Learning about mesothelioma

If you listen to the radio or watch TV on a daily basis, chances are you’ve heard something about mesothelioma. But what is it?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. It occurs in the lining of the body’s internal organs. Most people who develop this illness have worked on jobs where they’ve inhaled asbestos particles. Because the cancer can be deadly if left untreated, it’s important to build awareness about this illness and its symptoms. Early detection can prolong or save someone’s life.

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Those exposed often inhaled or swallowed the dust.

Asbestos exposure often occurred in manufacturing. Shipyard work also posed risks, as did certain jobs involving construction, chemical plants, and power plants. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. For this reason, it’s important for people who have worked around asbestos to be screened. If you have parents or grandparents who may have been exposed, encourage them to see a health professional for screening

A mesothelioma blog is dedicated to building awareness of this illness. Click here to learn more about mesothelioma symptoms and treatment, as well as how this cancer is diagnosed.