What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, nearly
99% mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma causes cancer
to develop in the cells that in the lining around the outside of the lungs
and inside of the ribs (pleura), or around the abdominal organs (peritoneum).
Malignant mesothelioma is a serious disease caused by asbestos.
What are the causes of Mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The cancer has
a latency period of 20 to 50 years. In other words there is a wide gap
between initial exposure and development of the disease. The average development
time is between 35 and 40 years. In rare cases the cancer has appeared
in less than 20 years.
How much exposure to asbestos causes Mesothelioma?
The likelihood of getting Mesothelioma increases the longer and more
intense the exposure to asbestos. However, in many cases mesothelioma appears
in people with very little exposure or even simple household exposure.
Some people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma 30 or 40 years after
having brief exposure such as a summer construction job. There is a high
incidence of people being diagnosed with mesothelioma who were exposed
unknowingly in the Navy many years ago.
What materials contain Asbestos?
Most insulation materials before the mid-1970s contained asbestos.
Many other construction materials also contained asbestos.
If you or a loved one has Mesothelioma or an asbestos related disease please call 1-800-934-2921.
Related Resources:
Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Center -
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