until the mid-1970's. In fact, asbestos insulation is still present in massive quantities in many buildings today. Unfortunately, very little exposure is required to set this cancer in motion in many cases. Some of the following occupations are typically associated with the onset of mesothelioma later in life:
| Automotive Mechanics Boilermakers Bricklayers Carpenters Cement Finishers Drywall Workers Electricians Engineers Foundry Workers Insulators Lathers Machinists Mechanics |
Millwrights Operators Painters Paper Workers Plasterers Pipe Fitters Plumbers Power Plant Workers Roofers Sailors (Navy & Merchant Marine) Shipyard Workers Steel and Sheet Metal Workers Welders |
Causes and Symptoms*
The primary risk factor for developing mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. In the past, asbestos was used as a very effective type of insulation. The use of this material, however, has been declining since the link between asbestos and mesothelioma has become known. It is thought that when the fibers of asbestos are inhaled, some of them reach the ends of the small airways and penetrate into the pleural lining (pleura is a thin membrane which lines the inside of the chest cavity and also covers the lungs). There the fibers may directly harm mesothelial cells and eventually cause mesothelioma. If the fibers are swallowed, they can reach the abdominal cavity, where they can contribute to the formation of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Exposure to certain types of radiation as well as to a chemical related to asbestos known as zeolite has also been related to incidences of mesothelioma.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may include the following:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Pain in the chest and abdominal regions (which may be unresponsive to pain medications)
- Progressive loss of appetite and weight loss
- Fluid in the chest cavity
Clinical Staging, Treatments, and Prognosis
The treatment and outlook for those with mesothelioma depends a great deal on the stage of their cancer. Because the most frequently occurring type of mesothelioma is pleural and it is also the one most studied, it is the only type for which a staging system exists. The following stages are based on a system known as the Butchart system, which divides mesothelioma into four stages:
- Stage I: Mesothelioma is found within the right or the left pleura and may also involve the lung, the pericardium, or the diaphragm on the same side.
- Stage II: In this stage, mesothelioma has spread to the chest wall or involves the esophagus, the heart, or the pleura on both sides. The lymph nodes in the chest may be involved as well.
- Stage III: Mesothelioma has gone through the diaphragm and into the lining of the abdominal cavity. Additional lymph nodes besides those in the chest may be involved.
- Stage IV: There is evidence that mesothelioma has spread through the bloodstream to distant organs or tissues.
By the time symptoms show up and mesothelioma is diagnosed, the disease is often advanced. The average survival period after diagnosis is about one year. If the cancer is found before it has spread and it is treated aggressively, about half of the patients will live two years, and approximately 20% will survive five years.
After diagnosis, it is important to understand your treatment options. Your doctor or oncologist will provide you with information on the treatments that are available to you.
There are treatments available for all patients with malignant mesothelioma. The three kinds of treatment used are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Coping With Cancer Treatment
Coping with cancer treatment can be difficult and exhausting. It can be very helpful for the patient receiving therapy for mesothelioma to find a group of family and friends who can aid with household responsibilities, provide transportation, and give psychological support. The patient should not feel a need to rush back to normal activities after treatment is completed.
(*Source: Oncology Encyclopedia)
For legal advice regarding mesothelioma or other asbestos related cancers, contact the lawyers at George Sink Injury Lawyers.
If you have mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related disease, chances are you were exposed to asbestos. Many of the manufacturers of asbestos insulation products knew that asbestos was hazardous, yet made a business decision not to warn people of those hazards for decades. You may have a right of recovery against those manufacturers, which can help cover the costs of cancer treatment and provide compensation for your suffering.
Our law firm handles mesothelioma cases throughout South Carolina to ensure that our clients medical bills and suffering are fairly compensated. If you have developed mesothelioma as a result of prolonged exposure to asbestos, contact the South Carolina mesothelioma lawyers of George Sink Injury Lawyers today by calling 1-800-849-SINK or using our confidential online case evaluation form.
