Mesothelioma Facts

This disease sadly takes people who are infected by surprise as the symptoms usually occur many years after exposure to asbestos. In general, exposure to asbestos which leads to the mesothelioma illness happens in the workplace. The infected mesothelium cells become cancerous and possibly without the knowledge of the victim, the infectious cells begin spreading into the different regions of the victim's body.

Due to the nature of work in workplaces with asbestos in the past, such as manufacturing plants or power plants, most patients are men, although women are also sometimes victims also. In the U.S. only, there are around 200 new cases per month. Also to note, these are only known instances. It is unclear how many people at this time who are ill with mesothelioma, but not realize the magnitude of their condition.

There were over 20,000 deaths in the United States between 2000 and 2010 with thousands of deaths that have already occurred in the last decade of the 20th century. Each state has been affected by mesothelioma, but the East Coast has seen the worst of the disease to date.

Unfortunately in most cases at the time of diagnosis of cancer cells, they have already spread and mesothelioma has reached its full development. Most victims do not know feel the symptoms until it is too late to get the disease under control. Because the disease is widespread throughout the body, the best treatment option is not invasive surgery. Treatment sessions using chemotherapy or radiotherapy are the most common.

If you or someone you know may have been exposed to asbestos, they should immediately consult a doctor to undergo a series of tests. Especially if you were a smoker, that in itself could accelerate the development of mesothelioma. If you are able to catch it as soon as possible, the treatment process is not complicated.

The mesothelium is a lining that covers and protects your body. When the lining cells become cancerous, that is when you gradually develop mesothelioma. This disease is caused by asbestos exposure. Although it is a natural substance, it should not be exposed to people as the microscopic fibers become airborne and are inhaled accidentally. When breathing the fibers, they become permanently attached to the lungs, which is the beginning of infection and eventually leads to the development of the condition.

1. Historical facts about asbestos and mesothelioma

Asbestos has been used since ancient times. Greeks and Romans wove the fibers into tablecloths, napkins, and clothes, and threw them into fires to clean them. They also noted the slaves forced to deal with this material lived shorter lives and usually died of breathing or respiratory problems.
Asbestos was used extensively in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as modern industry drove the economies of Western Europe and the United States.
During the Second World War, hundreds of thousands of military personnel were exposed to asbestos on a large scale. Many of these servicepeople are now beginning to demonstrate symptoms of asbestos-related diseases.
Many asbestos companies knew the dangers of their products, but chose to ignore or downplay the role asbestos played in many illnesses.
The first reported death caused by asbestos exposure was documented in medical journals in 1924.

2. Modern facts about asbestos and mesothelioma

Over 10,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions each year, 3,000 in the US alone.
It is estimated that over 110,000 schools in the United States still contain some form of asbestos.
Even though cigarette smoking does not cause mesothelioma, victims exposed asbestos who smoke suffer a 50-90% increase in the likelihood of developing lung cancers.
Asbestos has been banned or regulated in many industrialized countries around the world.
Post-diagnosis survival of mesothelioma is measured in months, because by the time the cancer is detected it is too advanced for treatment.
Because of the long dormancy of mesothelioma, experts speculate that there will be an increase of cases for the next 20 to 30 years.

3. Legal facts about asbestos and mesothelioma

The first lawsuit regarding asbestos injury was filled in 1966 in Texas against Johns-Manville, Fibreboard, Owens Corning Fibreglas and several other manufacturers.
Mesothelioma cases settle on average between $750,000 and $8 million.
More than half a million asbestos cases have been filed, with 50,000 in 1998 alone.
Up to 8 million people in the United States have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. Asbestos still continues to pose a threat to workers in certain occupations.
New legislation before the Senate of the United States called the Hatch Bill could potentially limit the amount of compensation victims of asbestos-related diseases could receive.